All Dressed Up And Everywhere To Go

To have a closet full of lovely clothes, but nowhere to wear them, is nothing short of tragic. This problem (which so many ladies tell me that they have) must be addressed, or you are in danger of losing your sense of style, and reverting to the workout gear that is the norm in public spaces in the United States. Ew!

Let's work on this, shall we? Now if you are a modern girl with no other fashion outlet, you can always start your own fashion blog. People love seeing the way other people dress-- not everyone lives somewhere big and exciting with a parade of the latest hits walking by their window-- so they go online, to look at you! You can also post your outfits in Chictopia, Wardrobe Remix, or any other fashion community.

There is also the option of changing to a job that lets you dress like yourself, or at least incorporating some elements of your own style into your daily work wear. In my experience, bosses go for feminine, neat 1950s and early 1960s looks if you are the "face" of the business. The popular TV show Madmen has expanded the range of looks that are considered office-appropriate, to include vintage silhouettes-- at long last! You can at least get away with wearing expressive jewelry at most jobs... even a corporate culture lets you have a "funky" necklace or earrings. (And nothing starts a conversation between girls like jewelry!)

Lastly, it is very, very important to Go Out On The Town. Myself, I play in a band, so I get around, but onstage wear has some specific limitations (nothing hanging down that could hit the guitar; nothing with sleeves, cause it's hot up there on stage; and a distinct silhouette and color palette, cause floaty things get lost on people when they are seeing them from far away). So when I get to go out and see other people's music, I can really get arty.

This summer I am, like many of you, not feeling particularly flush with cash. So I found a volunteer position with my area's newest and most awesome music venue, The Tin House Studio and Gallery (I run their Twitter), and I get to go to most shows for free. If you want to go out often but lack the cash, look around and see where you can volunteer-- I've worked at film festivals, art cinemas, tending bar at parties, etc., and each and every gig was a chance to see and be seen. You do not have to be left out just because you are broke.

Above outfit, worn to see Coal Beautiere, Kira Lynn Cain, and Matt Bauer at The Tin House: 1970s semi-sheer wrap dress layered over 1980s grey Indian cotton maxidress. Geode slice necklace: made by me. Job's Tears long necklace: a gift from Chris, many moons ago.

Above outfit, worn to see Vandaveer, Cheyenne Marie Mize, and Foxtail at The Tin House: 1970s dress layered over a longer slip of the same color; necklace, a 1980s brooch that I made into a necklace.

This beautiful hair fork is from Grah-toe Studio on Etsy... it is a blessing for long, thick hair, since it not only looks wonderful but prevents the pulling and breaking of the hair that you can get if you use elastic hair ties. What a work of art:

You can find them here, and if you go there, tell them I sent you. I am a big fan.

If you can get over the initial self-consciousness (tip: pretend you are 85 years old and allowed to be "eccentric"), and learn to regularly dress to the nines, you will find that your life actually changes for the better. Everyone likes someone who takes care with their appearance, and especially someone who creates a unique look. It may not be fair, but I swear to you that people are nicer to you if you are dressed up (except for jealous, snarky types- but who needs them?), they open doors for you-- literally and figuratively-- and they want to talk to you and find out what you're all about. And if they have fancy cameras, they might even want to snap your picture!

 

Myself and Sara Zahn, the co-director of Tin House Studio and Gallery. Photo by Sarah Law, a super cool lady who was working as the official tour photographer for Vandaveer.

I'm 36 years old, I am not the current American Standard of "beauty", and all of the above outfits cost me about $10 each, head to toe... but I am doing just fine working my visual mojo-- and you can, too. Go forth and get thee dressed, my friends!

Comments

[*winter]

Go forth and be your fashionable self.. YAY!!!!

[Leora]

A damn fine post, Sasha. Thank you, I needed this.

[Kimi]

This is so true!! i always marveled at the ladies that would come to our office dressed to the nines, and i would ask them where they were going, they would say "here,dear, a girl doesn't go out in house clothes"..and sadly now people go out in thier pajama, i hate that!
thank you for the inspiration to be my eccentric self all the time and feel pretty!! this rocks!

[heather]

i love this, and so agree: "ew" for sweats and yoga pants and tee shirts. (except the really cute faded funky vintage ones) your outfits for both shows RULE and i am especially inspired by your long layering. isn't it crazy that at 34 years old i am still figuring out what "works" for me and still learning how to layer properly and cutely. and also that i finally figured out that there are certain looks that really only work on gals with slim hips, and yet i insist on trying everything once. playing with clothes and fashion is a joy and a delight in life and makes every day interesting. thanks for all your fun and flair my dear!

[Toni Oswald]

I love this blog and you look absolutely stunning beautiful one!!

[Heather Payne]

Oh my goodness! You, your blog, and your style are absolutely beautiful. This was very inspiring to me on a day when I needed inspiration. I hope that I am as beautiful as you when I am 36.

[Brown suits for boys]

I like the red dress its like a Chinese or Japanese style but whatever it is i love it deeply in my heart. It's so fashionable been wondering if I wear that in our place I think guys will fall in love with me. lols

[Marina Lazzara]

Did you say you're not the Current Standard American Beauty? That's silly. You are, however, the Always Cosmic Earth Goddess of Love....what more can we ask for?