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Laurie Bobskill

1. When do you feel at your most attractive?

When I'm wearing makeup.

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

Yes, of course. I tend to notice women who are able to make their clothes work for them. And I'm always attracted to clothing that looks hsndmade.

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

Jewelry and accessories. Makeup that doesn't vital you over the head but is subtly evident, and particularly flattering to that woman. Drop dead hair.

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 realized the importance of dressing for mtself, not for men, other women, my mother, my boss.

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

100 % natural fibres (cotton, silk) or I pass it up. I don't mind blends of natural fibres, and i don't mind wool- or or linen- plus synthetic blends.
No synthetic stones (although glass is ok) and jewelry has to be non-plated. I like glass beads, feathers, bone, wood. Plastic is always out, but early bakelite is ok.
The cut of shoes is really important. Low - cut shoes flatter your legs. Lots of straps don't.

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

I avoid dark colors because i have pets with Grey and white hair. My brother and sister-in-law have black Labs and they avoid light colors!
I never buy short tops. Yuck. They just look out of proportion on most women.
I would rather wear complimentary shades than try to match perfectly.
I dislike "muddy" colors and plaids with too much white or beige.

7. What is the most transformative conversation you have ever had on the subject of fashion or style?

When I was about 10 and even though I was quite thin, my mother told me that whenever I rose from a chair to discretely tug the back of my sweater or top down over my butt!

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

God no. When I create, work, clean, play, I always make a mess and then work my way out of it.

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

Clogs and wedge - soled sandals. I can't get enough of them. I'm only 5'3" and I feel that decision - makers take you more seriously if you appear taller. But platforms are out!
I love huaraches, but it's difficult to find them with any kind of height. Not impossible, but difficult, so when i find them i buy 2 pairs.

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

Yes, but i knit them specifically for that person.

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

Tops that look like they shrunk in the wash. See above. Flat shoes. See above. Gladiator sandals. See above.

12. Can you say a bit about how your mother’s body and style has been passed down to you, or not?

We are both longwaisted and have good legs. We both have elegant arms and necks. We both could stand to have wider shoulders.
My mother's style was more town-and-country. I'm either way more casual or more slinky.

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

Sweaters, all of my life. I can't resist a great sweater. And I've permanently borrowed a couple of my brother's vests.

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

When I changed careers I became much more casual.

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

I don't think so, unless it's political to dress for yourself. There are definitely days I envy Muslim women, though.

16. Please describe your body.

Petite, but I look taller than I am, probably because I'm longwaisted and have good legs.

17. Please describe your mind.

I have never been bored in my life. I surprise myself by learning when I think I'm not paying attention. I have taught myself to overcome a natural tendency toward anxiety and negative thinking.

18. Please describe your emotions.

I tend to be a caretaker. I have a tendency toward jealousy and insecurity in relationships and in resisting it I can come across as uncaring. I have learned to my surprise that I feel better in not being committed. Then I can be loyal without having anything at stake.

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

Lol, jeans and a tee, no makeup, hair multi - highlighted, shoulder - length, caught up in a vlip.

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

It's very difficult to not think at all about your physical self in the world.

21. With whom do you talk about clothes?

My closest friend since high school, work ftiends, my grown son.

22. How do institutions affect the way you dress?

I try not to be wildly inappropriate for the situation.

23. Do you think you have taste or style? Which one is more important? What do these words mean to you?

I prefer taste over style. It is more eternsl.

24. Do you remember the biggest waste of money you ever made on an item of clothing?

Heels that were uncomfortably high.

25. Are there any dressing tricks you’ve invented or learned that make you feel like you’re getting away with something?

Spanx!

26. Do you have style in any areas of your life aside from fashion?

Sure... I love to decorate. I'm a writer, and I've been told I have an understated but recognizable style.

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?

As a general assignment reporter I never knew what the day would bring. One day I thought I would be going to a mountaintop to do a story about snakes. Instead I was assigned to interview a woman who had won a scientific award. I stopped en route at a shop and bought an entirely new outfit, including shoes.

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?

Pretty much. I think it comes from the gut.i

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?

We had to change our clothes after school. I After a lecture about hanging up my school clothes I began cheating by just throwing everything in the clothes hamper. One day, to teach me a lesdon, my mother threw a favorite wool jumper in the wash and it shrank. Since that day I've taken hood care of my clothes.
My mother's favorite criticism: "no costumes!" Ironically, it had the opposite effect from what she intended. My father's favorite line: "we'll never marry her off."

30. What sorts of things do you do, clothing or make-up or hair- wise, to feel sexy or alluring?

Multi highlights and a great cut.

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?

That they don't have to think about their clothes after putting them on.

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?

Know your body type and your coloring and resist the temptation to buy something you love but won't ever wear.

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

People I love. Pets, even when they are old or sick. Growing things. Sunsets, which I get to watch every day. Horses.

34. What do you consider very ugly?

Bad hygiene.

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 it took time.

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?

That's way too complicated for my simple brain.

37. What is your process getting dressed in the morning? What are you considering?

If I have chores to do I try to do them before showering and dressing. Unless I'm not working.

38. What are you trying to achieve when you dress?

Feeling good about how I look.

39. What, for you, is the difference between dressing and dressing up?

Just dressing means jeans and tees. Anything more formal is dressing up.

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

I wouldn't. I've been a waitress in the past but that was just black and white.

41. What would you say is “you” and what would you say is “not you”?

Cotton, wool, ljnen, silk. Greens, greys, taupes, with unexpected bursts of color.

Not me: polyester.

42. What is your cultural background and how has that influenced how you dress?

English and Scots-Irish. Maybe that's where the understated-ness comes from.

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

7/3/51. Born in Western Massachusetts and still live here.

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

Slightly upper middle class upbringing. Family was politically active and liberal. Extended family in Nova Scotia and visited often. Traveled throughout Europe. Riding lessons. Family dined out often. BA and MA in literature.

What kind of work do you do?

Technical customer security, part-time. Writer, part-time.

Are you single, married, do you have kids, etc.?

Divorced, with one grown son. Active in animal rescue.

Please say anything you like about yourself that might put this survey into some sort of context.

I try to do small good things.

How do you feel after filling out this survey?

That it was way too long.

Bio

I think I already have.

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