Read Surveys (By Author)
Renne' Rondell
1. When do you feel at your most attractive?
I feel most attractive after a hot shower, putting on my unique/hand-made jewelry, perfume & and clean pair of jeans. I never wear make-up, and my unique socks & a pair of Birkenstocks make me feel ALL ME.... the old Hippie never died!
2. Do you notice women on the street? If so, what sort of women do you tend to notice or admire?
I only notice women on the street if they seem to be "phony" or overly-made up. I especially notice women who have ridiculous manicured/fake fingernails. My own fingernails grow so fast & I simply don't understand how one can do anything with finger-fangs.
3. What are some things you admire about how other women present themselves?
First off, I notice a woman's posture. If she's walking tall, head up and makes eye contact, I find these things most admirable. If a woman speaks using poor grammar or comes across as controlling in tone of voice, I avoid ANY interaction with that person. hand-made jewe
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?
After a strict upbringing & going to high school with a dress code, my MOMENT in fashion was August, 1969 at Woodstock. I fell in love with the Hippie, Shabby Chic look & now, at age 65, I STILL dress that way. I finally felt free...a rebirth, so to speak. Another moment was a bra burning protest I attended at the first college I attended. I don't need a bra and haven't worn on since 1972! I can't stand to see women in tank/sleeveless tops with their bra straps showing! Take the damn thing off & toss it!
5. What are some shopping rules you wouldn’t necessarily recommend to others but which you follow?
It would be arrogant of me to recommend shopping rules to anyone. I don't care what others purchase. I have my favorite stores & websites. If I had to say one thing, it would be: "why do you wear pantyhose?".
I don't even own a pair.
6. What are some rules about dressing you follow, but you wouldn't necessarily recommend to others?
As an old Hippie who went to Woodstock, I participated in a women's lib rally where we burned our bras. I haven't worn won since 1972. I don't need them. If you have large breasts, you may NEED to wear a bra, but PLEASE do NOT let the straps show beneath a tank to or sleeveless garment! I want to smack these women upside the head...it's disgusting.
7. What is the most transformative conversation you have ever had on the subject of fashion or style?
I have never engaged in such a conversation. I do, however, steer clear of women who dress as if they are millionaires (e.g., over-dressed), are dressed for the corporate workplace (i.e., stiff & stifled), or those who dress in a thrown together frumpy outfit.
8. Do you have a unified way of approaching your life, work, relationships, finances, chores, etc.? Please explain.
My guiding principles are: Mind your own business; keep you mind stimulated but not cluttered with minutia; keep a daily calendar; NEVER worry; know that the only thing you can control is yourself (and then only sometimes); don't try to change anyone else; know that you can't be good at everything so when you fail, learn from the experience & move on; know when to shut up; meditate daily; only work in environments that suit you; change your career when you get bored with the one you have; always keep learning.
9. Are there any clothing (or related) items that you have in multiple? Why do you think you keep buying this thing?
Blue jeans!! Hippie tops, Birkenstocks, Toms shoes, Clogs; unique satchels preferably handmade in Nepal; tie dye, only floor-length dresses & long skirts. I buy these things as I am "stuck in 1969" & don't plan to change a thing about my attire as this free-form style IS ME! I detest flip-flops!
10. Have you ever successfully given someone a present of jewelry or clothing that you continue to feel good about?
Although I have given my daughters jewelry that was meaningful to them, once I give someone a gift, the joy comes from giving. I do not recall experiencing any emotions beyond the time that the person experienced the pleasure of receiving the jewelry. I do donate clothing to Good Will & the Salvation Army that always makes me feel like I'm fulfilling someone else's needs.
11. Is there any fashion trend you’ve refused to participate in and why?
DISCO! DRESS SUITS! SWEAT PANTS! ILL-FITTING CLOTHES! ANYTHING THAT APPEARS IN VOGUE magazine! I'm fine being a free spirit & have a strong disdain for wearing what is advertised as "the latest fashion ". I don't care what other people wear. I insist on wearing my hippie style. The only exception was during the time that I was a practicing RN wear I wore funky scrubs. I WILL NOT WEAR ANYTHING BROWN OR ORANGE!!
12. Can you say a bit about how your mother’s body and style has been passed down to you, or not?
Being adopted, I never bonded to my adoptive mother. She wore drab, cheap polyester pantsuits & orthopedic shoes. I learned to sew my own clothes. She was 5' 0" tall & I am 6' 0" tall. She was short, fat & dumpy & I'm tall & lithe. I wouldn't emulate her manner of dress in any way whatsoever as she was dowdy. I was always embarrassed to be seen in public with her, so I rarely went anywhere with that woman.
