Monday, April 21, 2014

Unexpected


This gorgeous whimsical beauty of a pattern peeked at me from a random stuff rack at one local Goodwill store. I don't even know what sort of mix was on that rack - the new arrivals which were not sorted out and put on their proper racks yet, or the stuff customers tried on and rejected. What I know for sure is that if not for that random rack, I wouldn't find this top. When I had it in my hands, I noticed that the size was marked as Small (let me remind you that I typically wear  XL, so even if I sometimes check racks with size L, I never even think of checking out a rack with size S...) 
Fate! ;-)


Just like with the red sweater from this post, I can only guess what the designer had in mind (some sort of extremely loose short dress or tunic for a slender girl, which sure can be lots of fun!), but I love the way it fits me. It feels completely comfortable too - soft, stretchy, easy flowing. And I will just go ahead and say that it is my favorite outfit to the date, for so many reasons. The label on this tunic says "Urban Renewal" and "made in the USA from vintage fabrics" (very cute label too). Ahh! What can be better than that? For someone like  me, who adores vintage clothing, yet enjoys modern lines and fit, and feel, and is very much for supporting businesses who produce things locally? After a little Internet research, I found out that it seems Urban Outfitters came up with the Urban Renewal line which offers clothing made of vintage dead stock. What a great idea! It's kind of like Vix with her famous Curtain Couture, only for us simple folks who doesn't sew yet (or already ;). 
I paid the whole $6.56 for this beauty, and I have a feeling that I will be wearing it a lot!


I think it's Curtise who finds that nothing says 1970s more than the orange and brown color combination, and I want to agree! When I look at this top/tunic/dress thingy, the flow of childhood memories rush all over me. I remember those color combos, and whimsical patterns, and those very characteristic of 70s fabrics, I remember my Mom and my aunts had dresses and skirts with very similar feel. I combined it with boyfriend jeans for an easy, relaxed look. (Note: first ones in my whole 40 years of living, unless you count my brother's jeans which I stole from him and bleached them in a tie dye manner when he came back from the army in 1988.)


All other details came together spontaneously from things I loved and bought before. I had no idea that orange is so "in" right now - I only now started noticing it all over the stores... I am not the most attentive person, I know, and not a big trend follower either (but I love it when trends inspire new ideas and fire creativity as it happened here). I always loved orange and its many hues, and when I saw this nail polish in a pharmacy a while ago, I couldn't resist (Sun Kissed by Sally Hansen). The orange leather bracelet is a consignment shop purchase ($12 I believe), extremely well done with tons of beautiful details. My other bracelet is from Russia - hand carved from birch bark, which is a very old traditional Russian technique (I will write about it some day). Its floral folk design echoes the psychedelic pattern of the tunic so beautifully.


 The shoes are a Nordstrom Rack find, by Tsubo, bought for $35, discounted from $140). I adore them - funky, stylish, upbeat and super comfy on my wide feet. They will make  many appearances on In The Writer's Closet, I am sure.


Just look at all these adorable details of the tunic design! It's something timeless in my book...

I showed the purse on a few occasions in my blog (here, here and here for instance). I really love it, pretty much everything about it. I can't remember the brand who does this straw purses, but they appear quite regularly at TJ MAXX (and I am not even a regular shopper there). It was about $20 if I remember right. They come in different colors. I adore the lining and the golden shimmer of mine, but I also saw them in silver tones (I even bought one as a present for a friend who admired my little beauty and even offered to buy it from me :).



Top - Urban Renewal, thrifted. Boyfriend jeans - Lane Bryant (they call them Weekend jeans). Shoes by Tsubo via Nordstrom Rack. Jewelry - from Russia, consignment store and boutique. Purse via TJ MAXX.

Linking up with Visible Monday!

47 comments:

  1. Wow, Natalia, you're not kidding...this top is very striking and you really are showcasing it with your fantastic accessories. And, it appears that the top picks up every speck of color in your hair. Nice!

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    1. So happy you like it, Glenda! I have my moments of inspiration. :) Happy Spring, dear friend!

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  2. Happy Spring to you, Natalia, and you look fab in your 70's colored top. Love all the accessories too. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday.

