Betsey inspiration
Oh, how I love Betsey Johnson. Even more after watching her XOX Betsey Johnson reality show the other night. I really don’t care about her daughter, Lulu, or any of their conflicts. Just Betsey and her clothes. And that scene where she and her assistant were going through boxes and boxes of all the stuff she’s designed over the years—what a dream!
So this outfit was inspired by her. She was in a lot of stripes and low slung belts.
And just a note about how stimulating I find this t-shirt in this mix. I love that it’s like a collage of magazine covers. (The concept of collaging is pretty rich, all of those letters and images taken out of context and reworked in a new image.) And then add to that the fact that it’s a collage of fashion magazines, from which I used to make many collages, plus the notion that I think of outfits in general as collages, so my head is happy and exploding at the same time.
Jacket: H&M from Crossroads; Tee: Bloom; Docs: DSW; Belt: Bancroft Clothing Co.; Earrings: Macy’s; Necklace: F21; Sunglasses: thrifted from the Bloomington Goodwill.
Photos by Buster in the Excelsior.
Adapting
This outfit is a particular challenge, because as I discovered last year, the tiered skirt with the pattern verging on gingham communicates square-dancing, which makes me feel a little Hee-Haw. So I added the pearls, Eiffel Tower earrings, and ankle-strap platforms to confuse the conversation.
Skirt & top: TJ Maxx; Sandals: 9West from Overstock.com; Bangles: Wet Seal; Earrings: from Emily; Sunglasses: thrifted from the Bloomington Goodwill.
Photos by Roslyn at Durant Hall.
Window-print Scarf
Another example of an outfit being a delivery device for an accessory. I saw this scarf and loved it—the photo-print, the windows, the bright pink flowers. A window is a powerful image.
Scarf: Sears; Dress: H&M; Tights: can’t remember; Pumps: 9 West; Stud earrings: Avril Lavigne for Kohl’s; Sunglasses: Greetings in Bloomington.
Photos by Kelsey at Valley Life Sciences Building, 5/17/13.
Man, I am gettin’ beat up from the street up by commencement! I was so tired yesterday I had to wear the professional equivalent of pajamas. And I was too busy to get my picture taken at work. I had to make Buster do it at home.
Palazzo pants: F21; Shirt & Enzo shoes: thrifted from the Excelsior Goodwill; Necklace: Sears; Coat: vintage, from Nilima; Hoop earrings: from Ann; Sunglasses: Tsering Jewelry on Durant.
Photos by Buster in the Excelsior.
Basics
Have I mentioned that commencement is Saturday and I’m a little stressed out? It’s like all I can figure out to wear are jeans and a t-shirt. But the scarf! It was a Mother’s Day present to myself.
Scarf: Nordstrom; Sandals: Dillard’s; Earrings & tee: Sears; Bracelet: Famous-Barr; Belt: Gap, 23 years ago; Sunglasses: Buffalo Exchange; Jeans: Alloy.com
Photos by Sandy at Theatre & Dance (2401 Bancroft).
It’s prom season.
So this satin dress and the satin flats felt right.
Dress: Factory2U in the Mission; Jacket & bangle: F21; Flats: Bandolino from Marshall’s; Faux-Chanel earrings: from Becky; Tights: Welovecolors.com; Sunglasses: Tsering Jewelry on Durant.
Photos by Yousef near California Hall.
Some days, you just feel like a leopard.
You know, hanging around in trees, looking through peepholes at California Hall, curled up on benches at the library.
Dress: Banana, thrifted from the Excelsior Goodwill; Shoes: Enzo, also from the Excelsior Goodwill; Bolero: ThriftTown in the Mission; Leggings: F21; Bracelet: Avril Lavigne for Kohl’s; Earrings: Sears; Sunglasses: Lola Star in Coney Island.
Photos by Sandy at California Hall, Moffitt Library and near Dwinelle.
Go-Go Dancing in My Daisy Shirt
I have always loved daisies. My daughter’s name is Daisy. Put a daisy on it—I’ll buy it.
And on a different note, one of the nice things about working with faculty is how articulate they are. Eve looked at me and said “Dialogue within Jane’s outfit is always happening.” I love that! She was interested in the contrast between the conventional skirt and blouse with the metallic belt and shoes.
Shirt: vintage, from Buffalo Exchange; Skirt: vintage ‘80’s, shortened, from ThriftTown; Belt: thrifted in Indiana long ago; Shoes: BCBG, thrifteed from the Excelsior Goodwill; Daisy earrings: Macy’s; Sunglasses: A’Gaci; Tights: Hue, Bancroft Clothing Co.
