bloom like you give a damn..
Classic colors, classic patterns but with a twist.
These photos were taken in the studio. Gearing up for a chilly Fall.
NOW WEARING
Vintage African cowrie shell collar, available at Black Iris Vintage
Black spandex wiggle skirt worn as top, Uniqlo clearance
Buffalo plaid flannel circle skirt, Amazon
Barbour quilted field jacket, available HERE
Pink sheer ankle socks, Snag Tights
Vintage Goth platform shoes, coming soon to Black Iris Vintage
AMERICANO Y ROJO
I took these photos the December of 2020, when it was cold enough to wear this toasty (and heavy) vintage hunter's jacket, and I felt really comfortable in this outfit of reds, black and white. There's nothing high fashion about this look, in fact it looks a bit proletarian to me, and I think I love it all the more for that.
I feel like I look very much like
"me." And I like the pattern play and the color mix. For me, the color
mix of black, red and white are probably one of the most flattering, and
it really creates a presence. This is something I wear when "working"
which includes sorting, cleaning and well pretty much anything that
needs to get done. Here's another outfit featuring this vintage hunter coat: SNOW DAY WITH BONNET
Coming up, I'll be posting a couple more Winter Lewks, then catch you up on some fun spring outfits I've been wearing. They share some common elements, such as being mostly secondhand sourced, or from my own closet, as well as focusing on "forever style."
NOW WEARING:
IN THE DIGITAL AGE, ANALOG IS STILL APT AF
While a normal person in my age bracket would be working on brushing up her TikTok skillz, I am plunging back in the medium that first connected me to the people I connect with on the internet. Not sure why, other than I am sort of an odd, old fashioned gal, who just wants to do it the way I want to do it.
So bear with me, I'm feeling rusty, but determined. I'd like to use this channel as a way to share some of my thoughts on sustainable fashion, personal style and the power of community. Stay tuned.....
Meanwhile, here are some older, earlier posts from some years ago, that I still connected to- and here they are, in no particular order:
There are also some people I'd like to thank for visiting this page! They are lovely souls, I'm honored to connect with and they have blogs too, so DO consider visiting their blogs as well:
BONNET LASS
These photos were taken on a snow day earlier this winter in January. I mean MAJOR SNOW. I had to wear snow shoes just to make it down the hill to get to my work studio. It was COLD. But I was prepared. I donned thick layers and trekked on in. And when I saw myself in the mirror, I absolutely loved the way it looked. I felt like a wooly Babushka, especially with my new crochet bonnet, a neighbor made for me from my local Buy Nothing group.
So forgive the total picture dump, but I love how the self portraits turned out. Even though the images are slightly redundant, I liked how dynamic each image is. And so I share them with you!
My five year old self would be quite fond of this outfit- it contains the same reasoning a kid might use to get dressed. A mix of practicality (it had snowed and the streets were a winter wonderland) and my favorite things, a black cotton dress with pink flower embroidery, a grandpa cardi, covered in polka dots, and my new bonnet!
Those Prada crochet hats were stuff of my dreams and I had put out a request to get something similar. A sweet lady answered the call and she crocheted me a pastel pink and sage green striped cap with ties. It kinda looks like a baby's bonnet, and also, something Lil Edie of Gray Gardens would wear.
Something I'd like to share with you in my recent style journey, is that I'm now only acquiring long term items- clothes and accessories that I intend to wear for years! In the past, I feared that "forever style" garment would be boring- after all, aren't they going to be neutral and basic and safe? Well, maybe not.
To eschew trends- won't that make me look stodgey and outdated? We're going to find out. This outfit is comprised 100% off pieces that were selected because I presume they are going to be around for while.
Silly baby hat- oh you're gonna see more of this!
Vintage Hunter's jacket, a winter classic!
A chunky grandpa cardigan sweater, BUT WITH POLKA DOTS? Keeper.
Flattering, comfortable, well made cotton dress: until I outgrow it, I'm going to wear it.
Old jeans that I've had for about 6 years, will probably be around for another six.
I've recently packed up these winter essentials- the heavy coat and snow boots aren't needed for April's promise of sun. But you will see the other items in various iterations. For now, it's all about feeling good, being comfortable in my own skin, and to be able to express myself in clothes.
LIFE IS THIS + this is living.
If I could sum up my life in 5 sharp pictures,
I wonder if these would do.
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Not So Basic, Basics
So in my recent goal to create and sustain a "forever style" wardrobe, I've been on the look-out for versatile, timeless pieces made from quality fabrics that are designed to look good years from now, not just while they are "NEW."
