Read Surveys (By Author)
Genevieve Price Stafford
1. When do you feel at your most attractive?
Least amount of makeup, in a flattering color, in clothes that are comfortable and bring the focus to me.
2. Do you notice women on the street? If so, what sort of women do you tend to notice or admire?
I notice everyone! I love when women have a recognizable style. I tend to notice more when someone does an excellent layering job, as lately I am trying more of that for myself.
5. What are some shopping rules you wouldn’t necessarily recommend to others but which you follow?
I tend to like the way uniform dressing looks, but I don't buy that way even though it would be simpler and cheaper. I don't buy things at stores like Forever 21 anymore.
6. What are some rules about dressing you follow, but you wouldn't necessarily recommend to others?
I mix and match a lot texture-wise and try to stay with a slim silhouette on the bottom. But that won't work for everyone.
10. Have you ever successfully given someone a present of jewelry or clothing that you continue to feel good about?
I love to knit for people and really enjoy when I can make something they will use. I knit a pair of socks for my boyfriend and he wears them all the time.
11. Is there any fashion trend you’ve refused to participate in and why?
I don't really do ruffles, I don't do short dresses or anything that exposes too much skin. I really have to say that my style tends towards the modest end of the spectrum.
12. Can you say a bit about how your mother’s body and style has been passed down to you, or not?
My mother and I have (I believe) similar body types, but very, very different coloring. So we have some of the same silhouettes in our closet but in vastly different colors.
15. Is there anything political about the way you dress?
I wear a lot of second hand, and make a lot of my own clothing. Some people count that as political.
16. Please describe your body.
5'7", short brown hair, vaguely "pear-shaped" but overall thin-ish. Small breasts, graceful and long fingers and toes. Olive skin tone and green eyes.
17. Please describe your mind.
Full of knitting, reading, and my dog. Excited and curious. Loving and kind with my partner, friends, and family. A little scatterbrained but extremely loyal.
19. What are you wearing on your body and face, and how is your hair done, right at this moment?
Just mascara. Jeans, low socks, green t-shirt and white sweater. My hair isn't "done" today, I just finger-combed it.
20. In what way is this stuff important, if at all?
Not really. For me it provides a barrier between my "self" and the world because when I go out and I "fit in" I blend in, which allows me to slip by and go un-noticed as much as possible. No one is seeing the real me when I've got all my armor (outfits and makeup) on.
21. With whom do you talk about clothes?
My best friend.
22. How do institutions affect the way you dress?
Well, I have to dress a certain way at my job. But I like to dress a little nice anyway so it's easyish.
23. Do you think you have taste or style? Which one is more important? What do these words mean to you?
Taste. I know when something is good quality and classic. This informs my style to an extreme extent.
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?
Some people have "comfort foods" I have "comfort clothes" in which I feel safe, warm, protected, and comfortable enough to calm down.
30. What sorts of things do you do, clothing or make-up or hair- wise, to feel sexy or alluring?
Makeup wise, red lips. Ultimate sex symbol for me. Casual everything, but red lips is such a turn on. My hair is short, so when it's perfectly tousled, I feel good.
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?
People who are comfortable in their clothes are confident in their clothes because the clothes themselves are a means to an end. Clothes in my opinion shouldn't wear you - if you can forget about your clothes and be as comfortable as if you were naked, that's ideal.
33. What is really beautiful, for you, in general?
White flowers, real rainbows, my dog, true smiles, friendly children, a natural makeup look
34. What do you consider very ugly?
Bad attitudes.
37. What is your process getting dressed in the morning? What are you considering?
Pants then shirt then shoes. Basically how all my elements will work together and if I can wear flats or not. If I need to be dressy or not.
38. What are you trying to achieve when you dress?
Being put together in a coordinated but not matchy way.
39. What, for you, is the difference between dressing and dressing up?
Dressing is easy enough. Dressing up is one step above - additional jewelry, makeup, different shoes.
40. If you had to wear a “uniform” what would it look like?
Jeans, oxfords. Longsleeve t-shirts and open front sweaters.
41. What would you say is “you” and what would you say is “not you”?
Me is: olive colored things, bright red-orange colored things, natural fibers.
Not me is: torn-on-purpose things, shoes that wear out after a month, anything I need to worry about washing.
42. What is your cultural background and how has that influenced how you dress?
Very east coast all around, despite living in Colorado.
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?
In high school I briefly dressed in what I considered to be very "dark, goth-y" style clothes - it was not. But at the time, I was trying very hard to fit in with people who probably would have liked me anyway.
45. How do you conform to or rebel against the dress expectations at your workplace?
We are expected to wear business-casual, but we are allowed jeans all the time. At this point I try to dress a little nicer than most just because I can, and I feel more professional when I do. It's better to be the most well-dressed in a meeting than to show up in jeans and realize your boss is wearing slacks and dress shoes.
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?
Handknit sweater and jeans. Had a set as a kid, I have it again now. It's a classic look and it's always nice to be able to say you made it. Casual enough to be comfortable.
52. Do you consider yourself photogenic?
Sometimes.
54. Are there any figures from culture, past or present, whose style you admire or have drawn from?
Kate Middleton, who I know is boring to some. Being boring in clothing choices means I have more energy to expend in other aspects of my life.
56. What would be a difficult or uncomfortable look for you to try and achieve?
Super high heels, something very fitted, short pants?
64. Can you describe in a basic way what you own, clothing and jewelry-wise?
Long sleeve ts, skinny pants, drapey or looser fitting sweaters, light dresses.
75. Were you ever given a present of clothing or jewelry that especially touched you?
My best friend makes jewelry, and she occasionally makes pieces for me. We have very different aesthetics, so when she does something in my style it's very special.
What’s your birth date? Where were you born and where do you live now?
7/15/88. Denver, Colorado.
Say anything you like about your cultural/ethnic/economic background.
"white." middle class, etc.
What kind of work do you do?
Graphic designer.
Are you single, married, do you have kids, etc.?
Live with my partner and our dog.