Art

Justin and I visited an art exhibition at the Tacoma Art Museum this weekend. It was dedicated to the Northwest, presenting both local and visiting artists, and this weekend was the last chance to see it at TAM. We loved it! I shared some of the paintings that moved me on my FB page, so if you are interested, just search for my name. Here, I am going to share the art that Justin and I created together at the museum that very same day.

Over the course of the almost exactly three years that I have been writing this blog, my understanding of what personal style is, as well as my blogging goals have changed. From a simple desire to find my way to dress well, through experimenting with style and learning about myself, to a desire to express my thoughts, ideas and feelings about life - not only via writing, but actually via dressing. I don't deny our wanting to look good in the clothes that we wear as one of the main, basic and natural motives for dressing up. I see nothing wrong with it, and I admit that I want to look good in my clothes as much as I want my clothes to be comfortable, practical, well made, warm or cool depending on the season, etc. But there is another level of dressing that I discover I have a craving for - the craving, or desire, for being an artist when it comes to dressing.

 This desire, as well as some revelations about my personality, which I've shared here on the blog numerous times, sneaked up on me. Before, I was able to appreciate artistic dressers, and some of them, such as Iris Apfel, have my deep admiration. But I did not know that I would want to do it myself. I just did not know that I had it in me! One thing is to express myself through words - it is something I've been doing for many years. And quite another, to express myself through colors, shapes, textures all while wearing them. Maybe it's Autumn. I always feel inspired by Autumn - even just anticipating the season change fires me up.

The dress is by Isabel Toledo for Lane Bryant, last year's collaboration. I surprised myself when I decided to go for it. I bought it at a fraction of its price (something like $20, and the original price was $188), so there was not a huge risk involved investing in this piece. The bold print and shape appealed to me, as well as the idea of owning a piece of clothing art designed by a very talented artist. I have a few Isabel Toledo's pieces (dresses, skirts, coat and more) and love them all. But even though I own this dress for over a year, this was its first outing. 

To my surprise, this bold and definitely out of the ordinary dress received a lot of compliments from both museum goers and pedestrians on the streets, which I'd never guess. I love you, Tacoma! You certainly have a quirky, art appreciating side. I wore a bold striped poncho cardigan over it later that evening (no photos, sorry, but you can see me wearing it over a jumpsuit HERE). And again - I'd think it's not the easiest outfit to please a crowd, but honestly I don't even remember when I got so many compliments. I'll come up with another variation of this outfit in the Fall, for sure, maybe the cardigan will take a part in it too.

Justin and I created this little video for you to enjoy. 

Tell me what you think.

I don't know why expressing myself artistically via clothing took me by surprise, but it did. I've been always an artistic person - I follow my nose and create something practically every day, that is just how I live, that is who I am since as early as I can remember. An old friend of mine who found me on FB not so long ago, looked at my blog, and even though she does not understand English much, she was able to feel the special artistic atmosphere of my blog (in many ways, thanks to Justin, as this blog is truly a labor of love for both of us). But I guess I did not think of my own dressing as a form of art before - a form of creativity, yes, but not art. I just did not realize that there is something I am eager to express with my outfits - that little and often invisible extra which stays unnoticed if you don't pay attention. Expressing not what you learned about colors and shapes and what looks good on what body type. But rather what you know about life, about love, about the world. You know, that kind of stuff.

What is a personal style to you? 

Is it the art of putting a well-thought outfit together in order to look good, 

or it is also the art of expressing your ideas and feelings through clothing?

Dress and bracelet - Isabel Toledo for Lane Bryant (last year)

Shoes, purse - old and well-loved

Necklace - gift from Elle

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