the many faces of me

In the interest of illuminating the characteristics of my illusive, inconcrete "personal style," I thought I might dive into the archives and pull out a few outfits of postings past in an attempt to identify some sort of significant stylistic thread. (Also I drank too much wine last night--sometimes when I'm writing I get a little carried away--and was not, by any stretch of the imagination, up for the challenge of pulling myself up by my bootstraps and exposing myself to the unforgiving lens of my clickity-camera. So no new outfit for today.)

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY:

I've always felt incredibly comfortable creating bold combinations of clashing patterns, spicing up any old outfit with statement scarves, rejoicing in the musicality of clanging bangles and invoking my inner barefoot bohemian however I can (while still wearing shoes, of course).

PREPPY WITH A TWIST:

Though I never go preppy full-stop, I do like to take the basic elements of nerd chic and shake them up a little bit. During the fall and winter months I am a student of contrast, pairing the simplicity of a high-waisted skirt in wools and tweeds (and woolen tweeds) with bright colors and unconventional hosiery.

CLASSIC/NOSTALGIC:

The adoption of a classic look is kind of a new phenomenon for me. I'm enjoying the literary feel of new basics this season (the spotted dropwaist dress and straw boater feel very Mark Twain to me for some reason, and the high-waisted shorts, when paired with a simple straw hat, feel very American-ex-pat-at-a-cafe-somewhere).

GOTHIC DRAMA:

Every once and a while I feel the desire to go gothic. Black lace, rouge lips or dark eyes, an unexpected flush of red for a little bit of drama, a Victorian pendant or poison ring, or perhaps just a sadistically towering black boot with clamps, clasps and buckles that resembles some sort of primitive torture device... I guess I need to explore my dark side on occasion.

BOYISH:

Whether my outfit invokes the spirit of a street urchin or an elderly Italian gentleman, I have been experimenting with the menswear trend in my own way. From this selection it appears that adding a hat = instant masculinity in my mind, but once and a while my outfits are decidedly boyish.

GIRLY:

Before I had any real, active interested in style, girly was my go-to. I wore babydoll dresses and sixties-style shifts with heels. Period. It was easy-peasy and worked for any occasion, which allowed more freedom of movement through the world and didn't send me into a panic when I was faced with a spontaneous night on the town or unexpected party invitation. After a while, however, I got a little bit bored with the same old dresses day in and day out. So here we are, today!

Whew. Glad I got that off my chest. I'd be interested to know--what style do you think best suits me? How would you define your personal style? Can we, as multi-dimensional human beings, ever completely turn ourselves over to a single sect of style or is our only option to become an alchemist of our fashion identity, adopting and adapting trends over time to evolve into cohesively girly-bohemian-prepster with gothic tendencies?

summertime inspiration - tropical belle epoche

Okay, so I admit I posted briefly about this 2000 Steven Meisel shoot at the very birth of my blog... but because my mother was my only reader, the rest of you probably missed it (and we can't have that)! Beauty is meant to be shared... if I could spend my summer adorned in nothing but bright bikinis, silky kimonos and bedazzling baubles, oh! What a world it would be :) Also, I would die to live in such a luxuriously opulent environment--these photographs are the absolute acme of my aesthetic ideal. I suppose that living full-time in a tropical clime is a little bit different than suffering through a few months of stifling heat in boring old Vermont, but I could relocate. I couldn't bear to omit a single incandescent image from this homage, but I dare you to select one that isn't extraordinarily vibrant and alive.

I was originally directed to these photographs last year via the infinitely inspirational Glamourai, who completely epitomizes the effortless extravagance of a modern Belle Epoque lifestyle (envy!!!!) and, in the photos (below) from her trip to Mexico, looks as if she could have stepped right off of Steven Meisel's set.

(photos via The Glamourai)

rabbit, rabbit

Okay, I'll admit it. As far as dressing goes, I'm kind of over summer.

For some reason I'm just not inspired by swingy sundresses or strappy sandals right now. I love the layering and texture of fall fashion--it has complexity, depth. Summer style seems comparatively shallow because, let's face it, nobody wants to wear more than one layer when the temperatures spike.

It doesn't help that I've been watching Northern Exposure (set in Alaska) and working in my icebox of an office all the livelong day, but still. I just can't get excited about summer style. It's too one-dimensional, too flat, too practical. Challenge: I must look deep inside my sundress-crowded closet and find a way to accessorize some new life into my warm-weather wear.

For today, however, I'm channeling my inner Native American with these moccasins and sweet little beaded belt ($2!).

(tunic: TJMaxx?; grey skinnies: PacSun; moccasins: Minnetonka; beaded belt&scarf: Bargain Boutique; sunnies: UO)

Sorry summer, I do like you. Please stick around. I'm just irritated with you because you inspire me to eat far too many vanilla-chocolate twist creemees with rainbow sprinkles and then make me too lethargic to run it off. We'll work it out, somehow.