W2015 11: Boy Meets Girl

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As we discussed last Thursday, discovering your signature look takes lots of experimentation and trial-and-error practice. I've entertained a variety of girly-girl personalities, but in the end I always wind up back in jackets, jeans, and boots. There's just no denying I'm a tomboy at heart.

And so long as we're being tomboys, let's be teddy boys while we're at it. Quick History Lesson: The teddy boys were a subculture of 1950s Britain defined by their unique sense of style (which borrowed a great deal from Edwardian fashion) and rebellious attitudes. They might be likened to America's "greasers," of this same time. 

My interest in this particular look stems partially from my Beatles obsession; John Lennon was a well-known exhibitor of the teddy boy style in his youth. It also appeals to my sense of practicality. Most teddy boys (and girls) came from working class families, and were destined for factory or dock life by their mid-teens. Their clothes reflect this lifestyle, but they add the Edwardian whimsey for the sake of subversiveness.

I love that.

A little trick I love when you're going full tomboy: spritz a floral or vanilla perfume on your wrists and hair. It's surprising and (IMHO) dreadfully sexy.

W2015 10: How to Discover Your Inner Audrey

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I'm consistently amazed just how little it takes to create something classic. There's really something to be said for the "less is more" approach, and I think Audrey Hepburn stands as a brilliant example of it. Extraordinarily self-aware, yet ever humble, she embraced and honored her beauty with simple, elegant acoutrements.

So how do you own your style, instead of letting style own you? I think there are three main principles behind a signature style like Audrey's:

1) Proportion, proportion, proportion. Proportion is something I've only come to name recently, but in some way or another I was always conscious of it. It's the hurdle we face when we try on that trendy over-sized sweater in the dressing room -- the one that hits at the widest part of our thighs and makes us think, "Why does this seem to work for everyone but me?"
   As a unique woman (or man), you have your own unique body proportions. The necklines, silhouettes, heel heights, and jean cuts that work for your best friend may not work for you too. Contrary to what magazines would have you believe, there is no perfect pigeonhole (or fruit shape) into which your body will fit. My friend and I are both hourglass-shaped, but where her curves were love a shift dress, I lack the lovely lady lumps to make them look anything but dumpy. And dumpy just ain't my style.
   The only way to master proportion is through trial and error. Take your time in the dressing room. Observe what makes you feel uncomfortable and ask why. Ignore trends, and go with your gut.

2) The art of confidence. Nothing will make your style soar like good posture, eye contact, a genuine smile, and a positive personality. I was recently introduced to a woman whose work and beauty I'd always admired. In a single conversation, she managed to insult a mutual acquaintance, disparage someone else's romantic felicity, and complain about the shape of her own face. I quickly lost sight of why I esteemed her in the first place.

3) Practice your signature (look). Remember when you were eleven and destined for fabulousity and you actually practiced signing your name? (Please don't tell me I'm the only one who did this...) Fashion requires the same practice. In his book Acting on Film, Michael Caine describes the process by which he became, well, Michael Caine:

         I was a Cockney boy and obviously didn't fit anybody's idea of what an actor was supposed to be, so I decided to put together elements that added up to a memorable package. I got myself seen around the "in" spots, wearing glasses and smoking a cigar. I became known as "that guy who wears glasses and smokes a cigar." ... It was the truth, but I had consciously assembled that truth so nobody could miss it. 

    The moral of the story? Decide who it is you want to be -- what style you want to project -- and put it into practice. Sooner or later, myth will become reality.

W2015 9: It's Party Time!

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At first glance this may look like a New Year's Eve look. In reality, I wore it to the 1st Birthday celebration of my fellow alum's remarkable new theater company, The Horse in Motion. The party was excellent, with a photo booth, a live theater performance, music from my buddy Nice Nate, delicious drinks, and a cake, of course. There was also a party hat decorating station which quite possibly made my entire month.

Oh, hai.

As fancy as the outfit looks in tandem with this beautiful cake, it felt a lot more casual in person. That's perfect for Seattle, where in even the most glamorous situations (the ballet, the symphony, etc.) you can be sure to find at least one attendee in clogs and/or a Patagonia fleece.

When it comes to parties, there's nothing like a printed dress to add an air of whimsey & fanfare. I've also found that prints & patterns almost always inspire more compliments -- because people notice them more!

Here are my tips for finding your perfect print:

1) Smaller lady, smaller print. Prints should always be in proportion to your body type. I'm petite, so I err on the side of small, tight prints. Larger ladies won't be overwhelmed by bigger, bolder prints. Remember: A dress should always look even better on the lady than on the hanger, not the other way around!
2) Consider your skin tone. Do you have high contrast features, such as porcelain skin with black hair, or are your features similar in tone throughout? Wherever you fall on the spectrum, make sure your prints reflect it. Low-contrasts might favor a similar-toned floral print, while high-contrasts will stand out in a bold black-and-white graphic.
3) When in doubt, belt it. If you're concerned about the frump factor, find your waist! Unless the dress has detail around the waist or hips (i.e. a peplum), this is almost always an option.

Party on, Garth!

Photos by H. Ruwe