Anna Paquin got all dolled up for V magazine and she looks...a bit ridiculous doesn't she? Paquin has a very modern face and figure so the hair and clothes do nothing for her. She honestly looks like a drag queen or like she's wearing a Marilyn Monroe Halloween costume in some of the shots. I do like the Hitchcock feel that some of the images evoke but overall I'm so distracted by the wrongness of the whole shoot. This is a great example of anachronistic style taken too literally, it becomes costume-y. If the stylist had mixed in some more modern elements the shoot would have been less jarring.
Donna Karan, normally known for her expert draping, did a sport and body-conscious collection for resort 2012. I love resort collections since the "summer" theme means the clothes are so wearable. This collection does not disappoint since all the looks translate well into the real world. The full skirt and fitted bodice is so 1950's (just check out that shirt waist dress!) but Donna Karan renders her pieces in modern fabrics and details in my favorite color pattern--red, white, and black. I also love the nod to the 40s with the cocoon coat and skirt suits. The collection is so retrofuturist!
Someday my eyes will go bad and I will be rocking glasses like these. Until then I will content myself with dreams of stylish sunglasses like the ones from Lumete.
Visited the Jeffersonville Outlet Mall which is about an hour outside of Columbus, OH this week. I hadn't been in YEARS but now I am an avid believer. I never trusted outlet malls because I knew that most stores never carried the real deal, that there was a bunch of factory stores with sub-par products. Which is still true---the Banana Republic Factory Store and Ann Taylor Factory store contains cheap-quality products that have never been inside a real mall, and I'm sorry but isn't Old Navy ALREADY an outlet store? But I did find a few gems--the Juicy Couture Outlet, the kate spade Outlet, and the White House | Black Market Outlet.
Who knew that kate spade sold clip earrings that don't pinch ($54)? I love these huge cushion cut stones that look so retro! I find myself grabbing the pink ones just about every day!
So of course I had to grab them in turqoise too ($54). I haven't worn these yet, I keep reaching for the pink ones!
I've been jonesing for the kate spade Franca sunglasses ($128) since my other white sunglasses busted. I had a conniption when I found a pair at the outlet! Overall I was very pleased with the outlet, almost all the products had been in real kate spade stores and were the quality you expect from the brand.
Scored this Juicy Couture cupcake key fob ($58) to keep all my keys nice and tidy. The Juicy Couture Outlet is a nice mix of real product and products made especially for the outlet, you just have to be picky and ask the sales girls what's what.
It's just not a shopping trip without a shoe purchase. The White House | Black Market pink cork wedge ($30) is on sale and my new favorite shoe! I can walk a mile in these things and I am determined to properly break them in before they are stored away until next summer.
A few more of the items I picked up at the WHBM outlet! I have decided I'm not shopping the real stores anymore since ALL products end up at the outlet in 2-3 months anyway! I've hunted all over town for those magenta shorts in my size so I was stoked to find them at the outlet. I almost bought the dress at full price ($168!) and scored it at the outlet for only $45.
I think I've discovered a new shopping addiction and my wallet couldn't be happier.
Just because work has been crazy does not mean I haven't been shopping. I'm continuing my quest for tops, my weakness for shoes, and an inclination for pattern infused with bright colors.
Impossibly high wedges AND leopard print? Yes please. The pink iridescent stones are just icing on the cake. The Betsey Johnson Elvira Ankle Wrap Wedge ($96) is surprisingly walkable despite the five-inch heels.
These adorable little oxfords are unbelievably cushy inside for such an inexpensive shoe. I chose the Jellypop Spoken Pump ($45) with the intention of changing the ribbon to match different outfits. I'll be able to last in these all day!
Super cheap so this is more of a put-it-away-until-next-Summer choice. I fell for the wallpaper-inspired pattern and little pink flowers. How chic would these be with pink bermuda shorts, white and navy striped tee, and a scarf in the hair? Yep, the Poetic License Fruit Punch sneaker ($20) will get her day in the sun next year.
I could not get this dress out of my head and didn't want to risk losing it by waiting for it to go on sale. Fits like a dream, very flattering to my curves. The White House | Black Market Leopard-print dress ($158) had to come home with me!
I actually bought this in hot pink with lavender flowers. I usually choose clothing that is more body-conscious so I thought this would be a nice counter point to pencil skirts and slim 1950's trousers. The Banana Republic Teresa Floral blouse ($80) even looks great tucked into anything high-waisted.
Work has been brutal so I haven't had much time for blogging; that's where the beauty of video-sharing comes in. Aubrey London has a great series of videos for easy retro hairstyles perfect for beginners. I love this one because all you need is hairspray and bobby pins.
All About Eve (1950) is a fascinating film that harkens back to when movies had literary qualities. The subtle psychology behind each actor and the fiery tirades of Margot Channing (Bette Davis) punctuate the film with wit and humor. The title character Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter) worms her way into Margot's life and tries to supplant her career and her relationships. The clothes are inspiring and be careful not to miss an early role from Marilyn Monroe's career. One of the movie's themes is oppositions--New York vs. Hollywood, Old vs. Young, married vs. single. One of my favorite scenes is when Margot's boyfriend turns Eve down--"What I go after I go after. I don't want it to come after me." Makes me nostalgic for a time when men had standards. Watch this one with your token-gay-male-friend or an aging fabulous aunt that will quote the movie line by line for you!
Glamour Daze's blog is another great way to kill an hour (or more!). Explore the tags for backlogged Vintage gold including fashion and beauty from 1900-1960s. I especially love the transcripts from old videos like this one...
Kate Moss posed for Vogue UK in a combination of '40s, '50s, and '60s fashion re-imagined through a modern lens. This is what anachronistic style is all about--playful imaginings of classic styles and vintage glamor. The styling is simply divine and I find the neutral color palette with shots of emerald and coral inspiring.
Dita recently shared her tips for wearing fully fashioned stockings and her advice is too good to not pass on. Like most things pertaining to vintage fashion stockings are a lost art. Here's what Dita has to say for those of us born after pantyhose were invented...
"Always buy more than one pair of the same style, so if one gets a run, just take another from a new package. Stockings are superior to pantyhose not just because they are more beautiful and feel more free, but because chances are, you may run one leg, but not the other, so the pair is not all lost when you have backups pairs. Next, do as the French do, and put the garter belt on FIRST! Panties (if any) go over the top so you can easily remove them for whatever reason and still have that lovely stocking and garter belt frame. Authentic fully-fashioned seamed stockings never have any lycra, therefore they have that lovely rasp of nylon, the welt with a keyhole in back, and of course, they have an authentic stitched seam and a cuban or french heel. Your garter belt must have stability to keep the seams straight; look for ones with six straps rather than four, one that is wide and sits firmly in place at the waist. Girdles and corsets accomplish this too. The stockings should frame the pelvis, not be too long, nor too short, but the top part of the stocking should rise to about mid-thigh. My signature stockings are made on the true vintage 1940s era mills, with every detail in place. Beware of faux seams and lycra! Welcome to the Cult of the Fully-fashioned Nylon Stocking! Accept nothing less!"
