Posts Tagged ‘color’
july 2011 on drawpilgrim.com was aaaalll about my trip to japan! i just had so much to share:
firstly i shared a general wrap up of my trip, then i compiled my favorite colors and patterns from the trip.
and let’s not forget the unforgettable diversion to introducing bonnie and buttermilk’s spectacular clothing!
after last week’s (almost) everything you ever wanted to know about pilgrim post, i thought i’d fill in a bit of that ‘almost’ part: i get asked about my clothes all the time. i have a relatively unique look, so let me share with you the places and the reasons behind what i wear. this post is your one stop for dressing the Pilgrim way (if you wanna)
turquoise birkinstock sandals, white worishofer sandals, american apparel tights, lori marie felt flower brooch, vintage dresses.
what do you wear?
- mostly vintage dresses
- jeans at home and on errands
- cardigans of many sleeve lengths and colors
- vintage smock aprons (sometimes these need a zip or buttons added)
- A line wrap skirts
- trapeze tops/dresses/kaftans and leggings
- colorful flat shoes
- colorful boots
- colorful tights & leg warmers
turquoise birkenstock sandals, pink slip on wedges thrifted
that all sounds pretty average.
i suppose its more about the combinations i put together and the fabric patterns i choose. i dress like i compose a design, there is a balance of awesomeness and “white” space (yeah, its not actually ever white in my outfit). for example, if i choose a crazy paisley dress, i will pick a tight color palette to accessories with to let the dress work its paisley magic. or if i’m wearing a solid color dress, i might just go nuts and add in lots of different colored accessories! i also like wearing things in different ways – e.g.: vintage smock aprons as tops, old bikini cover-ups as tunic tops or dresses.
have you always dressed this way?
pretty much since i was 16. i’ve grown into my look more, i’m more ‘put together’ and my wardrobe more cohesive but i’ve always liked color and pattern and vintage. there was a brief lapse in sanity after i had my son where i thought i should dress like a mother… in sweatpants and junk but thankfully i rediscovered my mojo.
green and pink flip flops miss trish for target USA, turquoise patent leather flats quick brown fox
philosophy? isn’t that a bit precious?
yes it sounds massively pretentious, maybe its not a ‘philosophy’ per se but it helps me to stay focused and not buy all sorts of random trend based things that don’t fit, don’t suit, or won’t last. and that in turn makes getting dressed each day a piece of delicious cake. while i think my style exists outside of trends, its hard not to be swayed sometimes by THIS season’s BLUE or THIS season’s specifc detail e.g.: scalloped hems
so my “philosophy”, my manifesto, my rules, or what have you, are to stick to what i know looks good – the colors that suit, the shapes that flatter and the details that highlight my assets. for me, that includes:
- blues, purples, cool pinks. i’m very pale, with an ‘english rose’ pink complexion
- so that means no yellow, orange or fluorescent colors. i can only just get away with green!
- dresses that have defined waistlines (i’m an hourglass)
- nothing with too high neckline. décolletage is a busty girls best friend: so i flaunt it, just a bit, or i look like nurse ratchett.
- nothing too long – i have pretty cute ‘pins’ (that’s legs)
where do you shop?
(vintage)
(non vintage)
- mod cloth
- ASOS
- victoria’s secret (jeans & basic tees)
- american apparel (for tights, leggings and tees)
- boden (i also get a lot of boden off ebay too! much cheaper and mostly unworn)
i’m sure i don’t have to tell you that when shopping for clothes online you must know your measurement! bust, waist, hip and inseam. it helps to know a bit about fabric too – a stretch fabric will mean a couple of extra valuable inches, a cotton means that sucker will fit you snug if its too small. busting seams is not ladylike! its incredible hulk-like.
and let me clarify – i’m not continually shopping. i check back often, but i probably only buy something quarterly (unless i find something really special!) a colorful wardrobe is not made in a day! i search for fabric patterns i like, colors that work for me and styles that flatter: when all those factors line-up its perfection.
vintage bikini coverup/tunic and emily green necklace - handmade felt dahlia brooch
don’t forget the accessories
a range of colored tights: when your leg skin tone would be described as “ultra white A4″ or “goose flesh” its important not to share that with the world. i choose american apparel tights over color lovers (for example) because they fit me really well and they last incredibly well.
big enamel flower brooches, or a felt dahlia brooch
beads! plastic one-color treasures or a versatile emily green masterpiece
how do you find these things?!
i shop at the places listed above, but finding exactly what i like on etsy or ebay is often a bit of a hunt. oh and its all in the thrill of the chase!
