Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Inspiration: Retro-Futurisim (Or I'm Watching Too Much Star Trek)

I am hugely into retro-futurism at the moment, probably because I've been rewatching Star Trek TOS (The Original Series) like a madwoman. Quick-and-dirty explanation of what I mean:

You're watching a sci-fi movie or TV show set in the future (or a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away, whatever). Despite efforts to make the costuming "futuristic" the styling is still reminiscent of a certain era. Voila, retro-futurism.

Fig. 1: OH IT MUST BE THE SIXTIES BECAUSE THIS MINIDRESS DOESN'T EVEN COVER MY CHOCHA HALF THE TIME.
[Note from a Trekkie: Concerned citizens; be reassured by the fact that every such Starfleet dress comes with standard matching panties.]

Other trademarks of retro-futurism:
  • Shiny stuff.
  • Geometric cuts. Oooh, so modern!
  • Superfluous design elements. Who cares if it has a function? We have the technology!
  • Etc.
I made some sets; none of which would look too out of place in TOS:

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Outfit To Watch Space Boys In
Outfit To Watch Space Boys In by The Stylish Geek featuring Roger Vivier shoes

You think that wig is major?

Meet Janice Rand, who totes should have made it into the new movie.

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A couple outfits suitable for exploring the planet's surface (in the future, women also tend to be scantily clothed).

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These two seem like outfits a stylish Romulan might enjoy.

♥Anna

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Gaming Fashion Inspiration: Metal Gear Solid

Those of you who know your way around a console (or two, three, four, and more) no doubt are excited for the upcoming Metal Gear Solid games.

C'mon, more Big Boss? You know you want this.

I know I am. In anticipation (and general admiration of the series itself) I made some sets on Polyvore inspired by characters from the preexisting installments.

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I would be remiss if I didn't include Meryl, the most popular female character in the series. Outfit based on her character design from Metal Gear Solid 1 and 4.

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Though she's just a kid, I think Sunny (from Metal Gear Solid 4) has the maddest style of any character from the entire series. Those socks? Awesome.

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Ah, the anime nerd-turned-hero we know and love. Otacon's character design started out basic and casual in Metal Gear Solid (top picture in the set) but classed it up by MGS 4 (bottom). Do you know any geeks who can pull off an all-white ensemble?

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Big Mama
Big Mama by The Stylish Geek on Polyvore.com

Eva, AKA Big Mama, also went through a winning transformation. Check her out circa Metal Gear Solid 3:

Uh, yeah. I think her later look in MGS4 (see Polyvore set) was rockin'.

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Vamp's a creep, but I like the whole futuristic-Victorian thing he's got going on in Metal Gear Solid 4. (P.S.: Look at the belt in that set. Is it not the best thing you've ever seen?)

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Revolver Ocelot
Revolver Ocelot by The Stylish Geek on Polyvore.com

Finally, the poster child for stylin' MGS characters. Young Revolver Ocelot, as he appeared in MGS3, is simply fabulous. Color coordination FTW.

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Which video game characters' style do you admire?
♥Anna

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Androgyny


[Source]

I feel that "androgyny" is a word often thrown around haplessly by the fashion community. Androgyny is "in", a magazine may tell you, only to advise you to not dress too much like the opposite gender. I can't pull off the androgynous look, fashionistas claim, because I have too many curves, long hair, a very feminine face, etc.

That isn't the case. I can't stress enough that you should wear what you want. "Pulling off" an outfit has little to do with what you wear; it's how much confidence you wear it with. Wear what you want. Wear what makes you comfortable. Wear what makes you feel like the fabulous being you are.

That being said, the outfits below are merely a starting point - some androgynous looks that I find inspiring.

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Polyvore

This outfit is inspired by small children, who we can all learn some lessons from! Wear what is comfortable, bright, functional (a fanny pack leaves your hands free), and okay to get messy.

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Polyvore

I can see almost anyone wearing this; it's slightly polished but comfy. Are you on a boat?

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Polyvore

Inspired by street fashion...and ninjas.

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Polyvore

A visible bra and a fake mustache: gender confusion FTW!

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Polyvore

A little bit function; a little bit fashion; a little bit Sniper. Happy camping!

