Well, are you?
For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, don't worry: two days ago, I wouldn't have either.
BTW, it does not mean having two husbands -- not that there's anything wrong with that.
So in this week's "New Yorker" magazine I read an article about this hot new fashion/shopping/style website called Polyvore. You can read the article here but please finish my blog first and yes, I mean you.
Basically, you cut and paste photos of stuff into a collage and then share it with other Polyvore readers. You can choose from items already available on Polyvore or cut and paste your own images from any online catalog you like -- or anywhere else online -- with this "clip" tool they give you.
It's KIND of like sewing, except that instead of painstakingly choosing fabric, purchasing a pattern, spending hours turning it into a wearable garment, and then accessorizing it carefully to create a beautiful outfit, you move your cursor around what looks like a bottomless box of Colorforms and assemble a ransom-note-style decoupage of clothes and accessories YOU CAN BUY. Which is ultimately the point.
So I thought I'd take a stab at it and this was the best I could come up with. I mean, I do have a life people.
I know this looks like something dreamed up by someone with a Zac Efron poster on her wall, but so does EVERYTHING on Polyvore. I think that's their demographic. It's the "Legally Blonde, The Musical" crowd.
Or am I missing something?
Help me with this one, oh wise readers. Do you use Polyvore? Had you ever even heard of Polyvore? Do you think it has value to a sewer -- or to anyone else for that matter?
I don't like it much; it's just not my thing.
Maybe I'll go back one more time. Just to make sure I haven't missed anything.
OK, maybe I'll make a new collage -- or not. If I could find those espadrilles in chartreuse for Cathy...and maybe a fabulous Dior hobo-style handbag to go with them.... and some sparkly earrings....and some Chanel eyeshadow...
Ugh.
I am all about Polyvore. You can collect images from stores and blogs all over the web (excepting certain sites like Flickr, Etsy, Ebay) and tag and sort them... that's where all my posts like "Red Dress Dreams" and "Shirtwaist Love" came from. I use it as a digital inspiration book...
ReplyDeleteWow, I've never heard of Polyvore before but ... wow!
ReplyDeleteYou can have a lot of fun there trying different outfits without the angst of actually being in the change room. It will at least give you an idea of whether something goes together or if it's just been a really ridiculous idea. And whether it's worth trotting off to the shops and actually trying to pull the look together.
Just imagine, Peter, you can create your own Cathy storyboard with the outfits you want to make for her.
Never heard of Polyvore. This is the first time visiting your site (after reading a review on PatternReview.com), and I LOVE it! You're hilarious, and I love the title of your blog. So funny! I love that you are having fun expressing yourself. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteHm. Gonna have to go look now just for curiosity's sake. But no, I'd never heard about it until just now.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have heard of Polyvore. I've even been there a couple of times. I am definitely NOT in their demographic. That being said, I do the low tech, old fashioned version with cutting pictures out of magazines and putting them into my 'inspiration notebook' however.
ReplyDeleteToby, I would say you are Polyvore-ous without even knowing it. That is a VERY dangerous condition and I'd be careful visiting the site.
ReplyDeleteMelanie Jade, your check is in the mail.
I love polyvore (bootzey). I find it inspirational to see how like minded folks put outfits together. Sometimes people's collages are composed of items already in my wardrobe that I never thought to combine. I love it.....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information . . . now if someone mentions Polyvore, I'll have some idea what they're talking about. But I spend more than enough time doodling around on the computer, so I don't think I'll become a Polyvore myself (like Toby, I really don't think I'm the demographic they're shooting for). I've got just too many other things I want to do . . . like actual sewing!!
ReplyDeleteI have heard of Polyvore. I even played with it for a bit, a very small bit! It is a time sink if ever there was. Not good for productivity and I already spend too much time on the internet!
ReplyDeleteI thought it meant people who wear too much polyester.
ReplyDeleteI think I've heard of it or something similar but I don't have time to compile other than saving the odd photo for inspiration/wishlist.
Very fun. I had never heard of it. I just threw together a little outfit that would cost just short of $2000 to wear to the grocery store. Thank God I sew (and shop TJMaxx).
ReplyDeleteI had seen it when I was google-image searching for a RTW version of some patterns I recently made/started working on. I never actually went to the site. I do a lot on the computer but I think I am more of a tactile/hands on person (I don't even understand how Twitter works). When I am planning an outfit/sewing I like to take the pattern envelope, stick it in a clear presentation sleeve (that lives in a 3 ring binder), add a magazine/catalog page or internet printed image of my 'inspiration' piece, then add a Post It note with fabric ideas. I don't accessorize, so there is no need to worry about shoes and bags and jewelry.
