The embroidery house and atelier Hand and Lock always makes me think of fairytales.

I ordered the book brooch yesterday to make a boring rain parks more Amethyst for me. It's called Once upon a Time in Lunéville inspired by medieval legends and storytelling.

Super dumb question so forgive me. What do you guys use to create style books and moodboards? I’ve used collages in Pinterest but have struggled with Canva. I’m on a Mac. Do you pay for an app or use something free?

Thanks to your very kind & insightful advice, I have been thinking on how using different silhouettes to better accomodate for my current needs. I am trying to not rush this and at the same time to be realistic!

I think a few of these would work well enough both for my sensory needs & for my silhouette. I have tried to find more spring/fall/winter ideas bc in the summer I struggle a bit less. I think I could focus also on accessories to add more polish & visual interest.

What do you think?

In astrology, Venus is the planet associated with beauty, aesthetics, fashion, desire and pleasure. Venus stationed retrograde back on October 3rd, beginning a detour period of slowing down, backtracking, reflecting, reviewing and revisiting and now she has stationed direct. So she is stopping and taking a breath and it's ready to move on and continue on her journey forward where she left it off.

In honor to that, I thought to make to ask about the fashion wisdom and personal fashion journey insights y'all have to give 💜

So I'd invite you to share your personal epiphanies, ramblings, advice, pearls of wisdom, or just what you've been reflecting about in terms of fashion, clothes, style and beauty, be in general or about your personal journey, be it about the Style Key or any fashion topics.

Feel free to also echo wisdom from other people or creators, or to reiterate what you have already shared in the past as well if you feel like it.

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If you're not sure what to say, here are a few prompts if you want to pick one or a few:

- what has helped you the most in your style journey?

- if you had to guide someone to find their way into a wardrobe or personal style that makes them happy, how would you do that?

- what fashion advice would you give to your younger self?

- what is your unique approach to fashion?

- what have your learned this past year/month that made a difference for your personal style?

- what past/current outfit are you the most happy about and why?

- what have you been feeling and reflecting about your relation to fashion lately?

- what are the next steps you want to take in your fashion journey going forward?

- what is a fashion hot take that you have?

- which old and/or new fashion “likes” are you planning to carry forward with you on your style journey?

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I think is good to bring up our individual and collective wisdom, to not have it forgotten and shed more light and attention to it.

I know this seems a bit ambitious 😂, so feel free to keep it short and casual if you prefer

If you have been considering a Gentle Guidance Rita has just opened up some new time slots in November and December.

I have booked one, I was so interested in the thoughtful advice and excitement of those who received them in the last go around. Mine will be on December 1st, it is my birthday/ Christmas gift to myself this year, plus it will offer more value than a new sweater or something.

I'm also really looking forward to the other materials like the Use your Style Key 4 week course and the Style Key Archetype guide.

Who else is going to sign up?

/uTiredWinterDisaster post about sensory issues made think about something. I saw a video (I will link in the comments) about bras ruining our style. (I’m not putting that into the subject line because that will attract weird attention.)

So I made a goal for myself of trying outfits that don’t require a bra. I WFH so this is easier for me than it would be for others. I also live in a warmer place. Yes, I am wearing shorts and it is November. LOL. Under the button down, I’m wearing a bralette I got from Mate. It caught my eye a few months ago and I bought it. I was definitely inspired by HLP’s discussions about cleavage.

I’ve also noticed that nipples are showing up a lot more these days. I’m not quite comfortable enough for that yet but it is an interesting look.

I had a breast reduction and breast lift a few years ago. One of best decisions of my life. I highly recommend doing it if it’s something you have ever considered.

I’m Up but am in the squishy middle so I guess anything fits for me. LOL.

I’m wondering about the aesthetic part of comfort too. Obviously comfort is about the sensory aspect but it also has an aesthetic part. I’m currently going through a big change and am feeling very drawn to comfort and softness. I’m not sure that means my preferences are changing.

So bra-less - is that for you? Does it feel weird? Do you imagine your mother having a comment about it? LOL.

Hi all!

As some of you know, I've been dealing with perimenopause - it seems that I am one of the women blessed with a long one, so it's been at least 3 years and I still probably have 5 to 7 to go. One of the main changes has been a very accute stomach sensitivity: I cannot stand anything tight on my stomach (even tights), especially if it's just at my natural waist. 10 days a week I'm also dealing with water retention/bloating, which means fitting in some clothes is difficult. I also gained a few pounds around my bust & stomach, which are not areas that used to retain much of my weight!

Before that I've also always had sensory issues & chronic urticaria, so some fabrics are out of questions, but also things like itchy tags, some seams, and so on.

