Read Surveys (By Author)
Mimsy Borogroves
1. When do you feel at your most attractive?
When I'm dressed casually
2. Do you notice women on the street? If so, what sort of women do you tend to notice or admire?
People with personal style, not just wearing a designer look head to toe
3. What are some things you admire about how other women present themselves?
Again, personal style
4. Was there a moment in your life when something “clicked” for you about fashion or dressing or make-up or hair? What? Why did it happen then, do you think?
Not bothering with coloring my gray hair anymore. I thought I was young enough for it to look like a style choice.
5. What are some shopping rules you wouldn’t necessarily recommend to others but which you follow?
Because I am very tall, staying away from cropped, bracelet and three quarter length things. They are adorable on shorter women but on me they look like I'm wearing the wrong size.
6. What are some rules about dressing you follow, but you wouldn't necessarily recommend to others?
Flats go with everything!
7. What is the most transformative conversation you have ever had on the subject of fashion or style?
I don't think I've had one?
8. Do you have a unified way of approaching your life, work, relationships, finances, chores, etc.? Please explain.
Huh. Go with the flow.
9. Are there any clothing (or related) items that you have in multiple? Why do you think you keep buying this thing?
Navy blue v neck t shirts, slender jeans/chinos, pointy toe black flats. Because I think they look good on me and I am afraid they will stop making them in my size.
10. Have you ever successfully given someone a present of jewelry or clothing that you continue to feel good about?
Yes! Gave a boyfriend shorts. He was an avowed pants only guy.
11. Is there any fashion trend you’ve refused to participate in and why?
Platform heels. Don't need them, can't walk in them.
12. Can you say a bit about how your mother’s body and style has been passed down to you, or not?
It hasn't.
13. Have you stolen, borrowed or adapted any dressing ideas or actual items from friends or family?
Yes. Statement necklaces and ruffly tops. They sort of work on me but I prefer the navy v necks.
14. Was there a point in your life when your style changed dramatically? What happened?
The Eighties ended.
15. Is there anything political about the way you dress?
No
16. Please describe your body.
Tall, small breasted, not as skinny as I used to be but still okay
17. Please describe your mind.
Open
18. Please describe your emotions.
Conflicted
19. What are you wearing on your body and face, and how is your hair done, right at this moment?
Made up but no mascara until I get to work. Hair blunt bob turned under, just cut it yesterday. Black pants, suit jacket is at work. Barefoot till the last minute!
20. In what way is this stuff important, if at all?
There's a reason for the old cliche, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
21. With whom do you talk about clothes?
My friend
22. How do institutions affect the way you dress?
I totally dress differently for work than I do in my "real life". It's like a uniform.
23. Do you think you have taste or style? Which one is more important? What do these words mean to you?
Yes both. Style is personal expression, taste is being able to recognize it in others.
24. Do you remember the biggest waste of money you ever made on an item of clothing?
Yes, every pair of high heels I ever bought trying to convince myself I would wear them.
25. Are there any dressing tricks you’ve invented or learned that make you feel like you’re getting away with something?
I have hyperhidrosis...I stick panty liners in the armpits of my clothing.
26. Do you have style in any areas of your life aside from fashion?
Yes, in decorating.
27. Can you recall some times when you have dressed a particular way to calm yourself or gain a sense of control over a situation that scared you?
Sure. Wearing the best suit to an interview. It's like putting on armor.
28. Would you say you “know what you like” in the area of fashion and clothing? If so, do you also know what you like in other areas of life, that is, are you generally good at discernment? Can you say where your discernment comes from, if you have it? Or if you don’t have it, why or why not?
Yes. I don't know where discernment comes from. I wasn't brought up to have it.
29. Did your parents teach you things about clothing, care for your clothing, dressing or style? What lessons do you remember? Or did you just pick things up?
No. Picked it up.
30. What sorts of things do you do, clothing or make-up or hair- wise, to feel sexy or alluring?
Extra eye makeup? I still don't know how to do it.
31. Many people say they want to feel “comfortable,” or that they admire people who seem “confident.” What do these words really mean to you?
Their presentation I guess.
32. If dressing were the only thing you did, and you were considered an expert and asked to explain your style philosophy, what would you say?
Effortlessness. I want to look like it took me five minutes to get ready even though it took an hour.
33. What is really beautiful, for you, in general?
The night sky.
34. What do you consider very ugly?
Garbage
35. Are you generally a good judge of whether what you buy will end up being worn? Have you figured out how to know in advance?
Yes but I still buy the wrong stuff.
36. When you look at yourself before going out, and you are trying to see yourself from the outside, can you describe a bit about what this “other person” is like? What do they like, dislike, what sorts of judgments do they have? Is this “outer eye” based on someone you know or once knew?
She looks like a fun person to be around. I want to find out what she is like.
37. What is your process getting dressed in the morning? What are you considering?
Weather and how to survive the commute looking presentable.
38. What are you trying to achieve when you dress?
Balancing looking good and being comfortable.
