Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Men in Black

Tuesday, April 11, 2011

"You know the difference between you and me? I make this look GOOD." 
                                                                                                                -- Jay (Men in Black)

cami -- Express
shirt -- Talbots (thrifted)
pants -- Gap boy fit
shoes -- Thom McKan (KMart) 
belt -- (thrifted)
cool shades -- (borrowed)

This is another one of those days that I had trouble figuring out how to pull together a cohesive look out of my separate pieces. So, this is going to be a little of this, and a little of that, and maybe it'll be easier the next time. 

First off, we have the choking necklace and my "genuine leather," "made in China," boxing belt. (It's not *really* a boxing belt, but that's what my photographer thought it looked like, and as soon as he said it, I had to agree.)


A bit overpowering wasn't it? So my wide boxing belt was a definite no go. I switched it out for a skinnier belt, and my choker for a non-choking necklace. Much, much better if I say so myself.


I also tried wearing my belt in the traditional fashion, with my shirt both unbuttoned and buttoned. Wow. Talk about wearing something so that it'll accentuate your gut! Pay no attention to the fact that I have my eyes closed -- I think I shut them so I wouldn't have to see myself! 


I can really see the attraction in cutting off my head for my pictures. Not only does it make me much more anonymous, but also it makes my shut eyes much less of a dominant feature in the picture. Well, obviously you're not going to see my eyes if I crop my head out.


What I mean though is I think that most of us can be so overcritical of ourselves that when you look at a picture of yourself with something like shut eyes, which is so visibly apparent -- boy, can we zero in on that one flaw and obsess about it until we can't see anything else about our picture. And even when it's not something as apparent as my eyes being shut, I can still find something to obsess about and criticize about myself. Oh, and by the way? I think my shoes were all wrong for this look.

The real inspiration behind this outfit was Gracey over at Fashion for Giants. I have been wanting to try my hand at mixing prints and patterns, and she said to try mixing very subtle prints and patterns. So I took this kind of swirly black and gray camisole and paired it with a black and white gingham check patterned shirt.


I also wore this camisole here.

 
See Gracey's post on mixing patterns and prints here.


J: "Did you ever flashy-thing me?" 
K: "No." 
J: "I ain't playing, K! Did you ever flashy-thing me?" 

Today's factoid: Most people probably associate the phrase Men in Black with the 1997 science fiction comedy about two men who keep an eye on aliens in New York City, after the aliens threaten to blow up the world. However, the phrase was initially used in the 1950s, and refers to any unusual, threatening, or strangely behaved individual whose appearance is linked in some way to a UFO sighting.

Do you believe in extra-terrestial life?  

Addendum: My son just burst my Men in Black bubble and told me that my sunglasses looked like what old people would wear. I was crushed! 

14 comments:

  1. I like this attempt at pattern mixing...a lot! Yeah for Gracey. I think I like looks 2 and 4 the best. You are so right about zeroing in on the one flaw. When I posted my tulip picture, my eye just keeps looking at the zit on my chin. Haven't had a zit in months...so it bugs me.

    As for extraterrestial life, I have NOT ruled it out. And, in any event, it is a fun thing to ponder.

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  2. I'm a separates kind of girl. My mother taught me to buy pieces so that you can make a lot of different outfits, and I think I'm pretty good at it. I'm definitely not afraid of color. I believe every color goes together -- after all, if you buy a top with every color in the rainbow in it (and then some), it goes, doesn't it? As far as mixing prints...I'm definitely not comfortable enough to do that, but I think you did a great job!

    Joanne

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  3. I think a rose in the teeth or a fun hat would complete the ensemble in a very happy way. ;-)

    Jill

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  4. I think the skinny belt was a great choice. Styling separates is definitely a challenge, but you did a great job.

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  5. Oh, goodness, I always worry when anyone takes any of my advice because if it doesn't work out, I feel guilty. The good news is that this worked out fabulously and I am happy I played a small role in this outfit. Separates can be hard, but I think you nailed it.

    I totally believe in aliens - and I'm totally afraid of them. But in a healthy way. ;-)

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  6. I have a "friend" right here that wants me to "take them to my leader". What should I do? All kidding aside, that pattern mix is very nice, not at all crazy-bag- lady-ish which is always my fear when I attempt to veer off the fashion deep end. Gracey does do it very well. Yay Gracey! I'm thinking skinny belt is best, but both are okay by me.

    Off to find my leader...

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  7. We want to see your head. We all start off on the blog without our head, but you really need the head.
    I have trouble with belts now too! I like the adjustments you made and don't you just love experiemnting with patterns? Looks great!

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  8. Lol! You had me at the MiB quote. I like it best with the thinner belt. Both outside the button-up and worn like a regular belt with the shirt worn open. I usually do my pattern mixing like this. Small against large/medium print in the same color family.

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  9. Thanks for the nice comments, Kari. They led me to your blog which I'm enjoying. You have a fun sense of fashion, especially when you pull your turtleneck up over your face. :) Plus, I love good writing (which is sadly rare in blogs). See ya 'round!

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  10. Hi Kari, regarding the white holder, I am using it to store all my vintage cards and paper items in my studio...it could end up as a photo display, but right now is working hard as is:)

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  11. I think you did a great job with mixing prints. It's kind of fun, don't you think? I agree with your comment in an earlier post about blogging being a bigger time suck than Facebook. I seem to be addicted to its siren call. And lastly, I saw on Modly Chic where you were thinking of doing a 60 by 60 list, which has got me thinking I would like to do a 60 by 60 list, too. I hope Katy does make a link for posting Bucket Lists, that would be pretty cool to read.

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  12. Where are you? I sure hope everything in your life is okay.

    Missing your bloggy humor,

    Doreen

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  13. I think that old people wear those huge rectangle glasses called Blu-Blockers. Yours are way more sleek and stylish. I dig the cami and I'm always a sucker for a wrestling belt.

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  14. I love that comment...one of my favorites of all time! Pay no attention to your son, you said it already, you make it look good!The whole outfit is working for me.

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Thanks for reading. Honest opinions and constructive criticism are always welcome.

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