My Style Icons: The Funny Ladies of the 70's and 80's

Who were your style influences and childhood icons, the women you admired and wanted to emulate growing up? Reminiscing about this can really tell you a lot about yourself, about what you appreciate in humanity. I started thinking about this question a few days ago, and I had a truly interesting realization: most of the women I admired and loved growing up were funny women! I think I can credit my mother with this fact -- she always told me that beyond a good heart and intelligence, a great sense of humor is one of the most essential characteristics to look for in others and cultivate in yourself.

So, looking back...far back (yes, I'm old)...I remember loving these women for their irreverence, their silliness, their quirky style, and their beautiful smiles:

Madeline Kahn: she is hysterical in Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and Clue.

Yes, Candice Bergen was a model, but she was also a favorite guest host on Saturday Night Live and she never took herself too seriously!

The ladies from the original 75-76 cast of SNL -- (from L to R): Laraine Newman, Jane Curtin, and Gilda Radner.

Adorable, frizzy Gilda Radner...


Bernadatte Peters, so gorgeous and funny in The Jerk.

The Park is Calling You...

I am just so grateful to live in a place with distinct seasons! Fall has finally set in, and yesterday the weather was utterly and indisputably perfect. Myself, my boyfriend, and my puggy had a relaxing early evening picnic. If the weather is as nice where you are as it is where I am right now, don't take it for granted my friends! Throw on some cozy clothes and go frolic (or lie around) outside with the ones you love :)

Tilt Your Hat at Just the Right Angle

The new Marc Jacobs collection featured numerous side-slanted hats...in straw, no less. These seem so nostalgic and great-grandma-ish. But, I keep wondering, how do you keep these on your head? I think this trend might fall into the category of looks-cool-but-I-can't-pull-it-off... What do you think? Does this seem like a wearable trend?





I am particularly enthralled by the way this lovely lady at Facehunter is wearing hers. Her version has a more Southern-American vibe to it, and is just so lady-like and summery.


I love how this woman seems so perfectly eccentric, with her puffy pants and side-slanted hat. She is like the cool aunt you've always wanted.

Images provided by Facehunter.com (both from NY Fashion week).

You've Got a Beautiful Face...

I just wanted to share some recent inspiring photos: If you have not yet visited Garance Dore's blog, you should definitely check it out -- it is similar to the Sartorialist and Facehunter, but even prettier, more inspiring, and more artfully composed (don't get me wrong, I LOVE both of those sites as well!). The way Garance captures unique faces and personalities is so mesmerizing. I find myself asking, "Do these people really exist?"Here are just a few of the most recent lovelies that make me smile uncontrollably:

I love the mix of tough, studded leather with fun, vibrant colors. And her soft, intense eyes? I'm speechless...


He can't be more than 14 -- such a mature sense of style. His hair is perfection!


She makes glittery eyes seem somehow new and sexy again.


That eye-makeup! That hair! Those pouty lips!


Ah, Louise can do no wrong. Really.


All photos courtesy of Garance Dore.

Right on Target: Black Dresses for Fall

I don't know about you, but I was slightly disappointed in the Richard Chai designer line for Target -- I just couldn't help but feeling like the materials were a bit sketchy, and the items that seemed to be a bit less cheap in construction just weren't "me". For some reason, I tend to like the filler lines a lot better (you know, the stuff they have for about a month before the next big designer line comes out). Last time, I found a great ruffled floral dress in a flattering shape and lovely material -- it looked more expensive than it was, which is a plus.
I needed some retail therapy yesterday, so I popped into Target to discover their filler "Go International" stuff was on the racks, and before I knew it, I had purchased two new dresses! It was one of those instinctual, "I must have it" moments. Those moments can be dangerous! For some reason, I have been buying a lot of dresses. This is odd since I don't wear dresses on a daily basis. My theory is that I have been thinking a lot about my future, my professional demeanor and attire, and all of the conferences and interviews I have in store over the next few years. I think I am storing these dresses up like a chipmunk stores up nuts, LOL ;) Ok, that is sad -- I need to find more excuses to wear dresses!

Here they are in the ads (I will model them at a later date...):

The 1940's, lady-like dress (you can't tell here, but it is really lovely material)


Target, Diamond Dress, $39.99

And the Wednesday Adams-ish dress (really cool, angled sleeves...)

Target, Ruffle Bib Shift Dress, $32.99

Pulling Myself Up By the Bootstraps

My riding boots arrived from Urban Outfitters today! I am so love with these boots; people are going to get really sick of seeing me wear these over the next several months. I just can't stress enough how an amazing pair of boots can make any outfit feel sexy, cozy, and pulled-together, all at once. The colors of my outfit today pay homage to the cool breezes of the past few days -- it reminds me of pumpkins, candy apples, and the crunch of leaves under your feet. It also reminds me, unfortunately, how horrible my allergies are during the fall months (notice I am turning away? That's because I'm getting ready to sneeze...) Oh well, every season has its sacrifices!

I got my hair cut yesterday, which always perks me up. I was about 50% sure I wanted to get a bob, but my stylist convinced me that (as I had suspected), my hair looks better long. I'm sort of glad she told me, because, as I recall, every time I cut my hair short I get really depressed. I think she saved my boyfriend from having to hear a lot of whining. I just got more layers cut into it, which looks flattering on my wavy, unruly locks...




Top, vintage Nicole Miller (under $10)

Cardigan, Uniqlo ($39.99)

Express Skinny Jeans ($59.50)

Riding Boots, Urban Outfitters, ($158)

Just a side-note: if you or your significant other happens to be a literature nerd (which is the case for me and my boyfriend), Urban Outfitters has a line of graphic tees for guys with prints of original book covers from the 30's, 40's, and 50's. We bought a Great Gatsby one while in NYC, and I ordered the Invisible Man version for him online. They are super soft...and cheap!

Urban Outfitters, $9.99

Dust Bowl Dress

I often wonder if any of the people in 1930's Dust Bowl photos might have been relatives of mine. I have had family in the Oklahoma area for generations, so it's possible... Here is a lovely one from 1937 by Dorothea Lange:



I just had to show off my new purchase from the Gap -- there is something a little bit 1920's Depression/Dust Bowl about this dress, and I couldn't resist the soft, comfy plaid-ness of it (not to make light of the Dust Bowl...I just tend to make strange connections in my mind). As I mentioned in my last post, the weather has suddenly become chilly and wet, so to battle my grumpy mood and the weather transition, I decided to treat myself to a perfect summer--> fall transition piece. It also gave me the excuse to wear my new (vintage) ankle boots and some cozy knit tights. There are several different versions of this dress at the Gap right now... in various versions of black, brown, or cream. While I'm not usually a HUGE fan of the Gap, I do find that once or twice a year they will have a great dress I can't seem to get out of my head. This was one of those!







Gap Popover Dress, $58.

BTW, I still haven't decided on a leather jacket!! I'll continue my hunt this weekend...