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Polyvore

Hipsters may be the source of much disagreement, but you must admit - some of 'em got style.

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Polyvore

Another outfit of contrasts. Incidentally, I'm a huge fan of accessories that claim an obviously different identity. Think "World's Greatest Grandpa". Hilarious!

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What does androgyny mean to you (in a sartorial context or otherwise)?

♥Anna

P.S.: The androgyny Flickr pool is an excellent source of this type of inspiration.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Alternative Inspiration

If you've been reading my recent Things I Love Thursday posts, you know that as of late I've been inspired by gothic and nu rave fashion. So, without further ado...

Ten Alternative Looks and the Imaginary People Who Rock Them!

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Polyvore

Irina is a huge fan of Batman comics, and thinks that they're best enjoyed in the garden with a cocktail or two. She doesn't leave home very often, but can sometimes be found in the early hours of the morning haunting 24-hour Chinese buffets.

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Polyvore

Daphne was named after the zooplankton Daphnia, not the water nymph. (Thank her biologist parents for that one.) Although she adores military clothing, the closest she would ever get to joining the service is playing a particularly intense round of Gears of War. Her tough image is completely blown whenever she talks to anyone, because she is one of the sweetest girls you'll ever meet.

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Polyvore

Zora spends her nights at clubs, but works at a nursing home during the day. She often gets compliments on her platinum hair and colorful accessories. Although her primary duty is waitressing in the dining hall, she sometimes brings in her ukelele to serenade the residents.

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Polyvore

Emily's mother is a traditional victorian goth, but Emily hates wearing skirts and dresses. Her dream is to be a children's librarian. She loves the smell of old books, the circus, and being mistaken for a boy.

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Polyvore

Gabriel works a 9-5 office job in sales, but his true loves are poker and his weimaraner. If he didn't like chatting up clients over expensive dinners so much, he'd probably quit his job and move to Germany.

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Polyvore

Bridget works at a canoe rental company in the Adirondacks. In her spare time she roams the trails picking up trash, making friends with through-hikers, and getting high with her new friends. She's currently planning her trip to Burning Man.

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Polyvore

Alice was kicked out of her modeling agency after appearing at photoshoots plastered and unwashed one too many times. She's currently living off of her friends from her roller derby team. She hates modern music and calls her mother every day.

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Polyvore

Elizabeth has everyone call her Daisy, after Daisy Buchanon from The Great Gatsby. Indeed, she lives up to Daisy's social reputation, but she is no pushover. Anger her and she'll say it to your face - and notify her entire network of friends.

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Polyvore

Sayuri is half Japanese. Every other year, her family visits her grandparents in Japan. She loves it there and intends to move there permanently as soon as she turns eighteen. Until then, she spends her time attending anime conventions, planning her cosplays, and logging endless hours on the computer.

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Polyvore

Courtney has three older brothers who taught her how to fight at a very young age. She has a fierce temper and is a track star at her university. When she does poorly at a meet, she goes to her favorite diner and orders a slice of every type of cake from the revolving dessert case to make her feel better.

♥Anna

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Inspiring Yourself to Get Dressed


Photo by perszi

"How do you motivate yourself to look awesome every single day?"

First off, as a sort of disclaimer, I don't really look "awesome" every day. There are days when I don't even get out of my pajamas, days when I don't think my outfit is photograph-worthy, and days when I do take pictures but none of them satisfy me enough to post them on the internet. So yes, there are several things that have to go right for you to see an outfit on this blog.

But never fear! There are steps that I take to ensure that I have more "awesome" days, and they're pretty easy to implement in your routine.

  • Tidy your wardrobe.
Once or twice a year, pull out all the clothes in your closet. Try them on, and toss (meaning donate or sell!) all the ones you don't like/don't wear. (This article may be of assistance.) Organize the remaining clothing however you like (by color/article/date last worn, whatever's most helpful to you). The point of all this is that you will actually know what clothing you have to work with! An overcrowded closet is a good way to lose a fabulous piece or overlook a funky new combination. In a rush, you might even throw on something that doesn't flatter you or that you don't like, since it's the first thing handy! Don't let this happen to you.

