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Jazz Underground

7/17/2014

There's just something about jazz that excites me. I can't really put my finger on it in a way that would allow me to explain it. I just know that when I go to a jazz club, I get the jitters. After sitting down in the darkest corner possible, getting a stiff drink from an oftentimes gorgeous server hehe and settling in to hear the most beautiful trumpet solo, I just feel like there's nowhere else in the world I'd rather be.

Anyone who has ever been to a (really good) jazz joint knows that the atmosphere keeps you there just as much as the music. For me, it's usually the one place where I can be guaranteed that no one will look my way. I can be totally comfortable in my personal space, but still feel like I'm part of a community of like-minded individuals. Everyone's drinking, smoking, talking and laughing before and after the performances. The buzz is electric and I love that. And everyone knows that when the music begins to play, you shut the f*ck up. You pay attention; you listen to the story you're being told through the music; you respect the musicians and their craft. It's all about the music and that's the way it should be.

Oh and you had better dress to impress! Some jazz clubs are more casual than others. I tend to gravitate toward the ones that are somewhere in between business casual and formal. Today's look fits right in the middle of that scale, I think. It's understated thanks to the black jumpsuit, but also clean and sharp with bouts of wow factor from the vintage plaid Pendleton blazer and wingtip ankle booties.

I hadn't worn the plaid blazer in five months, so I was really happy to have a meaningful use for it. The evening was cool and breezy, so it felt just perfect wearing it. Click here to see how I styled the blazer for Winter. It seems that it fit me better back then. Haha. I think it's just because I had a vintage long sleeved thick knit turtle neck filling it out. The blazer is quite oversized, but I wanted it that way. ^_^

For a night of good music, drinking and merriment, this was the perfect outfit. It's heavily menswear inspired and so I feel like it suited me quite well. I loved every minute of wearing this look. <3

Thrifted - Black Jumpsuit (Swap Group), Black Fedora (Buffalo Exchange - Austin),
ModCloth Wingtip Ankle Booties (Gift), ModCloth Black Satchel (Sale),
ModCloth Octopus Pendant (Gift) & ModCloth Sheer Socks (Gift)
Good Style Shop (local) - Vintage Plaid Pendleton Blazer
c/o Shop Calico - Barred Browline Sunglasses
TIL Darling - Gold Studded Wrap Watch

♫ Thank you so much for your comments! Though I may not respond to each one, I read and appreciate all of them! ♫

52 Comments

Nature Versus Nurture

7/15/2014

48 Comments

Well here's something super girly for ya. ;D Hehe. I really, really, really like this hot air balloon dress, though. I received it through my clothing swap group and apparently, it's an imitation of this $110 ModCloth dress. Some people are probably going to be miffed by this and understandably so. There's a big debate going on right now about whether designer knockoffs have a place in fashion. I personally don't mind going to Payless, for example, and buying cheap shoes that look like designer shoes. I don't pay too much attention to labels (so I have little interest in the, "oooh, who are you wearing?" thing).

On the other hand, there's a fine line between using another designer's work as an artistic springboard and doing a flat out copy without meaningful variation. I think this dress would fit the latter description and I think the original designer would and should be upset about that. I remember how pissed I got when some girl leaned over her desk to copy off of my math test in school. It's the same sort of thing with an original design. You need to do your own work. Don't use someone else's and call it your own.

That being said, I feel good that I didn't actually purchase this dress, but I do carry the knowledge that the original idea belonged to someone else and that sucks. It's right up there with thrifting a garment made out of animal products. The purchase doesn't subsidize an (in my opinion) abhorrent practice and it prevents an otherwise wearable garment from going to waste. So, that's what I think, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on this! I really did mean for this to be a happy post, though. Sorry about that!

Happy, happy, happy! Yay! OK. :DDD So, on the day these photos were taken, I was feeling musical, whimsical and quirky. To make the outfit a little bit more fun (and dress it down), I added my favorite ghetto blaster pendant, thrifted converse sneakers and obnoxious noise cancellation headphones. The oversized cat-eye glasses were a nice touch, too, I think. They're just so fun to wear! :D

This blue spiked zipper bag was an XMAS gift from my dear mum. :3 It's my only blue bag (I need more colorful bags, like woah). >_< I was thinking about wearing a bright yellow bag and I might try that eventually, but I think the dark blue was a better choice this time. It adds a burst of color without taking too much attention away from the dress. That balloon print is just so damn cute and cheery. Bah! >_<

I'm embarrassed by how much I adore this dress. I don't consider myself a girly girl at all, but I feel like the dress is right up there with baby animals. It doesn't matter where you're from or whether you're male or female or whether you're some hardened criminal or a ruthless dictator. You know those little critters make you instinctively happy! Haha. You just have to like this dress. Nature commands it! ;D

Thrifted - Hot Air Balloon Dress (Swap Group), Oversized Tortoise Cat
Eye Glasses (Swap Group), ModCloth Blue Bag (Gift), ModCloth
Stereo Pendant (Sale) & Converse Sneakers (Swap Group)
Chicwish - Gold Gilded Belt Bracelet in Cream

♫ Thank you so much for your comments! Though I may not respond to each one, I read and appreciate all of them! ♫

48 Comments

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Hi! I'm Anna <3

I'm fond of artistic fashion, esoteric music, retro games (the older the platform, the better), delectable noms, good libations, my Maine Coon, Bonaparte, and my Tabby, Winsome.

Also, I attended university in Hyogo Prefecture and I am proficient in Japanese.

もし、あなたは日本語が話せる、あたしに日本語で話て下さい！練習が必要だ！*^_^*

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