I sometimes have totally inappropriate style crushes…
And I’m not talking about not wanting to get out of my comfort zone here, or falling for styles that do not work for my body-type. I’m talking about clothes and accessories that just don’t make sense, given my personality and lifestyle.
You see, I sometimes have these fantasies of gliding through life like one of those Film Noir characters: the cool, sassy dames in their old trench coats, armed with nothing but their killer heels and their wits. In these fantasies I always look like Angelina Jolie’s character in The Tourist: impeccably elegant in that classy, understated, slightly old-fashioned way.
In reality… well, I have a messy, curly hair that refuses to cooperate and an uncanny tendency to trip over my own feet… In other words, I will never be the impeccably dressed woman with perfect hair, I know that. I also know that I will never in a million years look even remotely good wearing neutrals, so there’s no point trying to emulate that particular look.
But that’s the thing about fantasies, they’re not rational. And that’s how I end up with totally ridiculous style crushes. Lucky for me, I can usually talk myself out of them.
Let me give you some examples. These are all items I have been ogling repeatedly over the last 6 months:
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| trench: A.P.C /sweater: Marks and Spencer (sold out) / shoes: Minna Parikka / clutch: DVF / skirt: L.K.Bennett |
1.THE CLASSIC TRENCH
Long enough to wear over skirts, goes with anything… this stable of every wardrobe has been on my wish list forever. So, what’s the problem? Nothing really, except that beige makes me look unbelievably bland, blend-into-the-wall invisible, or downright sick. Now, could I have this in blue, please? (No, not navy, but blue, or green, or purple… hell, any mid-tone soft colour…)
2. THE SEXY HEEL
I know, this one is not even that high… still, my feet don’t like heels, and neither does my back. And when my feet (and back) don’t like something, I get cranky, and I don’t want to be cranky… I once got so mad at a pair of (moderately high) heels I was wearing that I tossed them into a bin, right there, in the middle of a nightclub (OK, it was on a cruise, alcohol may have had something to do with this rash decision…)
3. POLO NECKS
I love them, on other people. I can’t stand wearing them; they make me feel like I’m being strangled. And anything white this close to my face… I don’t think so.
4. CLUTCH BAGS
Oh, I just love them, they’re so pretty… and so impractical. I mean, how are you supposed to carry them???
5. EVERYDAY CLOTHES THAT MUST BE DRY CLEANED
I have my coats and (lined) jackets dry cleaned, sure. But not every week. A dress or a skirt? that’s just silly. Still, I have (quite a few) dresses that must be dry cleaned, and I wear them once or twice a year. It’s just a bit too high-maintenance for my taste. I know, I’m lazy. And I really, really like that skirt…
So, as you can see, I have no choice but to come up with new, more sensible style crushes and fantasy wardrobes, starting with something to keep me warm and stylish as I brave the snow, slush and sleet that await me in the real world…
Do you have irrational wardrobe fantasies?
Tiina
Linking up with Throw Back Thursday, Fun Fashion Friday,Passion4Fashion
I completely remember her style in that movie because I wanted a copy of the movie for that reason. Love your fantasy board and understand exactly where you are coming from!
Oh, I loved her style! I was just perfect. And I got the DVD, too, just because of the clothes…
Loving this fantasy style board! Would love to be able to wear this in real life! Those red heels are gorgeous! JillDoused In Pink
Yes, some people can pull off neutrals so well… but I'm not one of them. The shoes are so pretty, but it's the heels…
I understand perfectly that you dream about these items, they are really beautiful .. my style, you know … I do not mind whether garments are practical for my lifestyle, I simply love them and use them, perhaps out of your area comfort can be fun sometimes.
I have to be practical: with 4-5 months of winter, snow and cold weather I have to be. But I'm just dying to wear shoes instead of boots at this point, and I just want to trash all my winter coats… can't wait for spring.
I love this post.. we should be sisters Tiina! I am exactly that – unruly hair (I don't remember owning a brush or if I do, I recall where did I put it) can't be in heels for more than an hour (only to sit down events where I don't have to walk much) and just yesterday my husband told me that most old age death is from falling down, hinting that I should be careful not to fall down as I tend to do that often (wait a minute, was he implying that I am old??) I wish I could be chic and effortless in leather pants, t.shirt, a ferdora and sky high heels running in them around town. Never going to happen apart from the t.shirt. Oh, but I can do trench though, that's easy 😉
Well, anything but the heels might still work for you. I would pass the leather pants (my thighs prefer a leather skirt) and the fedora (hats just sort of sit on top of my hair, not on my head, it looks funny), and I'm still looking for the trench in any other colour but beige or black… I guess we both just have to accept that we are 'cool' rather than chic.
I love your style choices. Those shoes! I totally understand. I live near the beach but I dream about chic city coats and shoes which I would NEVER be able to wear around here. Oh well…
Thanks, Connie. And I dream about living near the beach, even though I don't swim or sunbathe…
SO true! I used to spend a lot of time shopping for a lifestyle I didn't actually have! I finally came to terms with the fact that I spend 90% of my time in "California casual" … (even at work!). But yes, I can dream of what I would wear if …. !! Thanks for linking up and hope to see you next week too!OXOxDawn Lucyhttp://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Yes, shopping for fantasy lifestyle can make life more complicated. And anyone with limited funds and closet space must be a realist, by definition…
I love your selection! Especially the trench and the lace skirt..I also totally agree with you about clutch bags! Besides…how can, such tiny bags, hold everything I need?? 🙂
I might give that lace skirt a chance, it is so lovely…
What a fun post, I always want things that are impractical in my life too.Alicewww.happinessatmidlife.com
That's the problems with style crushes… life would be a lot easier if we only wanted things that made sense.
Dear Tina, your fantasy wardrobe represents my ideal of elegance. But in real life there are some practical "obstacles" to looking flawless. Thank you so much for your supportive words on my post about blogging <3Baci,Coco et La vie en rose – Valeria Arizzi
I totally agree. Maybe 'flawless' is not a good goal: it is, after all, also stagnant and lifeless…