Ode to a swap meet

Ode to the swap meet           

A while back my girlfriends started an awesome tradition that has since been dubbed the “Sassy Swap.”  Periodically we all to go through our stuff and bring clothing and things that we no longer want or need, we relive the origins and experiences of each item, and finally exchange them.  Knowing they will bring new joy to a new home makes it a little easier to let go.  It is great fun and because each of us has a distinct style it is always interesting to see the new interpretation of the old gems.  

After several swaps where I brought nothing but left with a bag full of other peoples cast offs I have come to the conclusion I am a saver.  My attachment to my stuff is maybe a little more sentimental and tough to set aside than others.  Several months after coming to this conclusion I am loosening up a bit but more than that I am finally arriving at a comfortable and focused place with my saver status.  Collecting clothes is kind of a hobby. 

I am a steward of history; a librarian of trends, perhaps a “trendarian?”  I will unapologetically embrace the items in the back of my closet that kind of fit, are not quite in style, or that are beginning to look like period pieces. I am determined never again to read a style how-to book or magazine article that instructs me to get rid of anything I haven’t worn in a year and get annoyed.  I am simply going to take these suggestions into consideration but do my own thing. Instead I am going to attempt to care for and critique quality and historical context as a collector would.  Really, just when I think something will never come back, it does and I am always happy I took a little better care of something than I thought I needed.  While others may think something is taking up space I feel it is waiting for its moment.

It takes savers and people that purge.  It takes all kinds. While I am approaching my clothing hobby with purpose by staying organized, staying true to my grandmother by making sure each item is mended and presentable, and staying true to myself by constantly attempting to reinvent the ordinary; the organizers are staying true to their clutter free environments by providing a steady stream of stuff for me to choose from! 

I am very grateful for the people that purge as I feel like I make out like a bandit all the time.  They, in turn, may be grateful for me in the future should all of the clothing stores suddenly run out of stuff, should they need historical references for a clothing line, or 40years from now should they be looking for a little piece of vintage youth.  In the mean time, as a matter of reciprocation, I am attempting to dig deep and bring items for swap in this decade.  At the very least this is a great opportunity to revisit and incorporate what I have as new also.  When giving up my family hand-me-downs is less than wildly successful I am writing blog posts like today and loading on the appreciation for the great new outfits courtesy of the sassy swap. 

Purple Pashmina with Purse from Lita.  Thanks Lita

Liv's shoes

Feeling bohemian with Liv's feather earrings, Lita's shirt, my mom's necklace.
Thanks Ladies!

Liv's shoes, my grandpa's belt, Liv's button down shirt.
Thanks Grandpa and Liv!

Thank you clutter-free friends for keeping me interested.  You know, if you ever change your mind, your donated items are waiting for you in excellent condition.   

Ode to a beautiful day

Today I am feeling pretty sharp.  Feeling sharp for a few reasons:

First off, I like my outfit.  It is a basic outfit with a sweater, skirt, tights, and pumps.  But the sweater is comfortable and interesting enough on its own to be a go-to-staple.  The skirt is part of a suit that I usually split up and wear separately.  I love texture pieces, and I regard suit splitting as bonus round in the office wardrobe game.  “Outfit one and, bonus! Outfit two!”  Both not too matchy-matchy to look like I am interviewing for a different job when I arrive in a business casual environment, but put together enough to keep it classy.  I also accessorized with my favorite FoundryM necklace.  Most stunning, I am wearing tights and open toe pumps and not freezing!  Hello Spring!  I hope this sticks. 

Second reason this outfit has me excited is the sweater.  Previously I mentioned its comfort but I also feel pretty smart because I found this sweater stuffed on an over crowded shelf while organizing my closet.   I managed to make it look totally presentable without an extra unnecessary dry cleaning.  I am not good at ironing, and I do not have a steamer but I took the sweater with me in the shower and like magic it looks freshly cleaned.  Yes the simple things excite me on sunny days. 

A fashionable book report ...Isms: Understanding Fashion

Did you know that Princess Diana’s voluminous wedding dress was part of a mainstream cross over of “New Romanticism”, an evolution of the London Punk scene?  How about that this movement, an attempt by Punk enthusiasts to distinguish themselves from ‘posers’ adoption of their slash trash look, was inspired by revolutionism of 1789, hollywoodism of the 1930s’, and Glam of the 1970s’?  How about that the original Punk was a form of deconstructionism that draws parallels in its message to Japanese Avant-gardism of the same time period?  Do you know the requisites for a design house to truly be considered Haute Couture?  These are all very intriguing questions that one may not think to ask but may still be interested to know.

...isms: understanding fashion by Mairi Mackenzie is full of interesting fashion items of note.  Part of a series of “ism” books looking at everything from religion to architecture, this installment provides analysis of fashion trends from the 17th century to present day. The structure is standardized for each trend providing a brief synopsis with dates, influences, key characteristics, influential figures, terms, examples, comparisons, and places to view key collections.  Also included are beautiful pictures, and color-coded pages making the book as visual as it is informative and interesting. 

