I’m the kind of person who doesn’t shy away from whimsy. Romantic and dreamy? Sign me up. Quirky and eye catching? I’m so in. Due to my penchant for quirk, I have a collection starting to reach critical mass of handbags approximating food items and shoes with ears and a dress (or 12) in a novelty whimsical print. I’m not sorry….
For some reason, seeing something that exists in our every day transformed into fashion has always caught my eye. A delectable cupcake can become the perfect handbag with the right creative mind, and a black cat crossing your path can turn into your every day ballet flats in the hands of a calcealogical genius. The truth is, clothing is (and should be) transportive. From reality to fantasy and back again, sometimes multiple times in a single outfit.
I think I’ve always been attracted to how fashion evolves and transforms. I make no secret about my love of vintage and how honored I feel to wear a piece of history. But, I also love watching the progression of how vintage comes to be modernized. How a 2016 woman translates a dress from the past and makes it her own. How styles grow and change. How a dress from yesteryear can help me on my journey to the woman I’m becoming.
This dress and I have crossed paths many times in my life. Years ago, I actually found the modern version this dress from ASOS – it was shorter with a slightly different cut, but the print was unmistakably taken from this 1950’s toile print dress I procured from Mill Street Vintage a few years later (and a few years after that, found her twin! It always helps to have a backup). Although print reproduction happens all the time, it meant even more that I got to be a part of cyclical history. And though I will always love the original best, I also love the way a mid-century piece could be translated into something new and reinvented for today.
Though I surely wear more 50’s frockery than most, it’s kind of amazing how, on any given day, you can be wearing influences from every decade, twisted and styled to create a look that is uniquely you.
Speaking of transformation, I’ve changed my location yet again! After spending an amazing couple of weeks with my family (which included a mini-me photo shoot of me and my niece in matching handmade dahlia dresses! Full blog post coming soon…), I boarded yet another plane and am in New Orleans for the week for arguably one of my favorite conferences of the year, where shark nerds everywhere unite in our shark nerdery.
So, I plan to spend the week geeking out with typical marine biological fanfare, feating on Creole cuisine, listening to jazz, and hitting up a New Orleans shop or two. Trashy Diva, I’ve got my eye on you….
Any transformations happening in your corners of the world?
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Dress: Mill Street Vintage (similar modern and vintage here, here & here)
Belt: From another dress (similar)
Bag: Betsey Johnson via Modcloth (similar here & here)
Shoes: Melissa’s
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