So I am sitting, barefoot, on the couch at a coffee shop, trying to blog and hoping to get caught up on a few (virtual) tasks. And drinking coffee. This weekend was largely spent raising funds for the new theater, rather than getting sleep.
Here is the pic I snapped quickly on my way out (you can tell I have been busy by the junk in view on my dresser):
- Old lipstick pink flats (currently kicked off so I can put my bare feet under me and/or on the coffee table)
- These lightweight twill coral trousers, which I have been wearing instead of jeans or capris (which I haven’t really worn for several years).
- Multi-pink/red, tie-dye pattern, crewneck tee. This thing blends all my lipstick pinks and corals into coordinating outfits. What am I going to do when it dies?
- The jacket I would love to get opinions on. It is Christopher & Banks, stretch cotton, and I had to take the tags off to wear it today. Purchased for $1 at thrift. It borders on too rigid; everything else about it works.
As I read through the definition of gamine at My Year of Fabulous, I thought this pretty much qualifies. Except the hair. While I have never really thought of myself as gamine, I do think scarves and headbands are really cool. Do you think they would be dorky with “arctic blond” hair?
It’s the jacket sleeves. Now they’re what look dorky. Have you thought of making it sleeveless? I had a black cotton collared sleeveless jacket (and matching skirt) years back and wore it all the time, but not as a vest.
When I saw the hair my first thought was, Hey, *you* could do the gamine. 😀 I don’t like that huge definition of gamine but I very much like this one, though it was what persuaded me that it wasn’t for me, even if I like some of the patterns. Too tomboy and rebellious for me.
http://glossi.com/natalia_s/15981-the-gamine-style
Here is an interview with the author of Open and Clothed. I liked what she had to say about trying on clothes and when it’s right for you, you notice you’re breathing whereas when it’s wrong, you hold your breath. I noticed that in myself the other day.
http://www.bu.edu/wbur/storage/2000/03/theconnection_0324_2.mp3
and she doesn’t wear jeans. 😀 She’s a textile artist and not a stylist.
I had not thought of removing the sleeves, but that is an intriguing idea! 🙂
Hmm… yes – I think you could do gamine. I think I could too – except for the girlyness. Pastels and bows and ruffles aren’t for me. Otherwise, I think the attitude might be… That to say, that the happy, playful, slightly mischievous vibe is something that I like. And I definitely like the tomboy bit. I’m probably more tomboy than gamine.
I never think the extra frou frou goes with gamine. It’s mostly about shapes and sometimes patterns particularly on a dark ground. I see it as a particular way to combine opposites. The gamine has a tough little sexiness: she’s still a girl inside her slouchy, belted, roll cuff boyfriend trousers. She’s still a tomboy inside her otherwise ingenue loose, unrestricted breezy frock.
My favorite Marc Jacobs quote. He was asked how a woman should be wearing a skirt. “Like a boy.” he answers. I immediately saw this. Wear the skirt but keep on stompin’, sitting on the floor, climbing up into a truck…. Wear the skirt with the same free physicality that you would wear pants or shorts.
To be completely honest, I think the reason I never considered doing gamine is that I just don’t care about named, cultivated, archetypal styles Lol. But I do like alot of mens looks. The glossi was rather helpful in thinking about the whole question. While I am often accused of being somewhat “sporty”, I am going to mentally correct that to gamine and muse on that distinction for awhile. For example, I really love the above-the-knee twills with a button-up shirt that is mainly a young guy look. Hmmm …
Pingback: The Space Between My Peers » Me in a Headscarf, Take 1