It’s time for another Global Writing Challenge prompt. Our current membership consists of Deb’s World, Suzy Turner, Rosie Amber, Within a World of My Own, and me. Guess what? Leslie is back! She’s now blogging on Substack. We have another possibility but are still waiting to hear definitively. Suzy chose this month’s theme, and I think her post will be just amazing! I love the Global Writing Challenge because it’s always fun to see what others come up with…the responses rarely repeat. On top of the wonderfully different opinions and thoughts, the writing itself is wonderful! I hope you’ll visit all of these blogs because you are going to be amazed at, not only the diversity of ideas, but the stories of each person. There’s also a link party at the end of this post!
If you’d like to join us, here is the prompt for March:
- March – Festivals
A little history…
If I’m absolutely honest with you…do you kinda hate that saying? I mean, it’s not like I’m going to lie to you, but I suppose I could “bend” the truth a bit. Anyway, if I’m being honest, I haven’t always been the fashionista you know and love…hahaha!! My earliest style icons were probably the girls in the Sears catalog! When that new seasonal catalog came, I would pore over the pages, trying to decide what I’d get if I could actually get something. And, on those oh so rare occasions when I could get a new outfit, I’d just pick the entire outfit right off the page or mannequin! So, I guess the pages of the Sears catalog or the mannequins in Sears or Montgomery Wards were my very first fashion icons.
Emma Peel…
But, then I remember noticing fashionably dressed women. I wouldn’t say I noticed the fashion; I just noticed there was something different about those women. I’m thinking, specifically of Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in “The Avengers.” I remember her wearing a catsuit once, and that image has stuck with me ever since. So, then my fashion icons became the women on the screen, big and small. The only one that really sticks with me, though, is Emma Peel.
The 60s…
I grew up in the 60s when fashion was hitting some high notes with the mod look. I would say my first true fashion icon was Twiggy. I mean those eyes! That was what I first noticed, followed closely by her haircut. No one I knew, other than the men in my family, wore their hair that short. I wasn’t struck by her shape except for the little shift dresses she wore. Janis Joplin, in her crocheted vest and her bell bottoms, the Beatles in their Sergeant Pepper looks, and, just on the verge of my consciousness was Jackie Kennedy. Quite the range, right?
Teenage angst…
During my teen years, when I was trying so desperately to fit in (as most teenagers are wont to do), I turned to my original style icon…the Sears catalog. This time, though, JC Penney had joined in, and Montgomery Ward had receded. I remember buying three versions of the same outfit. The knit top had a square neck (which I avoid now as it does nothing for me), puffed short sleeves (another avoidance), and wide stripes. The pants were high waisted twill bell bottoms, very, very wide bell bottoms. The tops I had had brown/ivory stripes, navy/off white stripes, and red/off white stripes. I had a pair of brown bell bottoms, off white bell bottoms, and I think navy ones. The funny thing was several of my friends had the same outfits. We were friends so we’d coordinate when we were going to wear which combination. I do remember, during my Junior year, my mom…I mean Santa…had brought me a rose colored sweater, a floral shirt to wear under it, and some kind of matching pants. We had large group lectures, and it just so happened, another classmate had received the exact same outfit. We ran in two completely different circles…hers was more top shelf than mine. One day, we both wore the same outfit. The big problem? We sat in the same row, and it was the front row which had three seats. Some guy from the back yelled at the sole guy in the row, “Hey, where’s your pink sweater?” Of course, she could get away with it. Me? Not so much!
Beginning…
As I got older, I replaced the Sears catalog with the Talbots catalog and LS Ayres which was an upscale family owned department store (now owned by Macy’s). I would buy the entire outfit as presented, never thinking about mixing or matching. Oh, that’s not entirely true. I would buy separates quite frequently and do a little bit of mixing and matching. But, for the most part, I relied on those mannequins and models in the catalogs as my style icons. I did, however, have one outfit I thought was quite the thing. I had modeled it after Katherine Hepburn, of all people. It was a crisp short sleeve white blouse worn with a khaki pleated skirt. I thought I looked…well, something!
