What’s the Story…?

February 12, 2018

Fashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera walks down Roslyn Road in Winnipeg on a snowy day, wearing a grey Zara coat and Raye patent bootsPortrait of brunette fashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera, wearing a grey Zara beret and a Noul turtleneck sweaterOutfit details on Canadian fashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera, including a Zara beret and Calvin Klein leather glovesOutfit details on Winnipeg fashion blogger Coco & Vera, including a Celine trio bag and Zara coatFashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera walks through the winter snow wearing a Zara coat and Aritzia black culottesZara coat (similar)
Noul sweater (similar)
Aritzia culottes (similar)
Raye boots (c/o REVOLVE)
Celine bag
Zara beret (similar)
Calvin Klein gloves (similar)
Hair by Fran Rizzutto
Location: Roslyn Road – Winnipeg, Manitoba

A long time ago now, someone accused me of manipulating events in my life to make them more worthy of writing down. That person was angry with me because I wouldn’t give him something he wanted. He said what he did in the heat of moment, but I knew him well enough to know that he believed it. Many people turn out to be disappointing. This specific person just proved to me that I was right about him, and his disappearance from my life afterwards was no loss. But I monitored my behaviour for a while after that. I realised quickly enough that I was being silly. The truth is, I can see a story in almost any scenario, no matter how mundane – and I always could.

Many years later, I chatted with a blogger friend about photo shoots. I explained that my shoots always began with an outfit plan. Her approach was entirely different. “I always start,” she said, “by figuring out what story I want to tell.” I wondered if I shouldn’t consider doing the same. More often than not, I find myself contemplating a set of photos already taken, a post already assembled, wondering what I should write about them – what their story might be. Perhaps it’s because I grew up on stark editorials in Vogue, just designer clothes worn by models standing against a white background, but I tend to think that sometimes, the clothes are the story and it’s that simple.

If I’m right, the story of these clothes is a one as worthy of telling as any other. This coat is new, but is almost identical to an old one I bought in 2014. I loved it so much that I literally wore it through – the lining tore in multiple places, and the wool eventually became one large pill. It broke my heart to part with it, but it was beyond threadbare. When Zara released this incredibly similar one just before Christmas last year, I was ecstatic. And, in my exuberance, I added a matching beret to my online shopping cart, pressing the purchase button before I had time to reconsider. It was the right choice.

My sweater nearly went to the church donation bin. It, too, was badly pilled from years of loving wear. I left it with my mom while we were in Europe and she managed to revive it. It won’t last forever but I’m glad to get to spend another winter with it. I bought my culottes when I still worked in a corporate office and they have proven, much to my surprise, to be the piece of my old work wardrobe I’ve worn the most since I set up my home office three years ago. The boots came from REVOLVE. I had another pair in mind but they sold out. I wasn’t in love with the patent at first, but it turns out I love it. So much, in fact, that I forget what my first choice boots looked like.

Whenever I think back on the suggestion that I said and did things to provoke a reaction, rather than because I meant them, because I wanted my life to be novel-worthy, I shake my head. My life, like most lives, consists of work and meals and errands and sleep, with a bit of fun in between. Much of isn’t what anyone would consider worthy of literature. And I am absolutely happy with that. There are stories everywhere, if you know where to look for them. Even in your closet!

5 comments so far.

5 responses to “What’s the Story…?”

  1. Lyddiegal says:

    I often wish I were more of a storyteller, but most of the time I stare blankly at my computer screen and wonder if I can get away with blandly discussing what I’m wearing. Or maybe I’ll just leave it blank and let the clothes speak for themselves.

    Of course I can relate to your longing to hold on to pieces long after they’ve been worn nearly past being wearable, and to want to then replace them. Sometimes the replacements, as good as they may be, just aren’t the original, and don’t hold the stories they hold.
    Chic on the Cheap

  2. Gosh I love reading your writing. And that last paragraph reminds me of the John Lennon lyrics, “life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” Not quite the same, I know – but while the fun, perhaps most obviously story-worthy moments of our lives are usually the small, in between ones, there really are stories in all of them, as you said. (I feel like my Monday brain ramblings are making no sense once I type them out, but I think you know what I’m saying.) Also, I love that coat and matching beret so much. And so happy your mom was able to fix your sweater!

  3. Oooh love this location Cee. What a gorgeous building!! And I love storytelling, it’s such an art, plus as you say, a story can be found anywhere – which is exactly what I love about your writing!! <3 And thrilled to know you've found a replacement coat. I have my eye on so many coats right now it's a little ridiculous, and way over budget. But hopefully I can make at least 1, or 2, reality! Also… that beret is so darn perfect. LOVE, love it!! xo

    http://www.girlandcloset.com

  4. What a horrible accusation! I hate when others judge your life. I went through the same thing with a couple of bloggers. They’re reasoning was so off and sad! But given time you find people out! LOL Oh Cee, you are comfortable with yourself. It exudes through your writing and pictures.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

  5. Erika says:

    Cee I loved reading this post! Everything you said was so true! I tend to start a post by finding the outfit first and I love that you do that as well! THank you for always being so honest! 🙂
    xoxo Erika
    https://whaterikawears.com/know-that-you-should-always-put-yourself-first/

Cee Fardoe is a thirty-something Canadian blogger who splits her time between Winnipeg and Paris. She is a voracious reader, avid tea-drinker, insatiable wanderer and fashion lover who prefers to dress in black, white and gray.

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