[clothing] "formal"

[wispfox]

Something about this past weekend caused me to consciously notice something about me and my reactions to clothing.

Typical formal clothing really doesn't do much for me, except make me think people look uncomfortable. Because of this, I used to think that clothing didn't really do much for me.

But that's not really true. I just don't have much reaction to normal clothing. Is probably why I took so damn long to start developing an idea of what clothing I _liked_.

I like clothing with words, because I like _words_, and quotes, and sayings. But this isn't about the clothing itself, but about the words. This is more common, so I knew this a long while ago.

I like clothing which feels good (velvets, silks, furs, etc), because, well, it feels good! I adore deep and/or vibrant colors, especially the less bright ones (blues, purples, reds, black). This covers both other people and myself, mind. The texture-based and color-based stuff mentioned in this paragraph is pretty much certain to catch my attention, regardless of the type of clothing.

Things which use ties to make clothing more form fitting also pleases me, although I have no idea why. This can mean actual ties on the clothing, but can also refer to belts which go over a longer shirt (ok, technically, I think I just like belts. Again, no idea why).

Women's clothing seems to be fairly consistent - clothing that I would like to wear, I will notice and enjoy on other women. There are sometimes clothing that I would _not_ want to wear that I like, but much more rarely. The kinds of women's clothing that I notice and enjoy (and note that I don't _care_ if it's on a woman or a man, as far as appreciation) includes broomstick skirts, s'rongs, saris (even though I don't own any and would have no idea how to wear them), flowy clothing in general (if it makes me want to bat or poke at it, it's probably good), chainmail (preferably delicate chainmail - I tend to prefer small links in both chainmail and rings), wrap and/or skirts, halter tops... probably more, but you probably get the idea.

Men's clothing tends to not reflect what I would wear, since I don't tend to wear men's clothing. If I did, however, I suspect that this is the kind of clothing I would most enjoy. It certainly includes kilts. I'm not sure what else. Yes, I'm oblivious to clothing I'm unlikely to wear. But, it's also true that there's far more gender-specific women's clothing than men's clothing. I'm strangely pleased by pirate clothing (and I was _before_ Pirates of the Caribbean, thankyouverymuch!), probably because it's both fairly flowy and form-fitting (due to the fact that there are tying pieces to it, too).

Fairly non-gender-specific clothing that I like includes shirts with lace-up fronts (pretty much anything in this category pleases me, for some reason - poet/peasant/pirate shirts, jerkins, etc), and cloaks. I'm also very fond of layering where I can see multiple layers. Perhaps _that's_ what I need to do about my general dislike of winter clothing?

I hate lace. Hate, hate, hate lace. Probably because it feels nasty to me. So does fabric made from animal hair - wool, angora, etc.

Comments

[carocrow.livejournal.com]

I don't like itchy clothing, either. And frankly I don't like leather, unless it is sueded or really thinly processed and soft. I do like soft natural fibers like cotton, silk and hemp, and I love flowy fabrics so rayon has made it into my closet. I really have issues with double knit and polyester because they are chunky and don't breathe; if you wear them to fit you look like a sausage, and if you wear them large you have weirdness at the joints and the sleeves hang over your hands.

I don't like corsets but sometimes like belts, particularly stretchy or loose belts that jingle ;-) Layers are good; you can make layers look wonderful, particularly if the closest layers are form fitting. Stretch velour is nice for a top layer.

Much of the time I end up in jeans and tees, unfortunately, with my hair pulled back, simply for expedience, but I'd much rather be dressing loose and soft with my hair down.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

I don't like leather, unless it is sueded or really thinly processed and soft.

Thinking about it, I'd probably agree on that one. I don't tend to interact much with leather, though, to my knowledge.

I don't like corsets but sometimes like belts, particularly stretchy or loose belts that jingle ;-)

I sometimes like corsets. And jingly is good!

Much of the time I end up in jeans and tees, unfortunately, with my hair pulled back, simply for expedience, but I'd much rather be dressing loose and soft with my hair down.

Yes. Ditto on that one!

[bridgetester.livejournal.com]

*jingleskip!*

*rewrites sentence to apply*
dressing loose and soft; sometimes with my hair down
usually with my hair pulled back, simply for expedience

[bridgetester.livejournal.com]

I like _words_, and quotes, and sayings

I'm pickier about words on clothing, as it often makes said clothing more expensive, and I am poor.

I like clothing which feels good (velvets, silks, furs, etc), because, well, it feels good! I adore deep and/or vibrant colors, especially the less bright ones (blues, purples, reds, black). This covers both other people and myself, mind. The texture-based and color-based stuff mentioned in this paragraph is pretty much certain to catch my attention, regardless of the type of clothing.

