Personal Style: Who's That Girl?

I get it all the time. PR pitches addressed to "Celine." People seem shocked when they find out that my name isn't. And it isn't even close. But there is a story to it, one that I actually hold very near and dear to my heart.

And so, on this day when I'd have loved to post a new style dilemma for you, or told you about some event, but didn't get to it, well, I figured I'd answer that question, "Who's That Girl?" So head on over to that ubiquitous "About" page, here, and find out.

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Then, if you like what you see, and this blog is the only place you've come across me so far, well, then, get on the social media wagon and follow me elsewhere...

DC Celine on Facebook - I don't read as many blogs as some, but I do have my favorites. I share links, photos, and other interesting fashion and style things that pop up in my own feeds here. And, for those not on Instagram, I periodically post my Instagram pics (at least from my #twitterfashionshows) here, too. Have a question about something you see on my facebook page, just comment, and I'll track down the answer!

DC Celine on Twitter - 140 characters of fashion and style focused chatter. Fairly regular tweets on what I've been #wearing. I also share where I've been that relates to my own fashion, style, and personal journey (no, I'm not "mayor" of the Starbucks and the yoga studio, I swear). Have a style dilemma or a "where do I eat in DC" question? Tweet at me, and I'll give you my (solicited) opinion!

DC Celine on Pinterest - For those who follow the blog, you know that, even when I'm too swamped to post regularly, I can usually find a few minutes to pin. I've got boards for everything from seasonal clothing (Winter Girl) to aspirational fashion (Pie in the Sky) to #healthyme to my travel desires (Where My Heart Wants to Go). And if you contact me with a style dilemma, and are on pinterest, we can do a collaborative board, like we did to find City and Sand's reception frock.

DC Celine on Instagram (@DC Celine) - Some don't get the "filters." I, on the other hand, love them for Making My Pictures Look Better. And since I'm not an Outfit of the Day #OOTD poster, but sometimes want to share at least the concept of what I've thrown on, I find it easy to make a simple shot shine. Also, The Beans. And H.

Healthy Style: Building a New Closet

I got up this morning, got The Beans started on breakfast, then went to my closet.

I haven't shaved my legs recently, so despite the humid heat, I wanted to wear pants.

I tried on 3 pair: a 6+ year old (but favorite) grey chalkstripe Banana Republic suit pant, a post-Bean initial weight loss pair of brown plaid KORS trousers, and a never-worn-because-I-actually-need-to-have-them-hemmed grey wide(r) legged pair of Ports 1961 trousers I picked up at a District Sample Sale after The Bean.

This is my #wearing tweet from this morning. Clearly, the trousers didn't work.

The issue? The pants were all hanging off my proverbial fram, loose in a way that's not just cool slouchy. They looked bad.

Yes, the hashtag for this should be #fashiongirlproblems.

That being said, and with even my standby dress collection (I'm a huge fan of the "one-and-done" dress option to narrow down early morning sartorial choices) dwindling, it's time to overhaul my closet.

I can't do a complete overhaul. It would simply cost too much. I need to do that dreaded closet assessment all of the stylists recommend, I need to have some things altered, and I need to plan my purchases. All quite organized, isn't it? So here's what I'm going to do.

I hope.

Step 1. Continue to try things on and put them in piles of "Worth Trying to Alter" and "Donate." I may add a "Consign" pile, but that's a heck of a lot of effort for me. The "Worth Trying to Alter" will be around how much I love a piece, how much it's literally still worth, and whether or not I think the type or scale of alterations are even possible.

Step 2. Attempt to hold off on buying anything new until my plan is in place.

Step 3. Get things altered, and see where I stand. Getting this done is a huge step for me. I'm notoriously bad [insert H cackling here] at getting around to doing stuff like this. But it's necessary in this case.

Step 4. Collect ideas and formulate a "Buy List." Thank goodness for Pinterest, now. It does make it easy. That being said, I also have to be realistic about inspiration, what will work on me, and what will work in my closet. I've started a "Creating a New Closet" board, and am also pulling from some other boards, like "Just Plain Pretty," "Ladylike," and "Rocker Chic(k)." I'm also open to ideas: if you see something you think might work for or inspire me, just cc: me in your pin! Or if there are enough nosy busybodies out there, maybe I'll open "Creating a New Closet" up to folks who want to help. Thoughts welcome!

What I already know about myself - or perhaps assume is a better word - is that I'm drawn to anything that remotely looks like Katherine Hepburn would wear it (read: higher-waisted wide leg trousers), simply ladylike dresses, and now that I feel like my frame can handle it, neckwear. I'm definitely pulling from a time gone by (see also: "The Way It Was"). Perhaps I should revisit those assumptions. Ok. So that's Step 4a: Find My Personal Style.

I'll tweet ideas periodically, too, and continue to blog about things. Look for the #NewCloset hashtag on, you know, every form of social media available.

Step 5. Go get a Style for Hire consult at Westfield. It's there. It's free. Why the heck not? Someone who doesn't know me as well as other folks may have some useful perspective on what will work for me. (Thanks, Allie, for the review of the service!)

Step 6. Buy. This will probably not happen until September or so, so my inspiration is happening on a distinctly cooler trajectory than appropriate to July.

So what other steps have you used to build or rebuild your wardrobe?