This is another post in the series examining the roots of my sense of style, and the effect my very stylish mother had on me.
This time I chose some old pictures from the very late 70’s-early 80’s, which show a rarely seen, uncharacteristically flamboyant side of my usually very modest mother.
My mother wasn’t exactly a fan of bright colours. What I mean is that she preferred neutrals or more muted, calm colours, especially blue. Unlike her more eccentric daughter, she didn’t like anything loud or attention grabbing. However, on the rare occasions she wore a bright colour, she always maximised its effect by pairing it with neutral accessories that let the colour be the centre of attention.
It was this old picture of me, on the right, that made me realise how much her sense of style has influenced mine in this respect. I’ve always liked bright colours, but I think they look best and very classy when worn with something more neutral that doesn’t compete for attention.
And this outfit was influenced by what you see my mother wearing in the first picture. I didn’t want to copy her look, or even modernise it; I wanted to recreate my own version of it. Therefore, this outfit is much more studied and planned than most of my outfits: I wanted to see if I could get the same effect by pairing hot pink with neutrals, but true to myself I chose white instead of grey or beige (see the original post HERE).
How do you wear bright colours?
Tiina
For more Style Lessons, go to Style Icon
DEDICATION: in loving memory of Ritva L (1 January 1942 – 25 December 1996)
Linking up with Happiness at Mid-Life for Throwback Thursday
You and your mother both are fabulous! I love this post!
Thanks, Pam!
Your beautiful Mom! I wonder who took such great photos of her – she looks so completely relaxed in front of the camera, like she is doing it all her life. You look stunning in this hot pink and white outfit, and I love that you dressed it up with sparkles and (bright) blue of your necklace. You probably know how I wear brights – with brights, with neutrals, I haven't really analyzed it. I think it can go either way, it just has to "grab" me what I put it together. xxx
I swear, I've never seen a picture of her looking anything but perfect, posing like a model… well, she used to be a model…
Love this colour pink, lovely pictures 🙂
Thank you so much!
Great pictures, I love the pink on you, and you do look lovely like your mother! Glam first picfrom the link up, please stop by, jess xxhttp://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com/
Thanks, Jess, that's so sweet of you.
Oh, dear Lord! Your mother (RIP) was one gorgeous and stylish lady! You do look like her Tiina and I'm sure you've heard that before. I am really not so much of a bright color person truthfully.. I however try to wear some after I got into blogging. I can do red and pink well, agreeable to my skintone and I would normally pair these colors with clashing ones.
Thanks. Yes, she was quite stylish, and I have quite a few photos of her, so some more posts in the pipeline…
What a beautiful and sophisticated mother!! Matching bright colours to neutral ones is a relly good idea as they in some way compensate each other…Your style is very you but it also maintains something of your mother's…nery nice fuchsia dress which goes so well with the white cardigan!
Yes, she really was, sophisticated and beautiful, and a huge style influence. But yes, I do have my own style; her style was much more toned down.
This is such a great post show casing your beautiful mom & her style. I can see where you get your style from!Alicewww.happinessatmidlife.com
Thanks, Alice! Yes, no doubt she has influenced my style quite a bit.