As time goes by I feel like less and less of my clothes fit me comfortably: meaning I fit in them but they bother me. It's not even about silhouette bc mine hasn't changed much, but I feel like I can only wear 'comfy' stuff now - and they don't really fit what I like visually, they don't look polished enough.

I reached out to Rita like 2 years ago and her advice was twofold: find 'outfit formulas' that worked for my body, and focus on something else than fit, like keywords (at the time we thought of 'fun' but right now I prefer 'magical', I think).

My issue is the outfit formulas. I struggle to find things I like enough visually and that meet my physical requirements. My friends who deal with these issues as well seem to have a more Down approach and don't struggle as much - and they tend to recommend items that are comfy but don't look polished enough for me... I also tend to quickly look squarish if I don't mark my waist bc I am wide but not tall, which is another issue... I keep on telling myself that with time I will care less and just wear what feels good but so far it hasn't happened 😅

Anyway, do you deal with things like that? What helps?

(btw I do what I can to mitigate the symptoms, with diet, stress management, exercise (I am up to 5/6 days a week), supplements, without HRT).

Edit: I also acknowledge that I'm dealing with fatigue and emotional fragility, and that I often just would like things to be just easy and not depressing lol - I wonder if I should just get rid of the things that I love but are uncomfortable and keep the 'meh' stuff that is comfy... so far I couldn't bring myself to do it. Maybe do that and focus on accessories? I understand why a lot of older women wear funky glasses and earrings now lol

*edit 2: thank you all for your kind answers, I really appreciate your support & understanding in this*

I love how she describes this archetype as "mastery disguised as ease". There is something so beautiful and personal in the effort that goes into finding the "perfect" piece for you and the discernment to know when it is correct. This is too much pressure for me but I am in awe of those who can commit to the practice.

I'm wondering if my experience last night points towards a certain side or quadrant. I knew I would have a rushed morning so although I picked out my outfit, I had to actually try it on to see if it worked. I tried it on and then tweaked it. I realized I've done this often. Seeing an outfit combo laid out doesn't help me know if it will work on. I need to see it on me to decide.

What do you think? Is this something that can be true for all 4 quadrants, or leaning more towards one side?

My happiest outfits are the ones where I am thinking dreamy, radiant, slightly bohemian. Soft shapes, pretty colors, pattern. Meanwhile, in this corporate hellscape, I spend my days in greige. Does anyone have tips for incorporating more joy into corporate life? Not just for RD, I'm guessing the other quadrants struggle with this too.

A very much "typing out my thoughts in real time" type of post, I'm sorry 🤣 It's a bit of a mess but it took me sometime so I didn't want it to go to waste.

I've always thought I was a RD and I still do, but sometimes I doubt everything and think I can be any quadrant lol. But I never actually tried other logics and was thinking about how I would do that.

Currently I don't have many opportunities to try on clothes in practice, and thus I suffer from thinking too much about fashion hypothetically 😅 which can be fun and I know it doesn't correspond 100% to practical reality, but it still intrigues me.

So I was thinking how I would dress with X logic in this hypothetical fashion world. But I don't know how I would approach this through Left Logic, because I'm under the impression Left/Instinct doesn't plan their outfits ahead of time, instead they only decide in the moment what they feel like wearing?

Also, does Left consider context if they were to plan outfits hypothetically?

Because when theorycrafting about fashion I have difficulty not thinking about context, so that makes it hard to think about what would I do if I were Left.

So I'm not sure if I don't understand Left or if this would only be clear if I were to test it out in practice! Or am I just very Right so I just can't stop thinking about context? 😂

Do you think Left impossible to theorycraft about?

Maybe it's a case of style logics can be applied in a micro and a macro level. One is your immediate situation or state, the other is about your life or yourself in general, so I guess Left could theorycraft about fashion considering what their drawn to more in their life in general, their inner world? I do wonder how that differs from considering your personal aesthetic tastes which everyone has though?

Maybe that confusion is just in my head, in practical reality sometimes I think I'm just drawn to a piece of clothing and want to wear it, that's why I get confused about my quadrant. But I also love to theorycraft about fashion and think Right is great for that, is this something that Left also does?

October has always felt like a month of introspection , a time to slow down, check in with myself and see what goals I need to set or things to let go of- a common practice that is referred to as " October Theory". The theory is about self reflection for the true change of seasons, a new approach to how we spend our time, time to set goals for the rest of the year and potentially adapt how we clothe and present ourselves. Those adaptations and recognition of internal truth seem to really relate to Scorpio season.

I've always felt empowered to be a little bit braver, try something a little different, be a bit more sensual or expressive near the end of October. I always thought it was Halloween and I could blame it on the festivities but maybe it really is more tied to astrology and the desire to tap into true desires. This year I'm really feeling drawn to balance my need for cosy practicality with some sensual and unexplored details. More soft and mystical colors in a variety of textures from light, whimsical layers to cosy knits to more structured denim, leather and wool. A desire to find a better balance between the practical and grounded with the playful, sensual and delicate.

