the clothes 2011

I spend far too much time on the Internet as I had fun yesterday reading about the colossus squid (larger than the giant squid) and okapi (an animal that is a cross between a zebra and giraffe and previously believed to not exist). I stumbled across both these topics while looking for more information on the origins of various mythological creatures. For example narwhal tusks were used to continue the idea that unicorns existed (aren't narwhals magical enough looking?). The cyclops legends might stem from elephant skulls and griffins from pterodactyl skeletons. However, sometimes creatures believed to be mythological are found to exist, like the okapi. It makes one wonder about truth, myth, history and such...

It is summer and I am craving what is to me the epitome of a summer movie: Gidget. Who doesn't like this giddy film full of surf and beach eye candy?

Although I recently picked up the film from the library, I accidentally requested it in VHS rendering it useless to me. However, hazy memories of the plot and images via the web might be influencing my style anyway. High ponytail? Check. 60s sheath dress? Check. Now if I just had a beach to laze around on and a Moondoggie to pine over we would be set...

Outfit details: dress- vintage via eBay, shoes- H&M, belt- secondhand, bag- Urban Outfitters

I'm glad everyone liked the video for yesterday. It was my first attempt and was really only half-aware, hazy ideas when I ventured out to the fields to twirl... The smile is the result of a year in braces and my good friend who was directing me to do ridiculous things and my often equally silly responses. There was one point where I said, "maybe I should hang from a tree" and put my weight on the nearest branch--which was dead and snapped on me! Too bad that moment wasn't caught forever on tape...

In the video I am wearing my new Trixie dress from Trashy Diva. The shop has been getting a lot of well-deserved hubbub lately and with the ridiculously reduced prices on this particular dress, I could not resist. I also blew some cash on the 40s dress. I shortened the hem by hand on both dress and raised the waist on the 40s dress as well. They still need to be taken in at the waist to fit properly, right now they are a little loose and wrinkly, but still so wonderful. The 40s dress is completely worth it to me for the deep v-back, so pretty!

Outfit details: (both) dress- Trashy Diva, belt- secondhand, bag- import store, black wedges- Urban Outfitters

WhoWhatWear Daily is having a little contest. Each one of their subscribers is eligible to win an amazing prize. I don't usually mention prizes and such here, but who doesn't want a mini wardrobe from Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's Elizabeth and James Summer 2008 Collection? If you do, subscribe to them now.

One year ago to the day, I began this humble little blog before you. I wasn’t certain what direction I would go in or what to expect along the way, but this blog has become so much more than I ever imagined possible. The vast number of daily readers continues to astound me, as does the support and genial spirit that is found around the blogsphere. In short, it has been a wonderful year and I can’t wait to see what will come in the future.
I put together a little video with help from a friend, in honor of the occasion. The song in the background is Another Mystery sung by Dar Williams. Enjoy.

This probably won't come as a big surprise (considering yesterday's post), but I am taking a wee blogging break. I will post again starting on Monday. Though honestly I think I could sleep for twenty years like Rip van Winkle and not awake feeling rested...

I'm completely exhausted lately. My body just aches and even the smallest usual tasks seem like chores to do. I'm tired of the crowds in the cafeteria, waking up every morning for my job, even taking pictures most days is beyond wearying. On top of that I am just bored to tears. I know what I need is my vacation, just a break from it all (the weekends aren't long enough and don't offer enough variety to rejuvenate), but my vacation is still a month away. I keep telling myself that it will be worth the wait and that this next semester won't even feel like work, but it's hard to live today on the promise of tomorrow. Sometimes I just feel as if we spend most of our lives waiting. Not literally waiting in lines (though I suppose that is true too), but waiting until we feel beautiful, or that boy asks us out, or until I'm older, etc, etc. I'm tired of waiting for things to happen and enduring the mind numbing minutes, hours, days before that "something" happens. But I suppose this is life. You can't go on that beautiful vacation until you've earned the money in your job to afford it...

Maybe some inspiration will lift my spirits. At the moment I am in love with quietly and beautifully mixed prints. I love the clean look of the girl from Facehunter. It is a perfect summer style to look eclectic but not have to layer a lot. The detail shot from the Sartorialist is visually stunning.

This editorial (found on Foto_Decadent) has been posted by nearly everyone, but I think it is my favorite in a long time. The entire shoot to me seems like the Mad Hatter's tea party and is just brilliantly styled. I want to dress like a demented ballerina!

