Red Velvet Dresses

San Francisco Weather and Garments

2011-07-03T23:49:00.000-07:00

San Francisco weather changes its' mind every 24 hours! It can be 52 degrees in July and 60 degrees in December, no lie! This is a layers town: basic template is if you wear a jacket, you will get warm, if you do not wear a jacket, you will get cold! This place caters to LOTS of rugged individualists, myself included. I read recently that Danielle Steele, who lived here for a long time in a big honking mansion, went off in a huff because she decided one could not be "chic" in San Francisco. Well, ok. Helps to have a big $$ budget, Danielle, but I will say that after 30 years of living in this berg, it is casual , yes, but I see all kinds of chic women out there, perhaps not Parisien/haute couture chic, but well-put together outfits, nice makeup, nice hair, and yes, "chic". Chic is truly what pleases you, what protects you out and about, makes you feel good and pretty, and keeps your heart beating. I think we have enough to do and think about right now,with all the economic pressures and the cost of living in general. Lighten up on each other, ok? Cannot say I miss Danielle Steele, though, and never did read her books.....Oh well,to each, huh?

Where fashion draws inspiration

2011-01-22T01:56:00.000-08:00

Below is a short video I shot in May 2010 in San Francisco. I am holding some sweet peas, incredibly fragrant spring flowers. The colors, the sinuous shapes of the stem, even the dried seed pod with seeds still attached....I believe fashion has drawn inspiration from the natural world for centuries, with color, shape and intensity. I give all the glory to our wonderful Papa God for every bit of this beauty that feeds our souls!

God's Gorgeous Handiwork as Inspiration

2011-01-22T01:29:00.000-08:00

Is fashion owned by liberals?

2010-11-15T02:02:00.000-08:00

Lookville again, criticized for being a conservative.
Wow, with all due respect to differing opinions, there are all different kinds of legitimate views on what is fashionable and what looks good. A forum is a discussion, back and forth, and everyone has the right to speak, just like our wonderfully chaotic democracy. I did not realize that fashion was owned by liberals....
Fashion is the collective human experience of clothing and garments throughout human history. Clothing was first and foremost, protection from the elements. I have not had the privilege of studying deeply the development of clothing, that would be fascinating and I would love to do that. In the meantime, I observe, I write, I experience what works for me. As I get older, I am less inclined to show off my body. I never did that much in my youth to begin with, but the trends today are just too much. I really dislike the extremes we have gone to. I see clearly my own Boomer generation contributing to this attitude among youth of today. After all, it was my generation who actively pried the door open further, in the sexual revolution and the feminist revolution. For me and for many others, this has had disastrous repercussions for the generations following mine and I am profoundly sorrowful about my own participation in the breaking down of feminine modesty and reasonable restraint. I am not advocating walking around covered from head to toe, but nor am I advocating letting it all hang out. I have experienced male response to revealing female clothing to be fairly one-dimensional: slut slut slut. There are reasons for wanting to break free of what we perceive to be unpleasant restraints, but I believe we have gone too far and it is not helping little girls and young women. I am in the process of slowly researching and writing a book of repentance for my part in the sexual revolution. I greatly regret all my wild behavior in youth and I apologize to youth of today for this awful sexual mess that has been released. This is not your fault.

Weary of Seduction

2010-11-11T01:26:00.000-08:00

Wow, haven't posted in awhile on my fashion blog....survival takes so much energy as I get older.
Had a rant tonight, sorry kids. I enjoy participating in Lookville sometimes, the fashion forum, but one posting just sent me off into rant land. It was a photo of a lettuce-eating flat bellied young lady in a tiny bikini and very high heels, posed a 'la provocateur by a pool, with the query about high heels and swimsuits. Sigh.....I am so incredibly weary of the fashion dictates of last 10 years or so....that women MUST be sexy or else.
Nope, Nope, Nope. Did I say NOPE???? I so much prefer a quiet sexuality, one that requires men to look at a woman and have to work a bit to get to know her, not to be offered her body and flaunt for free. Women sell themselves very very short when they do this. This is heavily fed by fashion mags ( I canceled all my subscriptions to the three I read in recent years, just toooo much). This is fed mountains of money and the pressure to be sexy is rolling downhill faster and faster to younger and younger little girls. STOP!STOP!STOP! Wake up women! Beauty is quiet power! It does not scream "look at me". It resonates with what exactly is in your heart and spirit. Your eyes reveal so much more than your cleavage, your butt hanging out of a miniskirt, or your 5 inch high heels! I put the brakes on for myself a long time ago, never pursued the sexy thing that much. I am more the provocateur with my sharp tongue rather than my flaunting little body, and both of these got me into beaucoux trouble. No more. I am a woman of God and a follower of Jesus Christ, and from Him I receive the most affirmation, encouragement, kindness, and blessing of all, not the ephemeral scream of the world. It takes, it does not give. Jesus is SO much better. More thoughts on this soon.
WW November 11, 2010 San Francisco