Another advantage of cleaning your closet is being able to see your entire wardrobe as a whole. When you look through everything, you can see what items you tend to overstock on (e.g. do I really need more graphic tees?) and which basics you are missing (I really don't have a pair of black pants?)! Keep a well-organized list of these items and take it when you go shopping.

  • Collect images that inspire you.
I used to do this with fashion magazines, but now in the interest of the environment (and my budget) it is all on my computer. The basic idea is: whenever you see an image that inspires you aesthetically or looks like something you'd like to wear, save it. There are over a hundred (!) fashion blogs that I follow via Google Reader, but you can start small. (I've listed a handful at the bottom of this article.)

Although the process of finding and saving images on its own will give you lots more ideas of what to wear, I go a step further. I put each image into a Word document and underneath type what I find so alluring about the ensemble, plus whether there are any items in it I want to buy or DIY. This allows me to use Word's Find option if I'm having trouble thinking up what to wear around a certain piece, style, color, whatever (t-shirt, military, yellow, etc). Instant inspiration!

(Oh...and make sure to weed out images you don't care for as your style concept evolves!)

  • Plan your outfit the night before.
This is a must, especially if you often find yourself waking up five minutes before you have to leave for work/school/whatnot. (I know everyone does it sometimes!) Plus, your brain might not be at its most functional or creative in the morning.

Don't forget to use your inspiration images to help you put together an outfit! As I said previously, you can look through them for ideas of how to wear a certain item, or let the collection inspire you when you're completely clueless.

  • Document outfits.
For me, this (obviously) takes place in the form of daily outfit photos. I strongly suggest that everyone trying to develop their personal style follow suit. (You don't have to post them on the internet!) If you don't have a camera, the alternative is to write down (and/or sketch) what you are wearing. Take notes throughout the day about how you look, how you feel, what kinds of reactions you get, or whatever else influences the way you dress.

Through this process you create a library of outfits that you've worn which you can refer to on days you're stuck or don't feel like trying. The advantage of photos is that you can really see how an outfit looks on--sometimes peering into a mirror or trusting others' opinions just doesn't cut it.

A few notes:
  • Document inspiration whenever it strikes! Carry a notebook and jot down a note if you see someone wearing something spectacular or if you have a sudden flash of sartorial insight.
  • I wrote an article about one of the (weird) ways I put together outfits: randomization.
  • Gala Darling's articles on the advantages of daily outfit photos: Part One - Part Two
I hope this is helpful!

♥Anna

P.S. Some inspirational sites:

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Style Tips: Easy Mode


Photo by riot jane

I know that some of my readers already have a fabulous sense of style, but my blog was started for...well, myself, but also for sartorial n00bs. Hopefully this post will serve as a guide for funking up a case of the common outfit (or a refresher for those of you who've been there, done that).
  • Scarves, scarves, scarves. I'm talking about lightweight silk scarves, shawls, winter scarves, bandannas, anything; in all materials, sizes and shapes. They're everywhere, they're cheap, and they're probably the easiest sartorial tool to utilize. Fold a square one in half and put it on your head or wear it around your neck (point forward like a cowboy or in back like Hank Venture). Use a long one as a belt or a headband. Experiment with where & how you tie it (brush up on fancy knots). Tie one on your belt loop, around your arm, a tank top strap, a purse, your ankle...anything. A piece of scrap fabric works just as well, too.
  • Layering. I've been rocking the short-sleeves over long-sleeves look forever (and also getting compliments) but only recently diversified my layers. Plain ribbed tanks are a good lightweight alternative to sweater vests over sleeved shirts. Contrasting socks look awesome over bright tights or leggings. Putting a shirt on over a dress turns it into a brand new skirt. If you need help, there are innumerable articles on this.
  • Belt loops are not just for belts. Attach a scarf, necklce, ribbon, keychain, bracelet, toy...anything. Great for a fun look and also an easy way to tie in an isolated color somewhere else in your outfit.
  • Simple color coordination works wonders. For example, you can go nuts mixing patterns if they all contain the same few colors. If a color looks too out of place in an outfit, find a place for a small accessory in the same color. Sometimes fashion magazines will tell you to avoid being all "matchy-matchy", but I personally think it's crap. Coordinate items most people wouldn't think of, like umbrellas to your outfit or towels to your bathing suit. It really makes you look like you know what you're doing.
  • Don't seperate your dress-up clothes from your casual clothes. Wear super-fancy pieces with the basics. Why have a bunch of pretty clothes you never wear? I occassionally even dress down my old prom dresses!
  • Name your outfits. I think the key to unique outfits is almost treating them as costumes. I constantly dress up (subtly) as video game characters. I'm not talking about full-on cosplay; just try to capture the essence of something in the outfit. Examples of (non-video game- or pop culture-related) outfits I've worn and named: Indie Farm Girl, Tough Love, Ninja Skater, Semi-formal Beach, Hipster Jock, Russian Bombshell. It seems silly, but it really helps. And no one has to know the theme of your outfit but you! Try dressing with the essence of a hybrid sartorial stereotype, your favorite song, a best friend, an animal...anything.
More "advanced" style tips coming soon!

