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Sascha Erin-Veine

1. When do you feel at your most attractive?

1) when I accomplish something that is difficult
2) when I wear my larping armor
3) when I have on tall boots

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

Yes, I notice most everyone and pay attention to what everyone looks like. I tend to admire women that exude confidence and calmness.

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?

Nope! I just wear what I want now. Which is usually governed by comfort.

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

No warm or bright colors. With the exception of some taupe and dark red, I just look really bad in anything that is bright and on the sunny side. I like rainy days so I dress like them.

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

No jewelry. I just hate wearing it. Some people can pull it off, I can't. I also hate how it feels on me.

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

With logic and simplicity. Occam's razor.

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

I follow a uniform approach to dressing, so yes, I have multiples. Lots of skinny pants, lots of tunic style tops. However I have stopped buying the same item in multiple colors. So I have a few pairs of skinny pants, but they are not the exact same pants in 3 different colors - they are 3 different pairs of pants.

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

I give my best friend clothes sometimes, because I know her style and what she likes.

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

Peplum. I think it's hideous and doesn't look good on anyone, and it definitely doesn't look good on me.

Neon. Again, it's hideous and only suitable for black light parties.

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

My mom's body is the same as mine - petite, short torso, wide hips and small chest and shoulders - but her style is extremely conservative and hasn't changed much over the years. I've tried all sort of different styles - goth, punk, girly, preppy, skater - because I like to try new things. She is very self-conscious and thinks she is a lot bigger than she really is, so she hides in boring, baggy clothes.

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

Nope, I don't like any of their clothes.

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

Many times. I wanted to fit into a subculture so I dressed the part. Around 25 I stopped caring and wore what I liked.

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

I don't wear heels because I want women to see you can be fashionable without ever wearing heels.

I stopped wearing all make up about 8 years ago. I will wear eye make up on occasion, eye liner makes me look a little less tired and sometimes it's fun and fancy. I try to evangelize women to the wonders of a make up free life but it's not for everyone.

16. Please describe your body.

5'4", 32" chest, 29" waist, 40" hips. Short torso, long legs. Narrow shoulders, wide hips. Curvy butt. Non-existent calves. Lacking in muscle tone but nice and soft. At the moment, pregnant with a small bump.

17. Please describe your mind.

Sarcastic, absurd, amused by both sarcasm and absurdity, a love of efficiency, logic, reason, though rarely employed, fascinated by how and why things work, always looking up the history of everything, pop culture trivia goddess because I can't stop reading wikipedia.

18. Please describe your emotions.

Many micro mood swings that occur in my mind on a daily basis. I get very excited about simple things, like a great cheese plate. I get easily frustrated by people being rude or ignorant. I cry at movies but rarely cry about things in real life. I get angry a lot but don't let people see it, except for my poor husband.

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

Ha! Pajamas. No make up. I did brush my hair today. It's short, a basic bob.

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

I consider clothing and hair an art form, self expression is an art form. I'm fascinated by what people try to convey through their appearances. In the end, it's not really that important, but it's fun to think about.

21. With whom do you talk about clothes?

Online groups, my sister.

22. How do institutions affect the way you dress?

I'm a little more conservative for work, that's about it.

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

I have a style, not sure if it's a "good" one by any means. I also have tastes. They mean my preferences and how I express them.

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

Sure do, I've bought some very expensive dresses that never got worn.

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?

Live action role playing (larping), my style tends to be military. I play a soldier/fighter, so it makes sense for the character, but even with other types of costuming, I love military details.

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?

In junior high I had a Starter jacket I wore EVERYWHERE, as it was my security blanket. I feel safe in big sweaters.

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. And yes, it shows up in other areas. It's come from filling my life up with awesome people who allow me to be me, and try stuff out and make mistakes.

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, all they taught me was to be ultra conservative, which I rejected. I taught myself the rest.

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

I like to emphasis my form - thin and curvy. So I don't ever show a lot of skin, but I'd rather show off my figure. Showing a lot of skin feels too naked.

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?

It means you don't give a fuck what other people think, because really, it doesn't matter. The older I get, the less I care about others' opinions, and it's glorious.

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?

Stop caring what other people think. This isn't a license to be disrespectful (don't walk into a funeral wearing a bikini), but wear what makes you happy, regardless of what others are telling you.

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

Simplicity.

34. What do you consider very ugly?

Complication and fussiness, things done in an overt or ostentatious manner.

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, after years of trying lots and lots of things. If it's itchy, pokes, too tight, anything like that - no worn. Too thin? Not worn. But mostly anything itchy, I have low tolerance for scratchy fabric.

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

What's clean? What's the weather today? Should I waste the good underwear on just going to the grocery store?

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

Comfort and ease.

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

Dressing up is getting fancy, wearing clothes for a specific purpose.

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

I do have a uniform. Tunic top, skinny pants, tall boots.

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

Middle class native Texan, raised by middle class native Texans, in Texas. All Southern Baptists. When I was younger, my clothes were more conservative. I'm still pretty conservative with skin showing but not with showing off my figure.

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?

Just trying to find myself.

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

Eye liner.

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

Well, my workplace is mostly people in crappy t shirts and jeans, so I rebel by wearing not crappy t shirts and jeans.

48. Do you find it comforting or constraining to have a uniform?

Nope, I like uniforms. So easy.

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?

Tunic top, skinny pants, tall boots. I like how it looks on my body, how it feels against my skin. I like how boots balance out my hips.

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?

Yes, because I wanted to be seen as strong and capable and not a weakling.

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

Scandinavia.

52. Do you consider yourself photogenic?

HA HA HA HA HAHA HA nope.

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

Why do I make such weird faces?

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

Audrey Hepburn, but I don't copy her style.

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

Yes, couldn't get the shirt on or off, kept getting tangled in my arms.

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

Anything girly or preppy. Heels, skirts, fluffy dresses, make up, done hair. Anything super feminine.

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?

Same thing I always wear, Pinky.

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

No. Well, I'd repel the haters.

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

Wear what you want! Screw everyone else!

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

I hate it. I have allergic reactions.

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

Brush my hair, get the dog hair off me.

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

No make up!

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?

I used to think I was expected to like really feminine clothes because I am female. I wasn't comfortable in that because it felt too...flirty? Too attention grabbing?

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

Tunic tops, skinny pants, boots, Chucks, flats. Only jewelry I wear are my wedding rings.

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

My motorcycle jacket.

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 formal dress my husband bought me to wear to the symphony on our honeymoon. I just don't have any place to wear it. I think it's achieved vintage status now.

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?

Good quality pieces.

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?

Nope.

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

My motorcycle jacket. That thing was $500. And it's awesome.

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

Don't buy so much crap!

71. What’s the first “investment” item you bought? Do you still own or wear it?

My motorcycle jacket. Absolutely, I love that jacket. Not just on the bike, but I wear it as a winter jacket.

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

A perfect shift dress that fits my big hips without being too big in the top.

74. What are your closet and drawers like? Do you keep things neat, etc?

HA HA HA HA HA HA nope.

75. Were you ever given a present of clothing or jewelry that especially touched you?

My wedding rings.

78. Do you like to smell a certain way?

Clean.

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

1984. Texas. Texas.

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

middle class white girl who does not like pumpkin spice lattes and north face jackets

What kind of work do you do?

IT, system admin

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

married, kid on the way

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