This analysis of fashion is presented with a global eye and while interesting enough to read from cover to cover as a chronological story could also be used as a reference guide.  It presents timelines for easy view of overlapping trends, a glossary of fashion terms, glossary of notable names, and global exhibitions.  It also acts as a starting point for resources of additional study. 

The brevity of each ism may leave something to be desired for a studied fashion student, but for the average fashionista ...ism: understanding fashion is the right dose of information to be inspiring, entertaining, and educational.

New Year's Eve 2010

Preparing for a new year is a bit of an undertaking.  There are so many beliefs in things to eat or do to ensure the coming year is a good one.  Too many things to count yet alone follow.  I didn't eat the pickled herring, or the twelve grapes at midnight.  I didn't make black eyed peas on Jan 1st.  I kind of cleaned but would not call my house spotless for the new year either.  Despite it all I feel good.  This year is full of possibility and potential.  I intend to take advantage of it.  The year 2011 will be the year of self actualization.  Its the year I stop getting caught up in things that don't matter and start accomplishing things for me in a focused way.  Look at 2011.  It just looks happy.  A year smiling at me.  Happy new year!  Happy me!

One new year practice I did follow was the pop of color requisite from Nina Garcia.  I had visions of floating into the new year in billows of sophisticated grey tulle and was lucky enough to find the perfect dress.  White House Black Market dress and pumps bejeweled with something old and blue (a different fashion belief but what the heck why not) with a vintage swarovski beaded necklace.  I turned the belt around so the rhinestone belt buckle was decorating my back and popped some red into the picture with red lips and nail tips.  I felt like a princess floating through a fog.  Now hear I am in a clear New Year.

May 2011 be filled with your favorite things and all around unexpected awesomeness!

Stylish book report The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia

Nina Garcia what is it that makes you tick?  I see you sitting by the runway quiet; seemingly emotionless as you size up the competing would be designers.  Your thoughts are organized and analytical.  Some times your comments are harsh but most often they are constructive.  You look together, well accessorized but unassuming.  Your accent is not familiar, a combination of many places perhaps.  Your smirk is jovial, your eyes genuine and warm.  If I met you in person I would look you straight in the eye because, at the risk of sounding much like a crushing teenager, I want to get to know you.  So I am reading our book-or one of them.

Stylish book report: The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia.

As previously mentioned, I do not like people telling me how to dress.  However, I do love being inspired.  In The Little Black Book of Style Nina Garcia states early on that her goal is not to provide a list of rules for readers to follow.  Instead she begins the book by sharing her personal inspirations then urges readers to look to themselves for the ultimate inspiration.  She offers observations on ten basics principles she feels style icons often share and then offers insights and pop culture references as evidence.  If you love the study of modern style you will love this book.

I was originally intrigued to hear Nina’s voice.  This book did not disappoint.  As she regales scenes from her childhood growing up Columbian and learning to incorporate many styles from around the world I was charmed.  When she, like me in the initial paragraph written before reading the book, talked about the type of woman whose style pulls her in I felt a kinship.  Her references of so many recording artists, movie recommendations and time frames made me want to invite her over for a style film viewing party and girl gabfest.  And when Nina interviewed some of today’s most admired designers for their take on everything from shoes to “not giving a damn” I was in awe.  This is a woman who has lived an incredibly stylish life and continues to traverse each day with an openness to continue to identify the amazing to come.   Intrigue deserved.

Terrible trouble; Pop of color.

When I dress in the morning my thoughts rarely fall to the question, “How does this outfit pledge my allegiance to my local sports team?”  Sure I root for the home team.  Yes, I get excited to attend the occasional game, bathe in the sense of community, and be a member of a jovial crowd routing for a common goal.  Unfortunately the game schedule and opponent team color wheel are not committed to my memory.  

Monday night I watched my Cincinnati Bengals narrowly miss a win against rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the final minutes of the fourth quarter (ok, ok, I may have spent a good portion of the other three quarters channel surfing but I paused thoughtfully when it counted).  I too was disappointed by this loss.  However, when I woke up Tuesday morning and faced my closet I thought, “Inspire my day!  Take an average office outfit and make it wow.  Keep me comfortable, interested, and awake sitting at a desk for 10 hours.”  Mondays loss had been put behind me.

My thought process for getting dressed Tuesday started with the outfit details as it often does.  For the week I concocted a new manicure.  It is French style with purply red tips instead of white.  Just so happens this maroon/red matches the shade of my red patten leather Michael Kors platforms perfectly.  Realizing this it seemed like a logical place to start the creative dressing process.  I wanted to wear something comfortable so I went to the most comfortable and time tested black slacks in my wardrobe.  Then realizing the day was perhaps one of the last unusually warm days of the season and seeing the section of my closet housing professional button down collared shirts was not getting much love, I chose a short sleeve white with black pinstriped top with white collar.  Comfort was achieved but it was kind of boring so I threw on a pop of color in my new favorite way.  I grabbed a long fabric strip of soft jersey and gave it a knot around the neck.  In my mind this concoction was a quickly assembled win for a boring Tuesday.  

