gettin' graphic

gettingraphic

finds from this past week or so, from thriftin'.
suffice it to say, i'm feeling a great graphic push at the moment, in my personal style and expression of such. it's not a new thing, but it's particularly acute at the moment...i'm actually craving that which features bold, abstract prints that are at once restrained and intentional as well as BOLD. no small, introverted, uber-feminine, flimsy stuff for the likes of me.

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ever since i wore the red frilly high-necked blouse over my green handmade jumper and acid washed jeans in one of my most recent wardrobe_remix shots, i have been absolutely rabid for making similar looks with what's in my closet, what i can concoct with with the help of my trusty sewing machine and fabric stash, and what i can find from thrifts and the like. i like the girlishness/demureness inherent in the look, the graphic style possibilities, and the potential for warmth through the layering.
so i'm all about the jumpers right now! making them that is.
case in point: i made a striped denim jumper from some striped vintage denim i thrifted ages ago, and a vintage pattern i have in my collection:

denim jumper

denim jumper close-up

the facing of the top of the jumper is fashioned from some african fabric that was sent to me by eireann of ohbara, who's living in france at the moment. she sent me lots more, in a bunch of lovely patterns and colors. i had planned to use most of it to make a riotously crazy patchwork tote bag, but decided to utilize just a little bit in this jumper dress because it just seemed right.
sure, it can't been seen from the outside, but that's okay by me. i love when clothing has a thoughtful secret inside of it that only the wearer knows...interesting lining, secret pockets, beautiful taped seams that took lots of time, and the like. when i make clothing i try to add things of this nature...it feels warm and almost unnecessary, but i like making the extra effort.

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other similar jumper/pinafore ideas are in the works...the perfect partner to those great graphic blouses that i've been thrifting like mad!

wardrobe_remix(ers) o' the week

thursday, thursday, thursday! that of course means that it's time again for your weekly installment of wardrobe_remix(ers) o' the week!
this week it's all about patterns, methinks, as some of you are sporting some pretty sassy and stylish geometric and ethnic prints, plus some twists on those classic workhorse members of the canon of prints, the noble and natty dot, stripe and plaid.

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wendywears: 04.13.07
Ivy Frozen: Vertical Whoa
comicstriptease: outfit 04.18.07
Melonade: circus tent/mets fan
o0lua0o: Thurs.April.19.2007
fraeulein 2eck: april 14th.
Quasartwin: Day 41
one daaaangerous easter egg: daytime in downtown

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remember: you can click on the photo of any of these terrific wardrobe_remix(ers) to learn more about their photo or outfit, and explore their flickr photostream. all of the photos are owned by the awesome people who are depicted in them, of course!
join us over at wardrobe_remix and show off your awesome EVERYDAY trendbusting and trend-SETTING personal style!
spread the word!
this week over at wardrobe_remix we're discussing things such as what are 'wardrobe essentials' everyone should have? and continuing the conversation i started here a few weeks back what makes a good wardrobe_remix photo? join the community to in turn join in on the discussions!
see you there!

amsterdam, paris, and antwerp: suggestions?

in less than two weeks, i'll be finding myself wandering the streets of amsterdam, paris, and antwerp... is there anything i shouldn't miss in these three lovely locales...

particularly experiences or destinations of the food, art, or fashion variety?

do tell!

i like to keep touristy stuff to a minimum on my holidays, preferring to explore and wander and live like a local as much as possible.

i've been to amsterdam 2x already, but haven't been to paris or antwerp at all...i've got about a week in amsterdam, 3-4 days in paris, and 2-3 days in antwerp.