Quality pieces are often a bit more expensive than "fast fashion," so it takes some careful shopping, and that means I keep my eye out for bargains and sales on garments made from silk, wool and linen. SHOPPER'S TIP: choosing a secondhand option often allows you to source a great garment at a good price.
Confession: for the past couple of years, I've been having trouble finding good garments in natural fabrics IN MY SIZE since, ahem, I've gained a bit, and now weigh-in close to 180 lbs. Ugh. The racks in the plus size section at most thrifts are packed with polyester and synthetic fabrics and none of it looks good, while most of it feels cheap. Also they are often times either too frilly for my taste, or are prints I am not fond of. I literally have not found any scores in my size and taste in a thrift store (other than tees, and the occasional jacket) for years now. So, I have taken to shopping online for cough-cough, BRAND NEW stuff.
Which is "FUN," but-
it really is much more expensive than what I'm used to, as a committed shopper of vintage and secondhand good- I'm used to good stuff for less money. I have been cheered however, by seeing quite a bit of companies who are more dedicated to quality and sustainably produced items than I have in the past.
Some "common" brands I've enjoyed lately are Madewell and Uniqlo, two brands that I also look for when thrifting! I find the quality pretty good, AND the styles are not particularly "trendy," so when I do buy a garment, I feel I can get years of wear from them.
The leopard crossbody bag is something I bought last year on clearance from Madewell and I'm very happy with it! I got an additional colorful strap for a little more style zest, but I see they now offer a leopard print one- and that's one I wish I had as well.
The skirt is from a collection I adore! A 100% linen skirt that can do double duty as a strapless dress and I bought two on sale. This one is in navy blue and its from a Uniqlo collab with one of my favorite designers, JW Anderson. Purchase price was under $15 so a steal, really.
The blouse is something I bought to look more "professional" when I got a gig playing retail salesperson at a local boutique. It's a nice silk short sleeve blouse by Lilysilk, and while I find it a bit boring, I do think it can be more versatile than I'm giving it credit for.
What do you think? Are these basics you'd consider?
NOW WEARING:
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SEEING SPOTS
I will admit, there are some people, even when you just meet them, you know they are your people.
That's how I feel about the people in the above picture. One, is a lovely lady who bought something from me on eBay, and as she was a fellow Seattle-ite, she wanted to save on shipping and pick up locally. When she came in, I was smitten with her sweet demeanor AND her awesome style. She wore a leopard print coat, and a vintage fedora hat with an animal print satin band. The other women, my friend and colleague, Debi B, is also wearing a hat, and a leopard print dress.
I had snapped these fast pic last December and looking upon it, I notice they are both expressing great personal style wearing leopard prints. What a great pattern that tells so much about the wearer.
Leopard can be many things to many people- it is a reference to a certain type of royalty, a wildness, it's Lady Temptation, it is rebellious and punk. And it is also a bit of a classic, something that's been around so long, that while it is a busy print, it is also nearly a neutral.
How do you "recognize" your tribe? Do they dress like you? Do you like the same movies and books? Go to the same cafes and restaurants? Shop the same shops?
COLOR FOR A WHITE CHRISTMAS
It's been snowing this past week or so in Seattle, which is NOT a common thing. We're talking loads of snow! When it first started snowing, I had walked to my neighbors place to visit, and had left deep footprints in the snow walking there, but when I returned home an hour or so later, those footprints were gone, completely covered by more snow!
And, it's been c-c-c-cold! Layers are the way to go, and what has kept my biscuits toasty and warm has been this AMAZING vintage Meso American woven huipil, hand loomed and embroidered from a thick wool yarn. The dress is a pull over, and quite loose fitting so it can easily go over other garments.
The "wee peel's" appeal? IT IS EFFECTIVE
Layered over a silk chemise
and thermal leggings, and worn under a very heavy vintage woolen hunter
jacket, this beautiful work of textile art definitely kept me warm, and left me
feeling joyfully colorful.
Also joyful, are my new sneakers, a gift from the dude for Christmas. I've been needing more practical, comfortable walking shoes, and was feeling bummed about how "stodgy" some of the options were. Well, he found these Marimekko X Adidas kicks, and they add such a fun splash of style to my comfort!
I enjoyed wearing this outfit so much, that I wore it for three days straight. During those days, I felt warm in spite of walking up and down hills covered with snow, and working in a drafty studio. I also loved the unique style of mixing the ethnic dress with my winter essentials of vintage trapper cap, and hunter's jacket. I felt when I wore this, that winter couldn't keep my spirits down!
Tell me, would YOU wear something so unconventional during a snow storm?
NOW WEARING:
