After the fun of Me Made May, I have been thinking about the clothes I wear, what’s missing from my wardrobe and what needs to be weeded out. I have begun following the Wardrobe Architect series to define my personal style and become more focused in my sewing habits.

Sarai Mitnick says

With all the overwhelming choice presented to us today by fast fashion, I wanted to know: how could the process of getting dressed be pared down to what’s really important? How might my wardrobe better reflect who I am? What questions should I explore to make better decisions about what I buy and make?

I think those are good questions. I am particularly interested to see how my wardrobe might better reflect me, so that my sewing (and knitting) is more focused.

At this stage in my life I don’t buy much junk. I’m still drawn to great (affordable) accessories, but I rarely buy any fast fashion clothes. I know, by now, that they won’t fit or wear well, and won’t satisfy my desire for individuality.

I do, however, stash (relatively) inexpensive fabrics. I wish I had more of a budget for the (more expensive) fabrics that I really love. I need to teach myself to resist impulse fabric buys, and save for the ones I really want.

My goal is to define my core style and build a wardrobe of me made clothes that satisfy it.

Here are some answers to the first and second week’s questions:

When you are wearing your favorite clothing, how do you feel (e.g. confident, sexy, poised, powerful, etc)?

My favourite clothes are beautiful to look at, mixing patterns, textures and colours in interesting ways. They are comfortable, eye-catching, playful, reflect my mood and make me feel attractive. They often include interesting details and handmade aspects that reward closer looks. However, I don’t want to look clownish or too fussy. It can be a very fine line.

When you’re wearing something that is not quite right, how do you feel? What are the feelings you want to avoid about the clothes you wear?

Frumpy is my biggest fear.

I don’t feel comfortable looking too loud. I am loud ~ I don’t want to scare people. This means that I need to find ways of combining all the colours and patterns that I love, without being too overwhelming.

I have a fear of looking clownish (which I suspect, I sometimes do).

I don’t like being cold in winter or too sticky in summer.

I need my shoes to be comfortable enough for walking for miles in.

I don’t like too much extra fabric around my body.

Who do you consider to be your style icons? What is it about them that appeals to you?

There isn’t one person who embodies all that I admire. I love the look of anyone who is confident and comfortable in their clothes and body.

I love the way Sara Jane Adams (top left) mixes patterns, cultures and high/low items in her dress. I love Iris Apfel for valuing style above beauty. I love the joy and ease that Sonja Phillips and  Lotta Jansdotter expresses in their styles.

I have always loved the lady in the top right. She has been on my Pinterest boards from the first day. I don’t know who she is but I love her look; interesting, textural, comfortable and subtle.

What are some words that describe styles that you like in theory, but are not quite you?

Outrageous, cute, oversized (lagenlook), flouncy, frilly and vintage. I’ve worn some of these over the years but they aren’t for me now.

Using 3-5 words, which words would you choose to describe your core style?

Unique, creative, comfortable, active, eye-catching with a love of pattern & colour.

As you can see from my core style board below, I love pattern. I also like worn surfaces, but I like them to look contemporary.

Here is my Wardrobe Architect Pinterest board.