Posts Tagged ‘style’
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!
✽ samsonite fashionaire suitcase ✽ arabia flour canister ✽ pastoraali vase ✽
✽ finel arabia enamel bowl ✽ georges briard hot plate ✽ mug and saucer set ✽
✽ bjorn wiinblad plate ✽ marimekko tote ✽
i’m loving graphic line worky goodness this week. there is an arabia/finel bias here, but they sure knew how to do it right!
i keep forgetting to take pictures for ‘what i wore’ style posts, but don’t worry, i have been getting dressed on a daily basis! instead i’ve decided to belatedly get on the ‘what i haul around with me on a daily basis’ bandwagon. exhibit A, the handbag:
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i’m guilty of being a polygamist bag owner, but this one just keeps me coming back. it was my first orla kiely ebay score and i think it could be my favorite (shh, don’t tell the other bags). its really big, but almost never cumbersome. it stays on my shoulder without needing constant adjustment and it was big enough that i could smugly claim to be one of those mamas not carting a nappy-bag around. and just look at it and tell me it not exactly the bag i should own – its pink and red and boldly floral. its the bag-ification of me i reckon! so what fills this vast coffer?
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red & white and feelin’ all right – clockwise from the top! my business card holder, my passport (its not that i’m constantly on the lam, i don’t drive so its my only ID), current reading matter, the great white wallet, and the marc jacobs heart compact mirror keeps me looking elegantly disheveled (ok so maybe its just genuine dishevelment).
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my fabulous starry eyed sunnies. i love these babies. they’re a little bit 60s cats-eye and a little bit 80s jem and the holograms. i have no designer clothes so i like to splash out a bit on nice accessories i can use almost everyday. the glasses are by chloé and the style is called tilia.
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iphone and headphones! i love these headphones because they’re good for music and hands free calling/blocking out shouty kids. they’re made by boosted and were a lucky ebay find. iphone cover is kate spade and was a present for myself in san francisco.
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keys! actually, more key rings than keys. i just wanted to feel like a big grown up with a big bunch of keys.
the touch-up purse with one rogue eyelash. no idea where the other one went to.. but at least i’m always prepared to dress up clockwork orange style. also pictured: mac blotting powder, chanel ‘rosedrop’ lipstick (my day-to-day shade), and listerine breath strips. all of which make me that much more pleasant to kiss… otherwise: troll city!
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we’re literally scraping the bottom of the barrel here.. an empty japanese kit-kat box which was generously given to me by a friend (it wasn’t empty when she gave it to me! yum!) and which i’ve yet to throw away. and my bag bag! which is to say its a bag in a bag that is in my bag for when i don’t want to be bad and use a plastic bag, rad!
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and last of all i have to share the silliest thing in my wallet: my sanrio store membership card. i keep it up front with my healthcare card for kawaii emergencies!!
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i hope you’ve enjoyed this tour through my handbag. if you would like to contribute something to my wallet please exit through the gift shop tee hee!
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False eyelashes were invented by the American film director D.W. Griffith while he was making his 1916 epic, “Intolerance”. Griffith wanted actress Seena Owen to have lashes that brushed her cheeks, to make her eyes shine larger than life. A wigmaker wove human hair through fine gauze, which was then gummed to Owen’s eyelids. “Intolerance” was critically acclaimed but flopped financially, leaving Griffith with huge debts that he might have been able to settle easily – had he only thought to patent the eyelashes.
via useless facts
