The last time I was really inspired by 1930s fashion was around two years ago, when I was practically doing posts on Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers films ever other day and generally doing my best to dress like a Busby Berkeley off-duty chorus girl. I was obsessed with black and white graphic looks, tap shorts, peter pan collars . . . pretty much anything buttoned-up and cute. This time around is a little different. Now it’s the early ’30s silk bias-cut dresses that I’m really inspired by . . . I love flutter sleeves and rich colors, Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo. I’m also taking my necklace obsession into a slightly art deco direction. The other day at Madewell I ended up buying a necklace because it reminded me of something from the early ’30s, and also because it was cheaper than most of the ones on my (dream) wishlist . . .
1. Etten Eller Hammered Necklace . . . . . . . . 2. Aesa Prism Necklace . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 3. Jensen-Conroy Encased Cube Necklace . . . . . . . 4 . Toki Collection Small Triangle Necklace . . . . . . . . . 5. Madewell Midnight Drop Pendant Necklace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6. American Design Club Hex Necklace No. 2.
If you told me that New Zealand label Lonely Hearts based their newest collection on the movie The Matrix I’d tell you that I wasn’t going to like it very much . . . I think I read about their inspirations in a review before I actually saw the photos and jumped to conclusions and expected something completely dark and futuristic and all shiny leather, maybe with hints of Lady Gaga (not a fan) . . . But then I saw the photos and was happy that I was wrong, because it’s all classic Lonely Hearts, with plenty of ’90s-esque skater dresses, sheer tights, maxi dresses and high waist shorts.
I was crossing my fingers that the Alexa Chung for Madewell images would be released before the collection’s official opening day, if only so I have an idea of what to look out for, so I’m so excited to have come across some of them on the Alexa Chung tumblr. Our local Madewell is having an opening party, which I may or may not go to; these things are always so awkward for me, but then again I’m so curious that I’ll probably end up going, even if there isn’t free wine like there was at our local Free People’s opening party, ahem. I’m sure there will be crowds and I’m sure my brain won’t be working as well as it should be (I get overwhelmed easily), so to be on the safe side here’s a list of the things I’ll be on the lookout for: lace dresses, that silk polka dot blouse I saw in the video but don’t see here, the floral sheer blouse, and those plaid dresses–I like the green one, but love what I can see of the black and white one. The palm tree prints aren’t really calling my name, but you never know–in person they might be wonderful.
1. Monki Agatha Dress . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 2. Pennant Flags Necklace . . . . . . . . . . . 3. Madewell Backdrop Buckle Boots.
So our weather these days is hit or miss . . . It may be hot and sunny one day or cold and rainy the next, and I never really know if I ought to go out of the house in the long sleeves I want to wear, or the sun dresses I should be wearing. So at night (or during days when it’s not too hot, like this coming Saturday, fingers crossed . . . ) I’ve been wearing lots of long sleeved silk blouses. Well, actually two. I have my eye on a few new ones for fall, but then again I have my eye on a lot of things. I’ve been wanting to give my wardrobe a complete overhaul lately, getting rid of anything too buttoned-up and structured and replacing it with silk and velvet and basically anything that looks like it would have been worn by a ’30s film star put through a ’70s filter.
This first dress was on my real fall wishlist since it’s from Monki and inexpensive, but then I remembered that Monki doesn’t ship to the states, so it will have to stay on my pretend wishlist. Unlike the other clothes on the list it’s not made of silk, but it definitely has a silk look to it, as well as the perfect collar and the perfect shape.
1. Secret Squirrel Digital Tuberose Top . . . . . . . . . . 2. Secret Squirrel Camellia Skirt . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. American Design Club Hex Necklace . . . . . . . . . . . 4. A Détacher Huxley Buckle Clog.
I’ve actually tried on half of this outfit, since we have the Secret Squirrel blouse and skirt in for Silent Sundays fall stock. It was beautiful to look at online, but so much better in person, and I’m not just saying that. The blouse has this oversized, drapey fit–there’s even a slit halfway down the back that I love, and I’ve told you before that I can’t do open backs, but for this one I’m willing. It’s that good.
1. Madewell Silk High Tea Blouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. Topshop Self Tie Silk Shorts . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. Madewell Hall Pass Loafers.
This is the blouse of my dreams that I go to see everytime we go to Madewell, crossing my fingers it will be on the sale rack. It’s light and silk and sheer, and if I bought it I would wear it with my H&M tie waist shorts that look a lot like the Topshop ones, but aren’t made of silk and therefore aren’t quite as good.
1. Rochas Ankle Strap Platform Heels . . . . . . . . . . 2. A.P.C. Madras Silk Deco Dress . . . . . . . . . 3. Claire Vivier Fold Over Clutch. (thanks for the collages, Drew!)
I love how A.P.C. gave such a simple dress art deco elements . . . And I love how it’s very ’30s without actually being from the ’30s or over the top in any way. Not that there’s anything wrong with actual 1930s vintage–I’ve been looking for ’30s blouses all the time lately on Etsy. But sometimes it’s just nice to wear something new that you don’t have to worry about messing up or “accidentally” cutting up one night when you’re bored and watching TCM and just want to see what a ’30s day dress looks like as a mini.
One of the highlights of my Tennessee trip was getting to see my sister Lauren and seeing some pieces from her new fall collection in person. I fell in love with the dresses especially . . . her black velvet dress has the perfect length and the perfect sleeves–that exact sort of slightly goth, slightly witchy thing I was going on about yesterday. I tried on the corduroy dress and decided right there and then that I needed one in my closet . . . birthday present, maybe? But most of the pieces were complete surprises to me. I love the overalls and the slightly Edwardian pin-tuck blouse, and since I’m all about capes at the moment that tweed one looks pretty good. And the setting is so pretty. . . when Lauren told me they were shooting the lookbook at the old Rock Castle plantation I got excited, though mostly for nerdy reasons. But actually seeing the clothes with the stone house for a backdrop makes so much sense–the greys and the blacks and the whites together couldn’t be better.
