1. When do you feel at your most attractive?

It varies, I don't have a "usual" time/moment/occurence.

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

Always. I notice women who appear confident. By this I mean they move easily (gracefully, athletically), and seem comfortable in their surroundings, skin, clothing. They seem involved in the world, e.g.: notice what's going on around them, appear to be interested or take pleasure in those events/surroundings. They are always well put together, whether their style is casual, dressy or eccentric. I find these women fascinating, and beautiful. I always wish I was one of them.

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

I always admire women who present intelligently, with great humour, and a strong sense of self, and somehow don't seem to intimidate others. I always seem to intimidate.

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?

Dress well for the size you are. "What Not To Wear"

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

Can't really think of any.

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

No white pants. No mini skirts. Don't let your bra straps show.

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

Can't think of any.

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

Am I comfortable (could be physically or emotionally) with this right now/is it working for me?

I wouldn't necessarily change or stop what I am doing based on my answer. For instance: I wouldn't quit my job just because I wasn't (emotionally) comfortable right now, but I may withdraw into myself while trying to ascertain what is affecting me and why. I do this to help decide how to proceed with a situation, or begin a task.

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

This is an oddly phrased question because: underwear, bras, skirts, pants, shoes, boots, tops, jackets. So I'm not wearing the exact same 3-6 items every day.

So, are you really asking if a person has, say, 8 little black dresses?

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

Yes Many times.

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

Too many to remember! Usually because I'd look like a complete fool.

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

We're both tall (I'm taller), slim, small breasted, wide hips. I was never, at any time in my life, insecure or apologetic about being tall. Gotta thank Mom for that!

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

Ideas yes, not actual items.

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

Yes. As a child I always wanted long hair, like Cher (the most glamorous being in the world - circa 1070's), and my mother never let me. Finally, in my mid-twenties it occurred to me that, as an adult, I could do whatever I pleased! I began to grow my hair out and, to change my style.

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

Nope.

16. Please describe your body.

Tall - 6ft, on the slim side, small breasts, wide hips, muscular legs. Proportional.

17. Please describe your mind.

Ummmmmmmmmmmm...

18. Please describe your emotions.

Feelin' pretty good right now.

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

Face: foundation, mascara, blush, lip gloss
Hair: pony tail
Clothing: patterned dress, purple pumps

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

Maybe to help one reflect on one's self-image: do I feel mostly positively toward myself, or destructively? Does reflecting on this empower or harm me? What will I do with this: cut myself some slack and try to see myself in a more rounded and realistic way, or go into a tailspin of depression and self-loathing?

Or, maybe, it's just a lark; a way to avoid the work at hand.

21. With whom do you talk about clothes?

Friends, co-workers, my husband.

22. How do institutions affect the way you dress?

Not much at this time.

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

Yes, I do, but whether either is of particular note, is anyone's opinion.

Taste is understanding what the event/surroundings are, and purporting oneself appropriately in or to them.
Style is a quality of self-expression that sets one apart from all others in any event/surroundings.

To me, both are important.

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

I have wasted too much, too often for any one disaster to stand out!

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

I wish!

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

Oh darlings, yes!

...see what I just did there?

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?

No.

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 would say it developed over years of trial and error.

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?

Nothing I can think of.

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

If I'm not feeling that way in a moment, nothing external's really going to help. I guess I would put on a favourite outfit that I've felt sexy in in the past. But if I'm not feeling sexy already, it's more likely to fail miserably; I'll probably think I look like a fool.

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?

Comfortable: at ease with my current body. Not thinking I'm too old. Not comparing myself to other women to see if I "fall short" or "measure up". Not thinking I'm intellectually inferior.

Confident: at ease, and unapologetic with who I am as a person; proud of who and where I am; accepting of others for who and where they are.

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?

Wear clothes that fit you properly, would be the hard and fast rule.
When shopping: try everything, especially if it's out of your "comfort zone", you may find you rock something you would otherwise never have considered. Plus, it's only a change room, you don't have to buy it! Have fun with it; learn to laugh at yourself.

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

Confidence.

34. What do you consider very ugly?

Arrogance/lack of humility.

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?

Most of the time I get it right.

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?

Nope. Can't do it.

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

Am I running late? Weather. Am I coming straight home from work?

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

A well put-together, confident woman.

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

Dressing up is wearing clothing I would never wear to work, grocery shopping, cleaning house, coffee/lunch, job interview, etc.

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

Sweater, skirt, pumps.

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

Purple, pointy-toed heels: me
Crocs: not me

trilby: me
toque: not me

Small purse: me
backpack: not me

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

Caucasian Canadian. Probably quite a bit, but I couldn't say how; it's pretty inherent.

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?

Definitely.
Flock of Seagulls hair, big boxy shirts over leggings, pointy boots, black black black, candy necklaces as a hair band... It was both self-expression and a defense mechanism.

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

Never wear torn, damaged clothing, always brush my hair and teeth. Never wear to work what I would wear to a party/gig/club.

45. How do you conform to or rebel against the dress expectations at your workplace?

I work in a really (sometimes shockingly) casual place, I wear skirts/dresses and heels most of the time. I have tattoos. I don't necessarily cover them up.

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?

I've worn uniforms in the past, it's never bothered me.

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?

Turtleneck, black jeans, boots. I think it's a pretty classic/classy look.

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. I used to be pretty androgynous in my 20's; again, both a form of self-expression, and defense mechanism.

51. If there was one country or culture or era that you had to live in, fashion-wise, what would it be?

Flappers were pretty dishy.
I love the romanticism of Hollywood, in its glory days.

52. Do you consider yourself photogenic?

Not really.

53. When you see yourself in photographs, what do you think?

That's me.

54. Are there any figures from culture, past or present, whose style you admire or have drawn from?

Cher rocking a Bob Mackie original: whoo hoo! But, I can't say I've drawn from that.

55. Have you ever had a dream that involved clothes?

Not that I remember.

56. What would be a difficult or uncomfortable look for you to try and achieve?

Midriff baring top, short-shorts/mini skirt. OH MY GOD!

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?

A Bob Mackie original!
Catwoman suit. (circa Julie Newmar)
Skinny jeans.

58. Is there anyone that you are trying to attract or repel when you dress?

No.

59. Are there any dressing rules you’d want to convey to other women?

We really shouldn't be able to see what underwear you are (or are not) wearing. Ever.

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

This is meant to be an INTIMATE scent. Not a fucking vapour trail that both proceeds and lingers long before and after you've hove into view!
NO.

61. What are some things you need to do to your body or clothes in order to feel presentable?

My body is an ongoing project; I workout regularly.
Clothing must be clean and unwrinkled.

62. How does makeup fit into all this for you?

Very basic and light. Just to even skin tone, and highlight features.

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?

Can't think of any.

64. Can you describe in a basic way what you own, clothing and jewelry-wise?

Lots of both; some expensive/fine, some casual.

65. What is your favorite piece of clothing or jewelry that you own?

Too difficult to choose.

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?

My wedding dress, which is actually a reproduction of a flapper dress. I love it, but it's all beaded and sequined, so difficult to match to the types of events we tend to go to. But I'll find the place!

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

1964

What kind of work do you do?

Office admin.

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

Married, no kids