Outfit Post: Inspired by India

I was feeling inspired by India and on a roll after the dinner party outfit recently...Here's something with a bit more color I threw on for dinner out with family in town.

When going for an Indian-inspired look- more is always MORE with color- as it's such a huge part of the culture. The sky's the limit- have fun experimenting with combining rich, vibrant colors together!

So I think I will take my own advice and really go for it with even more color next time- loving this second image especially:) Stay Tuned!

Details:
Silk dress (made in India :)- consignment store- gift from Therese
Pashmina scarf- gift from Therese
Elephant purse- thrifted
Gold choker- Steinmart
Wedges- Ralph Lauren via Macys (purchased with christmas gift card from Therese)

Image source for orange/pink here.

Image source for multi-color here. 

Outfit Post: Dinner Party

The husband and I recently attended a dinner party for South magazine out at a local Indian restaurant- Pakwan (excellent food!). To get into the spirit of things, I dressed accordingly, with a little help from my thrifted sheer tunic. This piece has a special memory attached to it... I was late to a date with my husband when we first met because I was thrifting and couldn't pass this little gem up!

Uploading these pictures reminds me that I read the other day in my latest issue of Marie Claire that Indian-inspired fashion is a current trend of the moment. Think gilded embellishments, black and gold color combos, and tunic dresses layered over leggings or trousers. To really go all out, you can add much more embellishment than I did here (and trust me I will!) Use sheer fabrics or saris, load on the embroidered and jeweled details (headwear, sandals, clothing), and pile on bold jewelry of gems or gold via ornate necklaces, earrings, and bangles/arm cuffs!

P.S. That face above is the one I like to do for my husband to play around :)

Details:,
Sheer tunic top- thrifted
Belt- borrowed from another dress
Clutch- vintage via yard sale
Leggings- H&M
Black tank-Target
Black stretch mini- Charlotte RusseBlack socks- Gina's beauty supply
Platform wedges- Steve Madden @ Macys

Linking up at Ta-dah Tuesday! 

Vintage Vogue Covers

Spied these vintage teens and twenties Vogue magazine covers at my new favorite antique store, Wright Square Antique Mall  (walking distance from me ;) and had to snap some photos...



This dark-eyed 1927 beauty in creme is my favorite and I'm considering going back for her! She's modeling the iconic 20's makeup look- pencil thin expressive eyebrows, heavily made up eyes, circle-blushed cheeks and red cupids bow lips.




Loving the colors and florals in this 1910s cover look! In particular, I'd like to have the middle look in my closet- shoes and all. Love the blue and gold and all the trims and texture going on in her outfit!




Love the excessive exoticism in this 1917 cover look. From her headdress, to the shape and print of the dress, down to the trims of her riticule purse and pointed red slippers- Poiret's oriental influence abounds!




What an inspiring image of summer... Love the face-framing hat worn by this twenties beauty sipping her drink through bee stung lips! Twenties hats such as this one and the popular cloche (helmet-like style) were all about framing the face in order to show off the dramatic makeup and sleek bobs that were so fashionable.




This 1911 cover is my other favorite. I love the turquoise/red color combination and of course the drama of that mile long feather in her turban! Another strong example of the exotic and orientalist influences that so defined fashions of the 1910s.

Which is your favorite?

-Jenn

Spanish Moss

I recently stumbled upon the coolest site...

Spanish Moss specializes in vintage collections, artisan designers, and in house ready-to-wear. A tightly curated collection of all things inspiring, Spanish Moss draws inspiration from owners Vincent and Suzanne Ford-Carafano's travels and love of searching out and collecting vintage and artifacts. Suzanne is inspired by her travels across the American landscape, folk art and 60s French films. Vincent gains inspiration from his time spent traveling in India and his youth spent on the Mexican border. (paraphrased from "About" Via Spanish Moss site)

Below are some of my favorites from a recent look book. (Sorry for the lousy image quality as they were screen grabs.)  I guess you could say these looks are all about an eclectic bohemian sensibility playing with found fabrics, (fringe!) and textures...

























What's your favorite look?

They also have a blog you can follow for fresh inspiration on "Avante-Garde for the every day".

PS: I will be doing a follow up post soon showing my absolute favorite pieces from the site that are on my (fantasy $$$) wish list!