As for me, it has been raining quite a bit here. I used that as an excuse to wear my crocheted, fingerless gloves out. I picked these up awhile ago at one of my antique shops but it was far too warm to consider them. They're just marvelous. I'll have to take better pictures of them soon...

Outfit details: dress- White House Black Market (super, super sale), shoes- Urban Outfitters (gift), scarf- secondhand, gloves- vintage via antique shop, umbrella- Target

I have often bemoaned being raised in a fashion illiterate household--yes my father does like his grey socks with his flip flops and I even wore leggings and clogs in my adolescence. However, lately I have begun to think that this was really the perfect environment for developing a sense of style. You see, when you have no preconceptions of what one should wear and no idea of what fashion rules are then you can't be afraid of breaking the rules and aren't really aware that you might stick out like a sore thumb. Yes, you will make style mistakes, but you will also be more adventurous and less likely to fall into following trends.
In a family not into fashion, expensive clothes are definitely not a priority and I remember when I wanted a new pair of jeans and after insisting I didn't need them my father offered the option of going to a secondhand shop. I had to be forced at first but this adventure led to the discovery of vintage gems and ultimately my passion for a more retro-inspired wardrobe. If I had been raised hyper aware of trends and fashion I don't think I would have developed the style sense I have now--I probably wouldn't wear white shoes before labor day, mix green and yellow, mix black and brown, or a variety of other style choice I tend to make.

I think this goes without saying (but just to be safe), it doesn't mean if you are raised in a fashionably aware household you won't have style. I just meant that I am beginning to appreciate my family's interesting contribution to my own style. Love your family or hate them, you wouldn't be you without them...
P.S. I should add my family seems to be taking a very new interest in fashion lately that is quite odd and can attest that they are all becoming rather strangely stylish...but the pictures will always remind me of the dearth I was raised in.

While at the mall I picked up this darling star print dress. I suppose star prints have been "in" for awhile and are now on their way "out," but as I have stated numerous times before and will state numerous times again I don't care about following trends or being "in." I'm not a hipster, I am decidedly uncool and if I like something (and I can afford it) I will buy it regardless of where it ranks on the hip scale.

I also bought a paint pen awhile ago and have been doodling on certain items rather unsuccessfully. I decided to draw on my laptop however, since the old girl could use some improvement (she is missing a v key and is filthy!) and the results are very pleasing. I suppose I will stop drawing when the whole top is covered...

Outfit details: dress- H&M, shoes- vintage

Old readers of this blog will remember the first two times I decided to pose in a washing machine and dryer and even new readers must be aware by now that I like to pose in odd places. Call it a hobby, a passion, an obsession, but it is just very fun to do! Having a friend who works in laundry services is excellent when you want to pose in industrial size dryers... The whole shoot ended up looking rather pin-upy in the end, though that wasn't really my intent...

I'm back from an actually rather short trip shopping...we spent longer in the car driving there and back than we did in the stores--not entirely by choice. I did snatch up a few gems in my time there (no lippy yet, but it's still on my list...), such as the new shirt I am wearing.

Outfit details: shirt- H&M, skirt- secondhand, belt-secondhand, shoes- Seychelles (Amazon.com)

I also joined the "You Are Beautiful" campaign. I made my own stickers and stuck them on the mirrors of the dressing rooms I went in...I'm certain the store owners will love that! But if they make one person feel better, I think it was worth it.

"It" was truly a marvelous film. Both Clara Bow's character and Louise Brooks' character (from Pandora's Box) are the aggressors in their relationships, pursuing the men and stringing them along (though both do it so sweetly and earnestly, you aren't embittered by their manipulation). Their roles revolutionized the way women were portrayed in films. Another interesting aspect to their characters were how lively and free spirited they were--laughing, running, jumping, etc. Part of this can be explained by the need to be expressive in silent films, however the other women in the film who end up jilted are much cooler, sophisticated, and languid in their gestures--so it is also written in their characters. At one point in It, one woman says of Clara, "She doesn't seem to have much reserve." To which the man replies, "If you ask me--she has plenty in reserve!"

Clara was also apparently one of the originally DIYers. See her cut her dress while it is literally still on her body and the finished product:

My favorite outfit was the fitted sweater and pleated skirt with t-strap heels, scarf and beret additions that Clara wore to Coney Island (better shot here than my shoddy "screen captures"). In this seen she goes on all the rides and we even see a flash of her nearly knee-length bloomers! Scandalous!