I have decided to do personal style posts again. First, because I miss them, and second, because Shy Biker was kind enough to actually send me a tripod. Obviously, I should put such a generous gift to good use!
I previously developed a rule that I will never include the origins or brand names of the clothes I post. I intend to stick to that. Most of my clothes are from thrift and vintage stores, but I also want to avoid being a billboard if I can. I just like sharing my style because it is fun, not because I want to advertise or tell others to look like me by shopping where I shop.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the outfit posts! My style is always evolving, and putting them together allows me to be even more creative.
Last fall, I started to miss my short hair. During high school, I took a lot of fashion risks. Sometimes I think about those years, and cannot believe all the crazy outfits I wore, especially since I went to a private high school. There, despite a "restrictive" dress code, I spent four years changing my hair color, wearing vintage prom dress dresses, and six-inch heels without once receiving a dress code violation.
Anyway, I believe my most outrageous fashion choice came right before my Senior prom when, inspired by Natalie Portman's V for Vendetta look, I shaved off most of my hair. I guess it's called a "buzz cut," but I pretty much had nothing up there. I remember a few girls commenting how brave I was to "cut all my hair off," but I found it liberating. I grew it out about another inch, so by the end of summer I had the "Audrey Hepburn look," and kept it that way for the next two years. I found it easy to take care of, and the absence of stringy, messy hair made me feel "grown-up."
Then I decided I wanted long hair like Lindsay Lohan, and spent the next three years growing it out. Sigh. It finally reached "long," this year, and not only did I have little desire to resemble Lohan, but I could not stand the constant maitanance and nasty shedding. I felt hair was everywhere, and I could not style decently. So, inspired by Carey Mulligan, I decided to take a chance on short hair again.
It turned out a little shorter than I expected, but I still love it.
Though I have watched Guys and Dolls dozens of times, it just clicked that Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons were not good singers. However, I do not think it matters. I believe I previously wrote I felt they had some of the best chemistry I have ever seen, and I still hold that opinion. While many probably do not remember Marlon and Jean as a great, legendary screen couple (they only made two films together), they probably could have been, and I consider them that anyway. I watch this musical again and again because their relationship seems so authentic to me. This cancels out any lack of ability the film may show.
Not to mention, in this scene, both actors do little, special things. For instance, it kills me every time Marlon offers her that flower in the can. Although, he often does quirky improvisations like that in his films.
I have mentioned Thomas Lea's blog, Boise Style, several times between my two blogs. I love getting inspiration from fellow Boiseans by checking the blog. So, when a classmate emailed me last night with a link to a CNN interview with Tom, and slide show of his work, I was beyond excited! It is great to see this part of Boise and Idaho recognized on a national scale.
Plus, yours truly appears in the slide show. Tom and I took the photo last November. It is the sixth one.
Check out the article here. Also, take a look at Boise Style here.
I bought some new vintage clothes recently that I love and want to share. My camera needs either a photographer or tripod to take outfit photos, so hopefully one day you will actually see me wearing these. I wish I could remember to just pick up a tripod, but whenever I have extra spending money, I always put it toward what I normally get: clothes, music, or books.
I got these orange, high-waisted '70s Levis at my favorite antique store. I like them because of the color, and they are not overly wide-legged.
The next three came from probably my favorite Etsy shop, Lola Vintage. I found this shop about a year ago, and ordered two jewel-toned, '80s cocktail dresses. It made me appreciate '80s clothes more than I previously did because its clothes are so beautiful.
'70s tunic
'80s harem pants
'80s wrap dress
Oh, and finally, isn't this cute? I just found these effects (comical, considering I have owned my Mac for almost a year), and I love the idea of using them to make future outfit photos more vintage-looking.
As I once wrote on my previous blog, I live in a city where, in my opinion, most people prove either clueless or apathetic when it comes to style. The first point revolves around the popular notion that style equals acquiring as much Juicy Couture and designer handbags as possible. Not that owning either one of these items should cause shame, but they alone do not make create personal style. The latter relates to what I see daily: people wearing unflattering jeans and t-shirts, or, even worse, PJ's and slippers.
I saw the last one at the theater last night. That's right. I saw someone in pajama pants and slippers at what I considered a fancy production of Fiddler on the Roof at the most high-end theater in town. I felt bad enough watching the many jean-clad viewers stroll through the lobby. But ... I don't know. Seriously? Pajamas at the theater seem lazy and frankly, disrespectful to me. I do not expect ball gowns. However, it seems wrong to wear such casual attire. Not to mention, this person, and the other underdressed attendees, missed out on one of the best parts. How often do people get to dress up and look nice? I guess others do not experience the enjoyment I do.
I think about what I have learned about history, and how people used to dress up to go to the theater, or even the movies, because they considered them special. It breaks my heart these things do not seem valued anymore.
What do you think? Do you dress up when you go to the theater or movies? Or do you opt for casual (and perhaps overly-casual) choices, no matter what? Is all the glamour gone?
Finally, for your enjoyment, I found on You Tube from Fiddler on the Roof. I always loved the music and movie, so finally seeing it on stage felt quite special!
I know I am late on this, but I wanted to comment on the passing of Jane Russell. Her character, Dorothy Shaw, in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is actually one of my favorite female leads. She is vivacious, smart, and witty. I think she outshines Marilyn Monroe by miles, but that is just my opinion. The movie is silly, but, along with any of her work, I recommend it if you have not checked it out yet.
I found this You Tube tribute to Jane with lots of beautiful clips and photos. I also think the music is perfect. Enjoy!
Also, here she promotes a film on What's My Line? I love this bit: "Do you live near Marlon Brando?" "Heaven's no!"
