Looking good while doing stuff
January 21, 2010 in Fashion, Fashion Anthropology, Self-Health
If you love clothes, there is one infernally annoying quality to them: they look impeccable when not in motion—but as soon as we have to put on a coat, walk up or down steps, or sit in a chair, or reach up, they move and wrinkle and bunch up. What’s up with that?!
This has become a pressing issue for me in my latest temp assignment – I’m taking public transportation, and have about a half-mile walk on a wide, heavily trafficked road from the nearest stop to my office. The wind is blowing, people don’t shovel the sidewalk, I’ve got sand and salt billowing in my face… and I’m trying to look good. After my last office job, I summarily donated my entire stock of “office wear” (slacks, button-downs, sweaters, knee-highs), and resolved to wear what I want to wear, within the confines of business casual.
Photo by Richard Avedon via Alabama Chanin.
Mind you, I live in Connecticut – it’s barely gone over 30 degrees Farenheit in the last 2 weeks – and I’m walking about a mile round trip.
Luckily, I’ve always been the layering type, so camisoles and tank tops are not an issue, and I had the presence of mind during the last year, when I was somewhat financially solvent, to stock up on basic tees, tights, leggings, and thin socks of various lengths. I also added 2 pairs of walking-friendly, sassy boots to my wardrobe. So I’ve worn a skirt or dress 7 out of the last 10 business days, and I don’t even have windburn. I’m feeling like quite a badass fashionista, if I do say so.
Unconsciously at first, but with growing resolve, I’m feeling like, there’s no reason not to dress with full feminine flair for activities other than driving and desk-sitting, and in weather other than temperate. Until now, when faced with dire conditions of transportation or weather, I reached for the warm, sturdy, and waterproof – and my sense of style was squelched under the layers of practicality. But now I’m questioning that sort of bare-fashion-bones mentality.
And almost coincidentally, I’ve happened to come across a few links lately that deal with looking fabulous while having a life:
Kate at Needled, has again graced us with a fabulous socio-historical take on women and walking and wearing; and,
A wiki article listing a number of blogs dedicated to chic cycling.
There are a few items that are saving me from hypothermia and fashion infamy at the same time:
- big, faux-pashmina scarves;
- wedge-heel, patent leather, knee high boots;
- knee-length wool skirts;
- tights and leggings;
- my huge collection of handbags;
- perfectly snug, lined leather gloves;
- amazingly impervious and versatile kilt hose…
Are you a commuter, cycliste, or pedestrienne? How do you compose your wardrobe to accommodate your locomotion? Favorite garments or accessories?
I have to say, I LOVE this post – and the pictures accompanying it. It’s so true; it is nearly impossible to look amazing while doing “stuff.” Loving these tips – leggings are like my BFF!! :)
I usually leave home early and get back very late, so I need to make sure my clothes are business casual, chic and comfortable at the same time! Oh, and warm.
My favourites are knee high boots with chunky heels, scarves, wedge heels with leggings, long, belted cardigans.
[...] Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style. [...]
[...] Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style. [...]
Terrific insight, and I can so relate. Working from my home atelier I've actually found that I need to dress *work casual* because lounging pajamas just don't cut it. When I go to work on site I usually wear pants and a feminine blouse with one of the vintage 3-tier necklaces I collect.
BTW, don't know whether you saw this, but I couldn't think of a more chic way to bike around Paris, or any city. It's about the 5th photo from the end.
http://www.style.com/trendsshopping/stylenotes/01…
Oh, my, FABULOUS! I love seeing ladies decked out to the nines on a bike, just as nonchalantly as if they were going to slip into a chauffered car. I don't think I could pull it off, I feel as though I'm somehow not woman enough, like they know some trick I don't. I can't even wear a white blouse without some impermeable stain appearing the first week I own it…
I love this article! The best piece of advice I ever got was never to buy cheap shoes – they'll utterly disintegrate in the snow.
I'm currently on a short-term contract gig in an office, so I'm having to look professional *and* stay warm every day for the first time in awhile. Things currently saving my life: vintage scarves, secondhand cashmere, and a nice chrome coffee mug to keep my hands warm. :-)
Oh, yeah, the chrome mug (tea in mine) is key!
[...] Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style. [...]
It's been -1 to -3 degrees F in Chicago this week, so I really really appreciate this timely post. I always find winter to challenge my sense of feminine style but the knit hose is such a great find, thank you for sharing the link! Now maybe I can keep wearing my dresses and skirts despite subzero temps, sigh.
[...] Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style. [...]
This is how they do it in Copenhagen: http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/
Here in southern Finland we currently struggle with two feet of snow and -12C temperature. The solution? Catch a cold and cycle nowhere…
[...] Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style. [...]
[...] Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style. [...]
[...] Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style. [...]
I find skirts and tights or leggings much warmer in the winter than pants, so my workday wardrobe consists of lots of colourful striped or patterned tights, flat boots, skirts and cute jackets or sweaters. I have to walk or take public transit, so no heels for me!
[...] Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style. [...]
[...] Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style. [...]
[...] Analogue Chic – Braving the weather and a commute with a sense of style [...]
Great post! I too feel that we shouldn't have to look or feel less than our best just because the weather doesnt want to coooperate. I keep those handy wedge boots you mentioned around just for that purpose as well. Oh–and love the title.."while doing stuff" :-).
[...] Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style. [...]
[...] Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style. [...]
[...] Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style. [...]
[...] Aspinal of London are Giving away an ever-so chic and sophisticated beige patterned skin clutch! Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style. [...]