I have been so in love with and inspired by clothes lately. I think it must have to do with the fact that I’ve been buying only clothes that I love and will flatter me, shopping more vintage, and lingering longer at sites like Wardrobe Remix and Hel-looks which feature uber-creative streetwear looks and less at sites like Go Fug Yourself (which is irresistibly hilarious, mind you) and Style.com (an almost daily browse).
I’ve decided that I don’t want to be told what to wear anymore. I could care less about what the industry says is cool. I don’t want to be afraid that I’m trying too hard, or not hard enough. I love what I love and bullocks to trends. I can wear socks with open-toed shoes and black leather with brown. I’ll look in the mirror one more time before I walk out the door and put ON another accessory if I feel like it. I think people shouldn’t worry so much about what’s in or out. It should be more about what flatters your body and makes you feel happy and confident. I want to scream out to the world…
GIVE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE ROOM TO BREATH & THRIVE!
DRESS WITH ABANDON AND CONVICTION!
BE FEARLESS! BREAK THE RULES. TRENDS BE DAMNED.”
Such is the case when I look at the photostream of Leibemarlene, a long-limbed lovely from the Chicago ‘burbs…
Granted, this girl could make anything look good and she is following a few key trends and owning them, but her genius is in her fearless layering, shape variation, color combos and most importantly, always highlighting her best assets. And she does it all with thrift finds and a few alteration skills. In the following photo she layers a striped t-shirt under a vintage wool shift and then throws on 2 belts – a skinny over an obi AND sunglasses, a headband, a brooch, a purse and white shoes (i believe this photo was taken sometime, ahem, after labour day). She’s breakin’ the rules, but in a decidedly feminine and flattering way. I’m loving the idea of “excessorizing.” It makes me happy. So c’mon, if accessories are your thing, then try keeping your clothes simple and making your outfits all about bold accessories, and lots of ‘em.
Of course, not everyone has this much style instinct (and really, it is all about instincts), so I suppose some people need rules. And trends for that matter, to inspire them and give them confidence to change things up. I know I depend on that devout little rule-follower in my head to sometimes keep myself from walking out the door in some disastrously ill-conceived ensemble. But then, there’s Leslie Hall…
…who can literally pull off anything (and i do mean anything) because she has more than enough unrepentant attitude to pull off The Ugly Sweater.
that’s some seriously impressive conviction.
ALL. RULES. OFF.
pass it on.
While i’m at it, here are a few uber-inspiring reads on similar subjects. Vive la revolution!
“I’m not cool:” An Argument for Safety and Finding your own Personal Style by Gemma Cartwright for Catwalk Queen (thanks, Scarlettholly!)
“Let’s, once and for all, Bash the Trendbashing.” by Tricia Royal for Bits and Bobbins
To the Style-Mobile (wishing Kate Bloody Moss would just disappear…) by Meg for The Apathist
Everyone’s a Professional: Debunking Fashion Rules by Amanda for Art of the Steal
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