♥Anna

Sunday, February 1, 2009

How To Celebrate Valentine's Day - Regardless of Your Status


Photo by Stephen Poff
  • Make Valentines for your friends and slip them under their front door.
  • Dress up as formally as possible (think prom dresses and tuxes) and go to a fast food restaurant.
  • Celebrate something else that happened on February 14th. Dolly’s euthanization? The birth of Teller (as in Penn & Teller)? Pick something to your tastes and plan a party.
  • Grab another single friend and pretend to be a romantic couple, disregarding your gender and/or sexual orientation.
  • Wear red—in the form of fake blood.
  • Throw a party to meet new people—every single friend invited who attends must bring another single acquaintance.
  • Wear anatomical hearts.
  • Set up a kissing booth.
  • Color a spray bottle of water red and draw hearts in the snow (or fake a murder scene).
  • Dress up as a love casualty.
Do you have any other plans for V-Day?

♥Anna

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

How to Wear Pantone's Spring '09 Color Report



When I saw the colors (and the awesome retro vibe) in Pantone's spring '09 color report, I couldn't resist whipping up some outfits!

Fuchsia Red on Polyvore
Go casual chic with harem pants and gold accents.

Salmon Rose on Polyvore
Mix tough accessories with this girly shade.

Palace Blue on Polyvore
Pair this color with white for smooth sailing.

Lucite Green on Polyvore
Pair with shiny blacks and whites for a mod look.

Super Lemon on Polyvore
This is an ideal color to try with another trend - florals.

Dark Citron on Polyvore
Shiny shots of this color would make The Little Mermaid proud.

Lavender on Polyvore
Wear with stripes for a look that's pretty but a bit punk.

Vibrant Green on Polyvore
This color will perk up the laziest sweats day.

Slate Grey on Polyvore
Pair with other muted colors for a look that's dark and mysterious without being all black.

Rose Dust on Polyvore
This is the perfect neutral to try with some wild accessories.

Details on Polyvore
Bonus set: Pieces that feature one or more of the colors from the report.

♥Anna

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Get Dressed Randomly


Photo by Inapond

I have a unique way of choosing what I wear each day, which borders on obsessive-compulsive. Okay, not really—for me it’s par for the course, I have systems for everything—but to the civilian it may seem a little bit weird.

First it helps to give you a vague idea how my clothes are organized. The six staple categories that I group together are:
  • Necklaces
  • Sweatshirts + cardigans
  • Tops + dresses
  • Belts
  • Bottoms
  • Shoes
(If you choose to implement a similar idea, your categories may vary, etc. etc.)
Within each category, I do not organize by color, cut, value, fanciness, or any other property that other fashionistas might. Instead, I order the items by when I last wore them.

I usually plan my outfits the night before I wear them. When I’m feeling completely uninspired, I roll a die (a Las Vegas souvenir my father brought back on a business trip, actually) to pick a category. (There’s six of them, see?) I pick one of the first four items in that category and challenge myself to build an outfit around it. If I’m still stuck, I go through pictures of outfits that inspire me on my computer until I get an idea.