Photos by Sandy at Morgan Hall.
Plain Jane
I was feeling kind of bluh about my outfit, til I ran into my friend Kate, who said I was channeling Jo Stockton. That gave me some swagger.
Coat: Express; Shirt: Jones New York from Marshall’s: Jeans: Sears; Flats: La Bonita in the Mission; Belt: Rue 21; Stud bracelet: F21; Tiny skull earrings: The Icing; Sunglasses: thrifted from the Bloomington Goodwill.
Photos by Gabby near Dwinelle, and at Alumni House.
Egypt
Right after college, I lived in London for four months. I had never imagined myself “going abroad”—that was for rich kids—but it happened, thanks to my brother, my imagination, my mom’s encouragement, Joan Didion, my friends Debbie and Marie. Anyway, I went to the British Museum, and the Ancient Egyptian collection made a huge impression on me: these gigantic sculptural rocks from the pyramids! Wow! In real life, and possibly because they were contained in room, these big rocks were so much more engaging than all the pictures I’d seen of the pyramids. I think I actually said out loud: I’ve got to go to Egypt!
After graduate school, I worked for Semester at Sea, and went to Egypt. It was awesome.
Leggings: Blackmilkclothing.com; Tunic: Sears; Flats: Bandolino from Marshall’s; Gold necklace: vintage, from Costume Delights in Bloomington, IN; Blue beads: thrfited in St. Louis; Earrings: Charlotte Russe; Sunglasses: Buffalo Exchange.
Photos by Gabby at Sather Gate.
Printed Suit
Wow! I love this suit. And It was way marked down.
Suit: I.N.C. from Macy’s; Pumps: 9West; Fishnets: Nordstrom; Tee: Bancroft Clothing Co.; Earrings: thrifted long ago in Evansville; Sunglasses: Buffalo Exchange
Photos by Sandy at Barker Hall.
I discovered Hilgard Hall.
I mean, I happened upon it and was amazed by its beauty. My photos, of course, don’t capture it, because they’re really about my outfit, and I don’t think my iPhone could do it justice. So please look at the link.
It’s just really nice to work somewhere where there’s lots to discover.
But about my outfit. This dress is super-sheer, and necessitates a slip (for work anyway). But I had someone forgotten about slips. So I asked the helpful young woman at Buffalo Exchange, what do I wear under this? And she was like, umm….a slip? I felt kind of silly not being able to recall this basic wardrobe item, but I blame it on the ‘90’s, when I got used to wearing slips as dresses. I don’t think I’ve worn one under my dress since about 1985. I dug out a leopard-print one that worked perfectly.
Dress: BB Dakota, from Buffalo Exchange; Pumps: Target; Bracelets: 21 For Love; Three necklaces: thrifted, and a gift from Maryanne; Earrings: ABC Trading Co; Sunglasses: Tsering Jewelry.
Photos by Sandy at Hilgard Hall.
I got these shorts a year ago, and have been searching for the right top. It was definitely some heavy lifting to figure this out, but I like what I came up with. A little busy, but I prefer busy to plain.
Shorts: JC Penney; Blouse: Buffalo New York & Co from Buffalo Exchange; Pumps: BCBG from the Excelsior Goodwill; Belt: same place; Bangles: thrifted; Beads: from Becky; Stud earrings: Avril Lavigne for Kohl’s; Sunglasses: Lola Star on Coney Island
Photos by Sandy at Haas Pavilion.
Paisley Pleated Sundress
Oh, summer. Please stay for three months.
I’m thinking I didn’t need that second bangle. Looks a little heavy for such a light dress.
Dress: H&M; Slides: Enzo Angioline, from ThriftTown in the Mission; Bangles: Baker’s Shoes; Beads: Dollar Store; Earrings: from Ann; Sunglasses: Lola Star in Coney Island
Photos by Sonya at Sproul Hall.
Pink/Aqua/Leopard = Miami
And it was 85 degrees! I love the heat!
Dress: H&M; Pumps & necklace: Sears; Eiffel Tower earrings: from Emily; Pearl/Sports charm bracelet: vintage, thrifted from the Evansville Goodwill 23 years ago; Stud bracelet: F21; Gem bracelet: from Rob via Mama Max; Sunglasses: Lola Star on the Coney Island Boardwalk.
Photos by Yousef and Hemisha at Valley Life Sciences Building.
