1. When do you feel at your most attractive?

When I take the time to look nice, do my makeup and hair, and pick out an outfit that makes me feel smart but casual.

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

Women in smart, stylish clothes that look really put together. Women who subscribe to the "less is more" way of life. Women who aren't afraid to wear an unusual piece or colour but who don't drown it out with too much flair in their wardrobe.

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

I appreciate women who look classy with everything they wear

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?

It took me a long time to get out of my shell and do something daring like give myself short bangs. I was obsessed with them and then all the sudden I realized, "why not?". For some reason I didn't feel like I could pull them off or thought people would judge me, but I was at a time in my life where I decided I was going to do the things that would make me happy and I wasn't going to follow the crowd.

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

When I was in college I tried to buy the cheapest things possible because of my limited budget, but now I'm realizing that quality wins at the end of the day.

I am trying to subscribe to the less is more lifestyle. I am trying to find more classic quality pieces that will last me a while, and buy less fast-fashion.

However, I still cringe when I have to buy a t-shirt for more than $20, a sweater for more than $30, jeans for more than $50, and coats or shoes for more than $100. But I am getting there.

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

I don't wear v-necks. They look atrocious on me. I have wide shoulders and small boobs, so I like to emphasize my collar bone with wider and higher neck lines. I don't like to wear much revealing clothing as I am becoming a teacher and I don't want to show off too much of my body.

I also avoid flip-flops, peep toe or strappy shoes, yoga gear, light-washed or embellished jeans, bra straps, knee-high boots, hoodies, and anything that cuts me off at my upper thighs (the widest part of me). I also avoid fuchsia like the plague because it makes me look yellow. But to each his or her own, right?

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

My fashion choices are more of a personal thing. I don't talk to a lot of people about it. I have mostly found my way by reading blogs/going on Pinterest and really asking myself what I like.

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

I think for me it's all about simplicity. Buy fewer things. Only keep the essentials. Moving around a lot in the last few years has gotten me to loathe keeping too much stuff. I have thrown out a lot of clothes, beauty products, and things in my room recently.

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

I have a few flats from Old Navy in multiple colours because I like the almond toe and they fit me great. They have lasted long and were fairly cheap. So if I see a new colour in that style that I like I will get it. If something is basic and fits me well and fairly cheap I will buy it in another colour. Especially pants because well-fitting ones are hard to find.

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

I gave my high school boyfriend some shirts that he wore forever. He always let his mom dress him with clothing from Zellers so I think it made both of us happy.

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

Only trends that do not flatter my body. Empire waisted stuff of the mid 2000s did not jive with me well. However, I was all over the peplum style of 2011-2013 because it flattered my small waist.

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

I started dressing how I wanted to and less how I thought other people wanted me to in my early 20s. I think it took me moving away from my family and my hometown to realize how I wanted to express myself was different from the general aesthetic in my small town.

16. Please describe your body.

I am short and pear shaped with broad shoulders. I have a big butt and thighs, small waist, bit of a tummy, and smallish boobs. I like to dress in ways that show off my collar bone/shoulders and waist, as I feel like these are my assets.

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

june 6 1990. Both in Vancouver BC, lived in Nanaimo BC since childhood, moved to Victoria BC in my 20s.

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

upper middle class, white, little bit mixed metis background, but mostly white. People always ask me if I'm italian or middle eastern because of my skin tone.

What kind of work do you do?

phone support

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

single

How do you feel after filling out this survey?

this is fun to do some self-reflection about myself and my style