Revealing versus Hidden

2010-06-11T00:50:00.000-07:00

As I continue to participate in the very interesting fashion discussion on Lookville, tonight there is a back and forth about the issue of wearing more fitted garments versus baggy clothes and essentially hiding your figure.
I have worn baggy clothing most of my life. As a small person physically (5'4"), I feel somehow intimidated by fitted and revealing clothing. I can't breathe in tight clothes, and as a leasing agent, my profession demands comfort, as I am in and out of my car, walking to buildings I show, up and down stairs with heavy shoulder bags. I need to have ease of movement. I feel more protected somehow, being hidden in larger clothing. I am not speaking of huge size differential, like some of the young guys wear, where the jeans are hanging down below their underwear. I do not like that look at all. I am simply speaking of wearing clothing for comfort and function and not focusing on the unspoken fashion "rule" for women that seems to proclaim "if you've got it, flaunt it". I could not disagree more. As we see younger and younger girls obsessing about being "fat" and the word "sexy" becoming absolutely ubiquitous, I think the envelope has been pushed over the cliff, quite frankly. I am not advocating women wear sacks or never have glamour. I just find myself essentially weary of seduction. All this "be sexy 24/7 and always look like you are just ready to jump into bed with the nearest man,"...life is not like that and I, a participant and survivor of the sexual revolution of the 1960's, have had enough of sexy.That whole disaster did me no good whatsoever and I am spending the second half of my life repairing the damage of all that wild behavior. Self restraint is not a bad thing.
Moderately fitted is fine, but short, tight, revealing.....not my flavor and to my view, based on my experience, does not bring about good things.
I will be soon posting some photos of some wonderful vintage clothing I have, and hopefully showcase what I consider ladylike, beautiful, gracious clothing, that does not reveal and yet still is attractive and pretty.

A Garment Moment in San Francisco

2010-06-09T02:25:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the car, just parked, preparing to depart for an apartment showing, I was privileged to observe one of what I call "garment moments". A young lady was a few paces ahead of me, preparing to depart on her bright yellow Vespa scooter. I was fascinated, watching her ritual of preparation, something we all do without thinking, but even more so to those of us who love clothes and enjoy the participation in the mood, sometimes up or sometimes down. This lady was focused and determined. I wish I could have photographed her actions, but # 1, that would have been an invasion of her privacy and #2, I did not have my camera.
So, she stood at the side of the bike, opening the bucket storage under the seat. Thin, she already wore slim dark jeans, quite low slung, with a wide deep brown leather belt with a big cheeky buckle. Atop that she had a gray cotton hoodie and a black windbreaker-looking jacket, close fitting. Digging with determination in the bucket, she pulled out a pair of short boots, that looked like cowboy boots but were cut shorter by about 1/2, than the usual height of cowboy boots, in another warm shade of British tan. Pulling them on with one fell swoop tug, she then turned to a second top jacket, possibly leather, short, in black, which she pulled on and zipped up . Flipping the hoodie rakishly over her short spiky blondish hair, she then flopped the bucket top down, with black helmet in hand. Holding the helmet in her right hand,she plopped that on her head in one practiced movement. Flipping her leg over the bike, she sat down, started the bike and quickly headed out into the street, swerving momentarily over into the opposite lane, her legs akimbo for a moment of of balancing? Moving gently back to the correct lane, she stopped at the red light and upon the green, zoomed off down the hill.
What a fascinating and joyous moment for me to watch a fellow human enjoy the cascade of clothing, all that had a purpose and a style. That is the best style, one that speaks, but quietly, not "look at me" but, "this is me, accept or not, I AM!"
That is the way I live, in the background, not seeking a look back at me, but as a writer and prayer warrior, quietly offering support and blessing to my fellow humans along their life road.
Thank you to this young lady who perhaps saw me glancing her way a couple of times. I hope she did not feel invaded, as I was trying to be respectful and not intrusive. You have a great style.
WW June 2, 2010, San Francisco

