My apologies for being off my usual schedule. Fitting in everything and keeping priorities straight is important to me so after a one day “layover” at home on return from the conference at USC (which I will write about at some future point), I took a two day trip with my daughter and granddaughter and I am sorry to say as much as I enjoy writing my blog posts they could not compete with my two girls. Tonight it is off to Shanghai and depending on whether or not I can get internet sorted out it may be at least a week before I can get back to my regular schedule. However I expect to return with many adventures in fashion to share with you.
But on to the topic of “subversive glamour”… I have to say I was inspired this week by the article in the fashion bib last weekend of the same name. It was about the return of a Cartier collection first launched in the 1970’s, Juste un Clou, better know as the “bent nail.” Motivated to elevate the everyday, the collection shows how a functional object can become beautiful and how an “old” collection can be revisited and become modern. As the article points out this re-visiting trend in fashion is not confined to Cartier and may be saying something about the nature of creativity.
The popularity of distressed jeans is evidence of this desire to return to the “old” as is the glitzy metallics this season that remind one (or some) of discos, Studio 54 and rhinestones. My styling challenge was to take everyday clothes like jeans, a t-shirt, a jacket with marvelous reflective capacity like a disco ball, and somehow despite being relics of my past, make them modern and fresh. Somehow the re-visiting resurrected the fearless, risk taker I was in the 70’s and the shirt was my favorite piece of the outfit (although the silver mules are pretty fabulous as well). I re-imagined that terribly bad attitude my mother was always telling me to get rid of. Surprisingly I did feel a little glamorous in a subversive kind of way despite the ordinary and comfortable feel of the pieces when worn individually. So as it should be in fashion I had fun and hope you always do too.
Have you ever felt subversively glamorous?
Yes, but it was back in the 80s. Back then I was a therapist and I was the chair of the NHS unions joint health committee in the city I worked in when we went on strike against Margaret Thatcher closing one of our hospitals. Alongside the local politicians I led a large demonstration wearing a black very shiny PVC coat, a red scarf and black boots Looking back at photos the coat hovered on the brink of fetishistic!! However I was young and lovely so it looked very cool and it was definitely subversively glamorous.
Yes, but it was back in the 80s. Back then I was a therapist and I was the chair of the NHS unions joint health committee in the city I worked in when we went on strike against Margaret Thatcher closing one of our hospitals. Alongside the local politicians I led a large demonstration wearing a black very shiny PVC coat, a red scarf and black boots Looking back at photos the coat hovered on the brink of fetishistic!! However I was young and lovely so it looked very cool and it was definitely subversively glamorous.
That’s what I call Dare to look Casual! The ripped jeans, metallic trench and block-heel loafers, everything looks damn hot! Urban glamour has no age limimt!
Kisses,
Jess from https://styledebates.com/
That’s what I call Dare to look Casual! The ripped jeans, metallic trench and block-heel loafers, everything looks damn hot! Urban glamour has no age limimt!
Kisses,
Jess from https://styledebates.com/
I really like to concept of re-visiting older clothes and combining them so they look modern. Your fabulous silver are a good case in point. I frequented studio 54 in its heyday and think that the bouncers at the door would have let you in toute suite with what you’re wearing!
You inspire me!
Love your blog ❤️. I feel inspired when I read a blog well written . Thanks
Jandrew
Dress The Part
http://www.jandrewspeaks.com
Sadly not. Mind you, your silver coat reminds me of a fab red wet look coat I had in the early 70s. I’d love to give that another run in the sun.
Sadly not. Mind you, your silver coat reminds me of a fab red wet look coat I had in the early 70s. I’d love to give that another run in the sun.
Such a perfect look. I would love to meet you, even if I only meet you once. I love the combination of the chic, expensive-looking metallic mac, clashed with the shredded jeans. Utter perfection.
Such a perfect look. I would love to meet you, even if I only meet you once. I love the combination of the chic, expensive-looking metallic mac, clashed with the shredded jeans. Utter perfection.