Read Surveys (By Author)
A. Kirsteen
1. When do you feel at your most attractive?
When I have a lot of accessories on and form-fitting clothes. Some make-up.
2. Do you notice women on the street? If so, what sort of women do you tend to notice or admire?
Some with long coats, sunglasses, or vibrant colors that are coordinated well. It also looks nice when their hair, nails, and clothes match.
3. What are some things you admire about how other women present themselves?
With an aura of confidence and joy. They are happy to be in the room and they are looking forward to spend time with other people. Vibrant personalities with lots of laughter and energy.
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?
When I created an outfit based on a theme, like color moods, and accessories. Sometimes I would wear clashing colors and accessories without realizing it. I need one look, a theme for the day.
5. What are some shopping rules you wouldn’t necessarily recommend to others but which you follow?
Shop tailored and petite.
6. What are some rules about dressing you follow, but you wouldn't necessarily recommend to others?
N/A
7. What is the most transformative conversation you have ever had on the subject of fashion or style?
Libbey.
8. Do you have a unified way of approaching your life, work, relationships, finances, chores, etc.? Please explain.
Balance and harmony. Take responsibility.
9. Are there any clothing (or related) items that you have in multiple? Why do you think you keep buying this thing?
Black clothes because I love the color black, it can be gothic. Skirts are cute and I like the pencil skirt look more, flowy ones look strange.
10. Have you ever successfully given someone a present of jewelry or clothing that you continue to feel good about?
I don't remember.
11. Is there any fashion trend you’ve refused to participate in and why?
Anything baggy and oversized that will overwhelm me. Also, anything that looks to heavy, I prefer lighter fabrics.
12. Can you say a bit about how your mother’s body and style has been passed down to you, or not?
I'm a bit curvier and we have different styles, but she sometimes borrows my clothes.
13. Have you stolen, borrowed or adapted any dressing ideas or actual items from friends or family?
I think a mix and match from everyone and making my own style out if it. Of course, I have to look put together.
14. Was there a point in your life when your style changed dramatically? What happened?
When I was a child, I loved dressing boldly and feminine, and since after quarantine I've enjoyed that style again. Sort of the outfits that look nice and put together, but you so want people to stop and say, "Look at you, all dressed up!"
15. Is there anything political about the way you dress?
No.
16. Please describe your body.
Curvy hourglass? And short, small, and slim.
17. Please describe your mind.
Intelligent and hyper?
18. Please describe your emotions.
Hyper and always ready to learn more.
19. What are you wearing on your body and face, and how is your hair done, right at this moment?
A black lace dress, diamond earrings, hair down. My nails are painted bright pink, and I have a black choker on. No makeup, just moisturizer.
20. In what way is this stuff important, if at all?
It's not.
21. With whom do you talk about clothes?
Family and friends.
22. How do institutions affect the way you dress?
I don't know?
23. Do you think you have taste or style? Which one is more important? What do these words mean to you?
I'm not sure how to answer this, I hope I have both. But I think I am developing both taste and style. I'm not quite there yet.
24. Do you remember the biggest waste of money you ever made on an item of clothing?
No.
25. Are there any dressing tricks you’ve invented or learned that make you feel like you’re getting away with something?
No.
26. Do you have style in any areas of your life aside from fashion?
The way I speak is eloquent.
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?
Yeah dressing up is fun and is a form of stress relief, whenever I get the chance to.
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?
Yeah I have some form of discernment I know what I like and want to discover more fashion that I can implement into my daily outfits. I want to develop more work clothes, as I feel they are dull.
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, I picked things up, and my family lets me know if my outfit is a hit or miss.
30. What sorts of things do you do, clothing or make-up or hair- wise, to feel sexy or alluring?
Whatever I feel looks best at the moment.
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?
I can relax in my clothes while also looking put together. The effortless beauty.
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?
"Live to be, not to want."
33. What is really beautiful, for you, in general?
A combination of beautiful fabrics, textures, colors, smells, and overall appearance. Sunsets are nice, and animals are cute.
34. What do you consider very ugly?
Trash cans and dirty sidewalks.
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?
Yeah, now I do, although sometimes I grow out of a style or it does not fit me the same way. Sometimes clothes loose their elasticity.
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?
I'm not sure, but I guess they think, "Oh, hi. " And go about their day.
37. What is your process getting dressed in the morning? What are you considering?
How the outfit fits my body. Do I look heavier, slimmer, boxy, structured, overwhelmed? What accessories look nice, what shoes compliment the look? What kind of make-up is appropriate?
38. What are you trying to achieve when you dress?
Ultimate beauty and self-expression...yeah.
39. What, for you, is the difference between dressing and dressing up?
Dressing is putting on an outfit for the day without a second thought. Dressing up is coordinating an outfit that serves a purpose. Are you a teacher today? Are you a tennis player? Are you going out with friends?
