posts tagged ‘fashion’
early spring inspiration
[ urban outfitter's open back dress, anthropologie's tic-tac-toe blouse. ]
It seems a bit silly to be thinking of spring already: considering the cold snap we’ve had in Florida (it’s gotten as chilly at the mid 20s at night!). But the arrival of a new Anthropologie catalog and browsing some other fashion sites has given me some ideas of possible inspirations for springtime sewing. Not that any of these will be made or even make their way into the things I do make–I muse over ideas quite a bit that never go further than a doodle in my notebook and a few scribbled notes! I just find the idea of gathering and contemplating the pro’s and con’s of certain ideas to be conducive to motivating me! lol.
I nearly fell off the sofa when I saw the Urban Outfitter’s dress. I’m usually not swayed by UO (the fit model they use for their clothes are usually so off to how I’m shaped), but this dress pulled me in with it’s quiet stripes and peek-a-boo back. But I don’t like the length (not sure how I feel about the exposed zipper either). So, I might make my own at some point. Need to draft up a decent t-shirt pattern first though. It would be a cinch to use that, plus a lightly gathered semi-circle skirt. Seems like an ideal workhorse design that I could just throw in the washing machine if done in the right material (always a perk for the gal who hates to iron!).
[ landing field skirt, into the night blouse, aniseed skirt (all from anthropologie). ]
Moving on to my beloved Anthro… Last year, none of the catalogs really captured me: the styles they were offering were just a bit too modern or blah for my liking. (But then again, I am excessively picky, as Sailor Husband likes to remind me regularly.) I love many of the drapey pieces they have in the current catalog though. Have you noticed some of the peplum blouses and interesting draping on skirts? Definitely reminding me of the mid forties (or maybe I just bring everything back to my favored decade).
I spent a good deal of time over the weekend looking through all the images on my computer for inspiration regarding my spring wardrobe. I think it’s definitely going to continue in the 40s vein; perhaps with a few twists here and there! I’m already dreaming of what fabric I’d like to track down to make some new outfits from…
Oh, and an update on the swing dance class: literally thirty minutes after I posted on Friday, I got an email saying it had been canceled because of low enrollment. Oh well… I guess I chalk this up to life happens and not to get my hopes too tied up in one thing. lol. Actually, I think we’ll just wait and see if any other classes are offered later in the spring. We’re trying to take it through the local community college, since it’s a lot more reasonable cost-wise than many of the overpriced dance studios around here. If at first you don’t succeed…
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Posted to: fashion. | 24 lovely thoughts
1.2.3. things
[ click for a larger view. ]
Am I writing too much about my love of autumn? Please forgive me, but I think it’s literally taking up all my free brain space at the moment! haha! In the spirit of revamping my wardrobe a tiny bit for the season, I wanted to share a few things that are making the rounds in my closet right now.
[ click for a larger view. ]
First up is this lovely carpet bag. It’s gigantic–literally like a small piece of luggage! But I still carry it around like a purse (silly me). My mother in law spotted it at the Waterford Fair last year when we were visiting, listened to me wax poetic about carpet bags (and how I didn’t have one), and surprised me with this lovely piece for Christmas! I didn’t use it a whole lot last winter, but lately it’s been in almost constant use.
[ click for a larger view. ]
Jeweled rings. I spotted some gorgeous (and pricey!) examples in the newest issue of Lula, and promptly set about finding my own, wallet friendly version. I found this at Pier 1 for about $4. (I actually got two, but the flower on the other popped off the ring. I just need to glue it back!) I go back and forth about wearing big rings, mostly because they tend to get caught in my hair. But this is just the thing to add a bit of glitz to any outfit. Again, it’s been in pretty constant rotation the last few weeks.
[ click for a larger view. ]
Finally, what “favored closet items” list would be complete without shoes? I have been searching high and low for some suede-upper shoes that I liked and could afford. On a whim, I stopped in Marshall’s (a department store discount place) this past weekend and found these. They’re the Madden Girl brand (which we know I already love), and fit the bill for black, suede shoes with a bit of an attitude. Sailor Husband doesn’t get the open toe though… hehe! I love the ruffle detail and the fact these are like no other shoe in my closet. Which is a good thing, because I have a tendency to keep buying the same style shoe over and over again! lol.
[ click for a larger view. ]
What wardrobe things are you enamored with right now??? Do spill the beans!
Oh! I must tell you about something I am really excited for… a little giveaway tomorrow! Keep your eyes open for the post–it’s been too long since I did a giveaway, and this one is really fun!
