Slow Fashion

I was contacted via email by a researcher at the University of Helsinki about this short film on the Slow Fashion movement in Finland. The film is the result of academic research. It can be viewed in its entirely for free on Vimeo. Help spread the good word. #slowfashion

This research-based film explores how clothing designers and seamstresses in the Kallio neighborhood of Helsinki understand and practice sustainable fashion. It discusses contradictions of the concept of sustainability and emphasizes that sustainability should include responsibility towards nature and also towards people, including the designers and seamstresses themselves, who experience precarity because of tension between sustainability and profitability of their micro-enterprises.

Looking to the Older Kids

Have you ever seen this video of Rachel Comey on the New York Times website? You need to watch it. I saw it a while ago and I keep remembering how, when she was a kid growing up in Connecticut, she looked up to the teenagers that lived next store. In a funny way I feel like I am doing something similar. I’m looking up to older women for style inspiration.

If you do a search for style for women over 40 in Pinterest you get some pretty boring stuff. I wasn’t finding anything that resonated with me so I kept searching. I started finding older women that were really having fun with fashion. Your mind is probably going directly to Iris Apfel and Advanced Style, but I have to say that isn’t what is inspiring me. I appreciate that over-the-top style, but it isn’t me. Also, I’m a working mom. I need a somewhat sensible wardrobe.

No, lately, I’m inspired by one woman in particular, and I’ve been stalking her on the internet ever since I first learned about her.

Meet Lucinda Chambers. She is the fashion director at British Vogue. What I love about her style is that she looks chic, confident, and comfortable. She looks like she is having fun with fashion in her own unique way. And she is aging with style and grace.

Lucinda-Chambers-Style-Collage

From her ensembles above I am inspired to:

  • look for pencil skirts that have a bold pattern
  • wear a belt over a long cardigan
  • remember that buttoned-down shirts always look good
  • attempt to wear statement heels but if I can’t, then just wear statement sneakers or slides
  • don’t worry about my hair, it’s fine
  • add a giant bag as an accessory
  • have fun mixing and not-matching

P.S. After you have absorbed this style inspo for the day you need go and watch this other Rachel Comey video. It is beyond. It features Dan Stevens (that handsome blond actor that left Downton Abbey in like season 4) as a cross-dressing-stay-at-home-dad. It is a #mustsee. The cultural references are hysterical and on point.

The images above (and more) are on my Advanced Style Pinterest Board.

Pale Denim

I’m loving pale denim lately. The ensemble below is by Rachel Comey.

rachelcomey-pale-denimThe top above got me searching on Etsy for similar tops.  I found this one (below). I love the style, and the price is right — only $28.00.  Seems a little heavy and big for summer.  Maybe it would look good with layers in the Fall.

denim-jacket-etsy-475I love this jean-on-jean look below.  So easy to re-create with a secondhand man’s denim shirt.

denim-girl-450

And if you are crafty you can try to turn it into a State-like smock.  Check out their fun styling video.

state-smock-450I’m also liking pale denim bottoms like these drawstring jeans below.

draw-string-jeans

I bought a couple pairs of elastic-waist, pale denim, granny jeans.  They only cost about $2.99 a pair. I guess no one else wants them. Go figure. Below is a pair that I hemmed and pegged.

mygranny-jeans450

Look at how cute Frankie has styled her granny jeans.

granny-jeans-i-go-by-frankie-450

The images in this post and more can be found on my pale denim Pinterest board.