I'm not much for jumping on trend bandwagons. I love to keep up with trends, in that I love to research, read, and look at pictures of what is on trend. But shelling out my money for trends, especially of the 'here today gone tomorrow' variety... not so much.
![black rubber slide decorated with fur and pearls]( "Message Tees and Other Trends: black rubber slide with fur and pearls")
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| I'm looking pleased with myself, aren't I? |
For instance, I ignored the off-the-shoulder trend altogether. Anything off the shoulder is not for me. Ickk. It makes me look like a linebacker. Since my shoulders are already quite broad, I don't need a great wack of ruffle to accentuate the fact that I'm top-heavy. I also eschewed the cold shoulder riff on the off-the-shoulder thing. Equally ickk. You might love these looks and maybe they look fabulous on you... but as I mentioned in my last post about a much more serious topic... we're not all cut from the same cloth. Ha. Pun intended.
I also backed away from the bedroom slipper as outdoor footwear trend. You know, those rubber slides that are either fluffy fake fur covered or completely bejewelled. Now those are just plain silly. I'd forgotten all about that trend until the other day when I was at the gas station, and a young woman walked past me to pay for her gas. She wore pricey work-out wear, of the Lulu Lemon kind, leggings, and a nice zippered athletic jacket. And black fluffy slides. For a moment I thought, "Oh my goodness, she forgot to take off her slippers before she left the house." And a second later I realized with a gulp and a snort that I had just witnessed my first glimpse of this trend in the wild. And then I thought, "I wonder how she cares for those things?" No, really. Does she have to comb the fur? Or vacuum it, maybe? They must pick up all kinds of dust and other detritus from the street. Doesn't bear thinking about, actually.
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| How I'm making my Veronica Beard suit work with my red loafers |
Now, one trend that has been around for a while and which I quite like is the graphic tee or sweat shirt. I don't want to wear a shirt that advertises a brand, or anything commercial. But I could go for a tee shirt with a lovely artsy print. Or maybe an appropriate message tee. Not of the "I woke up like this" variety... ha. But something that speaks to me... and of me. And if I could find a cute graphic or message tee with some red on it... now that would be just the ticket.
But let me go back a bit. The outfit below is how I've been making my navy Veronica Beard spring suit work with my red Earth brand loafers. By wearing a red cami underneath the attached hoodie, or part of a hoodie, more like, since it's just two front panels and a hood which zips onto the jacket. Earlier this spring, I had envisioned a glimpse of white cami, under a lightweight red hoodie, underneath the navy jacket, with the attached grey hoodie removed, of course. But I couldn't find a lightweight red hoodie anywhere. So I've been wearing the red cami instead, and I like the look. But there is a problem. I can't take the jacket off if I get too warm because the hoodie will come off at the same time. So, it's a great look for right now, but in a few weeks, the suit will have to be sidelined. Unless I find something suitable to wear under the jacket without the hoodie insert.
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| I love this outfit for a sunny, cool-ish spring day. But soon it will be way too hot to wear. |
Thus, I've been half-heartedly looking for a suitable graphic or message tee. I say half-heartedly looking because I didn't desperately need a new tee shirt. It was just a thought I had, the idea of a graphic or message tee with a bit of red. And as a result I haven't been on a dedicated hunt, as I am wont to be at the beginning of a season. I did a little research on-line. And each time I've been in the mall replenishing my supply of loose tea, or stocking up on my tinted mosturiser and day cream, I've taken a turn through the tee shirt section of a store or two. The shirt had to be exactly what I wanted and, since it's just a novelty look, could not cost as much as a wardrobe staple.
I didn't hold out much hope.
And then last week, I walked into Zara. "Oh, ye of little faith," I said to myself when I saw this tee shirt.
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| My new red and white tee, with my Veronica Beard suit, and my red Earth brand loafers. |
Zara has a whole wack of what they call "slogan tees," and mine was under a rather messy pile of other shirts that a hapless saleswoman was trying to tidy. I passed on the one that was the right colour and size but bore, when I looked at it more carefully, a picture of the cast of the 1985 kid's movie "The Goonies." Ha. Not appropriate, methinks. Neither was the one with the slogan "I am my own real boss." Since I'm about to turn sixty-two, that statement seems slightly redundant, don't you think? I liked the shirt with the message "good people age better," but when I held it up, I saw that it was cropped. Like... really cropped. What we used to call a "pop top" back in the day. Ha. I imagine my wearing that shirt would, sadly, reveal evidence that contradicted the slogan. If you get my meaning.
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| Now that's a slogan I can get behind. In fact, you might say I am behind it. |
But this one was perfect. Clean crisp white, nice high neckline (I can't do droopy), with red lettering. And a slogan which I can get behind. I like it. In fact, I love it. Exactly what I was looking for and very reasonably priced. It looks good under the jacket, and without the jacket.
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| I like this tee with the jacket, too. |
And when I add the red leather cuff which I bought in Covent Garden in London last fall, and the small cross-body bag that I found on the same day that I found the tee shirt, I'm really happy with this outfit.
As you can see.
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| Yep. I'm pretty pleased with my two new purchases. |
As I said, I'm not one to try to board every trend bandwagon. Especially the silly ones. Or the ones which I just know will be gone by next season. I've tried to get on side with others that look to have some staying power, and which I quite like on other people, and in magazines. Cropped wide-leg pants, for one. But they look absolutely dreadful on me. And, if we're honest, not all looks are meant for all of us. As I've said before, we're not all cut from the same cloth.
A lesson we should all take on board. Don't you think?
Now, this shoe is an example of a trend that no one should attempt. Bejewelled and furred. Gives me the shivers just looking at it. I spied this in a store in Toronto last summer.
I mean, have you ever seen anyone actually wearing these... like... in public?
How about you my friends. Where do you stand on trends? Any ones in particular you hate or love? Or ones that you'd love to love but realize that they're definitely not for you?
P.S. And speaking of "some heartfelt words"... I like to say a heartfelt thanks to everyone who commented, so sensitively, on my last post. So many comments. So many wonderful thoughts. So appreciated by me. xo
P.P.S. Here's the link if you want to check out the graphic and slogan tees at Zara for yourself.
Linking up this week with: Visible Monday, Fake It Till You Make It, #IwillwearwhatIlike, Style Me Wednesdays, Thursday Favourite Things, Fun Fashion Friday, Fabulous Friday, Saturday Share Link-Up