Click for full-size.I was inspired by this dress, which I've had for some time but haven't gotten out of the closet in a while. The color palette and pattern are reminiscent to me of the Southwest (I grew up in Arizona, so this feels familiar), but the zig-zag knit is also a not-so-subtle riff on classic Missoni, that mainstay of young Italian luxury. I wanted to draw inspiration from both places, focusing mainly on the Southwestern, American Indian feel I was getting from the dress, but without ignoring the intended Missoni-style glamour.
The dress is a tad low-cut, and I thought it might be fun to add even more visual interest to an already busy print by including some texture, so I put a solid gray dress with a braided detail at the bust underneath -- it negates the daring neckline while creating a unique layered look. I think it works. Then, to drive home the Southwestern influence, what's easier than these slightly slouchy Minnetonka moccasin boots? I've always been a fan of fringe, but it's having a serious moment right now, so I felt okay incorporating these more casual boots into a work outfit. To clean up the look and give it a touch of that Italian luxury I mentioned, I cinched the whole thing with my trust horsebit belt and threw on a couple of chunky gold bracelets.
Overall, I like this outfit -- it's a touch literal, but not over the top.
Zig-zag knit dress: $20 or so at Forever 21 a couple of years ago.
Gray braid-detail tank dress (underneath): $16 at a boutique here in Long Beach called Red Apparel.
Slim black cardigan: $17.99, Mossimo for Target.
Mustard and cognac leather horsebit belt: $16.50, Old Navy.
Moccasin boots: Minnetonka, $70 from a shoe store in Cerritos called One Thousand Steps.
Gold cuff: For Love 21, $3 or $4.
Gold chain goats-head bracelet: $.075, vintage, from a yard sale.
Gold hoops: $3 or $4, H&M.
6 comments:
I'm surprising myself by saying this, but that outfit just works. Normally, I have to admit that I wouldn't be a fan of so many different colors and textures within one look, but this.just.works. It looks great on you!
Oh, and I know this is random, but you look like Franka Potente in this set of pictures. ;)
I remember that dress!
Do you ever thrift? I was thrifting today and was thinking about blogs and stuff and it came to mind that I never really see thrifted stuff on you!
P.S. I'm digging your beehive you've been doing recently!
Linda: I know, this outfit is a lot of look, even for me, but somehow it all meshes together just right. I was unsure about it too but it feels pretty good!
Ashley: Here in the Long Beach/LA area, thrifting is not as fruitful as it is elsewhere. This area is so saturated with hipsters and vintage stores that the thrift shops are really picked over -- between people sourcing stuff for their own stores (and then selling it for three times as much) and people who are career thrifters, unless you go every day you're hard pressed to find anything good. I still like to go and I do when I can, but it's rare that I find anything worth keeping around here. Thrift stores in central CA and Arizona are usually where I find my treasures.
That is a bummer! My dream is to go on a cross country thrifting/vintage tour and hit all the crazy small towns!
To the girl above: that's my dream too!
I have really good luck in Palm Springs. I think it's because of the lack of hipsters and the large elderly population who donate vintage goodies when they clean out their closets. I want to venture further into the Coachella valley area and Hemet. Retirement communities = good stuff.
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