Growing Awareness…
And, then a light bulb went off. I started paying attention to how and why I wore something. I credit a lot of that to April Cornell. I have told the story of that before so I won’t bore you with it now (you can read about it here). But, I realized there was a world of fashion that I’d never seen nor paid attention to. Suddenly, fashion became, in my mind at least, synonymous with style. And, I didn’t have any. It was then I started looking at clothing as more than something to put on…shocking, right? I started looking through magazines, taking notes here and there. I began reading biographies and memoirs about “fashion icons.” I remember reading a biography of Coco Chanel. I’d heard of her, knew only of her leather goods and perfume; I had no idea she’d created a fashion tsunami with her unstructured and menswear-inspired clothing. I honestly didn’t realize fashion was political and made a statement.
Other icons…
From there, I went on to notice other fashion icons. I noticed the gamine nature of Audrey Hepburn’s clothing. I swooned over Jacqueline Kennedy’s suits (even though she’d passed out of that era decades earlier). I coveted Marilyn Monroe’s…well, everything…but especially her satin! I wanted to wear Cher’s barely there gowns. All around me there had been this fashion revolution (again in my mind at least), and I had missed it.
Fashion Fairy Dust…
When I was teaching, I taught in a school with a principal who was very much about how “his” teachers looked. I wore mainly clothing from the less expensive section of Ayres with a few pieces from Talbots here and there. After I got my Master’s Degree and a significant raise, I started shopping more and more at Talbots and Coldwater Creek (before it got all mumsy). When we traveled to Indianapolis, I would look in at J Jill and wish I were that cool. Again, I’ve written about the different version of J Jill I loved so much back then. That was also when Nigel would buy me a dress or two (or three) at April Cornell. Eventually, my wardrobe became full of business dress. It wasn’t exactly stylish, but I was known for “my style.” Then, blogs happened…well, they’d been happening for a while, but I had only just begun reading them. And, I discovered Debbie at Fashion Fairy Dust (now Your Styled Story on Instagram). I know I refer to her a lot, but she really is responsible for the evolution of my style. She gave me permission to wear purple with orange with bits and bobs of turquoise thrown into the mix. She told me it was perfectly OK to wear stripes with florals. I even commented on her blog, and she’d reply. That, my friends, was life changing for me! I do believe it was at that time I began to develop my own style.
My Style Icons at the moment…
And, that is where we come to my style icons right now. I still love the beautifully cut suits Jacqueline Kennedy wore, but I know her body is not my body. But, I can wear a sweater based on the lady jacket. Another style icon is Stevie Nicks. I love the flowy skirts, kimonos, and scarves. And, that brings me to Steven Tyler…yes, I have male fashion icons! I love the way the man rocks a scarf, rings, and bracelets. I embrace the boho style Sarah Jessica Parker wore as Carrie Bradshaw. I aspire to the “could care less” attitude of Iris Apfel and her many bracelets, big glasses, and colorful clothing. Janis Joplin is still there, too. When I pull on my horseshoe jeans, I think of Janis. I have a pattern for her crocheted (or maybe it’s macrame) vest. It’s on my to-do list for this summer. I love that wide leg jeans are in style though they’re really nothing like the bell bottoms we wore. I channel my inner 50s housewife when I wear my April Cornell dresses. Yes, I consider the 50s housewife a style icon. So, how does the Gudrun Sjoden style fit into style icon? Hmm…this may surprise you, but it reminds me of Twiggy! Those bright cheery colors and beautiful florals definitely have 60s flare, don’t you think.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
As I’ve often mentioned, I don’t really think I fit into any neat category of style. I’m happy with identifying as a fashion chameleon. It’s so much more fun! While I don’t believe any one style icon has helped me craft my style, I do think I’ve taken a bit from here, a skosh from there, and a touch from everywhere…as any good style chameleon would. So, can we talk? Have you always been aware of fashion/style? Do you think there’s a difference between fashion and style? Who are your style icons? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as soon as possible.
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
What others are saying…
Debbie says, “Over the years Debbie has discovered her own style and has named it as ‘Joyful Original’”
Suzy “writes about true style icons, from rebellious women in trousers to fictional witches who dress like themselves, trends be damned.”