40. If you had to wear a “uniform” what would it look like?
A form fitting shirt with waist-empasis. Perhaps a muted green color. Blue jeans, black boots, and a yellow cardigan or blazer.
41. What would you say is “you” and what would you say is “not you”?
Color, shine, sparkle, details. Not me is full, monotone, boring.
42. What is your cultural background and how has that influenced how you dress?
I'm Latina and white, and I guess it plays into my natural body shape and accommodating my curves before I look at the style. If it doesn't look right, I won't wear 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?
Yeah, when I was in my teens, I stopped caring about how I dresses and wanted to be invisible. Then I appreciated myself and go all out!
44. What sorts of things do you do, clothing, make-up or hair-wise, to feel professional?
Light makeup, natural look. Modest clothing that cover my arms and legs, my hair is usually down. Small earrings. A touch of color or an accessory like a scarf.
45. How do you conform to or rebel against the dress expectations at your workplace?
I don't, I just wear things that look cute and appropriate for work. I would never wear jeans to work.
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?
No.
48. Do you find it comforting or constraining to have a uniform?
No.
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?
A ball gown dress seems cool but I don't know where to wear it.
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?
No. But if I were a man I'd happily try on outfits to see what works for me.
51. If there was one country or culture or era that you had to live in, fashion-wise, what would it be?
The 60s?
52. Do you consider yourself photogenic?
Sometimes...depending on the day and angle. Sometimes I look puffy and awkward, sometimes I look nice.
53. When you see yourself in photographs, what do you think?
Either I shake my head in disappointment or smile and give myself a thumbs up. Sometimes I look 20 pounds heavier in one photo, and really small in another photo on the same day.
54. Are there any figures from culture, past or present, whose style you admire or have drawn from?
Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Vogue. I can't think of anyone modern.
55. Have you ever had a dream that involved clothes?
No.
56. What would be a difficult or uncomfortable look for you to try and achieve?
Something long and overflowing. I would drown in it.
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?
Every body has bad looks and good looks in fashion, so if I were to change my shape, I'd have a new set of issues to worry about.
58. Is there anyone that you are trying to attract or repel when you dress?
No. I want to attract everyone and spread joy with my energy and style. Not romantic attraction, just good energy that motivates people to smile and have a nice day.
59. Are there any dressing rules you’d want to convey to other women?
No.
60. What do you think of perfume? Do you wear it?
Yes, smell is an important part of a look, and I like to smell like marshmallows and vanilla with flowers. But I don't add too much to suffocate people with the smell.
61. What are some things you need to do to your body or clothes in order to feel presentable?
Body lotion, vanilla body oil, washed hair, accessories, and flattering outfits.
62. How does makeup fit into all this for you?
It depends on my look for the day.
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?
Clothes that look dull.
64. Can you describe in a basic way what you own, clothing and jewelry-wise?
No.
65. What is your favorite piece of clothing or jewelry that you own?
Rings. A dark blue floral dress.
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?
A work shirt, looks unflattering and makes my chest look bigger. I don't want my chest to look bigger.
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?
No.
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?
A black floral dress that was too long for me but looked beautiful.
69. If you had to throw out all your clothes but keep one thing, what would you keep?
I can't do that, I cannot wear one outfit forever.
70. Building up your wardrobe from nothing, what would you do differently this time?
Only pieces that look nice on me and coordinate well with each other.
71. What’s the first “investment” item you bought? Do you still own or wear it?
Cotton shirts, they are a must.
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?
None yet.
74. What are your closet and drawers like? Do you keep things neat, etc?
My clothes are hanging in my closet to keep them wrinkle-free. I keep my PJs in the drawers.
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?
Once every 6 months.
78. Do you like to smell a certain way?
Yeah, like a gourmand.
79. How does how you dress play into your ambitions for yourself?
Adventurous and not afraid to try new styles.
80. How does money fit into all this?
I have to budget myself and only buy what I need.
81. Is there an article of clothing, a piece of make-up, or an accessory that you carry with you or wear every day?
No.
82. Did anyone ever say anything to you that made you see yourself differently, on a physical and especially sartorial level?
Not that I recall.
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?
When I was a child I guess. I wore a leather skirt and a pink tank top and another kid made a whistle sound and I felt like I needed to cover up.
What’s your birth date? Where were you born and where do you live now?
October.
Say anything you like about your cultural/ethnic/economic background.
No.
What kind of work do you do?
Teaching.
Are you single, married, do you have kids, etc.?
Single.
Please say anything you like about yourself that might put this survey into some sort of context.
I'm in my early twenties and I am a New Yorker.
How do you feel after filling out this survey?
Okay.