Strangers With Creativity

In the recent weeks, I have expressed my adoration for style and fashion. In fact, I consider my interest in style one of my defining personality traits. I talk about personal style inspiration frequently. I am quick to compliment others on their looks. I think friends of mine probably find it obnoxious because I consistently compliment strangers on their charming attire. It does not matter where I am or who I'm with, if I like your boots I will tell you. I find fashion inspiration in the people around me.

I get style inspiration from strangers in restaurants or on the train. Because great style exists in the everyday, blogs like The Cobrasnake and Last Night's Party have become popular with fashion innovators. These blogs offer photos of people at events and parties and usually their style is cool, if you pay attention. I always keep my eyes open for creative style ideas or details when I go out. It helps keep my style fresh. This brings me to my inspiring weekend adventures in Chicago.

This weekend, I attended a journalism conference in the city with the staff of my college newspaper. Other colleges and universities from Illinois were in attendance as well. With the exception of the crowd at Lollapalooza, those at the Illinois Press College Press Association conference were the most eclectic-looking bunch of college kids I have ever seen. I participated in a great deal of people watching while listening to professional journalists and walking to and from various conference rooms. Not only was I inspired to write at this conference, I was also creatively inspired to try new things with my wardrobe. Though I hate leaving the city more than anything, I was pretty excited to get home and shop my closet to put new outfits together.

Ok, it is important to point out that many of the kids I encountered over the weekend were hipsters. I was not particularly inspired by the hipsters because I think hipsters are pretentious. However, that doesn’t mean I failed to appreciate their ironic shoes. Those that were inspiring were those bucking the whole urban hipster thing. They were dressed up, but themselves, at least from my vantage point.

One guy in particular caught my eye and I will be forever disappointed I did not photograph him for this blog. He was eye-catching and I told him so. Dressed in a perfectly tailored, lavender Oxford shirt and cigarette jeans, paired with Prada gym shoes and a sweater “effortlessly” tied around his shoulders, this guy had insane style. His outfit made quite the impression. In dress, he reminded me of a character from a film. His attire was sort of a mix between Jude Law’s Alfie and Robert Redford’s Jay Gatsby. It was the tailoring and pastel shirt. I was happy to see someone so young in touch with his personal style.

The keynote speaker at the conference explained that in order to succeed as a writer, one must always be alert and searching for the next story to tell. I think the same notion can be applied to fashion. Keep your eyes open to influences and inspirations from strangers on the street. You may find the missing piece to complete your personal style.

Images via-

The Cobrasnake

The Great Gatsby

Alfie

From Runways to the Road

I realize that since I began this blog a few weeks ago, I have been arguing that personal style does not have come from what the designers or the magazines are saying, but I feel it is now time to point out I still truly follow each of those entities frequently. For years I have been intrigued by the world of unattainable fashion. (Though it doesn’t rule the way I dress.)

I page through magazines like Vogue and Marie Claire, eyes wide, marveling at the beautiful advertisements and photo shoots of things I cannot afford. For the most part my funds are always low. This causes me to simply dream of the days when I will be able to afford such luxury items as a Bottega Veneta dress, Burberry trench, or a Herve Leger bandage dress.

I remember the first time I encountered a designer item in person. I was a freshman in high school and a girl in my gym class had a Coach purse. I could not believe she, a 14 year old girl, had a Coach purse. “Those bags are so freaking expensive,” I thought to myself as I complemented her marvelous accessory. She was relatively unimpressed by it; as if she had 20 of them at home in her closet. Me, I was thrilled by the concept that something so “exclusive” was actually attainable.

Over the years I have grown to love designer fashion. I view it as a form of expression. I have encountered plenty of people who get depressed when they look at high fashion magazines. Some think couture is frivolous and absurd. To me it is art. It would be a sad day for me if the dreamlike high fashion world disappeared because I find inspiration in the avant-garde.

Growing up in a Midwestern suburb, I have sort of lived in my own little world as far as fashion goes. Reading magazines, studying designer collections, advertisements, and photo shoots was the just of my experience with couture. Though, as I have gotten older, I have been able to expand my fashion horizons because, thankfully, the city of Chicago is but 40 minutes up I-55.

Though not often revered as one of the most prominent fashion capitals of the world, Chicago’s high end fashion selection doesn’t suck! Of course, I am just browsing, but it is really wonderful to see the designer items in person rather than on the glossy pages of a $ 5 magazine.

One of the best stores in the city for designer clothing is Intermix. There are locations on Rush Street and on Damen in Wicker Park. The staff is polite and helpful. The music is inspiring. And the clothes are amazing. I had never seen a Diane von Furstenberg, Stella McCartney, or Chloe in person before. I would also like to thank Intermix for allowing me to openly lust after a Herve Leger bandage dress.

That established, I feel it is fully possible to appreciate high fashion without taking it too far or losing your sense of self. It is acceptable to read fashion magazines and feel inspired to create your own looks. It is art after all. I think life is too short to concern oneself with the serious all the time, it is perfectly reasonable to want for a wardrobe that can take you from the runway to the road.