13. Have you stolen, borrowed or adapted any dressing ideas or actual items from friends or family?
Absolutely not! Most often, people copy me!
14. Was there a point in your life when your style changed dramatically? What happened?
Going to Woodstock in 1969 forever changed my style. I will forever be a Hippie & I don't care who wears what as I'm not into changing my style of free expression just because some magazine model or ad shows a new trend.
15. Is there anything political about the way you dress?
I do my own thing. What on earth does politics have to do with the way I dress?
16. Please describe your body.
6' 0" tall, thin, flat chested, small butt, no waistline, rather androgynous. I'm perfectly accepting of my body even though I have worn eyeglasses since the age of five.
17. Please describe your mind.
With an IQ of 160 at age 5 and holding five college degrees, I am ALWAYS needing to challenge my mind, as learning is my reason for being. Loved being a professor of biostatistics, but being a therapist got old as most female clients were just whining spoiled little kids. I left the career of Professional Nursing as I don't like working with women. I find them to be catty, back-stabbing, gossipy small-talking bimbos. I don't like shallow, stupid or ignorant people & actively avoid them.
18. Please describe your emotions.
Some say I'm a pessimist, but I refer to my self as a realist. I'm definitely not an optimist. I have no difficulty expressing my feelings. I am blunt and have no concern for other's reaction to my words should they inquire as to my beliefs or opinions on a subject. I opt for a simple lifestyle where I am content as I believe "happiness" comes in a few spectacular, but achievement-related events. I'm into LET IT BE & MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
19. What are you wearing on your body and face, and how is your hair done, right at this moment?
I am wearing jeans, a tie dye sleeveless long tank top, bare feet, many earrings, one necklace and my signature perfume. I wear my hair short so I don't have to waste time & money styling it. I sport 9 tattoos all gotten after the age of 59 each one of which represents something significant in my life.
20. In what way is this stuff important, if at all?
It shows who I am....comfortable in my own skin & what you see is what you get!
21. With whom do you talk about clothes?
No one. I ALWAYS shop alone.
22. How do institutions affect the way you dress?
The word "institution" is a disturbing word to me. It connotes conforming to ridiculous rules, time-cards, robotic and a caged-animal mentality. I purposefully avoid places that one might term "an institution", except for the Smithsonian Institution, for example.
23. Do you think you have taste or style? Which one is more important? What do these words mean to you?
I most definitely have MY STYLE as a shabby chic hippie. Regarding taste, to each his or her own. I don't care what others wear, except if it's exceptionally tacky. No one is allowed EVER to tell me what to wear because I would purposefully disobey their orders. Style to me means individuality. Taste to me connotes conforming to norms, trends or others' expectations.
24. Do you remember the biggest waste of money you ever made on an item of clothing?
No. I made my own wedding dress as I think it's ridiculous to spent thousands of dollars on a fussy outfit one wears for less that 24 hours.
25. Are there any dressing tricks you’ve invented or learned that make you feel like you’re getting away with something?
I find this question to be a stupid one.
26. Do you have style in any areas of your life aside from fashion?
My entire home, my vehicle, the books I read, the bumper stickers on magnetic paper stuck to my Miata convertible, the people I have as friends all have a similar style to mine. As a loner, who really cares anyway.
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?
I cannot recall the last time I felt fear.
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?
I could write an essay in response to this question. To be succinct, OF COURSE I KNOW WHAT I LIKE & more importantly, what I DISLIKE. I know myself, my body, my mind, my strengths, my weaknesses, my character flaws & what's in my being VERY WELL. ME, MYSELF & I are best friends. I'm extremely discerning/choosy which comes from being astutely aware of my surroundings at all times. I'm a people-watcher. I prefer to observer rather than to participate. These characteristics likely arose from my trying many things in life, moving around the country, and knowing that knowledge is power.
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?
My adoptive parents set such a poor example of what to be, I prefer to say that they taught me WHAT NOT TO WEAR. I was an avid reader of "Seventeen" magazine when it was an over-sized publication. I picked things up from the colleges I attended.
30. What sorts of things do you do, clothing or make-up or hair- wise, to feel sexy or alluring?
I would rather be evaluated as bright, intelligent, astute and sharp as I have NEVER tried to be sexy or alluring.
