Monday, January 22, 2018

Phantom Thread: Movie and Life


I usually try to mix things up in my blog and show you outfits that differ from each other, partly because it's visually more interesting to you, as readers, but also because it's just a natural way of things here in the real writer's closet - I enjoy variety and wear very different styles. So it feels a little awkward to show you the same jacket twice in a row, but I voted for it, and my thoughts were A) this outfit is different enough from the previous one (only the outer jacket is on repeat, everything else isn't), and B) I happened to be at the inner place right now when I enjoy repeating outfits, and I also want to blog, so bear with me.


I have days when I open my closet, and my heart overflows with love - the rainbow of colors, the different shapes, patterns, styles, and places where my clothes came from. And I have days when I open my closet and can't find one single thing that resonates with me. Do you have such days too? I believe it's pretty universal, that's why I decided to talk about this phenomena again. Let's get to the bottom of this, shall we? How is it possible that with a closet full of choices that I lovingly and enthusiastically made for years, nothing really speaks to me? No matter what's happening in my life now, it is still me, there can be changes, crises, new realizations, and whatsoever, but the common ingredient through everything is me, it stays the same. So what's missing?


I examined this thought and came to the conclusion that when I am in no mood to wear anything that usually gives me inspiration, that I have some kind of preconceived notion of what I should wear, or what my outfit should be on that particular day. I will give you an example. Wanting to mix things up, which most times comes naturally to me, sometimes can also be artificial and trick me. For instance, I think, "I have just worn this (or very similar) outfit. Am I bored with my closet? Am I becoming conservative? Have I lost imagination?" And because I usually don't have a backlog of outfits (I post as I go, so you pretty much see what's happening right now, plus or minus a couple of days, with very few exceptions), I am also puzzled what to post. "I've just shown this jacket (or dress, or skirt), my blog will be boring if I post the same stuff right away." 


So that's exactly what happened the other day. We bought tickets to movies, and I put on an outfit in a couple of different variations, and I felt like I hated them all, like I was trying too hard, like I was fake, and I don't enjoy feeling fake. I took everything off and started from scratch. I realized that what I naturally was inclined to wear on a blustery day, was wearing something cozy and comforting, with enough colors to brighten my day, but without any extravaganza. 

When the weather is stormy, and I don't only mean outer weather, but when I feel vulnerable, comfort comes first. And I don't only mean physical comfort - I mean, emotional comfort. It is not time for experimenting, at least not to me. 

I opened my closet again, and my hands reached for this skirt (that is in a heavy rotation in the cold months). What top to wear with it? On my most recent trips to Goodwill back in December, I found this stretchy velvet short sleeve turtleneck in deep teal. "That could work," I thought. Then my hands reached for another Goodwill find (which I showed in THIS POST), this corduroy rust orange jacket with a great adventurous feel, beautiful texture and silhouette and fun details, like buttons. And to top it off, I just had to wear the jacket I showed you in my previous post. I completed this outfit with my old leather slouchy boots which, I noticed, are trendy at the moment. I love that mine have a vintage vibe to them, and what's the most important about shoes for me, they are wonderfully comfortable - one of the most comfortable soles that I've ever found.


Completely satisfied with my creation, I marched to the movie theater, feeling both casual and well-dressed, but what's most important feeling 100% me, genuinely me as I was on that particular day. It was getting dark and raining when we finally took these pictures, but I still like them enough to share. To me, this outfit feels very English, with not just plaid, but all the layering and textures going on. But I never claim to be an expert in style - perhaps, after all, I just watch too many British movies.


The movie we were catching was surprisingly fitting for my outfit, and vice versa. I can't recommend to you enough - PHANTOM THREAD. Do see it in a theater, on a big screen, it is a delicious movie for a true aesthete, in every possible way. It is reportedly the last film role of Daniel Day-Lewis, and it was a great performance, as well as his film partner Vicky Krieps. The writing and directing are by Paul Thomas Anderson (I was familiar with a couple of his movies, and the one that I remember being amazed by was Magnolia in 1999). 


In short, Phantom Thread is a work of fine art. Beautiful, not trivial love story, told delicately and with a sense of humor, but also an insightful look into an artist's soul. It's one of such beautiful, layered stories which I would love to be able to write myself some day. If you are a highly sensitive and highly creative person, or you live with a highly sensitive / highly creative person, this is a breath of fresh air. The music is one of the most wonderful features here - it's that occasion when the story and the music are inseparable, simply genius. And finally, it's a visual feast. The operator's work is fine art. Since it's a story about a fashion designer, you are in for a treat! Not only the whole process of creation is shown in a very palatable way, but when you see the clothes, you will be able to feel the rich textures on your skin. In my humble opinion, it's one of the best movies in years, and I sure will be watching it on a big screen again. (Last time, I think, it was Julie and Julia (2009) that made me come back to the theater 4 times in a row...and that was, I can't believe it, 9 years ago!) 