Then I got to work and realized how men’s outfits are often assembled.  “Is that a terrible towel?”  asked one of my coworkers referring to the yellow terrycloth towel that Pittsburgh Steelers fans swing above their heads at sporting events.  “What?”  I looked at my outfit and it took me a minute to realize what he was talking about. Clearly this florescent yellow is different than that mustard yellow the steelers claim? We debated the shading.  He was jovial enough through this; as were the next three coworkers that inquired about the yellow swathe.  Yellow black and red, yup, in hindsight those are steelers colors.  

My mind jumped back to a similar oversight last summer.  I was excited to be invited to a Cincinnati Reds baseball game with my cousins, aunts, and uncles; and was excited to find we also had an opportunity to arrive early and watch batting practice.  In that situation I thought about what to wear in sports reference but to be coy about my color introduction I wore mostly black with red nails and accents instead of an all out red ensemble.  This would have worked but then in a rush out the door it was cold so I threw on the functional pop of color, a yellow trench that has brought me so many good memories over the years... Fond memories were not created by the jacket that day.  I arrived to a chorus of “What? Are you rooting for the other team?”  Apparently the opponent was a black and yellow team.  I was forced to remove the jacket and shiver for a few hours.  Even having the coat on my arm, like a flag for the opponent, evoked an uncomfortable feeling of alienation. 

I don’t mind people bringing up this oversight.  In fact I like it.  The criticism and teasing gives me the opportunity to explain my error and grow through the oversight.  Truly this was not a bold statement in opposition of my cities sports leagues,  “Fellow Cincinnatian my intention was not to slap you in the face!”  

What concerns me the most are the people I don’t know that don’t ask.  I am sure my cute pop of color was lost Tuesday on that guy in the bengals jersey staring me down at the gas pump with a look of salty loss on his brow.  “Hey guy pumping gas!  I am a home town supporter!  We are rooting for the same team!  Feel the community?!?  Give me a smile!?!”  I wanted to yell.  “Hey cute new Reds player that just got brought up from the minors!  I really do want you to win!  Come hither so my cousin can get an autograph and I can admire that baby face up close!”  Last Tuesday and last summer mighty Emily’s ensemble had struck out.  

ferocious kitty back on the prowl

I read in a magazine kitten heels are back with a vengeance.  True, their presence was all over the runways this fall.   There was a time when the low heel and pointed toe seemed all I needed for an outfit.  But that was almost two years ago.  That was before I discovered the power of the platform.   I was uncertain I was ready to rediscover such a contradictory trend.

There is a certain sex appeal to a platform pump.  My legs seem to go on forever and my butt is given a little perk.  If arched just right a sky high heel can be as comfortable as a tennis shoe, allowing me to walk gracefully and with confidence.  The right platform takes an outfit to another level.  Sure I may be 6 feet tall in a 4-inch heel with a 1inch platform but the confidence that comes with this new latitude is addictive.  Feeling like a model with legs lengthened to unrealistic proportions while still stepping with comfort is a win, win. 

As most trends often end in extreme, the heights of some of the platforms had become dangerous.  Balance off put, and twisted ankles are the downside of such magical heights. And with an average male height of 5’9” and intimidation easy to find it seemed the power of the pump also had a negative impact on the dating life of the fashonista.  It wasn’t hard to see a change soon in the wind.

I was just not sure I was ready for such a drastic shrinking of the shoe this fall.   It just seemed so drastic; it just seemed so soon.  After a day of attempting to walk quickly to work on stone finished sidewalk in sky high heels not quite arched to perfection, however, I was ready to give a modest heel another try.  Reluctantly I excavated the depths of my closet for the kitten heels left there years ago. 

Oh kitten heels!  I had forgotten how comfortable you are to wear.   How easy it is to keep a long stride with you as my footwear.  The balls of my feet are not burning, even without Dr Scholl’s massaging gel insoles!  I welcome you back with open arms and relaxed toes. 

Still, the demure decoration of a few years ago seems a bit out of place with my new love of ferociousness in fashion.  After Gaga I feel there still needs to be a level of sass in my newly rediscovered little kitties.  I went first for the metallic purple snakeskin print  kitten heel and things just seemed to right.  I paired it with an industrial chic plexiglass necklace for edge and a bold teal/turquoise top.  The mix felt right. 

Comfy Kitten heel

I am not ready to abandon my favorite platforms quite yet but my current rotation must now be expanded to include another type of shoe.   The subtle style and comfort of the kitten heel is worthy of revisit.