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Posted to: fashion. | 23 lovely thoughts
personal style challenge: the romper
[ trying on the romper. sorry for the fuzziness of the photos; I took them with my cell! ]
After a less-than-successful day of thrifting (two out of the 4 places I had on my list were closed!), I decided to swing by Anthropologie on a lark. You all know I have an obsession with Anthropologie and have years worth of their catalogs saved for inspiration alone! Going into the store is always a treat, since I love browsing not only the clothes and home goods, but soaking up the creative vibes. Although, I have to admit, lately Anthro hasn’t been thrilling me quite like it used to. But while I was wandering around, I spotted this adorable, Scottie print romper.
Yes, romper. The style that I love on other people, but have shied away from adding to my own wardrobe. I’ve been convinced that with all my “junk in the trunk”, I couldn’t wear one without looking ridiculous. This piece was so cute, I trotted off to the fitting rooms before I had a moment to give it a serious thought. Although this one was a size too big (they didn’t have my size in stock), I was delighted with how it did look. It just goes to show me that cut is everything. (Just like shade/tint is everything when it comes to wearing colors!) Sadly, this piece was a little too spendy for my wallet, but it still was fun to try on. Now I’m thinking how I could make a similar romper! lol. (I know–running away with my ideas again!) Seems like the perfect style for this Florida weather: the ease of a dress (one piece) with the coolness of shorts.
Have you ever had one of those “aha!” moments with a style you hadn’t tried before? I think it’s good to push yourself stylistically from time to time; it always opens up new possibilities for one’s wardrobe!
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Posted to: fashion. | 25 lovely thoughts
personal style
[ click for a larger view. ]
Yikes! I’m sorry I haven’t posted much this week. It’s been quite crazy around here, and now my comptuer is acting up. Hopefully next week will be a little more post-productive! lol.
I have so enjoyed reading about your favorite and least favorite fashion decades on Monday’s post. I am especially amused that so many seem to dislike the 90s too (probably my least favorite decade)! hehe! I think a large part of my feelings about the 90s is that so much of it is coming back, and I think it would be a bit weird to wear trends again that I wore the first time around! (Plaid shirts, anyone?) Sailor Husband and I were at the mall doing some shopping this past weekend, and we both kept remarking “I remember those when we were kids!” or “I wore something just like that!”. I feel old already! haha!
All the comments got me thinking about personal style, and what inspires you. Are you eclectic? Up-to-the-minute? Modern or classic? Artsy? Period correct? I definitely fall into the eclectic category. Even though my current preoccupation with the 40s seems to be taking over a lot of my closet, I still enjoy donning vintage pieces from other eras, mixing new with old, and trying out different things. I find that if I pigeonhole myself too narrowly into one look, I get bored far too easily! Personal style, for me, is about exploring different looks and silhouettes. I pulled out a couple of my favorite looks for the collage above, just to give a smattering of my flights of fashion fancy. I’ve explored looks from flapper inspired to hippie girl! A few things stay constant though: vintage pieces, red lipstick, lady-like looks, and wearing my hair long. I think having that common “thread” through the years has helped keep things interchangeable.
How do you define your personal style? (I hope you aren’t all bored with all these thoughtful/question posts this lately!)
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Posted to: fashion. | 32 lovely thoughts
ruffle me this…
[ l to r: billie dove, 1930s pattern from here, marion davies, norma jean baker (marilyn monroe), vintage 30s simplicity pattern. ]
My hands are buried in a sewing project this week, which I’m super excited about, but am going to hold off talking about for a little while. I guess it’s silly, but I’ve become a bit superstitious about mentioning projects on the blog while they’re still in the works. Sometimes they don’t work out the way I wanted or envisioned when I initially post the sewing in progress. Other times, I end up scrapping the project completely! Rather ridiculous, yes, but it keeps me from feeling stressed out about mentioning a project that doesn’t turn out as expected! lol.
[ l to r: unknown, betty covey, 1930s dubarry pattern from this photostream. ]
Now, after that long-winded explanation, something that has been occupying my mind and I can share. hehe! In one word: ruffles. I spent a good deal of my time down with a cold last week browsing through the image folders on my computer (which are many…), and noticing all the lovely ruffled details. From frothy and romantic, to more sensible for the everyday. I just love the little pop of detail even the simplest ruffle creates (which is probably why I’m incorporating the ruffle on my current sewing project!). I think my favorite ruffly goodness probably comes from the 1920s and 30s–designers really had the look down to a “t”!
Back to my sewing machine… hehe! Hope you all are having a splendid Wednesday afternoon!
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Posted to: fashion, style inspiration. | 18 lovely thoughts
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