Sally “discusses unconventional style icons including male performers, fictional characters, works of art, and animals/plants – there is style inspiration everywhere around us!”
Rosie “is talking about garden styles.”
Leslie “has never thought of herself as a fashionista by any means but we all have a certain flair about the clothes we wear, the home we create, the life we live. Check out what has most impacted her sense of style.”
And, now, it’s your turn!
If you’d like to link up your posts about snow, you may link up here or at any of the other blogs!
I think that you are very comfortable in your clothes and you have a good eye for colour.
Thanks so much, Rosie! I wish I was as successful in my garden! Your is so beautiful!
This was fabulous Marsha and all the various stages you’ve gone through. I love the term ‘fashion chameleon’ which describes it perfectly. You always look happy and comfortable in your outfits and I feel you have a distinct style all of your own, probably influenced from those icons you’ve mentioned. A great post 🙂
Thank you, Debbie! I can’t take credit for fashion chameleon, but I do think it describes me. I love getting dressed and wear whatever moves me that day. I have lots of choices in my closet.
I definitely remember being like with most fashion magazines and almost always wore the whole outfit together without using them as mix and match pieces.
Thanks, Joanne! It was just easier, wasn’t it? In magazines and catalogs, you weren’t really shown any other way of wearing things. I think the Talbots catalogs now do a little bit of that.
Thank you Marsha for taking me with you down this trip through memory lane! As I was reading I was chuckling and nodding my head in agreement as I too had some of those very same inspirations and experiences. Since I was the oldest by 3 years of my sister, I often dictated to her what style or look we were going for that day and have vivid memories of drawing freckles on our little brown girl faces to emulate Twiggy.
These days I would never dream of buying an entire outfit on display but in my 20;s that signified wealth and cache in my mind.
I do love creative looks and if I could swan through life dressing Stevie Nicks all the time, I most certainly would.
This was such a fun and inspirational read.
Thanks, Arabella! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. I loved writing it and could have gone one and one! I got hand me downs from my cousins and loved the new to me clothes. I loved Twiggy, but I was nothing like her so I never even tried to emulate her. I had lots of freckles then, but they seem to have faded away. Hmmm…I never thought of buying the outfit as a signifier of wealth and cache. But, it does make sense…if you can afford to buy it all, then you have money. Ah, to dress like Stevie every day would be fun, wouldn’t it? But, I wonder if I’d eventually get bored with it?
I have always been a rather eclectic self-styler. When I was a senior I had a teacher say to me, “I don’t know from one day to the next whether you’re a geisha or something else.” The funny thing is I was wearing an empire waisted dress with a French illustration on the front at the time. That’s always puzzled me. Being in high school in the 70’s, the style was micro-mini or maxi. I was tall and thin so if I wanted those maxi’s to hit right I had to sew my own. I loved fabric and textiles, and a good Make It Tonight Simplicity or Butterick pattern! I lean boho so enjoy your style, especially with the Gudrun Sjoden layered dresses.
Thank you, Kathy! We must have been in high school about the same time. When my husband was in high school four years before me, there was still a dress code…dresses/skirts had to hit the ground when you kneeled. By the time I got there, it was more like wear a top, a bottom, and some shoes. One girl seriously just wore a bandana tied behind her neck and around her waist, forming a halter. I’m so glad you like the Gudrun Sjoden looks. I had always wanted to try something and took the plunge a few years ago. I think I lean more boho than anything…but ask me again tomorrow!
I loved hearing how you went from buying outfits straight off the mannequin to having a personal style now, and how various style icons clued you into how personal style is even a thing! I think many women start out with more rigid copycatting because there is such pressure to fit in with what everyone else is wearing and how they’re wearing it, so it can take time and experience and a broader view of life to start getting more personal with it.
Thank you, Sally! I do think it takes time to come up with your own personal style. I might never have really developed any style at all if not for reading style blogs. I definitely was into just buying the outfit as presented because I thought that was the only way to wear it. Now, when I’m shopping, my mind is already buzzing with different ideas of how to wear something.
I have style icons as in loving a person’s style, but not in taking a cue from them. Even in my wildest times I think I have been boring at best in regards to fashion.