Some other movies that I love and that have a somewhat similar artistic flair:

 Maudie (2016) 
(I wrote about it HERE)
Miss Potter (2006)


I think in the art of dressing, as much as any other art, just as it is in love, what we have to learn more than anything is how to trust. Trust that threads that are invisible to our eyes, connect us with everything we need at the right moment. Trust that our best ideas don't come from our brains, so we have to laugh a little about this old comfortable habit of ours. Trust that when we let go of control and when we open our hearts, the invisible phantom thread of our souls will bring us exactly what's been missing.

Skirt - eShakti (old)
Velvet top and corduroy jacket - thrifted via Goodwill
Jacket - Simply Be (last year)
Boots - Josef Seibel (from 2012 or so)
Sunnies - Lane Bryant (old)


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20 comments:

  1. Thank you Natalia for introducing this film. ;)
    You look amazing Natalia, I love the colours and understand what you mean. On These days I would like to wear maybe for example Jeans and striped Shirt or a comfortable Dress. No expirience.
    Huge hug Tina

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    1. It's fascinating how universal this challenge is - it seems none of us is prone to that!
      I used to run to jeans on such days a few years ago, but lately I wear skirts and dresses mostly, so I am inventing a comfortable casual style with them now. :)
      <3

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  2. "what's most important feeling 100% me, genuinely me" - big Amens to that, and I think many of us share this feeling. Your look is authentic and lovely. And thanks for the movie rec., it's most definitely on my list, as DDL's final film! thanks for linking up, xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Yes, Patti, digging deeper to reach that authentic self... that's what it's all about!
      Lots of love! <3

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  3. I was nodding in agreement all through your post. Yes, I too have days when I open my closet and nothing resonates, and this feeling usually stems from something in my life being a bit unbalanced. In wanting to show something different, I sometimes discard the outfit I had in mind, because it does not feel right. The same outfit might look amazing (to me, in any case) on any other day, just not that day, or rather that moment in time. Then there are those items of clothing that make me feel goods at any time, so that I find myself wearing them again and again. Your jacket is too fabulous not to make a second appearance so soon, and I love the rust jacket you're wearing underneath, which is perfect with your plaid skirt. The short-sleeved velvet turtleneck is a wonderful addition too. Putting the movie on my list, although I prefer watching it on DVD from the comfort of my home. Hugest of hugs xxx

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    1. I agree with every word, Ann! That's exactly it, and we just need to comfort ourselves while dressing on such days - it's OK to repeat, it's just a temporary situation anyway, and some day it'll change!

      Lots of love! <3

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  4. lovely wonderful post - dear natasha!!
    fab turtleneck and orange jacket make a gorgeous variation of the outfit formula - i use to do this all the time (not sure if its gorgeous all the time...) ;-D
    usually i wear one skirt and one topper for a week or so with changing blouses or sweaters.
    the movie sounds very interesting to me! will have a lookout when it comes to us.
    trust is the hardest for me.....
    love you! xxxxxxx

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    1. I even think it's totally OK to not be fabulous every single time, haha! :) I think I start trying too hard when I miss blogging and I have a photo opportunity (my photographer is here and it's light outside), and I have a desire, but no big inspiration to dress up. But at the end, it all works out - there is so much to think and discuss around such challenging days, since we all experience them! I think I got to the bottom of this problem this time.

      Warmest hugs to you, my dear friend! It is hard to learn to relax and trust life. We are all in the same boat. I am learning the same lessons myself!

      Lots of love! <3

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  5. Remind me to quote that first sentence of your last paragraph. It is a beautiful sentiment about the art dressing. I am glad that you showed this jacket twice in a row. I find it so interesting how one piece can look so different with a different color combination and background. I adore this particular outfit as I am in love with the pattern mixing especially the plaid on plaid.
    The touch of fur at the collar is the icing on the cake. Thank you also for recommending that movie, it is on my list of things to see. I believe that will be on my weekend schedule. Sending you love from New York.
    ❤️❤️❤️
    Elle
    https://theellediaries.com/

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    1. So wonderful to receive your love from New York, dear Elle! :) Here is love back to New York to you, from rainy Seattle!

      Thank you for your kind comments, I am so glad you liked my outfit and little bit of writing here! <3

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  6. I totally agree with you, as sometimes I look at my wardrobe with dispair, not feeling The Love, and thinking that I've lost my creativity. Everything looks so dull!. Then I pick any clothes which could make me feel like wrapped in a blanket, comfortable clothes in a fav color that I wear until my mood change!
    I enjoy watching once more your plaid jacket in another ensemble, and it looks so fabulous with the rusty color jacket and the velvet top, so awesome colors!. You rock plaid-on-plaid!! Gorgeous!!
    And thanks for your comment on this film, the preview looked fascinating (the lighting, the clothes!), but it looks really appealing to me now. Thanks!
    besos

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    1. I hope you enjoy the movie as much as I did - I was mesmerized by it!
      And how fascinating that we all intuitively do the same thing on such challenging days! That's the wisdom of intuition.

