If I had to come up with a word to describe Mary, March’s Facebook Group Member of Month, it would be curated. Looking at her posts, you can tell immediately, she has spent a great deal of time developing her style and exploring who she is. Everything about how Mary pulls herself together, from her hair to her glasses to how her outfits are put together comes across expertly crafted and thought out. It’s obvious she spent time thinking about herself as a total package and how she presents herself. Mary is an artist and she thinks with an artist’s mind and it’s likely what gives her the ability to see her style in such a holistic manner.
Mary is an active, engaging, and pleasant part of the community who not only allows us to view her lovely looks, but reaches out to the group for help, offers what she knows and treats others just as she would her friends she’d run into at her local coffee shop. Let’s all get to know her even better through this feature.
Location: Milton, GA
Age: 62
Q: What do you like most about being a member of Bridgette’s Facebook Group?
A: I am so interested in seeing what other women of my age wear. I enjoy Bridgette’s posts and always hope to learn something new. I especially like her posts regarding advising her customers on their shopping. I appreciate all the women in the group and their helpful suggestions and no judgement zone.
Q: The biggest benefits you have received from being a Group member
A: Fashion ideas and camaraderie! We all want to belong to a community and share our common interest and we all want to look good. I love seeing the different outfits that women put together for their own lifestyle. After a while you find one or two women whose style you relate to. I love being inspired by all the women in the group. And let’s face it, it’s a good read!
Q: What would you tell women who haven’t joined the Group yet?
A: I’ve shared the group with a few of my friends who have joined. We all struggle with our changing bodies and how to dress them. With Bridgette’s guidance and the example of the other women, there is so much information to gain. After all, we all want to look and feel better!
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My style is very casual as I work from home and live a quiet suburban life. I am a expat Canadian living in hot Georgia. Not my favorite climate as I am a “jacket and jeans” girl. I love jackets! I love classic clothing and have always thought that sportswear looked better on my body. I’m not a frilly girl and it takes quite a search for me to find a dress. I would be happy all year wearing short boots, sneakers, jeans and a cute jacket. I find the climate here such a challenge especially with our 6 month humid summers. I’ve only just started wearing sun dresses in the last few years as I do not have great legs. It’s a challenge for sure! I have difficult feet and I try to wear the most comfortable shoes. I don’t wear a lot of bright colors or pastels anymore. They make me feel old. I like fall colors, jewel tones and neutrals. I almost never wear red. I always prefer geometrics over florals. I’m a sporty gal!
Q: How did you discover your style?
A: In my teens and college I worked in many clothing stores from high end ladie’s wear to men’s wear and a few young funky stores. My mother was a big influence on me. She had great style right until she passed at 85. She worked in the cosmetics industry from the time I was 9 and I think my style influences come from her and the shops I worked in. She never went a day without makeup and making an effort. She had a knack of putting things together. We used to love shopping together and planning her travel wardrobe. I’ve always loved menswear and couldn’t wait to sew my little boy’s clothes. I’ve always worn glasses and think it is important to really find a frame that suits your face shape and that is stylish. I never missed an episode of What Not to Wear (British and US versions) when it was on tv. I’m a Project Runway and Queer Eye super fan.
Q: What advice do you have for others trying to find their style?
A: I think it starts with silhouette, proportion and fit. The right clothes can make you feel so fantastic. (Like a good bra and a good haircut) I used to follow a gal on IG (she has left IG now) who was tall and slim and even though we had different bodies I loved her wardrobe capsules that she would share. I would go to local stores and find the items she posted about and try them. Some of them really worked on me and it was a huge help, especially when I switched up the colors of my wardrobe. Search out some fashion experts and read some of their fashion rules. Try them out and then ask the group for their input. 🙂 I love the information you give us, Bridgette. Tim Gunn was a big help to me for basic do’s and don’ts.
Q: What fashion issues are you currently struggling with?
