What I wore today: 03/29/2014 (Pretty in Pink)

I fell in love with this dress when it first came in to the store back before Christmas. But, at $298, I just couldn't justify the purchase, even with my employee discount. So, you can imagine my surprise and joy when I found one in February marked down to $39.95. It was a 4, and, though I could squeeze myself into it, I tracked down a 6 at the Louisville store and had them send it to me. 

Knowing Ryan and I had tickets to the ballet at the end of March, I saved it for the occasion. I even got lucky with a day of 40-degree stormy weather, which meant tights wouldn't be an absolute necessity as they have been for time immemorial. 

We had a lovely date night, trying out a new restaurant in our neighborhood, which we had been saving for the occasion as well. Some things are worth the wait.

Pink and gold, lace and sequin "Sugarberry Dress" - Anthropologie

Pink suede kitten heels - Anthropologie

Floral cardigan - thrifted

Rain coat - London Fog, thrifted

Emma book-clutch cometic/pencil case - Kate Spade

What I wore today: 10/25/2013 (Odette)

I bought this lovely top a few weeks ago. It's downy texture immediately gave me the impression of feathers, so, I figured, why not wear it to see Swan Lake? Ryan and I make it a point to go to the ballet at least once a season. Ballet was my very first love, and I'm thrilled that Ryan has taken to it with such enthusiasm.

He took these photos of me just before we left home (thanks, Rye!) and then pointed out that the mockingbird who hangs out on our block was imitating the "beep-beep" noise of my camera autofocusing. I will admit to jumping up and down when I heard it. It was pretty cool. I love our urban mockingbird.

White feathery-textured "Guimauve Top" - Anthropologie

Black and white gingham pencil skirt - thrifted

Black tights - Spanx, Nordstrom Rack

Black quilted-leather boots - Corso Como, Nordstrom

Black bauble "bubble necklace" - eBay

Dinosaur bone rib cage cuff bracelet - Noir Jewelry

What I wore today: 02/14/13 (Be Mine)

 

 

Ryan and I had a wonderful Valentine's Day. We usually stay in and make dinner, but, this year, we decided to catch the Cincinnati Ballet's production of Romeo and Juliet. I talked about about Ryan's recent enthusiasm for ballet here. I'm absolutely delighted that we can share this passion.

Other people are always surprised to learn that he loves ballet (and often times, straight up don't believe me). But, for me it seems natural for a man to love ballet, because my father and grandfather both do. In fact, they are both more enthusiastic about it than their wives. 

Of course, I also can't bring myself to find chest hair normal because the men in my family don't have much of it. What can I say? Maybe the men in my family are just a bunch of hairless, ballet-loving sissies, but I like them that way. 

Did you celebrate Valentine's Day with the one(s) you love? Did you wear any red or pink?

Red babydoll dress - H&M

Black opaque tights - Pure and Good

Face wedges - Nasty Gal

Arrow necklace - Valentine's Day gift from Ryan

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What I wore today: 10/27/2012 (Alice)

Ryan and I went to the Cincinnati Ballet on Saturday to see their production of Alice in Wonderland, which was wonderful. The ballet is one of those things that we both really enjoy doing together. I love that Ryan has such appreciation and enthusiasm for something is a passion of mine and was, at one time, a big part of my life. 

I usually dress up quite a bit for the ballet, but I felt like being warm and comfortable, so I landed on this outfit, which seemed to strike the perfect chord for me that night. I especially like the drape of the cropped cashmere sweater over the dress.

Open-back rosebud-print dress - Urban Outfitters (seen in full here)

Cropped paper-thin cashmere sweater - Stylemint

Grayscale color-block over-the-knee socks - Target

Gray suede flatforms - Free People

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What I wore today: 05/26/2012 (Day-Glo-A-Go-Go)

You didn't think I was tired of neon yet, did you? 

I know it's hard to get past the highlighter-hued skirt, but might I direct your attention to the Jeffrey Campbell shoes for a moment? The moment I saw these, I knew I loved them. The funny thing is that I'd seen flatforms before and never felt much; I didn't love or hate the trend. But, when I saw these, I suddenly knew they were exactly what I wanted, especially for working long hours at Anthro, which is where I wore this particular outfit.

They have all the drama of a chunky Jeffrey Campbell wedge, but with all the comfort of a classic ballet flat. "Yes!" I say, "A resounding yes to both of those things!" 

Also, they were super mega marked down and available only in my size, which means it was meant to be, right? 

Double scoop ballet tee - Old Navy, a loooooong time ago
Neon chartreuse pleated sheer mini skirt - Urban Outfitters
Vintage Moschino belt - eBay (last seen here and here)
Patent leather Jeffrey Campbell flatforms - Urban Outfitters
Leather and lioness head cuff - Jewelmint (last seen here and here)
Gold, black, and tan handbag - Target, years ago (also seen here)


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Fictional Fashion Icon: Alex from Flashdance

When it comes to fictional characters who've inspired fashion, this is a big one. After Flashdance was released in 1983, women around the world started cutting up their sweatshirts and t-shirts and wearing leg warmers.

The creators of Flashdance didn't mean to have such a big influence on fashion, and they certainly didn't expect to -- they styled Alex that way because she was a dancer and those are the kinds of things dancers wear: layers that can keep their muscles warm while still facilitating movement -- but people responded in a big way.

And while Alex's frizzy '80s perm might be horrifying to modern audiences, the impulse to take the scissors to your wardrobe after watching is no less intense 30 years later.

I might do a post sometime about dance's overall influence on fashion. Every generation or so, people pick up on something dancers wear, something they've always worn, and it makes it's way into mainstream fashion for a while, shifting and evolving and being reinterpreted.

But Alex's style didn't just stray from the mean when it came to her dance attire; she didn't look like an ordinary girl in her street clothes either. With her ripped painter's jeans, work boots, and military jackets, she dressed more like her fellow welders than an ordinary 18-year-old girl.

And, she seemed to enjoy fashion too, and to have fun with it, from the fancy dress she asks Hannah to make for her to the Tuxedo she wears for a fancy lobster dinner.

...Umm, make that Tuxedo costume.

Always shocking, always individual, and still an influence decades later: Alex Owens definitely has what it takes to be called an icon.

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