Fashion Lovers vs. Clothes Lovers

The most valuable lesson I took from my brief stint studying fashion design at college (Ok…it was community college. Also should mention that this is South OC we’re talking about so I was basically going to school with the cast of Laguna Beach. Literally.) was that there were two types of students: Those who love fashion, and the social and cultural role it has played in people’s lives throughout history, and those who love clothes. I was part of the latter; and we were in the minority. Sooooooo, I don’t wanna get all Regina George on you guys but like, we could spot the clothes-lovers from a mile away: Tory Burch signature logo flats, Chanel sunglasses, Marc Jacobs handbag, True Religion jeans (all about those back pockets), Juicy Couture chain necklace, Tiffany’s charm bracelet…you get the idea. The clothes lovers always know the ‘Who, What, When, & Where’: Who is the designer? What’s in? What’s out? What should I wear with this? Where can I wear a pencil skirt? When is it appropriate to wear a mini skirt? What should I wear on a date? And sure, that shit is fun sometimes. And Cosmo could always use more writers like that! But we really need the fashion lovers to continue to ask, ‘Why’. Why so label obsessed? Why is fast fashion on the rise? Why are we showing so much skin? Why are the 60’s back in fashion? Why are the 90’s back in fashion? Of course, I don’t wanna be throwin’ shade on those ‘clothes lovers’ as I can never advocate any sort of ‘us vs. them’ mentality. I mean, at the end of the day we all just doin what makes us feel good...like us. And like really…who could resist Chanel sunnies and MJ handbags?! Cuz that shit makes you feel reeeeeeeal good ;) Though you’ve gotta wonder why…

Thrift denim jacket. Thrifted sweater. Vintage plaid pants. Theory booties.

Until next time,

Brittany

Suburbia

No secret that I LOVE me some vintage clothing. I love the thrill of the hunt, the smells, and the crazy people I meet. (You know THAT smell?) With the fashion industry moving at lightning speed these days, I feel like vintage clothing is the only thing that really allows me to have a creative, unique, and individual style. As far as I can see, dressing "on trend" poses absolutely no challenge to me. I can walk into any H&M, Zara, Forever 21, or TopShop and easily purchase a killer, of the moment, fashionable wardrobe, But buying that formulaic, hand picked, "trendy" (Read: Knockoff) stuff just doesn't do it for me. (Also, I am cheap.) And it definitely doesn't get the creative juices flowing; which is precisely what I have always loved about fashion and personal style. What does get me going is mixing, matching, and creating from the old, ugly, and forgotten. I take inspiration from everywhere,; runway, street fashion, art, nature, movies, music...and I store it ALL in my brain. It idly sits there until one day, something I see triggers that inspiration spot and I go into my creative zone. For instance, this kimono I found at Salvation Army in reference, of course, to the AMAZING Proenza Schouler show I saw a while back. Or these booties I scored at Wasteland with this stacked heel and architectural, conceptual shape that spoke to me. The top is also from Salvation Army, I got it like, 4 years ago when I was going through a sort of New Romantic, Vivienne Westwood obsession. They're just clothes, but they do have a story ;)

Vintage top, kimono, jeans. Report booties. BCBGeneration necklace.

Karma Chameleon

I am LOVING the oversized silhouette of the season. Which is why I was giddy when I found this colorfully gilded, aztec printed blazer at my local Salvation Army. It LITERALLY has every color of the rainbow, which can be...intimidating, sartorially speaking. The key, of course, was to keep everything else at a minimum. Leather leggings, white loafers, a simple chain link bracelet, and a belt on my head. JK...I don't usually wear a belt on my head. But as you can see, when I do, it. is. awesome. I really don't know what inspired me to wear this contraption on my head. It came to me in a vision while I was dressing and I just went balls to the walls. Experimentation is the name of the game, folks.

Custom vintage headpiece. Vintage blazer. Urban Outfitters leather leggings. Vintage loafers. F21 bracelet.