So what’s the point here? What are the advantages?
  • I use clothing more evenly so it wears out slower.
  • If a piece is neglected, it sits very obviously unworn at the top of the closet so I can consider whether it’s worth keeping.
  • It forces me to think creatively and take fashion risks while styling the featured piece.
  • It puts my inspiration photos to good use.
  • It prevents me from throwing on outfits I haven’t thought about.
  • It prevents me from abusing “comfort outfits” (e.g. wearing the same thing over and over again).
  • It’s exciting and fun! (Okay, that’s what I think, but I am a nerd for randomization.)

How do you get dressed? What do you think about my habits?

♥Anna

Monday, January 5, 2009

Dressing For Your Body Shape or Why You Should Wear Whatever You Want


I have thunder thighs.

I’m not ashamed of them, but they are pretty huge. I could crush a head between them. (I have while wrestling. Seriously. I OWN at wrestling. But…uh…never mind.) My ass happens to have a matching voluptuousness, so I’m kind of pear-shaped. But when we factor in my cup-runneth-over boobs, I can pull off the balanced-figure hourglass look pretty easily, too.

If you’ve cracked open any magazine/book/ancient scroll/etc that tells you how to dress, you’ve probably heard references to these body shape terms. They’re probably the most recognizable, but they often come along with others like “apple”, “banana”, “straight”, “inverted triangle”, “rectangle”, “cello”, "violin", “bell”, “goblet”, “ruler”, “spoon”, “cone”…the list goes on and on. And these magazines also go on to tell you what your personal “dos” and “don’ts” are—what you should and should not wear to look more like a perfectly proportioned human being.

For example, if I consider myself to be an hourglass, I should wear:
  • Boot cut or flared pants
  • Pencil skirts
  • A-line skirts and dresses
  • Wrap skirts, dresses and tops
A’ight, I’m cool with that. Thanks for the suggestions. The problem is what I supposedly can’t wear:
  • Baggy clothes
  • Short skirts
And because of my thunder thighs, I’ll have to just say no to:
  • Tucked in tops
  • Patterned or light-colored pants
  • Skinny jeans
Oh. No. Way. I will not give up my skinny jeans. I absolutely adore oversized tops. AND WHO DENIES A WOMAN THE RIGHT TO HER MINISKIRT? This is just cruel. But…I guess I must forever scorn these pieces, lest I look like a grotesquely disproportioned caricature of a human being.

WRONGO. We can all wear whatever we want. We will not simply ban a certain type item from our wardrobes. We will try on whatever we like and if we want it, we will buy it, dammit!

The truth is, if you exude confidence and don’t take anyone’s crap (the technical term is “own it”), you will look like a million bucks no matter what bit of anatomy you happen to be emphasizing. We shouldn’t have to disguise what our body looks like with certain types of clothing.

So, I won’t be trading in all my skinny jeans for bootcuts and flares, or give up my dreams of owning old-fashioned jodhpurs (which actually make the thigh look larger, le horreur). Thank the maker!

For a little extra confidence, examples of ladies OWNIN’ whatever body they have:

Photo by Jo Weldon
Miss Dirty Martini is a gorgeous burlesque artist.

Beyonce's hourglass figure doesn't stop her from wearing baggy clothing, and she looks great.

When Jennifer Love Hewitt was put down for her body, she released a powerful statement about body image.

This lovely was snapped on the street by Hel Looks, one of my favorite sites for scoping out people rocking out their bods.

Having huge thighs doesn't stop Elastigirl from fighting crime. ;>

Now I'm getting a bit silly. But in all seriousness, let us write some DON’TS of our own.
  • DON’T think you can’t wear something just because someone else said it’s unflattering. You have the right to wear what you like—dress for yourself, not others’ expectations!
  • DON’T wear things you feel uncomfortable in or don’t like. Even if it is a supposed “do”, that doesn’t mean you have to wear it! Likewise: if something emphasizes a body part in a way you truly dislike, there’s no reason you have to slap on fake confidence. In a perfect world, we would all be able to accept our bodies just the way they are, but in the meantime we should wear what makes us comfortable now.
“If you aren’t enjoying your clothes, then you really are missing the point.”
-Betty Halbreich

♥Anna