Eastern Exotica

Had to share these awesome middle eastern hats I picked up for $5 each at the SCAD international festival recently.....

I can't wait to use these in a photo shoot and share pics with you guys! I've already got one look in mind involving a red and black beaded 80s jacket with huge shoulder pads and this red fez with tassel. Stay tuned! 

Click here to read my post about international style inspiration at the festival.

International Inspiration

I've always been enamored with other cultures- especially exotic ones like Egypt, India, China and Japan. My sister reminded me recently how when I was growing up, my room was decorated differently in each corner which I called "culture corners"! One corner was Japan and among other things that escape my memory, had beautifully decorated Japanese masks on the wall and one of those hanging scrolls with characters and scenery on them. Isn't it funny how we forget these things we loved?
What made me think of all this is my trip last week right outside my door here in savannah to the SCAD international festival.















A treasure trove of Egyptian fabrics and finds. The red piece is a real work of art- the silver in it you see is all threaded with some kind of aluminum by hand (would have originally been hammered with real silver!)
Here are some of my favorites...





Love the bright color combinations and the brightly woven fabric in their braids!






























I think this traditional Indian men's costume fits so nicely and looks really sleek- would love to see more men in this!





Love the red heels with this- perfect choice for the outfit!
Festivals like this are always prime for street fashion inspiration too. Here are some looks on passer-byers I liked...





I love how this girl accessorized a traditional costume with cheetah printed platforms and purse. Im also loving the way her scarf flows from the back. This is a look I would wear!
I'm loving the bright color combos below...















Blue and red are such perfect colors together- I love how primary they look! If your shy to mixing bold colors adding your other color via a bold necklace (or scarf like this lady) is a good way to start.
-Jenn

Flamenco Re-Fashion

If you know me, you know I enjoy a good fashion challenge! So when I had literally five minutes to get ready to go to the theater to see a play with the in-laws and my husband for his birthday... creativity set in! As they say...necessity is the mother of all invention. (More of my thoughts on that later). We were visiting so I had very little with me (not completely true) and had to throw something together pronto! In this case, my eye was drawn to an old dance costume piece that my sister-in-law gave me a few days earlier as she was cleaning out her closet of old dance costumes (where are the rest of them??!!)

It was a black lace Flamenco style petticoat to be exact.

Out of sheer (literally) necessity, I added black leggings and then added the only decent dressy top I had in my suitcase. Usually I wear lots of all black but this time I actually wanted to show the color/texture contrast through the skirt so I chose this ivory top. I finished with a black stretch (thrift store) belt to tie it together, black 40s-inspired patent pumps (kensie girl), tied my hair back in a bun, and threw a cherry blossom behind my ear off the tree in the yard!

1940s pumps

When we snapped a few photos I imagined myself as a glamorous Latina Flamenco dancer..... :)

.

I love the movement you can create with these frills and ruffles!

So if your wondering what Flamenco is all about....
It's an expressive Spanish dance style that combines energetic footwork with dramatic arm and hand movements. The costume choice is strategic in enhancing the dance movements through the tight waist line with full skirt (or pencil skirt that fishtails out like this one) highlighting the hip movements. And don't forget all the flounces, frills and ruffles (even on the arms) that are so integral to emphasizing the drama of the dance.

 Other aspects of the Flamenco look are usually a low neckline with center-parted hair pulled back in a low chignon (to emphasize the neck) paired with accessories like hair flowers, scarves, large earrings (dangle or hoop), fans, beaded necklaces and rows of bangles.

Perhaps the most famous Flamenco fashionista, Carmen Miranda (1940s). Love the huge pile of beads and her signature head piece brings the look into fantasy land!

The flamenco dancer Manuela Vargas, 1963. Love the placement of her flowers. 60s cat eye makeup but her straight brows, spit curls and drop earrings are channeling a twenties vibe.

Left: 1951 Flamenco dress; Right: 1946 Flamenco-inspired evening ensemble.

Flamenco look with 20s finger-waved hair

OK, so I am now officially inspired...I see myself doing another look like this in the future with more color, drama, accessories, punch, just STUFF!

 

Image sources:
http://amare-habeo.tumblr.com
http://www.theduskzone.com
http://thespillblog.co.uk/2011/09/09/friday-night-flamenco-solo-artists-2/
http://rascalkosher.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html
http://www.farfetch.com/art187.aspx