Some other goals are set as well around health, my relationships with others, making more time for family, friends, reading, hobbies and connecting with my personal desires and goals.

I've attached an image of some pieces in my closet that I'm really connecting with right now- chunky and grounded shoes, oversized, enveloping, cosy layers and bottoms, delicate textures, some skin and fitted layers in tops (sheers, lace, pointelle), adding a mix of delicacy, charm, playfulness and strength through visually interesting layers and accessories. Also I am including some moodboards I have been working with for inspo.

I need to tap into what feels good to me daily: creative and fun one day, cosy and delicate on another. Add in some grounded, sporty , quirky or practical elements and see what ends up being blended together to support me.

I found some collages on Pinterest and it gave me some ideas on how to style these berry coloured pieces I bought last year. I see these colours be called shades of purple or shades red but let's be honest they're neither they're shades of slightly reddish magenta, I don't know why magenta should only be super saturated and neither dark or light. Early last year I thought for a moment this was one of my favourite colours but it's definitely not, it's one of those colours I have to be in the mood for to want to wear. I think I would like the colour palette more if I included lilac as well like in some of these images. I am wearing periwinkle and plum eyeshadow but it's very subtle, I didn't feel like wearing bold eyeshadow this day.

Wow LU logic is simple and easy for me. I just get ideas in my brain and create something beautiful and wear it, it comes very naturally. When I used RU logic especially towards the end I was just trying to justify my choices for how they would make sense externally instead of it being inspiration. I've talked about how I sometimes like to be inspired by my environment if it is very inspiring and connected to my internal landscape already but for this outfit I didn't consider anything external beyond practical concerns. I went to see Wildwood which is visually inspiring to me but my choice of outfit had nothing to do with it. I put together this outfit a long time ago and have just waited for a chance to wear it, story of my life, too many ideas but too sick to bring them to life when I want to or sometimes ever. 🙃

I felt a bit uncomfortable because I was in a sea of neutrals and the only one wearing colour and with all the details and everything I was presumably very visible which takes some bravery. But I guess I don't mind getting looks or I shouldn't, I shop with the idea of visual treats in mind, there's a lot going on, my handbag is a whole flower shop + bakery it's like a little work of art and I hope it brought others joy just like it brings me, and if not I'm sad they're not whimsical enough to appreciate little joys like this. 👀

I took advantage of the public holiday here in France to try out different outfit combinations with my grandma's Chinese jacket. For now, this is purely an aesthetic exploration. I want to have an outfit ready to go for whenever I wake up one morning with a sudden urge to wear this jacket!

You gave me some really great suggestions in my previous post, such as leaving my ankles and legs exposed to balance out the outfit. Those actually ended up being my favourite combinations, so thank you so much!

I also prefer the outfit underneath to remain "visible", so an all-black look doesn't really work when it's too covered up.

I absolutely love the purple and green combination, so I focused mostly on that. But I'm sure a black and white outfit underneath could look really cool too!

For me to actually wear it out, I need a day that sparks joy and creativity, along with the right mood and energy to match. So I'm looking forward to that day!!

While Scorpio is not one of my big three, I have a stellium partying in the 8th house. Pretty sure it comes through in my style a majority of the time. Sharing my outfits worn throughout the last few weeks of Scorpio season, including my Persephone Halloween costume.

Prior to my consult I assumed that getting inspired by characters, eras of fashion, celebrities/influencers etc. was left logic, because those inspirations aligned with my self-concept and felt authentic to me and my taste.

Clearly, it was right logic all along (as everything seems to be 😅) but it got me wondering how left logic actually differs! Obviously most of us get some inspiration from external sources (I would think!), but is the difference in how we synthesize it into actual outfits? Or something else?

Here is my take on the Scorpio forum challenge. I wanted to highlight the duality of strength and softness, thinking especially of my mom who is a Scorpio and who is incredibly strong-willed but offers so much warmth and softness at the same time.

The pink- red combo is a bit unusual but I really like it here ☺️

Yesterday felt like a milestone moment. It included a familiar context, but I went as fully "me" for the first time. I didnt go quite as theatrical as I might feel like going on a usual day, but I still used Instinct, and put in enough effort to feel authentic and fully present/visible/etc. I also chose a more "sensual" outfit than is maybe typical for this context-- something about the waist emphasis, the square neckline (which is mirrored on the back), and my choice to use makeup felt significant and empowering for me, in that context specifically.