I also like pastels. I don't like many colors found in forests/associated with earth tones (browns, greens, oranges, etc)

First notice: Color
Narrowing/Rejection: Texture

I'm more likely to wear clothing with "ugly colors" than uncomfortable fit/fabric.

This can mean actual ties on the clothing

I don't really like belts though.

I'm strangely pleased by pirate clothing (and I was _before_ Pirates of the Caribbean, thankyouverymuch!), probably because it's both fairly flowy and form-fitting

Fairly non-gender-specific clothing that I like includes shirts with lace-up fronts (pretty much anything in this category pleases me, for some reason - poet/peasant/pirate shirts, jerkins, etc), and cloaks.

The multiple layers varies. I like the coordination, but it isn't always possible with coatses.

So does fabric made from animal hair - wool, angora, etc.

Lace can be good, but the goodness varies with the amount, style, color, etc. Wool/angora=very bad. *makes face*

Women's clothing seems to be fairly consistent - clothing that I would like to wear, I will notice and enjoy on other women. There are sometimes clothing that I would _not_ want to wear that I like, but much more rarely. The kinds of women's clothing that I notice and enjoy (and note that I don't _care_ if it's on a woman or a man, as far as appreciation) includes flowy clothing in general (if it makes me want to bat or poke at it, it's probably good), chainmail (preferably delicate chainmail - I tend to prefer small links in both chainmail and rings), wrap and/or skirts,

I still only have a vague idea of what "broomstick skirts, s'rongs, and saris" are.

I like skirts, but I don't wear them very often. First of all, I like the long swirly skirts rather than short ones. Secondly, I tend to be computer desk monkey far too often to wear short skirts, and even many of the long ones. A lot of the skirt fabrics/patterns are ucky too.

Men's clothing tends to not reflect what I would wear, since I don't tend to wear men's clothing.

Ties amuse me, but wearing one? :/ Also, a lot of guys =!no fashion sense, which skews my sense of men's clothing.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

I also like pastels.

I very much _don't_ like pastels. Interestingly.

I don't like many colors found in forests/associated with earth tones (browns, greens, oranges, etc)

Browns/greens, I can like. Oranges, depends on context. I think browns is just because it's easier to coordinate. ;)

I'm more likely to wear clothing with "ugly colors" than uncomfortable fit/fabric.

Yes. So'm I.

I like the coordination, but it isn't always possible with coatses.

True. Which is annoying.

I still only have a vague idea of what "broomstick skirts, s'rongs, and saris" are.

Mwa-ha-ha!

Broomstick skirts: generally long skirts with lots of fabric involved, which is intended to be wrinkled (I store my all twisted up). The ones I have are either cotton or silk, and are drawstring or elastic waisted. And they are _great_ for spinning, because the fabric all goes _way_ out!

Some examples are here (http://images.hsn.com/images/product/590102_img.jpg), here (it's a shorter one) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=48893&item=8137257233&rd=1#ebayphotohosting), here (http://images.auctionworks.com/hi/31/30888/ssk-llc-a.jpg), and here (http://i8.ebayimg.com/01/i/02/97/60/8c_1.JPG).

s'rong is apparently actually spelled 'sarong', and is basically a piece of cloth that one can attach to one's self in a variety of ways. See here (http://www.1worldsarongs.com/1worldsarongs/sartiesusetc.html) for examples of how one might do that.

a sari is a much larger piece of fabric, draped in such a way as to cover one's self. Both sarong and sari are Indian, I believe. To explain how to drap a sari, go here (http://www.kerala.com/fashion/hwsari.htm) (never tried, just found this link). For some examples of them, worn, go here (http://www.angelfire.com/al/saree/thumb.html)

Ties amuse me, but wearing one? :/ Also, a lot of guys =!no fashion sense, which skews my sense of men's clothing.

I sometimes worn one in high school, for the a capella group I was in. Don't remember how to tie one, now.

Fashion sense: true. But I didn't used to have one, either. I'm slowly developing one, as I figure out what I like.

[lerryn.livejournal.com]

Silky/satiny things and velvet can be nice. I agree with you on the lace, too : If it's lingerie, someone should want to touch it, you know?

Day to day, I usually wear jeans and T-shirts or polo shirts. Wouldn't have anything at all to do with working in a chemistry lab, where wearing really nice stuff might not be smart :)

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

I agree with you on the lace, too : If it's lingerie, someone should want to touch it, you know?

*blink* You know, I wasn't even thinking lingerie. *amused*

[lerryn.livejournal.com]

Well, that is what most of the lacy things I've seen are :) Maybe that's because my wife and I have seen more of Amore on the Boulevard than of places with fancy dresses.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

When I think of lace, I think of goth. :)