Bags in the middle of the night

2010-06-08T02:26:00.000-07:00

Below is a short vignette I made in the middle of the night, focusing on some of the amazing fabric things I have found on the roads of San Francisco over the years. I keep my eyes open. As a resourceful (read: not wealthy!) hunter, I see lots of waste out there and have been privileged to receive things thrown away or sometimes carefully and kindly set out on the roads in a paper bag. Beauty is not always found in stores! The beauties of flowers, trees, animal friends, people's faces...it is out there every single day. These little bags are humble pieces, wonderful creations of someone else. I realize my writings here and my little movie vignettes are very homespun and not high and mighty. I admit to being intimidated by some of the polished and lovely blogs out there, the talented women who create them....who am I to participate in this??? I'm a hayseed, a plain-spoken Oregon girl who lives in San Francisco. And yet, if I do not venture out now, I will never get out of the gate. As a late bloomer (I am 57), I have "futzed" all my life and thought and ruminated and mulled...and kept all my love of fabric and garments in my heart. Well, I have no idea how many years I might have left, so I am taking a deep breath and venturing into the blogosphere, with love in my heart for the wonders of God's beautiful earth and the inspirations on every corner, that are translated into fabric and garments. Thanks to every blog I have read in recent months, who also share your hearts with the world. I appreciate it.

Magic Little Bags

2010-06-08T01:50:00.000-07:00

Inspiration on every corner

2010-06-02T01:29:00.000-07:00

There is beauty out there, everywhere you look. Even amidst the darkness of our current age, and the roar and maelstrom of the big city, I see the beauty of our Creator everywhere. These awesome fragrant yellow roses were in full bloom this past Saturday May 29, 2010. I filmed these beauties on Pine and Fillmore Streets, in Pacific Heights, in San Francisco. I show apartments for a part of my livelihood and often keep my digital camera with me for short hops as I see lovely things to film, walking to and from apartment showings. This is how I keep my spirits up and keep my connection to God.
I believe flowers and the sinuous shapes of the plant and animal world are major inspirations for fashion and art. Today, while sitting in front of my last apartment showing for the day, I observed a young lady and her joyous doggie out for a walk. This dog was clearly having a great time, despite his leash, and was bounding ahead of his human. Dog had beautiful long lustrous furs, blowing gently in the stiff breeze of late afternoon, and I watched his long tail waving back and forth like a watery flow. I could see a fishtail hem in his tail....I keep my eyes open out there, much to be imbibed into my spirit and all it takes is observation!

Divine Inspiration from Nature!

2010-06-02T01:16:00.000-07:00

The Nobility of Women

2010-05-29T02:40:00.001-07:00

This blog is my life-long journey of experiences in the world of fashion, fabric, and garments. Clothes are so visceral for most women and the older I get, the more intimately I see the direct proportion of feeling that gathers in an outfit. Outrageous generally draws outrageous, slutty draws slutty, conservative draws conservative.
I wish to speak life back into the core nature of women, that of nobility of spirit and heart. We have been bashed and battered in our spirits over the last 40-50 years, seeing the tremendous and negative changes in the social arena. I see such aggression lashing out in many women, obviously due to all the troubles of the world, and I am doing my part to let women know it is ok to be feminine. Feminine is not weak, nor is it a tactic for manipulation.
I have of recent weeks, been privileged to take part in a very interesting fashion discussion, on a website called "Lookville". I was invited less than 24 hours after I created this fashion blog and I was hesitant at first, due to my age. I felt guided to give it a try and have been pleasantly surprised at how generally respectful commenters are, in responding to outfits that people seek comments on. Sometimes fashion types can be intimidating, but for the most part, this site is joyful, playful, and inspiring. I have offered some thoughts from my older perspective. Clothes are so intense and we spend our lives in one mode or another. I see how many wonderfully creative people there are out there and I also quietly pray for each person I comment on. I just pray that God will bless their lives and bring wisdom and guidance for whatever they may be going through. We all walk together through this life and it is good to encourage one another. I also try to speak as encouragingly as I possibly can, with each comment I make. We are all so vulnerable and it takes guts to get out there and ask opinions. At least I can tread gently on someone else's heart!
More to come soon, some photos of recent clothing finds, and more thoughts on how fabrics make you feel.