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?
Every person who visits my home or gets to know me says they "are soooo comfortable & relaxed in my presence" as I am very tolerant of others' styles. I am confident and have high self-respect. When one is OK with who they are, it spills over. Comfort is my #! priority in all facets of my life. I'm confident because I've succeeded in most everything I've tried, and have learned from my mistakes.
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 your hair anyway you wish. Wear whatever clothes you feel comfortable wearing. Do NOT DRESS TO IMPRESS---which I find to be a shallow exercise in futility. It's one's inner that matters most anyway. I wouldn't want to be a "fashion expert".
33. What is really beautiful, for you, in general?
Simplicity
34. What do you consider very ugly?
Unkempt hair, bad breath, bad teeth, unclean clothes or a dirty body, worn out clothing, too much perfume/cologne, BLACK VINYL HANDBAGS (especially cheap ones), wearing anything brown or orange, too much make-up, high heels, big butts, obese people, poor posture, mean/frowning expressions on faces.
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?
I know exactly what I like and I know how to use the computer to find it in advance.
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?
This is another stupid set of questions. I don't like mirrors. I do my thing. If others judge me, they own the problem, because if I'm satisfied with how I look before I go out, that's ALL that matters. I don't seek or need approval from anyone but myself.
37. What is your process getting dressed in the morning? What are you considering?
Cleanliness first. Speed second. People are too vain in general.
38. What are you trying to achieve when you dress?
REALLY?? Achievement in my vocabulary does NOT have anything to do with attire. If anything, I attempt to please myself & be comfortable for that day's activities.
39. What, for you, is the difference between dressing and dressing up?
Dressing up implies that one is going somewhere somewhat more formal. So I have "formal" jeans & "informal jeans". lol I do put on something a bit more refined when 'dressing up', but still maintain that ol' Hippie in me. I'm not here to impress anyone. I go out to enjoy myself.
40. If you had to wear a “uniform” what would it look like?
Hospital scrubs.
41. What would you say is “you” and what would you say is “not you”?
ME: free style, unique, funky, eclectic, cool, stuck in the 60's
NOT ME: suits, gowns, expensive jewelry, heels, fussy
42. What is your cultural background and how has that influenced how you dress?
As I have lived all across the USA, I have been exposed to many of our 'subcultures'. Specifically East Coast formality, Southern rednecks, Chi-town eclecticism, living my most formative years in the Woodstock era.
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?
A strict dress code was enforced during elementary school, junior high & high school. Pantyhose weren't invented until I left for college. I had such a disdain for arbitrary rules on dress that it an indelible image was impressed on my being to "do my own thing" & let it evolve as I evolve.
44. What sorts of things do you do, clothing, make-up or hair-wise, to feel professional?
At my age, I no longer need to look professional. When I was a professor, I wore khakis & long sleeve blouses or simple skirts & tops with flats. When I was a practicing RN, I wore funky scrubs & plastic clogs. I recall vividly my dislike of the "white shirt, black tie, IBM" image. Got rid of all the 'professional' suits, etc. but kept some of the scrubs. They're good for anytime wear, out or in or even as pj's.
45. How do you conform to or rebel against the dress expectations at your workplace?
I do not work now.
46. Do you have a dress code, a school uniform, or a uniform that you wear for an extracurricular activity?
If there were any such activity that required a dress code, at this stage of my life, I would boycott the experience.
47. Are there ways in which you conform to or rebel against these uniforms?
Asked and answered. See above
48. Do you find it comforting or constraining to have a uniform?
I liked wearing hospital scrubs, but in schools that have dress codes, I hated it.
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?
Again: asked and answered
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 wear men's stuff all the time. With my height & body style, there are plenty of ways to make men's attire feminine!
51. If there was one country or culture or era that you had to live in, fashion-wise, what would it be?
The 1960's & early 1970's, stopping when disco came in around 1975.
52. Do you consider yourself photogenic?
I WILL NOT willingly have my photograph taken. I am not photogenic at all. I look worse in photographs than I do in the mirror.
53. When you see yourself in photographs, what do you think?
There are only a few photographs of me in existence. I don't like them. They don't represent how I see myself.
54. Are there any figures from culture, past or present, whose style you admire or have drawn from?
Twiggy, Haight-Ashbury Hippie style, Mod from London
55. Have you ever had a dream that involved clothes?
NO! What a boring dream that would be! Wow. What response can a person give to this ambiguous question?
