1. When do you feel at your most attractive?

I feel attractive when my body and mind are doing creative / physical. / or purposeful things --- achieving a new arm balance in yoga, painting in my studio, or gathering eggs in ratty overalls and boots on my friend's farm.

2. Do you notice women on the street? If so, what sort of women do you tend to notice or admire?

I seem to notice all women. One of the things I use to talk about people or recall memories is clothing -- so I seem to be scanning everyone, whether I admire them or not. Sometimes I want to pull people aside, ala Stacey London and say "Honey, don't wear the crop top because everyone is, wear **this** instead because it will make you look like a million bucks."

3. What are some things you admire about how other women present themselves?

I am a shoe appreciator.

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?

I was fairly shy growing up. I wasn't one of the popular kids in middle or high school. I had friends, but we belonged to the athletic and quiet bookish sect. I dressed to blend in to the sea of teenagers -- noticeable in neither a good nor bad way. When I was 16, I bought a bight orange suede purse with fringe at a GAP outlet store (back when the GAP outlets sold weird sized clothing and things that didn't quite make it in the stores, and not just GAP sweatshirts) and began to carry that loudly and proudly at school. I stood out, realized I could have fun with my look, and that I really didn't give a shit about what people thought about what I wore. I still have that purse, but it doesn't get out much. I keep it to remind me of that feeling, and well fringe is now "hot" so it might be getting out more.

5. What are some shopping rules you wouldn’t necessarily recommend to others but which you follow?

Don't but fake leather anything. It won't last and won't age well.

6. What are some rules about dressing you follow, but you wouldn't necessarily recommend to others?

I don't have many rules, but I am particular about the length of my shorts. I'm really not into this new extra-short "denim diaper" cut off trend. I've got great legs, but my ass cheeks do not need to be out in public unless i am in the vicinity water. I also try to be conscious about dressing nicely but appropriately for weddings. Let's just say I've learned my lesson about wearing strapless dresses to Southern Baptist weddings.

8. Do you have a unified way of approaching your life, work, relationships, finances, chores, etc.? Please explain.

not really

9. Are there any clothing (or related) items that you have in multiple? Why do you think you keep buying this thing?

Heather grey v-neck t-shirts in the vintage wash from Old Navy. It's a basic that isn't white or black. (I have trouble with white shirts. I tend to spill or get paint on things. a lot.) I wear them until they get sad looking. Then I cut them into rectangles and use them in my painting studio as rags.

10. Have you ever successfully given someone a present of jewelry or clothing that you continue to feel good about?

Not a present, per se, but last summer I gave a much shorter friend a dress that I had shrank in the wash. She wore the dress on her first date after ending a 5-year relationship. A year later, she still wears the dress, and still dates the guy.

11. Is there any fashion trend you’ve refused to participate in and why? 

Crop tops. I would happily and wholeheartedly accept black stretch pants as legitimate pants if crop tops would just crawl back under the rock they came out from.

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. I've got my dad's body type all the way.

13. Have you stolen, borrowed or adapted any dressing ideas or actual items from friends or family?

I've swiped things here and there mostly from my dad: a necktie when I was in a catholic school girl phase to push the envelope of my high school uniform requirements, a gas mask bag that was once his camera bag to become my purse for most of middle and some of high school, a leather bianchi belt that has the coolest clasp I've ever seen that he never wore. I took it 15 years ago, and still wear it today.

From my mother, I have a teal and black (reversible) silk chinese coat she got in Chinatown in San Francisco in the 70s. That's pretty special.

14. Was there a point in your life when your style changed dramatically? What happened?

I've been a die-hard jeans and t-shirt girl -- with the cut and style of both changing with trend and style preferences. When I was younger, I was very anti- skirts and dresses, but now love wearing them, especially in the summer.

15. Is there anything political about the way you dress?

no.

16. Please describe your body.

Ex runner, long and lean. 5'10" with a 33" inseam.

17. Please describe your mind.

Creative, creepy memory -- especially with clothing. I enjoy challenging it with crossword puzzles and long biographies. Full of knowledge about pop culture -- past and present.

18. Please describe your emotions.

Even keel.

19. What are you wearing on your body and face, and how is your hair done, right at this moment?

I am wearing a black and white striped t-shirt dress that I fell asleep in last night after a 12 hour work day. Watch and rings I never take off. Glasses. Bed head.

20. In what way is this stuff important, if at all?

I went back to wearing a watch after many years of not using one. I wanted to be able to know what time it was without having to rely on my cellphone. It has freed me from carrying my phone in my pocket at all times. I think being that reachable is a little creepy.

21. With whom do you talk about clothes?

My mom.

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.

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?

I dress for the situation sometimes. What I'm wearing wouldn't necessarily be what I would choose to wear, but it blends me in and acts more like a suit of armor -- to signify to people who would see me "OH SHE MUST BE ONE OF US." If I am hesitant about the situation, blending in can sometimes be comforting.

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?

I do. I also like to make decisions about clothing / taste quickly. People who can't do this frustrate me and make me anxious.

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?

Don't leave a lot of heavy things in jacket pockets. It will ruin the hang of the coat! When I was 12, I made my dad teach me how to tie a neck tie. I thought it was an important life skill to have. It's come in handy occasionally. Men, if you can't tie your own tie, I get judgey.

33. What is really beautiful, for you, in general?

Confidence, effortlessness, owning it, being comfortable, but not schlumpy.

34. What do you consider very ugly?

Crop tops. Ill fitting jump suits. extreme platform heels.

40. If you had to wear a “uniform” what would it look like?

Grey v-neck, black jeans.

44. What sorts of things do you do, clothing, make-up or hair-wise, to feel professional?

knee length skirts. Closed toe shoes. blown dry hair. I tried pearls once, and just felt ridiculous.

52. Do you consider yourself photogenic?

not really.

60. What do you think of perfume? Do you wear it?

Can be overkill, but i like unisex / male woodsy smells.

What’s your birth date? 
Where were you born and where do you live now?

I was born in 1985 in Tennessee. I still live here, just on the opposite end of the state.

Say anything you like about your cultural/ethnic/economic background.

lower middle class white girl

What kind of work do you do?

art gallery

How do you feel after filling out this survey?

I wish i had time to finish this, but it's long as hell. I've got to go to work!