Who Inspires Your Style?


I was reading through the wonderful Wish Wish Wish blog the other day and was inspired by Carrie's post on three beautiful women. Since I didn't want to just do another Style Icon post, I decided to post the women who have influenced my style the most. Street style, I can take it or leave it, celebrities my age bore me to tears for the most part, and I don't have the attention span to emulate one particular era. So here is my little mixed bag of inspiration!


1. Bettie Page


I watched The Notorious Bettie Page on Saturday night, which may have influenced my decision somewhat. I adore Bettie Page because, even though what she was doing was incredibly risque for her time, she still kept this aura of innocence and fun - which I imagine is hard to do when you're wearing ten inch fetish heels. It's not so much her style that I covet - although I have had to be talked out of Bettie Page bangs on more than one occasion - but her attitude and covetable pin-up status.

2. Dita von Teese


I guess this is a bit of a continuation on the Betty Page theme, although I have seen many, many more pictures of Dita von Teese in clothes compared to Betty Page! I really do love the style of Miss von Teese, and her dedication for always sticking to this particular aesthetic. I had her autobiography and it is the most beautifully photographed thing - she has a fantastic attention to detail. While I will probably never be able to master the red lips and pale skin combination (or the incredibly tiny, corseted waist), I can still pay a little homage with incredibly high heels and beautiful forties and fifties style dresses.

3. Sienna Miller in Alfie


Fairly forgettable movie - in fact, I can't even remember the name of her character - but her style definitely left a lasting impression. The mod, sixties thing she had going on was probably a nod to the original Alfie, but she made it look so covetable and easy. To this day I curse the fact that I cannot do a proper bedhead hairstyle (except when I, you know, actually get out of bed, and even then I look more like Russell Brand than a 60's sexpot). If you haven't seen the movie then check it out ONLY FOR THIS and then fast forward all the other bits because it's kind of meh.

4. Twiggy


If I'm inspired by anything, it's the sixties. To me, Twiggy is the epitome of sixties style. However unattainable her particular style might be to someone like me with curves and an unwillingness to chop of all my hair, she symbolises all the elements of style that I love. I have already done a Style Icon post on her as well but whatever! She desereves more than one post, right?

So. Thank you for indulging me while I explain my personal style heroes! While I do the Style Icon posts pretty regularly, a lot of them are people I admire rather than people whose closets I would happily live in. These four influence my day-to-day style more than anything else.

What influences yours?

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Tara
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The Days of the Old (Ridiculously Dressed) School Yard


I missed out on one of my friend's 21sts last weekend - due to a looming and rather unfriendly-looking essay deadline - and I was kicking myself, as it was a Prince/Princess themed affair and I had planned to go as Princess Peach (AWESOME, RIGHT?!). So in an effort to console myself I dug out some old photos of my favourite costumes; I must have spent half of my high school years traipsing around in some ridiculous costume or another...

This was for a school production of Footloose. I was playing one of the town mothers AND my only line got cut! Never will I get to say "Good morning, Reverand Shaw" onstage. I was so put out about getting a part as one of the townspeople (as opposed to the teenagers) that I picked the ugliest costume imaginable... which I sorely regretted as I went onstage in front of all my classmates and high school boyfriend because UGLY CLOTHES OMFG SO EMBARRASSING. By the way, this was also the peak of my very short-lived calling as a drama student. Also the last time I experimented with a full fringe - yes, that is how my hair turned out after I asked for a full fringe a la HILARY DUFF, who I was obsessed with at the time. Oh God.

That is me in the middle. This was for a school social, I can't remember the theme but I believe it was a "Come as your favourite era" or something of that ilk. I REALLY wish I still had that dress (my mum made it for me! I think the material was actually meant to be used for furnishings as opposed to clothes) and those boots, which were long lost at one of my friend's 18th birthday parties. Also, I am STILL that short compared to the rest of my friends.

This was for an op-shop themed social. School socials were probably the highlight of my school year, even though they were always (for me) filled with too much hope and too much rejection and reprimands from teachers for kissing boys and awkward dancing. ANYWAY. This dress was $10 from an op-shop in Perth and was one of four bridesmaids dresses. I'm kind of disappointed it doesn't still fit. P.S Note the stylishly undone hair, I don't think I used a hairbrush from the years 2004-2007 IT WAS THE STYLE OK.

This was at one of my friend's 18ths and sadly I cannot blame the tragic pose on too much alcohol, as this was taken pretty much as soon as I got there. This doesn't technically count as a costume since it is a proper dress, but having astonishingly little clothes to wear to a "rock star" themed party meant that I had to go out and buy this. Um. I have no other explanation except that it was Bunbury so it wasn't reeeally out of style and OK NOTHING TO SEE HERE ANYMORE MOVE RIGHT ALONG PLEASE.

This is from a dance concert at school (another short-lived performing arts career). I would apologise for there not being any clearer photos but I am sure that the other people in the photo are thinking "Thank FUCK for that", so I will leave it. Just to be clear, this costume consists of a Bonds singlet we all customised ourselves, a tulle rainbow skirt and a pair of pantaloons. And, in my case, a ridiculously large hairpiece. I originally had a piece of ribbon around  my waist but my dance teacher told me that it made my boobs look too big. And then asked if I was wearing a heavy duty bra. And then asked me to jump to prove it. She was a lovely lady.


I am kind of bummed out that Halloween isn't a bigger deal in Australia so I could have an excuse to dress up at least once a year. Be thankful I spared you from all the pictures from the numerous "Pimps and Prostitutes" parties I went to in high school (LIFT YOUR GAME, BUNBURY).

Thank you for indulging in my nostalgia trip!

x

p.s It is really good to be back to blogging! Hiatus = over.
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Tara
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Sunday Songs


First of all! Apologies for not blogging recently, but as well as computer problems I have had some personal stuff going on that makes me not really want to write. But! I couldn't miss two Sunday Songs in a row, so here are this week's choices...

The Temptations - Ain't Too Proud to Beg

Martha & The Vandellas - Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)

Tegan & Sara - Where Does The Good Go

The Smiths - The Boy With The Thorn In His Side

Bruce Springsteen - Fire

Ella Hooper & Dan Sultan - With A Little Help From My Friends

Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs - Stay (Just A Little Bit Longer) [thankyou X!]

Thanks for still reading!

x

p.s BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!
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Tara
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Oh no!


Sorry that the blog has been quiet lately but I am having computer problems (the screen is pretty screwed and, at the moment, showing everything in negative colours, which makes putting up photos quite impossible!).

I'm also working on my journalism article. It is about comedian groupies. Do you think they exist?

Back as soon as possible!

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Tara
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Sunday Songs


My computer has pretty much bitten the dust - the screen won't turn off negative colours - so I am stealing my sister's computer to give you Sunday Songs! This week is deliciously 50's and 60's flavoured so give it a spin! And as always, if you have any recommendations leave them in the comments...

Roy Orbison - Crying

Weezer - Buddy Holly

Kate Nash - Do-Wah-Doo

The Pipettes - Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me

Johnny O'Keefe - Shout (live)

The Beatles - Twist and Shout

The Ronettes - Be My Baby

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Tara
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I'm a freelance writer who blogs about Perth (my old home), Paris (my new home), fashion, food, and everything else that takes my fancy. Have a look around and enjoy!