the internet is a wonderful thing with more than you could ever dream of, but sometimes you have to think outside the search box for what it is you’re after. i shudder at some of the search phrases i’ve used and found fabulous things with…
my most used search phrases (in varying combinations):
- 60s
- 70s
- floral
- psychedelic
- scooter dress
- house dress
- cover-up
- apron/smock
- mod
my most reluctantly used search phrases:
- brady bunch
- hippy/hippie
- crazy (yes, really)
your closet must be never ending, right?
its not, really. i have about 20 dresses and skirts of varying patterns and solid colors. the rest is ‘basics’: plain colored cardigans, long and short sleeved tees, tights, and a assortment of colored shoes and boots. i’m lucky that i live in a climate that doesn’t vary wildly, so in winter i will layer long sleeved tees or thermals under dresses and i have a couple of go to coats and scarves to brave the terrifying 12˚c/53.6˚F winters we have here in melbourne.
did i miss anything? let me know in the comments!
its time to decorate with draw! pilgrim’s alphabet print in ‘gum ball’ colorway. this post is something of an experiment, the gum ball color way has never been as hugely popular as the sundae color print, so i’m taking pre-orders before i get new stock of this bright pop color way!
If you’re anything like this family, you spend 90% of your time in your living room… living. so make it bright and fun to match the energy of your bunch! break up some blocks of color with sassy stripes and jazzy cushions. i’m a huge fan of white walls and colorful stuff. this is especially good news considering i’m a renter doomed to cream walls forever! click the pic for product info.
i really can’t get on the bland baby’s room bandwagon (i can’t get on any bandwagon – old sporting injury, y’see). i’m firmly of the opinion that if you’re going to spend your adulthood in beige and gray and black and blah then at least have a colorful childhood. babies in beige? no sir. babies deserve fresh, sweet, gelato colors! I say make the decor fun and whimsical because new life deserves to enjoy all the fun and dazzle that one can stand. click the pic for product info.
do you see the desk? it has pencils. for. legs. and a spiral binding detail. do i really need to explain any more?! good luck getting any serious work done on that sucker! and the rug matches the print like a match made in heaven, so if you buy one, promise me you’ll buy the other (buy the print first though ha!) click the pic for product info.
i recently had some new house shots done by the fab fi mims, and i’m going to show them to you room by room. i’ve been emailed a few times about where i got various things from, so this should be a fun way of sharing some secret sources and talking you through my space!
in the case of my desk area its also a bit of a time capsule! its not going to look like this for very much longer now that my desk is movin’ on out and up to my studio: lil desky’s leaving home! and do i need to tell you how excited i am about working AWAY FROM HOME. like a grown up!
my desk
the actual desk is from ikea, and that frosted glass panel is very useful! the chair is from ikea too, but i made a fancy cover for it using a pattern by yvestown.
top left: desk corner detail featuring small+giant “qualy happle” storage containers, top right: ‘love embroidery’ picture atop my edith collins box purse.
bottom: vintage shelf papers in search of the perfect project
beatles yellow submarine album cover notebook by vinylux
the fabulous chair fabric, found via ebay
butterfly mobile from shine gallery, LA
top left: paumes interior books, pop ink books, and kaboom: explosive animation from america and japan top right: vintage mugs
bottom: postcards, gum balls, ‘let’s hang’ zipper pull blind box, decole toys from the middle of bath fizzies, puchi puchi babie deers. my terrarium, and a luggage tag from the beatles’ 1964 tour of australia.
my pin board… with many things on it!
behind my desk is this cozy little corner, for sitting and day dreaming in. above are prints by gerry and joe simboli, and sanna annukka. cushions from ikea and now-closed etsy sellers.
fuji instax gallery on the shelves behind my desk.
top left: view down the shelves to the ottoman top right: a german wooden music box.
bottom: the pigeon holes of the yellow bookshelf (a salvaged office pigeonhole shelf)
stay tuned for more fresh house photos and eventually, photos of my NEW studio space (yay!)
while enjoying the latest edition of kleinformat a cute little photo caught my eye and led me to bonnie & buttermilk! you know when you find something so perfect, so you, that you almost can’t breathe? i clicked through the store like a crazy lady, almost not believing what i was seeing: had someone broken into my head and brought all my ideas for dream outfits into existence? perhaps… but i’m happy they did!
how many ways do i love thee bonnie and buttermilk?
colorful: check!
fun fabrics: check!
cute, simple sihouettes: check!
adorable styling: CHECK!
all photos from bonnie & buttermilk
go forth and shop, friends. and maybe take mr google translate with you if you sprechen sie nicht deutsches!
✽ headscarf ✽ jumpsuit ✽ chiffon blouse ✽
✽ tent dress ✽ mini romper ✽ vinyl wallpaper ✽
✽ shift dress ✽ photo album ✽
✽
In love pool eyes float feathers
after the stuggle the hopes burst
and shot joy all through the mind.
Sorrow more distant then a star
multi-color run down over your body
then the liquid passing all into all.
Love is hot,
✽
