I wrote this entire post in my head last night as I lay in bed. I write a lot of great things in my head when I'm in bed- I should really just get up and actually get it out so I don't have to try to recreate it later. Be patient as I think through this again.
My quandry started in my closet. There are rules, general rules that thanks to my dad I feel somewhat up to speed on. You don't wear white after labor day, you leave the linen to the summer months, the boots and wool pants should only be worn between october and april, the lighter colored khakis need to be put away for the winter, the suede pumps should not be displayed after march, you wear houndstooth when it's cold and seersucker when it's warm... you know, the rules.
The confession: I broke the rules last Sunday as I donned a linen suit for church. Yes, it's February, I know. Luckily whoever happened to notice did not judge too harshly, at least out loud. The issue is this: the rules were completely understandable and easy to abide by when I lived in Utah, and New York, and when visiting places like London... places that display significant seasons.
So answer me this: Should the rules be applied according to the calendar or the weather? When it's 20 degrees in February, the wool skirt and tall black boots are a no brainer. When it's 80 degrees outside (seriously) in February and I am wearing wool and boots, I feel ridiculous, but something inside me thinks it's very wrong to pull out the white pleated skirt and summer sling-backs. Of course there are a few pieces that I could probably get away with either way, like the black crepe suit, which is a summer fabric, but black so ok, but considering the summer-like weather in the winter that abounds in my current place of residence, I've got a problem!
So weigh in, give you opinion and be honest.. is it, in fact, appropriate to dust off the seersucker before march?? In my defense, the linen suit was navy, not pastel and I was in closed-toe shoes!
16 comments:
My solution: you should move to Portland!
I think you should rewrite the rules. Now that you know them, you are fully justified in breaking them. Isn't that the sign of a true artist?
I think that "The Rules" have been relaxed over time, particularly for those living in the SunBelt. A navy linen suit in Phoenix in February can't have been a faux pas. And you actually can wear white shoes before Memorial Day and after Labor Day now. If you must. Your bag and shoes also do not need to match.
So here's the little secret..nobody in Arizona cares about most of the rules! :)
In all honesty Amberly I have two major thoughts about this. One is that definitely the weather changes things in Arizona. And my second thought is (now take this in the loving way that I mean it)that the rules are ridiculous. If you're modest, if you're dressed appropriately for the occassion, if your clothes are well-kept and tidy and fit you nicely--those are the things that matter. :)
So, until you move back to New York just toss the Rule Book out the window and pull out the seersucker, honey! :)
Oh, of course my 3rd thought on this is that it is an intimidating topic and I am no fashionista so you may need to disregard anything I say-lol.
ha ha. i love this post! i think your navy linen suit was just fine. i do NOT think white shoes should be worn before memorial day or after labor day unless there tennis shoes. Also, who wears white dress shoes anyway? tacky! The rules can be adjusted for phoenix but i like emily's advice. maybe you should move but not to portland. I think your kids need some experience in the snow!
I am so dang glad that I am not the only one with this quandary! I mean, really when can I wear the bright pink kitten heeled sandals? I think they fall into the "white shoe" category of Memorial Day - Labor Day, but sometimes that is just not enough!!! So here is my thought...there are some rules that cannot & should not be broken...the white shoes is one of them as well as white pants. But I don't really support white dress shoes period (but like I said my pink shoes fall into this category also). Now where the rules are bendable are on say...a navy blue linen suit...winter color with a summer fabric, you can totally squeeze that into Feb with 80 degree temps. Also, I think you can bend them more in Sept & Oct when by that point you are so sick of the heat that you'll do anything to cool off regardless of the 'rules'...even to the point of forgoing a bra! haha.
You knew I'd have a lot to say about this didn't you!
navy linen suit in AZ in Feb. is brilliant! no worries! i don't think you ever need to worry about not looking classic stylish. i go with the weather...white, khakis, summery skirts- that's all year long here. so the rules are very lax in some places- and i think AZ might be one of them.
This was a great post. I was lol the whole time. And also taking a quiet inventory of all my clothes and what I might have worn out of season. Too scary to even think about. But I agree with the white shoes. And pants. Unless they are a "snow" color, which I love and think look fabulous in the winter. Amberly, you are hilarious?!!!! If only I had half of your fashion sense.
WHat a great post, Amberly. I have found myself guilty of the same things and the problem is I KNOW IT! I know I shouldn't be wearing the white pumps with the sunny yellow dress and bare legs in February, but it was pretty warm and I am so tired of the drab winter clothes (at least the ones I have).
I think technically it's a season thing...but then again,I have only lived where there are four seasons!
i say if it's 80 degrees you can wear warm weather clothing even if it's february.
also, years of subscribing to "Glamour" magazine have taught me that you CAN wear white after labor day, etc.
My own "rule" is that if you live somewhere without major seasonal changes, you can pretty much wear whatever is appropriate for the weather. Thus, if I lived in Iceland, I would likely never break out the open toed sandals and white linen skirt, even in July. Similarly, I wore flip-flops all year round in college, because I could.
I'm laughing at Emily's solution...
I think the weather definitely has a say..and my boots have all been put away. I had open toes yesterday. Black, but still. As for seersucker, is it ever okay to wear seersucker? I simply can't imagine!
okay okay...do describe this linen suit for me a bit more...is it still in style to begin with?
After living in AZ...I think it's totally fine to wear what goes with the weather...except for maybe the white shoes after labor day (or maybe just after Oct in AZ)
I love your new pics..and thanks for the announcement...are you starting up with photography?
I have been to that same Firefighter museum..it is fun to visit and hard to get lost at too!
Give your baby a big snuggle for me tonight...baby newborn breath is the best
Amberly- remember on your blog you had that list of "my 100" a very cute feature that i want to replicate, but don't know how. was it a blogger feature that only comes on certain templates? thanks!
Rules were made to be broken. I long ago threw the rules out the window. You must think I am a fashion loser :-). I hang up on the left and wear on the right. When it gets hot, I take all the hot things out of my closet, when it gets cold I put them back in. Last Sunday I wore my strappy, red, open-toed, sandal, heals. Hmmmm. Oh well, to each his own.
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