Sunday, January 22, 2017

The Fine Art and Science of Being You


When I started this blog back in 2013, the very first height of my styling abilities was color blocking. It was what I felt drawn to when I observed other style bloggers, and it was something brand new to me as a concept, so for a long time, I had a good fun playing with it. Now when I look back, I see how simple my outfits were. But for someone who for a few years lost her interest in style, coming back can be quite overwhelming, to the point that you just give up and go back to your routine (in my case, it was dark blue boot cut jeans & some kind of cute top or jacket). I spent a few months mostly just reading about style before I pumped up the courage to start experimenting and created my blog. Color blocking was a good place to begin, and I think I did pretty well.


By no means do I consider myself an expert now, but I know that I developed a keener eye and get genuine insights into personal style. Colors were what I noticed first, but then I learned to see beyond them. I am more interested in details than before, as well as in fabrics - mixing patterns and textures. The latest thing I'm learning is proportions. That's just what I see looking back at my style journey, of which this blog is a precise and honest document. 


I wore this skirt and blouse multiple times in all sorts of combinations, bur for the first time they met in one outfit. I've paired this coat with the skirt before, but  everything else in this outfit, to the smallest detail, is completely different.

I've had the malachite earrings for almost 10 years now, and they really grew on me -
I appreciate their design more and more every year.

When I look at these pictures, I see that I basically created a blue outfit with green details, and color blocked it with the orange coat (if you look closely, you will see that it also has blue and green threads in the pattern). That's really what it is, though it doesn't look like color blocking at first - but essentially, it is a more intricate form of it. 


If you look at this discovery of mine this way, mixing patterns isn't nearly as complicated as it might seem at first! And it doesn't have to be dull and predictable then. 

Look at pattern mixing as the next level of color blocking, 
and you can mix any colors you like, 
while they also provide pattern mixes!

The background blue and shades of golden yellow bind the two patterns together. I added more green accents (jewelry, purse and scarf are all different tones of green). My hair (freshly cut and colored by Erica) always adds to my favorite warm reddish/brownish palette, as well as the new pair of inexpensive sunglasses. I like the masculine element the engineer boots add to my usually ultra feminine outfits.


I like experimenting with my style. It still doesn't feel "done" to me, and I wonder not only whether it ever will, but whether there is even a need for it to be "done". I enjoy exploring, and it seems I always find something I haven't done before or haven't realized before. It's as if to say, I became a good writer, and that's it for me - I don't need to learn anything else, I know it all. But I don't know it all! I am eager to learn! I don't want to ever feel like I'm done learning, and there is nothing for me to explore. Of course, I understand that my eureka moments might seem trivial to some knowledgeable and experienced stylists - but they really aren't. We can take a book and memorize all that it says, and consider ourselves wise and knowledgeable, but mostly we are just an annoying "know-it-all".  Books won't make us wise or insightful, they only can give us a hint as to where to dig for what we're looking for. Or confuse us - create a distance between where we are and where we want to be, that also very well can happen. When we discover our style (or anything else about life) from within, by experiencing and not being afraid of making a mess - then we gain the most precious knowledge of all, the fine art and science of what it is to be OURSELVES.

Everything is remixed from my wardrobe:

Blouse - thrifted
Skirt - eShakti
Coat - c/o eShakti
Boots - Born
Purse - B Makowsky (via TJ MAXX)
Jewelry - silver, malachite and jasper - gifts from Justin and old friends
Sunglasses - via Fireworks

Linked with Visible Monday

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20 comments:

  1. My favorite coat! I'm still very safe with my clothes choices. I should put a little thought into what I wear.

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    1. I didn't know that it's your favorite, Sam. :) I only wore it three times so far, there are still many unexplored possibilities with it (including the faux fur collar that I envisioned from the very beginning). Glad if I can bring you some inspiration to experiment. Be brave. It's only dressing up. :)

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  2. I love particularly that you share the process of styling, and I understand it very well, as I've also been evoluing from a simple color scheme, trying more and more textures, prints, and proportions!. Style is evolution, as it's something alive! I also believe that style is not a destination, it's just a creative process! And you're so inspiring!!
    Love your outfit, the different prints working together and creating a subtle harmony!. Your coat is fabulous and those Green accessories really rock!.
    And you look gorgeous!
    besos

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    1. Yes, that was just what I was trying to say - it is a process, there is no need for a destination point! Every "destination" is a new beginning, and I just love how it all unfolds, how I see new layers which I didn't even expect to discover! Thank you for being so encouraging, Monica! You are my inspiration too!