56. What would be a difficult or uncomfortable look for you to try and achieve?
Anything other than how I dress now.
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?
Exactly what I wear now and have worn for decades.
58. Is there anyone that you are trying to attract or repel when you dress?
Good grief NO!
59. Are there any dressing rules you’d want to convey to other women?
Dress the way you want. You're not here to impress anyone with your attire. It's what's in your mind and your soul that matters.
60. What do you think of perfume? Do you wear it?
I ALWAYS wear my signature perfume. It's the one thing besides earrings that makes me feel 'finished'.
61. What are some things you need to do to your body or clothes in order to feel presentable?
Be clean & neat.
62. How does makeup fit into all this for you?
I don't wear 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 set my own rules. Who are you to judge what I look like? You're pretty shallow if you evaluate me based upon my looks, ergo, I wouldn't even speak to you.
64. Can you describe in a basic way what you own, clothing and jewelry-wise?
Again: asked and answered
65. What is your favorite piece of clothing or jewelry that you own?
A floor-length, royal-purple, velvet Victorian dress complete with puffy sleeves & ruffled collar is my favorite item of clothing. My favorite piece of jewelry is a large, hand-made pewter peace sign on a suede cord necklace.
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 purged my closet. Everything I have in my closet I wear.
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?
Cool handbags, my signature perfume, my favorite jeans, boots, hand-made things from Nepal
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?
No.
69. If you had to throw out all your clothes but keep one thing, what would you keep?
The floor-length, royal-purple Victorian velvet dress.
70. Building up your wardrobe from nothing, what would you do differently this time?
Nothing
71. What’s the first “investment” item you bought? Do you still own or wear it?
That velvet floor-length Victorian dress. Yes I still wear it.
72. Was there ever an important or paradigm-shifting purchase in your life?
My first pair of "elephant Bell-bottom jeans" that I turned into a skirt.
73. What item of clothing are you still (or have you forever been) on the hunt for?
Luckily, after a decade of looking, I just recently ordered a mid-calf length denim coat. When it came the other day, I changed out the buttons to suit me.
74. What are your closet and drawers like? Do you keep things neat, etc?
I am a bit OCD about storing everything in my house.
75. Were you ever given a present of clothing or jewelry that especially touched you?
A pair of large diamond hoop earrings with diamonds on the inside as well as on the outside.
76. Did you ever buy an article of clothing without giving it much thought, only to have it prove much more valuable as time went on? What was the item and what happened?
NO
77. How and when do you shop for clothes?
I shop for clothes when I need them, when they're on sale, or when I take a trip to my fave store Hippie Gypsy. I also shop online from Etsy & Amazon.
78. Do you like to smell a certain way?
YES
79. How does how you dress play into your ambitions for yourself?
It's irrelevant
80. How does money fit into all this?
I live on a limited budget so I know very well the difference between want and need.
81. Is there an article of clothing, a piece of make-up, or an accessory that you carry with you or wear every day?
I wear a Fuschia water-resistant digital watch at all times.
82. Did anyone ever say anything to you that made you see yourself differently, on a physical and especially sartorial level?
Not that I recall. I don't engage in conversation with strangers often.
83. Do you remember the first time you were conscious of what you were wearing? Can you describe this moment and what it was about?
In Junior High School I noted I was the worst dressed kid in school. I closed up and stayed shy & withdrawn until I escaped to college.
What’s your birth date? Where were you born and where do you live now?
Decembeer 1st, born in Chicago, now live in "The Valley Of The Sun" near Phoenix, AZ
Say anything you like about your cultural/ethnic/economic background.
I'm glad I'm white.
What kind of work do you do?
I've had 3 careers in addition to motherhood. 1) psychotherapist 2) biostatistician & research methodologist & 3) Registered Nurse
Are you single, married, do you have kids, etc.?
Married. Retired from parenthood as all 4 offspring are older than 18
Please say anything you like about yourself that might put this survey into some sort of context.
If music were removed from my life, it wouldn't be worth living.
How do you feel after filling out this survey?
I have no emotional response whatsoever to answering these questions. Why would I? It's not a statistically valid, reliable or scientific questionnaire!
Bio
I collected college degrees for amusement purposes; dropped out of med school; took courses for fun; married >once; don't understand what people mean when they state there's "joy in parenthood"...it's a lot of hard work, sacrifice, & not rewarding at all. I regret ever marrying or having children.