      Lots of love! <3

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  7. Thanks for this wise and insightful post. "Trust that our best ideas don't come from our brains". I love that, Natalia. January is such a difficult month to maneuver... none of my clothes have seemed right and it's partly because all I want to wear is pajamas. I sew or refashion a lot of my clothing and on good days I love them. On the kind of days you're talking about, I doubt my judgment in even owning them. You are a deep inspiration to me to keep going, keep trusting and keep happy. Can't wait for the movie. XO

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    1. Sending you warm hugs, Karen! January was challenging to me, and rain made it a bit more so. I am glad I decided to talk about this because I can see now that it is such a common problem, but we all seem to deal with it. I also love wearing PJs and comfy clothes when I am at home! And now I am learning to put together an outfit that would feel comfy and cozy, but maybe also interesting and stylish. It's a process, and we'll get better at it!

      PS I'd love to see your wardrobe, sounds really interesting!

      Lots of love! <3

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  8. Płaszczyk z futrzanym kołnierzem jest piękny:))mam podobną czerwoną marynarkę:))piękny zestaw stworzyłaś:))Pozdrawiam serdecznie:)))

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    1. Thank you, Renia! I'd love to see your red jacket!
      <3

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  9. I'm exactly the same way. I have days when I'm in love with my closet and days when I feel like nothing in it really fits. :)

    I do love this outfit. That orange blazer is beautiful and I love how you layered it under that wonderful jacket...and btw that jacket is fabulous, so wear it as often as you feel like!

    This movie does sound great. I'll look it up. A nice movie night could do me good.

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    1. How similar we are!!! Now, knowing that, when we are feeling low and uninspired, we can think of all our friends and sisters around the world who feel the same way... and we can now feel the love and support of each other! And hopefully our "funk" will go away!

      Lots of love! <3

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  10. It sounds like an intriguing movie so I will add it to my list. It's not likely to come to my local theatre but I will get it somehow. Big screen, sadly, won't be likely. Your outfits are always so richly layered with texture and gorgeous colours. The orange/rust jacket stood out to me right away, and I thought ooohhh I love that! I can relate to your thoughts and feelings about clothes even though I have gone in the opposite direction. I felt overwhelmed, confused about not feeling authentic and could stand there looking at a closet that was full and not want to wear any of it. I never achieved that variety and quality that you have but a big shift in my life came with realising that I wanted and needed to address the fact that I am much more casual now. I think I would have worn many of the things you wear when I was working. I can make a lot of guesses and suppositions about my changed thoughts and feelings but they only ever feel like guesses. I don't really know for sure why I now prefer simple lines and mostly neutral colours though I do know that in peri-menopause I am often too warm for layers and so I remove and reapply a cardigan several times a day, thus needing an outfit that works with or without one. I know that I need the comfort of pyjamas most of the time, but without the sloppy feeling. Having less in my closet and wearing mostly the same thing all the time feels like a relief to me. I don't get bored and because I don't expect anything of my clothes other than that they cover me, keep me warm, feel comfortable and look good, these requirements are always met. An unexpected event that requires something just a little fancier would throw me off kilter at the moment. I haven't got something that would look good at a club or a wedding but those events are highly unlikely.
    Sometimes I want to paint but I don't know what I want to paint. I love being lost in a painting, playing with the shapes and colours and seeing something emerge. Maybe getting dressed is like that for you and so when you go to your closet and nothing moves you it is like when I sit in front of a blank canvas and I want to paint but don't know what to paint. It's not that I cannot think of things. I could paint anything around me, anything in my imagination or any number of images I can find a photo of and yet I still don't know what I want to paint. Sometimes I let that get to me and I don't paint and that usually feels bad. My best strategy is to just start putting stuff on the canvas. I just grab colours instinctively and just start making marks-shapes, lines, big splotches of colour. It's a bit like what you did, reaching in and just grabbing your skirt. :-) You have a wonderful way of combining colours, patterns and textures. Even if I don't dress that way myself you are still inspiring. xoxo

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    1. Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Shawna, it's good to see you here! Sorry for the delay with my reply, we've been sick here, and it's my turn now. Anyway, I think you are absolutely right about the correlation between you painting and me dressing - it's a form of art in which we allow ourselves to loose control so to speak, to let go and just be a playful kid. And sometimes, the result is pretty cool. Other times, when it isn't so cool, it's still a play, which is essential to life! I try to remember it when I approach my other artistic endeavors, such as writing. I am pretty intuitive person, so it comes easily to me most of times, but I also experience blockage from time to time, so I wanted to really understand why. I think I got to the bottom of it this time - it's when I think that there is something I "have to do" or am "expected to do" versus something that I simply "want to do." Play like a child who doesn't know that she's been watched, that sense of freedom...

      As for the size and shape of our wardrobes, it's all OK by me. We go through different stages in life, and different things become our priorities at different times. It's all fine - it's just our personal journey. I spent many years mainly wearing dark blue jeans and sporty raincoats here in the PNW, so I totally get that need for staying simple and casual. My soul has different needs now, and I address them just as you address your soul's needs and desires.

      Lots of love!

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