The movie Penelope was inspiring to me, as Penelope's clothes had all these delicious little details and she wore color so brazenly. Here is the poster, which is a bit technocolor, but you get the idea:
The costume designer for the film, Jill Taylor, said this about Penolope's costumes: "So, we took lots of ribbons, braid, buttons, brooches and cross-stitching and decorated pieces for her, so as to give the impression that she'd customized some of her clothes herself. Things have turned up in her room and she plays with them -- she's very inventive and quite eccentric and adds bits and puts things together in her own unique way." Another example:
So, I guess I feel like a closet Penelope (which is actually a bit ironic given that she's been locked up essentially). But there is a crafty, creative, colorful, whimsical individual all tamped down into whatever it is that I present to the world. Something suitable, I think but not particularly BRAVE. My chicken is winning and I'm showing up beige.
Alright, so while in DC I've made that transition from college student/whitewater rafting guide to young professional, and I've done this through a very heavy reliance on Ann Taylor Loft. I have some desperately needed staples from them such as black pants and one rather nice little suit, and also actually my very favorite shirt EVER (although it happens to be black I have NEVER found a shirt that flattered my collar bones, my diminuitive bosom, and framed me so nicely, all in ONE). But I've noticed a drop off in my enthusiasm. Perhaps the styles really have gotten worse, but I think perhaps my own desire to "fit in", to prove my professionalism by wearing a suit, etc. is what has diminished. Instead, I feel a growing desire for more creativity, more color, more DELIGHT in my clothing.
Which has led me to Anthropologie. I went there with my sister this week. And was DELIGHTED! Such details! Such femininity! Such shape! Such whimsy!
YES! I would wear a skirt patterned like a watermelon. Or covered in giraffes. A corset-seamed blouse embroidered with strawberries with a big black satin bow on one shoulder. A ticking-stripe middy blouse. A dress named after champagne bubbles with three layers of petticoat including a fine lace trim hidden closest to the skin so that only the wearer knows! I am in love. Enamored of details.
My only impediment to gleeful clothing now is the prices!
(All Penelope photos and quote from here.)