ReplyDeleteToo funny - I am so out of touch I thought your question was going to introduce a discussion on the benefits or otherwise of sewing with polyester!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of it and even played around a bit, but it doesn't seem to be my thing. At least not at this point. I am loving that pink, black and white ensemble above, though. We're headed to Palm Springs this weekend and what I wouldn't give to have it in my suitcase.
ReplyDeleteI discovered it a while back, and had lots of fun for a couple of days. But like Nancy K said, it is a time sink!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I use it as a wishlist of sorts.
A wonderful site for those with too much time on their hands -- perhaps the unemployed? I barely have time to read a few blogs... San Antonio Sue
ReplyDeleteRachel said...
ReplyDeleteI thought it meant people who wear too much polyester.
Me too! I think I waste, um, spend too much time on the computer already when I should be sewing, but, yeah, I'll probably at least wander over and have a look. I'm thinking my 22 year old non-sewing daughter will love it (and probably already knows ALL about it)!
I just keep a little notebook (it's red!) and paste in pictures from magazines or catalogs or things I've printed from the internet. If I see a color combo I like, I just write it down ("navy pants, lime green top"). You can print stuff in black-and-white and then use colored pencils to try different color schemes with it. I think this Polyvore thing would just take up too much computer time and I don't shop by outfit, anyway. Besides, I'm a collage artist. I prefer REAL glue and paper!
ReplyDeleteYep, polyvore love here. Also love the click through to net-a-porter. As someone earlier posted, it's a great source of ideas. Capture to Evernote & drool at will. :-)
ReplyDeleteBeth
Peter, you don't have to use the clothing or images already available on Polyvore. There is a Polyvore app that you put in your bookmark toolbar, and when you are browsing your regular shopping sites, you can grab specific images that you want, and then go back to Polyvore and create an outfit.
ReplyDeleteBefore I started sewing and was doing a lot of my shopping online, I would put all of what I planned on buying into a new set and would see how much of it would go together, how many outfits I could create, etc. I can see it being used for sewers, maybe by clipping the pattern illustration into Polyvore, along with little swatches of fabric, and then accessorise it!
Polyvore and I go way back. And I don't like it at all. Way too much effort - and for what (IMO)? Not that I'm dissing it for others. Some people really love it and use it to great effect.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of Polyvore and have tried it once, but like so many others I kind of think it is a waste of time, time I would rather spend sewing. Seems kind of like a pare doll time of thing, maybe I'm too old.
ReplyDeleteA paper doll kind of thing. I guess I am old.
ReplyDeleteWanted to add one more thing--not only can you use the bookmark function to collect images from ANYWHERE... I used to buy lots of fashion magazines and tear out all the pages that had items I liked or got ideas from or was inspired by and keep them in binders. Needless to say this was messy/cluttery/expensive. Now I just troll my favorite sites (including vintage resale sites and Polyvore itself) searching for images I love for my digital lookbook and I use Polyvore to sort/store. So I might search for "peplum" or "striped top" or "green floral", or "pink wedge sandal", etc... just like I used to have a section in my binder for "handbags", "coats", etc...
ReplyDeleteI love Polyvore! It's totally an inspiration tool for me. Mr. Friday - my husband - refers to it as Online Paper Dolls and he's not far off :). I've just placed 2nd in their Rockin the LBD contest. (Wowza!)
ReplyDeleteIt's so much fun, Peter. Really! You and Cousin Cathy would have a blast on there. :)
I like the idea, but it was way too complicated to import images AND it won't let you take ones from Etsy. So I basically wasn't going to be able to use it at all!
ReplyDeleteHi Peter Great blog very funny ..most impressed at your prolific machine buying I have 7 Vintage/Antique & 3 modern a friend gets them from swap meets but Hubby has said no more large cabinet ones as we have run out of places to put them!! I have a Necchi that he restored the cabinet for...we use it as a phone table...I stopped sewing clothes when my daughters got too old for mums clothes although they then went to Op-shop refashioning (before it was fashionable!!)I then found quilting & I also make bags...but I am thinking of sewing for me again as I get really annoyed trying to buy clothes I won't pay for shoddy workmanship/bad fabric/illfitting clothes...so dont end up buying much!!...will certainly be back
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check it out. I used to love my Colorforms!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog. Your writing is so conversational and chatty. So much fun!
ReplyDeleteI read the same piece in the New Yorker, went to the website, and was instantly hooked. I'm kind of horrified by how much time I wasted there on an otherwise perfectly lovely weekend.
You're dead on about the demographic. I suspect I am probably in the oldest 10% of users. I about fell off my chair reading the creator comment on a very nice entry for a "10 year reunion" contest that included the words "cougar" and "age appropriate." Only someone 13 or younger would think a 27-28-year-old could be considered a "cougar."