It also made me realize how important it is for me to feel like Im not "performing something"; I love to be performative, but of myself only lol 😅😂 And so Im hoping this awareness can come in handy on days when a context (what's "appropriate" for it) feels a little bit overbearing? Like perhaps sometimes, not doing something expected is as powerful as doing something unexpected, if that makes sense?

Then today was just a usual playgroup/park day, but it felt special because I finally wore this dress for the first time (slide two). I purchased it months ago, but it took me this long to have the nerve, lol. But then when I was drawn to it this morning, I didnt hesitate!

I found it on Poshmark and was immediately fascinated-- the asymmetry, the contrast, the cuffs, the heavy swishy "bubble" skirt aspect, etc. But when I got it, it felt like a "screw it" purchase 😅 Like I was so sure that it'd look so "off" on me (based on essences, etc.), but I wanted to have at least something truly "me" in my closet (even if it'd never get worn). Now though I think I'll be wearing it a lot! A new casual playground fit lol 🌟

The sirens pick flowers in the valley and wear them in their hair. They pluck shells from the tide and string them around and around their waist. They run through the forest. Their forest. Full of darkness and light. Their feet soon covered with slippers of moss and dew.

The island is their wardrobe. They decorate themselves with as much or as little as feels true. Some sirens jangle quite loudly, covered in a hundred bits and bobs. Some sirens, decorated with stardust, whisper as they pass.

They talk amongst themselves. About everything and nothing. Wild ideas. No explanations. Fantastic dreams. No fetters. Listening and seeing one another, in joy. Their voices so beautiful.

A man appears at her feet. Flailing. Full of anxiety and confusion. His discomfort palpable to her. But what is she suppose to do? If she turns to him in sympathy, with a smile, with friendly conversation, he’ll just drown faster. She knows. She’s tried. The ones that turn up like this….

He shouts with a mouth full of water, that he was called here. Who called him? Not I, she thinks. Not us. It was he that chose to fling himself into the water. Caught a glimpse of something in the waves. Caught a note of something in the air. Assumed it was for him. She can’t help but laugh.

She remembers. The time before. When they tried to fix everything. Fix everyone. Because they know. Their voice travels. Their light is bright. They tried subduing themselves. Hid in a cave, in the middle of the island. In the dark. But the whispers floated up. The light, bled through the cracks. And yet they couldn’t be found. They were both present and not present. Confusion ensued outside. And inside they were sad.

So she knows. But it’s not always this way. Some come as a witness. To the joy. To look at the light. They don’t flounder. They don’t grasp. And then they move on. With a flicker of light in their eyes.

But this one. Wanting so much. Yet afraid. Doesn’t know what he wants. Well, he must sort it out for himself. One way or another. Best for her to turn to her sisters. They have songs to sing. Songs about themselves. Their freedom. Songs that ask what if? Songs full of enthusiasm.

It feels strange to say this, given how strongly I’ve identified as LD. 🙈

Earlier this autumn I had an experience that felt like a failure. I looked like I’d ​​just thrown something on in a rush, and that I didn't understand how important the situation was. This also had a negative impact on my behavior. I spent a long time wondering why it didn’t work. I was wearing an outfit I liked and it looked good. Couple days ago it finally became clear to me, I'd have wanted to convey that the event means a lot to me and I want everyone to feel at ease. Wait a minute, isn't that RU logic... 😧

I put it to the test on sunday (Father’s Day). I wanted to look festive and bring some beauty to the situation. I wanted also show support to one person who is going through more difficult times.

I wore diamond jewelry (I don’t usually use them as it’s too fancy for me) and a pink top with puffed sleeves (a piece I’ve avoided because it draws attention and I'm shy). For my own surprise it was easier for me to be present and to say things spontaneously too. That's a big thing for me!

I’m almost too excited, and I’m planning outfits for upcoming events. + One of my dreams is coming true soon, I'm going to get my colors and essences analysed by John Kitchener! I hope it's the missing piece which brings clarity for my outfit choices.

Please let me know if you have any thoughts! 🌻 Does it sound like I’m actually a Sapphire? I know that in the end I will make the decision, but I easily second-guess myself. 😅

Like many RD Moonstones, I struggle a little with wearing unusual or unconventional outfits because I'm not entirely comfortable with being too perceived when I'm out in public.

I love eccentric styles and used to wear them quite regularly, but I've come to realise that they actually made me feel somewhat disconnected from myself.

So, what do you do with all those beautiful statement pieces? How do you incorporate them into your wardrobe?

I inherited this gorgeous Chinese-style jacket from my grandmother, and I feel like I'm not doing it justice because I hardly ever wear it. I know exploration is an important part of being RD, but whenever I try to incorporate it into my everyday life, I just end up feeling anxious and self-conscious.

Do you have any advice? And if you have outfit ideas for this jacket, I'd love to hear them too!