Outfit Post: American Made

#AMERICANMADE Styling for a Stronger America

First off, a big hearty thank-you to lovely Une Femme for including me in her wonderful post today about "Authentic Style." I loved her essay on being authentic, and was thrilled to see my visage amongst the inspiring quotes. 

MADE IN THE SHADE. I'm pleased, also, to be among the many stylish women who are participating in Jill's and Adrienne's monthly series, How I Wear My-, with this month being How I Wear My Sunglasses. They'll be posting the pics, July 2nd, so please check out all us "shady ladies" over at Everything Just So, and The Rich Life (on a Budget) then. Thank you, Jill and Adrienne for allowing me to join in on the fun!

ALL AMERICAN. I LOVE red, white, and blue. Especially when worn together. It's been a summer favorite since childhood, and the outfit I'm sharing today is something I'm sure I would've worn way back in the day. In fact, I'm going to share with you some pictures taken of me when I was in highschool- we're talking, the eighties, folks, circa 1982 or '83. Behold a 17 year-old version of me, wearing a red, white and blue top, with a sailor collar. Aside from the bangs, and the "mom" jeans (hey, it was the '80s!) I could very easily see the current self sporting the exact same outfit. 

American Maid: a 17 year old Bella hanging with her high school pals circa 1982.

Maybe that's why I was instantly smitten with this 1980s sailor inspired romper as worn by Lynne of Dylan's Dresses. So when I saw it was up for sale in her Etsy shop, I SNAPPED it up! And it arrived days later, on my doorstep, perfect as a newborn. The garment is flawless- with wonderful details like a striped trim along the sailor collar and pant hem. It is easily something my 17 year old self would have been delighted to wear! 

What my 48 year old self delights in most, is the fact that this entire outfit is 100% thrifted (or gifted), and is ALL AMERICAN. The romper was made in the U.S.A. something I look for in a garment label, and what a bonus that it's also vintage.

#SHOPSECONDHANDFIRST 100% Thrifted (or gifted), and ALL AMERICAN.

Now Wearing:

• "Mon Cherry" hand-made from vintage materials, worn HERE + HERE (gifted)
• Heart Sunnies, Freestyle Clothing Exchange, similar HERE
• vintage 1980s chambray romper, A Bit of Birdsong
• vintage cotton sash, thrifted
• beaded bracelets, thrifted (various sources)
• Red clutch (really a make-up bag), Thrift Town
• St. John's Bay white leather sandals, Value Village

Linking to the pants wearing Patti for Visible Monday