Shop Intermix at- http://www.intermixonline.com/home.do

Images-

Stella McCartney

Bottega Venetta

Bottege Venetta

Burberry Ad

Chloe Ad

Intermix storefront

Herve Leger Bandage Dress

DVF Spring 2010

The Sartorialist

For the past six months or so, I have become increasingly fascinated with the work of photographer Scott Schuman. He is the author of the blog thesartorialist.com and the recently published style photography book “The Sartorialist.” I had read of both Schuman and his blog in magazines before, but it was not until this past summer that I truly got hooked on “The Sartorialist” The subjects of his photos are people with impeccable personal style.
What is so interesting, and dare I say, different about the pictures is that they are taken of random people who look great just walking down the street. Sometimes they are notable fashion industry people, but mostly Schuman shoots everyday people with inspiring style.

Shot in places like Paris, London, Milan, Stockholm, Sydney, and of course, New York, the subjects of the photos convey a true sense of self and with that, style. Schuman’s photos are worth a thousand words. They often convey more than a sophisticated or stylish outfit, but also personality and history, and those things that are important factors of personal style.
I check thesartorialist.com daily and received The Sartorialist book this past Christmas. Both have had a strong affect on my personal style.

Like with the book I Love Your Style by Amanda Brooks, I often find myself referencing The Sartorialist for outfit inspiration. I think Schuman certainly has a detail-oriented eye; it comes from working in the fashion industry for 15 years before taking on street photography. I can see why his work has been and inspiration for designers because it has been an inspiration to me.

Since discovering both the blog and the book, I have become greatly inspired by things the subject’s of the photos wear; like vintage pieces, classic collared shirts and trench coats, fitted skirts, delicate dresses, chain-link Chanel purses, obscenely high heels and colorful accessories. So inspired by The Sartorialist’s subjects use of vintage, I’ve carried my grandma’s classic Coach purse for months without getting bored with it. I'm not ashamed to say a blog has made me more comfortable with the classics verses the trendy.

I think referencing sources other than fashion magazines and websites is important when trying to figure out and maintain personal style. The Sartorialist is largely the reason I was inspired to create a personal style blog in the first place. I figured writing about things influential to me and including inspiring pictures would help me and others see that personal style really comes from all sorts of outlets.

All Photos via thesartorialist.com

I Love Your Style

This Christmas I received an inspiring book I can’t put down. In fact, I strongly encourage anyone interested in personal style pick it up. I Love Your Style: How to Define and Refine Your Personal Style by Amanda Brooks is extremely influential and has inspired me in the New Year. Since receiving the book, I have consulted it countless times whether planning an outfit for an event or simply getting dressed for school.

Amanda Brooks

Author Amanda Brooks is a trustworthy and clever fashion writer; she has contributed to the New York Times Magazine, Vogue, and Men’s Vogue. When describing I Love Your Style, Anna Wintour, Editor-In-Chief of Vogue puts it perfectly, "In this wonderfully wise book, Amanda Brooks reveals the style secrets of unexpectedly elegant, singular women from all walks of life. It's candid, canny and cool, much like Brooks herself."

Brooks encourages, “finding your personal style is about discovering yourself-about embracing your creativity and the freedom to choose elements from throughout the fashion universe.”
Along with personal anecdotes on her quest and discovery of personal style, Brooks uses various images from the past, and present, to show that style comes in all of forms. Style is limitless in the eyes of Amanda Brooks.

Bridgette Bardot Clemence Posey

I Love Your Style introduced me to a whole new array of style options. Brooks divides the options into sections; Classic, Bohemian, Minimalist, Street, High Fashion, Eclectic…
Brooks uses examples from classic icons; Bianca Jagger, Bridgette Bardot, Lauren Hutton, and Jackie O, as well as innovators; Sofia Coppola, Clemence Posey, Chloe Sevigny, and Kate Moss.

Lauren Hutton Kate Moss

Each section provides everyday examples, ideas, and pieces;

the classic- white button-down shirt, ballerina flats, trench coat, cashmere cardigan;

the bohemian- tunic, slouchy boots, peasant blouse, hippie skirt;

the minimalist- simple black dress,tailored jacket;

the high fashion-platform shoes, leather, sequins, stylized boots.

I appreciate how Amanda Brooks divides I Love Your Style by style categories. Each section has its own ideas and icons. Brooks also offers other books as well as movies that epitomize, in her opinion, the particular style category. For instance, interested in classic style; read "Hitchcock Style" or watch "Out of Africa." Curious about street style; pick up "Roots of Street Style" or rent "Taxi Driver." Brooks also offers advice on shopping for everything from vintage pieces, to designer looks to low cost, high style items.

I Love Your Style has been a true inspiration to me. It has helped broaden my style horizons. I have pages marked with post-its of my favorite things as well as ideas I plan to try once the weather gets warmer. I think Brooks’ book makes an excellent gift. Her inspiring words and choice of stunning images, which greatly encourage imagination, will have you loving your style in no time.

For more from Amanda Brooks visit- http://www.vogue.com/voguedaily/tag/amanda-brooks/
To order a copy - http://www.amazon.com/Love-Your-Style-Define-Personal/dp/0061833126