A: 1) Dressing for the summers in Georgia is always a challenge. I don’t wear shorts or capris as they do nothing for me. I do like skorts better but that’s new for me. Packing for a trip to the beach is probably the hardest for me. Give me Fall all the time! I do really need to add some classic dressier pieces to my wardrobe. I don’t have any dress pants and I should have two pair and shoes to wear with them! And I need a couple of timeless dresses (LBD) for those occasions that pop up and I would love a classic suit. I don’t need many dressy clothes. I am an artist and spend each day in paint covered joggers and then switch to gym clothes for my afternoon gym sessions. I must have 15 pairs of jeans in my closet. Date nights are jeans and a cute top/jacket. I do like to look put together for my monthly lunches with my girlfriend group.
Q: What are the most versatile items you have in your closet?
A: Jeans, jackets and scarves. I have bootcut, straight and skinny jeans in every shade of blue, black, white and a few colors. I love to throw on a fun jacket and add a bit of color with a scarf. That’s my favorite way to dress.
Q: If you could go back and change the way you dressed in the past, what would you change?
A: Every decade is different! I was very hip in art college and then followed a few trends of the following decade. I would take back all the big baggy clothes that I used to cover up my large body after I had babies. They did not help how I looked. In the 2000’s I wore too many big flow tops. As I lost weight and gained more confidence I bought tops that would skim my body without being too tight and tried to create a better silhouette. I wish I had never worn capris!!! I like a slim ankle pant or silky joggers instead. At 62 I think I’m closer to finding my true style than ever before.
Q: Is there a fashion purchase you made that you found more useful than you thought it would be?
A: About 10 years ago, I purchased a modal/cotton Calvin Klein black and white striped, drape collar, wrap. Very lightweight. I can’t travel without it! It packs small, goes great over anything black, like pjs, knit dress, palazzo pants. I can tie it or leave it loose.It doesn’t wrinkle. It works with everything. I can even sleep in it over my pjs if I’m cold. I’ll never get rid of it. Also, my Ecco 7 white leather sneakers! They can be worn with so many things. I’m getting a black pair.
Q: What about a fashion purchase that you thought would solve all your problems, but didn’t?
A: How many of us have purchased items we have barely worn? I have a Tahari classic black dress I have never worn. I just never had an occasion to wear it. Now it’s too big. I also have two other Tahari dresses that I bought when I was 10 lbs lighter that I have never worn. Now I have to work to get into them. And don’t get me started on bras…why is it so hard to find good ones?
Q: How do you envision yourself when you look your best?
A: My mother always said “first be classy”. I want to look current and classy without being too trendy. I also don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard. Stylish and young at heart!
Q: What are your biggest fashion goals for the year?
A: To clean out my closet, again, and pair down all the extras. I need to go through, try things on and say, do I really love this? Does this make me feel good? If not, it goes. I kind of have two sizes collected because I’ve put back 10 pounds and am working to get down to feeling my best. This year I’ve decided to add cream/bone/taupe items. I don’t like wearing much white. I prefer warmer tones which I think look better with my coloring. I need to stop buying wine colored tops, I have too many as it is my go-to instead of black.
Q: What is the best fashion advice you ever received?
A: Capris make your legs look shorter. If you wear a long flowy top wear your pants slim and fitted. If you wear flowy pants wear shorter form fitting top. Keep it classy!
Q: The first thing you take off when you get home?
A: Peeling off my damp workout clothes in the late afternoon and taking a shower is always a good thing!
Q: Favorite color(s) to wear
A: Fall colors, neutrals and jewel tones.
Q: Favorite stores to shop?
A: Local boutiques, Dillards, Macy’s, Old Navy for jeans. I buy shoes online quite often and have good luck. If I had an office job I think I would really indulge and dress like Susan Thomas. I love her style!!
Q: What makes you happiest?
A: Feeling good in my clothes. I want to look put together. A good haircut, nice glasses and cute outfits are my goals. And my younger husband!!
Q: What inspires you?
A: As an artist I’m inspired by other creative people. I love European style.
Q: Use One Word to Describe Your Style
A: Sporty
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