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Drea Cohane

1. When do you feel at your most attractive?

First thing in the morning, right after I have showered.

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

I tend to notice women who have a unique sense of style, and who are not afraid to wear colours and patterns.

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

I admire women who are true to themselves in their style, and who you can tell are dressing for themselves, and not for men or other women.

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 think from an early age on I thought make-up was unnecessary. I never understood why women wore it. My Mother only ever put make-up on when she went out for a social event, and I always thought she looked better without it. I can't say why I felt this way from such an early age. I just didn't see the sense in it, and I have always preferred the natural look.

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

I do not enjoy shopping, and so I limit my shopping to very few stores because I know my size in those stores and so I can order online or simply go into the store and purchase something without having to try it on. I don't believe many women shop this way, and so I would only recommend this mode of shopping to women who hate shopping!

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

I follow no rules. I just wear what I like, even if it doesn't necessarily compliment my colouring or body shape. I am drawn to floral patterns, and bulky sweaters. I have no idea if I can carry it off, but I wear them anyway. Oh, I suppose the one rule I do apply is that I generally buy my clothing one size too large for me. I do not like to wear things that are form fitting. But I wouldn't recommend this rule to anyone!

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

I own a ridiculous amount of bulky sweaters, with many of them looking identical or very similar to one another. I love being wrapped up in something warm, and because of my poor circulation I am always cold, and so big/warm sweaters are my best friend all year long.

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

I've given gifts of jewellery and clothing to several friends over the years and I feel I have a knack for selecting items that my friends will love. I have come to this conclusion, because my friends are still wearing these items, even years after the fact.

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

I don't tend to follow the fashion trends, namely because I don't like looking like everyone else on the street. I also do not see the point in spending big money on labels, and so I tend to shop for the less known brands.

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

I am nothing like my Mother. I inherited my aunt's body type (on my father's side). And I certainly did not inherit my mother's sense of style! She tends to wear the more feminine clothing, whereas I prefer the more masculine/androgynous cut of clothes.

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

I think my cousin Anne definitely had an impact on my sense of style. Growing up, I always admired her sense of style. She would wear very classic clothing and then add a burst of colour/pattern with her accessories.

16. Please describe your body.

I don't necessarily feel tall, but I have been referred to as willowy in my body type. I am 5 9', and I am slender. But I am not skinny. I am naturally toned in the arms and legs, but I have a flat bottom. I have very long fingers, and legs, and my neck is very long and slender.

17. Please describe your mind.

My mind is keen, but not at all linear. My mind fluctuates from a state of languor to mania, and tends to be in one state or the other, with no other state in-between.

18. Please describe your emotions.

Heavy.

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

I am wearing my flannel pajama bottoms, and a black long sleeved top. I am wearing nothing on my face, except my daily moisturizer. My hair is down, without any product in it.

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

Is it important? It is in the sense that most people believe that how they adorn themselves lets the rest of the world know how they perceive themselves, and relays their own unique vision of themselves to others. We rely heavily on appearance in society, and our first impression with people is via our looks/sense of style. It's become too important in my opinion.

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

I definitely think I have taste over style. Or rather, I have my own style that most people wouldn't classify as style. But I do think my unique sense of style sprang forth from having my own particular taste.

Taste is simply what you like. And good taste is knowing quality in the cut/lines of something. And knowing if it is classic, and adaptable on first glance.

Style is how you put everything together, and wear it.

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

I purchased this brocade jacket, simply because it reminded me of this ornate wallpaper I had seen. I never wore it. It didn't go with anything, and I eventually donated it.

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?

I would say just wear what makes you feel comfortable and what makes you feel good when you wear it. My style philosophy would be: No muss, no fuss.

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

I love seeing people who are ageing naturally, without trying to resurrect their youth by way of make-up, surgery, clothing etc.

34. What do you consider very ugly?

Fake tans.

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

My process is very simple. I just open my drawer or closet, and decide on the spot what to wear that day. My biggest decision in getting dressed in the morning is what cardigan or sweater to wear. To be honest, I'm not considering much as I decide on an outfit. It's like any other day. I know I will look the same today in my clothes, as I did yesterday.

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

Dressing up always entails discomfort for me. Dressing up usually means wearing a dress, or something formal. I don't enjoy the process. I find there are too many steps involved.

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

I am Canadian, but my father was Irish and my mother is Ukrainian. You could say I have an affinity for tweed, corduroy, and floral patterns because of my Irish descent. I spent a lot of time in the UK, and no doubt my own father's sense of style impacted me. I love blazers with elbow patches, and woolly sweaters to this day.

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

My hair has a life force of its own, and so when I am attempting to look professional, I tend to use product to keep my hair more orderly. Or I tie it up.

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 do not wish to be a man, but I certainly wish there was more in the way of masculine styled/cut clothing for women. I also tend to prefer men's shoes.

52. Do you consider yourself photogenic?

NO. I am one of the least photogenic people I know. I have several photographer friends, and even they are incapable of taking a decent photo of me. And whenever I have to present ID, the person on the other end always comments on how much more attractive I am in real person.

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

I cringe, or laugh.

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

To be honest, I am trying to repel men for the most part. At least, I am trying to repel the sorts of men that I do not wish to associate with. I mean the men who are so stuck in their narrow and sexist vision of women that they only find beauty in make-up, tight clothing, and lingerie.

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

For the most part, I detest it. I rather smell a person's real scent than some concoction of chemicals.

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

Well, I often wish I had someone to iron my clothes for me. I can't bring myself to actually iron them myself. I use the dryer constantly, just to make my shirts less wrinkly before putting them on.

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

It doesn't.

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

My favourite piece of jewellery I own is a necklace of my mother's. It is a long string of big, cranberry red coloured beads. It gives any outfit that pop of colour that I often crave.

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?

I have a wool sweater of my father's hanging in my closet. I loathe the print, but it was his, and I keep it for sentimental purposes. I keep it for the memories it elicits.

69. If you had to throw out all your clothes but keep one thing, what would you keep?

This is a hard one to answer. I suppose I would keep my navy trench coat. I love the fit, and I love the practicality of it.

70. Building up your wardrobe from nothing, what would you do differently this time?

I would buy less dresses, because I never wear them. Even when I purchase one for a specific event, I always end up wearing dress pants or a skirt instead.

73. What item of clothing are you still (or have you forever been) on the hunt for?

A purse that I could wear all year round, and that would go with all of my clothes/coats.

82. Did anyone ever say anything to you that made you see yourself differently, on a physical and especially sartorial level?

I've been told on numerous occasions throughout my life that I am one of the best looking women that someone has seen in real life. I still don't see that about myself, but I must confess I think it has definitely played into my sense of style over the years. I am very low maintenance, and I know this is because a part of me believes that my natural good looks allow me to not put much effort into my appearance.

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

September 4th, 1980. I was born in Kitchener, Ontario. I now live in Toronto.

What kind of work do you do?

I work in publishing.

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

I am single.

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