39. What, for you, is the difference between dressing and dressing up?
More jewelry and better shoes
40. If you had to wear a “uniform” what would it look like?
Jeans, navy v neck, sweater, interesting scarf, boots, jewels
41. What would you say is “you” and what would you say is “not you”?
Tailored and preppy with exotic jewelry and accessories. Not me is girly, tight, "sexy".
42. What is your cultural background and how has that influenced how you dress?
White trash with delusions of grandeur. I dress to hide it.
43. Do you remember a time in your life when you dressed quite differently from how you do now? Can you describe it and what it was all about for you?
Not really, it sort of evolved.
44. What sorts of things do you do, clothing, make-up or hair-wise, to feel professional?
Black suit = work uniform.
45. How do you conform to or rebel against the dress expectations at your workplace?
I conform because having a uniform is easier
46. Do you have a dress code, a school uniform, or a uniform that you wear for an extracurricular activity?
No
47. Are there ways in which you conform to or rebel against these uniforms?
n/a
48. Do you find it comforting or constraining to have a uniform?
Both
49. What is an archetypal outfit for you; one that you could have happily worn at any point in your life? What do you like about it?
Jeans, boots and a sweater. Ease, comfort.
50. Do you ever wish you were a man or could dress like a man or had a man’s body? Was there ever a time in the past?
I love haberdashery and wish tailored women's clothing had more of those fun details.
51. If there was one country or culture or era that you had to live in, fashion-wise, what would it be?
1920s. I adore flapper style.
52. Do you consider yourself photogenic?
Not particularly
53. When you see yourself in photographs, what do you think?
I wish I was standing straighter
54. Are there any figures from culture, past or present, whose style you admire or have drawn from?
Jenna Lyons from J Crew. Nerdy tall girl style.
55. Have you ever had a dream that involved clothes?
Yes and the lack of them!
56. What would be a difficult or uncomfortable look for you to try and achieve?
Real Housewife
57. If you were totally comfortable with your body, or your body was a bit closer to what you wish it was like, what would you wear?
Nothing really different. More bikinis maybe.
58. Is there anyone that you are trying to attract or repel when you dress?
Guys that don't want a real housewife
59. Are there any dressing rules you’d want to convey to other women?
Look in a full length mirror front and back before you leave the house. And no thongs under skirts!
60. What do you think of perfume? Do you wear it?
No. Hate heavy scent.
61. What are some things you need to do to your body or clothes in order to feel presentable?
Ironed clothes, clean hair, at least a little makeup
62. How does makeup fit into all this for you?
I feel like I look tired without it
63. Is there a certain look you feel you’re expected to like that you have absolutely no interest in? What is it? Why aren’t you interested?
The high heeled, body presented look. Forced sexiness. It's demeaning.
64. Can you describe in a basic way what you own, clothing and jewelry-wise?
Classics with a bit of spice
65. What is your favorite piece of clothing or jewelry that you own?
My platinum charm bracelet
66. Tell us about something in your closet that you keep but never wear. What is it, why don’t you wear it, and why do you keep it?
Sky high heels. Can't walk in them. They're cool though.
67. Looking back at all your purchases over the past five to fifteen years, can you generalize about what sorts of things were the most valuable to buy?
Pants that were long enough. Good winter coats.
68. Is there an item of clothing that you once owned, but no longer own, and still think about or wish you had back? What was it, what happened to it, and why do you want it back?
Pointy toe flat black boots. Wore them to shreds, can't find a replacement.
69. If you had to throw out all your clothes but keep one thing, what would you keep?
Jeans
70. Building up your wardrobe from nothing, what would you do differently this time?
Buy less quantity, more quality
71. What’s the first “investment” item you bought? Do you still own or wear it?
Can't recall
72. Was there ever an important or paradigm-shifting purchase in your life?
No
73. What item of clothing are you still (or have you forever been) on the hunt for?
Those boots!
74. What are your closet and drawers like? Do you keep things neat, etc?
Not really. Lots of piles on shelves.
75. Were you ever given a present of clothing or jewelry that especially touched you?
No
76. Did you ever buy an article of clothing without giving it much thought, only to have it prove much more valuable as time went on? What was the item and what happened?
No
77. How and when do you shop for clothes?
Usually online, and quite often
78. Do you like to smell a certain way?
Clean!
79. How does how you dress play into your ambitions for yourself?
It doesn't
80. How does money fit into all this?
I never pay full retail
81. Is there an article of clothing, a piece of make-up, or an accessory that you carry with you or wear every day?
Burts bees lip balm
82. Did anyone ever say anything to you that made you see yourself differently, on a physical and especially sartorial level?
No
83. Do you remember the first time you were conscious of what you were wearing? Can you describe this moment and what it was about?
No
What’s your birth date? Where were you born and where do you live now?
1/16/63. Born in suburban NJ, live in Hoboken.
Say anything you like about your cultural/ethnic/economic background.
White trash with delusions of grandeur
What kind of work do you do?
Retail sales
Are you single, married, do you have kids, etc.?
Single