Fashion......stuff dreams are made of.

Did you know that I adore fashion?  The clothes, the shoes, the boots, the hats and accessories.

My younger days were full of dreams to one day be a designer.........or be able to afford other designers' clothes. Instead, my mother, who was an expert dressmaker, spent hours at her old Singer treadle machine (and later a newer electric model which she never really liked), sewing Vogue Designer patterns into gorgeous clothing. When I emigrated to America she continued to sew for me. 


In the sixties and seventies, brown paper wrapped parcels, tied with string and sealing wax, took up to 6 weeks to come by ship across the pond. Later they flew over the heaving Atlantic, and were plonked on my doorstep within a few days of leaving the old country. We never lost a parcel in all those years and I was always thrilled with everything she lovingly stitched for me.


Eventually I became an accomplished dressmaker myself - thanks to good training at home and in school - and I made myself some lovely clothes, again only using Vogue Designer patterns, especially Calvin Klein. Now I rarely sew except to do a few alterations, shortening a hem, sewing on buttons etc. I may make a pillow, a table cover, or some other home decor item, but dressmaking is just a memory.

I guess, like most women of a certain age, high fashion is mostly inappropriate for me now. Skimpy, see-thru, very short, form-fitting - not an ounce of extra flesh permitted  - and sometimes downright ridiculous styling.


Instead, comfort has taken over my wardrobe. Still stylish when possible - I love Vera Wang's affordable bits at Kohl's, and the I.N.C. international styles at Macy's - but now I mix them with the classic and traditional such as good cashmere sweaters and cardigans, J.Jill's always great stylish jackets, and Coldwater Creek's comfy, non-wrinkle basic pants for travel. 


I kick up my heels in nothing more than a comfortable mid-heel shoe, but secretly crave a pair of rusty red 6" heels for a fun night out - and painfully sore calf muscles for several days following no doubt! I like these bronze-brown Joan & David oxfords, my favorites this Winter, back in style again now, and I've had them several years.

I rarely wear dresses, however my Winter comfort piece - discovered at REI - is Horny Toad's warm, fleecy hooded sweatshirt style dress - so cozy worn with leggings, or over skinny pants tucked into my much-loved tall riding boots.  

Yes, comfort matters, but one can be stylish with a little effort. I still love to flip through Vogue - there are some very talented designers out there following their dream. I wish them success. 

Do you look at fashion magazines? If so, which ones?

Are you dressing for comfort these days?