Monday Musings- Proportions and Sustainability

Happy Monday, ladies. Today I have some random musings that don’t tie up neatly into a category, but here goes.

I shared this photo last week, and a reader on Facebook commented that she would prefer the outfit with a black belt so her eyes would not stop and focus on the brown. That got me thinking about proportion and why it’s such an important component of a pleasing outfit.

Proportion

Not all of my accessory choices are tactical, but this one was. I have a long torso and short legs. Wearing a black belt that matches my top would visually lengthen my torso and shorten the look of my legs.

This tan belt is less ideal than a white belt (which I don’t own), but I prefer it to a black one that matches my top. The tan coordinates with my sandals, so the eye continues moving down my silhouette and is a lower contrast to the white.

More importantly, wearing a black belt comes closer to dividing my outfit in 1/2, which is less flattering than the 1/3-2/3 Rule of Thirds ratio. Are you familiar with the rule of thirds? It’s one of the best styling tricks petite women have to elongate the look of their legs.

Proportion is my favorite style tool, so it catches my attention before almost anything else.

Eye Cream

I haven’t used dedicated eye cream for as long as I can remember. I’m not sure that I believe all the talk about different size pores around our eyes and the need for special products. Do you? I do know the skin under my eyes is looking crepier and crepier these days, so I picked up this Tatcha Silk Peony.

There were tons of eye cream options at Sephora, and I got trapped by an enthusiastic sales guy who had encyclopedic info on many of them. I politely extricated myself from him and chose this Tatcha Silk Peony for several reasons. It’s small and won’t take up much space in my suitcase; it’s cruelty-free and contains great ingredients, including Camelia Sensisi leaf. Research has shown that the application of tea to the skin has beneficial properties like increased hydration and anti-inflammatory properties, plus may protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Sustainable Dressing and Project 333

Are you a fan of sustainable fashion? Do you find it easier to get dressed when you limit yourself to a certain number of items? I’ve never intentionally planned my wardrobe that way but find it naturally occurs each season as I reach for the same pieces repeatedly. When I buy better quality, it lasts longer, so I buy less.

I spotted Project 333 in the bookstore over the weekend and was fascinated. Project 333 is a fashion challenge that invites you to dress with 33 items or less for 3 months. I’m not sure it would work for me. What about you?

Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.