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  3. I think our style is something that is an evolution of a sort. Sometime simplicity works for us, sometimes we need complexity.

    I love pattern mixing! That blouse is so lovey and such a great pairing with that skirt. The coat is absolutely fabulous too. I think I was always attracted to colour blocking and print and pattern mixing. I suppose I just love the visuals of it- it reminds me of painting. I love to experiment with different styles, but I think that when it comes to painting, the colours are one of the most important things for me- so it is with fashion. However, I must admit that lately I don't feel much like dressing up or having fun with clothes.

    The book I ordered didn't arrive yet, I probably should have opted for quick delivery on Amazon, but well, it is will arrive sooner or later and I'm not in any great hurry.

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    1. Thank you again, Ivana, for ordering my book! I hope it arrives soon, and we'll keep in touch.

      I agree - simplicity sometimes, complexity other times, and then there are days when I just need to wear my PJs! :)

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  4. the first impression is: all the colors sing together!!!! totally fabulous!
    and then - it does´t look "styled" - which is a huge + in my eyes :-) mixing 3 patterns and that much of colors is something that even style-pros shy away from! but you my dear - you mastered it sensational and in a casual looking way! <3 <3 <3

    i know my style since ages - and i live with mostly the same wardrobe pieces for a long time now - but every day (ok.-every day i go out) is a new adventure in style!! if you love fashion you´r never "done" with your looks :-)

    huge hugs! xxxxxxx

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    1. My dear, I'm so thrilled to hear it from you! It felt harmonious when I put it together, to the point when I wondered to myself why I haven't done it before - it seems so natural and obvious now. But that's exactly my point - it had to be a certain journey before I was able to do it. And tomorrow, I will be able to do something I don't know how to do today.

      It's the same in any new road we take. Style, writing... life!

      You have your own unique story! You are not only passionate about fashion and style - you live and breathe it for many years, since you were a kid! And then years of professional experience, education, endless active creativity! And yes, it is still a living and breathing thing for you, every your outfit is so free!

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  5. by experiencing and not being afraid of making a mess - oh yes Natalia. It's essential for me.
    You look so amazing, you do it so well, colour and pattern, all is cool :)
    many hugs, Tina

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  6. Experimenting and therefore learning is what makes our lives sing. Finding our own style is an evolving process that can do an about face at any moment. I am continually inspired by other women , either in person or online , that said I do my own thing my way. Your combination is testament to your own creative prowess and your ability to experiment . Hoping all is well .

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    1. We have a very similar outlook on life and creativity, Jill!

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  7. I have always liked mixing patterns and especially colours. Perhaps I was a bit on a safer side when I was younger but now I feel more confident and like experimenting too. You do have your own interesting style. By the way, my daughter who is a fashion designer, visits your blog regularly too, and she shared her admiration with me saying "she dresses interestingly". Thank you for all your sweet comments on my blog, Natalia, it is always nice to hear appreciation from other fellow bloggers.

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    1. Thank you so much, Olga! I am honored to hear about your talented daughter! :)

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  8. I adore pattern mixing and do it naturally without thought. I suspect I do what you've done here by looking at the overall tones and remixing them with emphasis on different ones. Your coat is stunning! Hugs! xo Jazzy Jack

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    1. I must admit, I didn't used to do pattern mixing. My style as a young woman was much more elegant/streamlined/minimalistic. I do it rather well, actually - but I am not interested in it nowadays. When I look at my pictures from childhood though, I see that I mixed patterns all the time! I think it's something we do naturally, before we hear all the smart advice from some stylists. Our grandmothers have done it for centuries!

      For the last 3 or 4 years, I've been unlearning (much like you unschool your boys) many old patterns in style... as well as in life! I don't really think about it when I put my outfits together, it is all intuitive. But when I write, I deconstruct my creative process, that's just what I do in an attempt to understand myself better.

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  9. This is insisting Natalia . It seems you are naturally inclined to good and unique style from you artistic and creative abilities. It is clear to me that this is true . But it is fun to analyze, as it is a unique gift and one that has many popes searching to replicate.
    Houndstooth, floral, + plaid+ oh YES!
    xx, Elle
    http://www.theellediaries.com/blog/

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    1. Thank you, Elle! It certainly was fun to write. I never know what my post will be about, like I'm never sure what my outfit will be like. :)) First, I put together an outfit and go about my business. Then take pictures. Then I arrange them in a post and see if it "flows". Then I start writing, and I am sometimes very much surprised what I learn from the experience! :)

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  10. I did mean people and not popes, and interesting rather than insisting, but my typos are always an interesting read, i Hope!
    xx, Elle

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