vintage top/slip/jewelry, Oasap leggings, doc martens boots, urban outfitters backpack, ebay faux foxtail
While reading Style Bubble the other day (as I do, religiously), I was completely struck by this outfit post. Suddenly, it all became clear to me! I knew I was tired of the pastel thing, and even of the neon thing. I never know how to wear multiple colors, and always gravitate towards black, dark green, dark red, etc. However, I knew I had to try when I saw Susie looking perfectly modern, and absolutely fearless in her dip-dye slipdress and Nike sneakers. I realize that this outfit is not a literal interpretation of the rainbow of colors Susie is wearing, but rather my attempt to try something out of my comfort zone.
I received these badass leggings from my newest sponsor, Oasap, and wanted to incorporate them into the outfit. I'm coming into the tie-dye thing a little late, but I like that not so many people are wearing it these days.
In fact, that brings me to something that I've been thinking about lately in terms of fashion. It's kind of frightening to me how I and so many of my peers think of fashion in an expendable way. What I mean to say is, I'll be obsessed with some item or trend (velvet loafers, cropped sweaters, waterfall hem dresses, etc.) for a week to a month, and then I'll wake up and "discover" that it's oh-so-passe now. And if I've gotten something that represents the trend, I'll feel like I can't wear it anymore. I hate this tendency, because it promotes thoughtless spending and adherence to a certain social construct. I got the tie-dye leggings- ostensibly a "trendy" item- because they were free, and therefore it wasn't a purchase I had to rationalize.
That's where "les grandes blogs" differ from those of lower tiers (in which I include myself)- they establish their popularity through a style that is either innovative/progressive or clearly their own. These include (in my humble opinion):
Jean Griege
Hanneli
Luxirare
Karla's Closet
Style Rookie
Style Rookie
Style Bubble
Christeric
Sea of Shoes
5 Inch and Up
(there are others of course, but I wanted to make the list concise and these were the ladies that came to mind)
I've been struggling lately to define what is "my" style (which clearly means that I should be thinking of more important things). I think this stems from my thoughts about what I want to pursue as my future career, and the desire to be fearless in the things I undertake. I like these women because they do not ask if you like what they are wearing, or ask for suggestions as to how they should dress. They state their sartorial opinions clearly and vibrantly. This is in part, of course, because they have access to more expendable funds/blog partnerships with which to furnish their wardrobes, and I (to put it mildly) do not. I am sure that my personal style will change greatly over the next ten years, but I am trying slowly to assimilate that which I feel complements me, and makes me excited about getting dressed in the morning. I think I've been more inspired (and intimidated!) lately because of the warmer weather. What I have discovered is that I always return to either things I have been collecting for a long time (feminine vintage dresses, Doc Martens boots), or items that have nostalgia for me (my mother's clothes from when she was in college). I think this might be a good starting point.
**Disclaimer**
I am not saying that these bloggers are the only ones who inspire me. I read upwards of 50 fashion blogs and 200 fashion tumblrs that constantly supply me with inspiration. I only mention a few by name because they are the ones who have informed me the most sartorially as of late.