I wish I could look like Audrey Hepburn, no matter if she wore Givenchy or those wonderful black outfits with flats from “Sabrina” or “Funny Face”.
There is a reason I love vintage Barbies, though. Barbies vintage fashions are such a perfect mirror for clothes of the time I like and she and her friends wear them a lot better than I ever could. So I guess Barbie is one of my style icons.
Thanks, Cat! I agree, Barbie is definitely a style icon! Her clothing was such a reflection of the times. I don’t know if the new ones are as much. Oh, who doesn’t want to look like Audrey Hepburn in her little cigarette pants and flats? She was just so cute!
There are different new ones, those for the children and those for collectors. so at least some of them still are.
I did not know that!
What a fun trip down memory lane. And I think its one advantage of getting older, we figure out how to have our own style instead of just copying others.
Xoox
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! There were so many icons I could have listed, but I didn’t want to bore my readers that much! I know my style has really changed over the years, but then again, so has fashion.
Oh you bring me back decades! I do remember loving Emma Peel’s mini skirts with boots looks. My grandparents once told me that I, when I was 4, only wanted to wear black patent shoes. I had a Barbie which had a patent black leather trenchcoat and I adored it, I was 8 or 9. So yes, my love for fashion started early. Your style is you! That makes you, among many more plus points I’m sure, a fabulous woman!
Aww, thank you, Nancy! Now, I’m blushing! I remember wanting black patent leather shoes, but, for some reason, I had to get cream colored ones. It was so much fun searching for that photo of Emma Peel…she had such style! A Barbie with a black leather trenchcoat? She was quite edgy, right?
Fascinating post. You reminded me how I used to pore over my mum’s catalogues, Grattan and Freeman’s, to look at the models and what they were wearing.
Thank you, Gail! And, these days, we get so few catalogs. Poor kids don’t know the joys of poring over them!
Love these style icons you share and these chic looks! SJP and Gwen Stefani are my style icons.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks, Kathrine! I can see that in your style! You always look fabulous!
It is really neat to see where everyone’s fashion style has come from and evolved. I really enjoyed Leslie’s post. I really don’t think I had any style icon in my growing up years and wore what my mom bought or gave me from hand me downs from others. I always felt out of style in school in France. I really didn’t start having an opinion until I started buying my own clothes when I started teaching. And with the discovery of blogs, it really became a fun part of my life!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! Leslie is such a wonderful writer. I swear she could write about paper bags, and I’d love it! I used to wear my cousin’s hand me downs and loved it because they were new to me. My mom did shop for me, too. She bought me a beautiful pale yellow dress that I just never liked. It took me years to figure out why not. It had a round neck and no shape. It probably wasn’t even my color.
I think Katherine Hepburn was incredibly stylish – and very much to the beat of her own drum when Hollywood was requiring women to appeal solely to a particular male gaze look. I’m off to read the April Cornell story as I don’t think I know it.
Style for you was the confidence to be allowed to wear what you liked and not confirm to ‘the rules’ which again was in there with the Katherine Hepburn look you had.
Lovely post.
Thank you so much, Lydia! I agree about Katherine Hepburn, but her style was one I knew I could never pull off being so short and round! She just looked so amazing in those flowy wide leg trousers and a (I assume) white blouse). And, yes, it was definitely the confidence to embrace me and not worry about rules. I read the blog posts and articles about what women over a certain age should and shouldn’t wear and just laugh! I hope you enjoyed my post about my love affair with April Cornell.
I had forgotten about the Sears and JCP catalogs. They were my go-to for style inspiration, too. But I think we shopped at stores that were cheaper – Zayre and Walmart and Kmart. But I loved poring over the outfits in those catalogs.
Had thought of Twiggy after my post was written. And we had a neighbor who gave my sister and me paper dresses which I think were Twiggy-inspired. Wish I had a picture of those. We were stylin’, that’s for sure!!
I am not sure how I would define your style but you certainly have a definite style of your own. And so many of the pieces are things I would love wearing, too. I like the layers, the pattern mixing, the bold colors. Have always liked Talbots but it is too expensive for this girl’s retirement check. Used to like Coldwater Creek, too, but they are pricey and I like what you said – mumsy!! Yeah, no thanks.