Sowing Garments into other's Lives, at the behest of the Holy Spirit

2010-05-22T02:46:00.000-07:00

This coming Sunday, May 23, 2010, is Pentecost Sunday, and I have been guided by the Holy Spirit to begin giving away some of the garments I have been collecting for quite awhile now. It is somewhat of a wrench, as I have this irrational love for fabric and garments....I make absolutely no sense in the material world. That being said, I am learning, step by step, to trust in God's judgement on things of the heart, as He always watches my back and He always has a Plan for my betterment and progress.
So, with some trepidation, I am venturing out to offer free clothing in the way He has guided me to do so. Actually, if anyone reading this has an interest in the two sun dresses I have on my blog, let me know (I am not parting with the cantaloupe jacket or the baby blue jacket, too close!). I cannot wear either sun dress, so I would love to see them go to a lady who would love them. I cannot send them through the mail unless you send me a large padded mailer and some stamps. If you do, I can send one or both to you. In this way, God works through me. He calls this "Garments of Praise" (that is taken from Isaiah 61, an awesome chapter of scripture).
Blessings!

Cheery Baby Blue in soft soft corduroy

2010-05-21T03:45:00.000-07:00

This little jacket is one of my best finds on the streets of San Francisco. Soft, supple and beautiful corduroy, I love it! The baby blue just reaches out and caresses your heart, so tender and sweet. Even though I wear lots 'o black, being the true San Francisco type that I am for almost 29 years, I long for tender colors and softness in temperament. Too many hard edges out there....
Being the tactile person that I am, I find many garments by touch: I can tell natural fabrics by my fingertips most times and this little jac just jumped out at me so strongly. I often wonder about the person who took these clothes to the roads, placed kindly and neatly in a paper bag, to pass them on to a stranger, rather than just throw them away or haul them down to the Salvation Army. This I call the "anti-haul" movement (re: this new trend online of people making "haul" vids, showing off what they just bought). Hey, nothing wrong with that, but it has been many years since I went shopping for new things. I almost never shop for new things except undies and socks! So, I must be resourceful and I keep my hunter radar open on full blast all the time. I can spot a potential bag on the roads from my car.....that is being attuned to possibilities!

Baby Blue Corduroy Jacket, Cheery as all!

2010-05-21T03:10:00.000-07:00

Sun Dresses for the Summer Psyche

2010-05-15T17:09:00.000-07:00

There is something about a sun dress that just makes me smile, even though I have not worn one for many years and the stiff cold sea breeze of San Francisco prevents much wearing of them in general. Still, some women do venture out in sun dresses in San Francisco and I fully understand their joyous abandon in wearing one! They just lift your spirits, especially after a cold season.
These two little dresses are more of my finds on the roads of SF. The one on the right is a SJP Bitten dress, lined in Indian cotton and very soft. The floral makes you so cheery! There is such a soft feel to Indian cotton, supple and sweet and it gets even softer with washing and wear. The left dress is a longer length and all in a lovely rayon. Rayon has a more grainy feel to it and this dress has lovely little pleats that are pressed in, with a modified empire waist and a mid-calf length. Longer summer dresses make you walk in a different way, more slowly somehow. Both dresses have loooong self-ties that can be tied in front or back. Flat sandals work well for this type of look.

Joyous Sun Dresses!

2010-05-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

A Jacket of Cantaloupe cotton

2010-05-14T21:42:00.000-07:00

This little jacket below was one of my street-finds in San Francisco. This town has brought me the most amazing things, for free. I am a hunter and an observer of things off the beaten path and my observation has rewarded me with amazing finds, such as this jacket. Even though this jac is not my size and I cannot enjoy wearing it, I just enjoy garments sometimes for the feel of the fabric under my fingertips and the design and flow of them. Fabric is such a visceral medium: you just have to get your hands on it, and feel the weave. Cotton canvas is generally not soft but wears well and lasts and softens as you live your life in it! The little faux fur collar on this jac is just too cool, that was the first thing I had to touch when I found this. Incredibly soft, the collar is an interesting juxtaposition to the harder feel of the cotton canvas. The lush cantaloupe color is so beautiful! Blessings to the wonderful lady who was having a sample sale out of her garage in my neighborhood, downtown SF, and she just laid this jac on me for very little, as she saw me admiring it wistfully. Thanks, fellow rag lover! You are great!

A Jaunty Jacket in Canteloupe

2010-05-14T20:44:00.000-07:00

My love of fashion, tempered by life

2010-05-14T02:27:00.000-07:00

I am a long way from that summer afternoon, playing in my bedroom with my Barbie doll and her fabulous wardrobe, including that red velvet dress. That doll went places and took my heart with her. Now that I am on the outskirts of old age (57 1/2), I have a tempered view of the exigencies of the world of fashion. I no longer accept any demands of the fashion world but create what works for me. This blog weaves around my thrift shop journeys, my big city survival tactics and resources, my view of the desirability of modesty and self respect.