Thanks, Leslie! We had three or four family owned small department stores in my hometown. But, I think their prices were probably higher than Sears and JCP. I don’t really know, though, as I wasn’t paying the bills back then. I had a girlfriend whose mom would have a garage sale every summer and sell her clothes from the previous year. That way, she always had brand new clothes for the new school year. She was also the baby of the family and the only girl so maybe that had something to do with it. Oh, I remember the paper dresses. I think there were some that looked like the Campbell’s soup cans, weren’t there?
I remember when I first walked into a Talbots store. It was the old style…very Ralph Lauren. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to afford their clothes. But, I joined a private group on Facebook and got all the skinny on codes and such. I think I have only ever paid full price on an item a handful of times. My go-to was Coldwater Creek when it was brick and mortar. Again, never shopped full price. I haven’t looked at the online store for a long time. But, the last time I did, it was just plain…mumsy! I always liked their tencel jackets and had them in every color. I wish I had some of them, but they wouldn’t fit now anyways.
This was such a fun read. I even paused my old movie for you so I could take it all in! *wink*
I loved reading about your evolution of style and the fashion icons you looked up to. It was also fun looking at the photos and seeing those different styles.
I just didn’t pay attention to fashion and it shows in all my old and recent photographs! Ha! But I can relate a little to looking at the Sears Catalog for outfits.
Thank you for the fun post.
Wow!!! I’m flattered! I am sure it was a really good movie, too! I had a lot of fun writing this and looking for old photos and thinking about those old clothes. I sure wish I still had them because my oldest granddaughter is really into vintage clothes.
I loved hearing about your style icons — it’s so fun to see how inspiration evolves and influences your personal style.
Thanks, Laura! I had a lot of fun writing this post. I could have written so much more, but I didn’t want the post to be too long!
I think my style icons originally came from magazines like Tiger Beat and 17 lol. I have a broad range of style icons now, and have always loved Iris Apfel, Sara Jessica Parker, and Kate Moss.
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! I loved Tiger Beat and 17! I probably, unconsciously, took some style tips from them, too. I can definitely see Kate Moss’ influence in your looks! I really hope I’m more Iris Apfel than Aunt Bee when I’m older!
Fashion chameleon? That is brilliant, Marsha! What a fabulous way to see yourself! And it fits so perfectly. I love your style, love the way you wear colour, and the way you sometimes incorporate the 50s housewife style is FAB!
I agree about Marilyn Monroe, she had some beautiful outfits in her day—I always loved that famous photo of her with her billowing dress almost showing her knickers, although I didn’t like the boob area of it lol. Janis Joplin never came to mind when writing my post, but she’s was pretty cool, wasn’t she? I shall have to do a little more research on her style and see if I’m inspired!
Great post, Marsha!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Thanks, my friend! Shelbee gave me that name, and I think it fits. I just love clothes and love to experiment. I’m much more adventurous now. We have several large laminated posters of Marilyn hanging in the garage. They used to be in our bedroom in our house up north! I think Janis was just so cool. I hope I can make that vest. If I do, expect to see it on the blog!
You have some of the same fashion icons as I do including Carrie Bradshaw, Iris Apfel, Steven Tyler, and Janis Joplin! Did you know that Steven Tyler’s style aesthetic as well as his stage persona were completely influenced by Janis Joplin? His autobiography, “Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?” is so, so good! I highly recommend it. Great post, my friend!
Shelbee
Thanks, Shelbee! I didn’t know that about Steven Tyler. Did I tell you my nephew met him in Las Vegas? My nephew was lighting up a cigarette, and Steven asked to bum one off him! And, yes, the dude is teeny tiny. I will definitely look for that book. I’m sure it’s fun reading as well as quite serious in parts. We are two creatures who just love clothes and style, right?
I really enjoyed how you traced your style journey from catalogs to icons like Twiggy and Stevie Nicks, it felt both nostalgic and inspiring. Your “fashion chameleon” perspective makes your approach to style feel refreshingly authentic and fun.
Thank you so much! I am happy to be a fashion chameleon.