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  3. What a fab find! I love trawling the vintage inspired section of urban outfitters ad gasping over the prices - you got yourself a bargain and it looks fab with the jeans, stunning wedges and that amazing Russian bark bangle. The orange nail varnish is fabulously bright and sunny, too!
    I'm sure I have similar fabric stashed away in my material pile. I must dig it out and get creating! xxx

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    1. You make me want to start sewing again! :) I had no idea who UO are and did not know about this vintage line. I'll be checking them out from now on too. But yes, hard to beat thrift shop prices! :)

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  4. I love that new top, the colours and pattern are fabulous. You were obviously meant to find it tucked away in a random place, it looks great with jeans and all your accessories.

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    1. Thank you! :) It was looking at me and asking "please look back, please look back" while I was browsing my size racks. :)

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  5. Maybe Sally Hansen was thinking of you when she named her polish Sunkist. I absolutely love this Foulard top on you ! The print is stunning and it fits you so beautifully. I love the way you have styled it with the denim ,love that wicker type bag, the bracelet, and the ring, they do all go,together so well.
    I love shopping at thrift stores. The thrill of finding something beautiful is such fun. And find, you did!
    Love this look, and I love following you , I am sorry I have not been as regular, but I am moving , and packing ...
    XX, Elle
    http://mydailycostume.com

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    1. Always happy to hear from you, Elle! You are so kind. :) I definitely had a good fun with creating this outfit.

      Oh moving is a serious thing! I know exactly how hectic and exhausting it can be - I moved too many times (and will be moving soon again). Good luck with your move! I believe it's always for the best, no matter how stressful it is. :)

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  6. Eek, just did a major comment and it's gone!
    Repeat: that is a fabulous tunic, Essence of 70s and all the better for that! Urban Outfitters have some vintage (their Renewal label) and other new/retro stuff. Quite pricey though, so you did well. And the top/tunic/dress looks fab with jeans and those gorgeous sandals.
    Love the ring, bangle and nail polish. And the close up pic is beautiful. Justin is goooood; and it helps that you are gorgeous! xxxx

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    1. So annoying when it happens! I appreciate that you rewrote again, Curtise, it's always so fun to hear from you. :) I will keep my eye on this label now for sure. But it also makes me want to start sewing again. A bit afraid of the hassle though. I remember that knitting was so low-key for me, while sewing was always pain in the butt. :) But so many beautiful fabrics available... including vintage ones... ahhhh...

      Thank you for your compliments, I will tell Justin. :)

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  7. Natalia this outfit is a winner. Love the tunic top very, very much! You've styled it to perfection, the gorgeous sandals, the nail polish, everything is just muah! xoxo

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  8. Visiting from VisM and you look great in my favorite color orange.

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  9. oh natalia!
    you look like the happiest hippie chick in this photos!
    love that tunic, i would wear it often as possible and in every thinkable combi too, it´s a piece to live in. and this shoes! funky! your cute bag has already catched my eye last time, that the lining fit your tunic is the cherry on the cake!!!

    would like to read about the birch carved jewelry!
    xxxx

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    1. I will wear this top a lot, I have a feeling. :) Thank you, Beate! Will have to think about composing a birch bark story soon. :)

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  10. My dearest tatiana, thank you soooooooooo much for your words they mean so much to me. I can tell they come from your true soul and that gives me wings.
    You are also a wonderful inspiration, my dear friend
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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    1. Wings are the most important, Sacramento! I am glad and honored that I can give your wings a little bit more strength. :)

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  11. This top is a real beauty: the pattern and the colours combination are just fantastic. I like brown and orange together. Your bangles, ring and sandals perfectly accessorize the top. It is amazing how the colour matches.

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    1. One of those aha moments - they happen in fashion too! :-)

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  12. The tunic is beautiful! the colours are amazing on you, the orange buttons! love them! it all really highlights your gorgeous green eyes (beautiful pics of you btw!) the tunic is fab with the jeans, and your orange shoes! they are fabulous! I also adore your little wicker bag - I think it's safe to say I adore your outfit!! and you! x x x

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  13. I just found you via Fort Smith Stylista. What fantastic style you have!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind comment and welcome to my blog, Sandy! :)

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  14. Beautiful and thoughtful outfit. Love the color with your hair and your accessory choices are right on. Excellent sandals and what a good deal. I see you wearing them with many of your outfits. I remember this brand, such a lucky find!

    blue hue wonderland

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    1. This was the very first time I saw this brand of shoes, and I fell in love immediately. You are right - they will be out and about a lot! :)

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  15. Orange is such an alive color - I Iove it too, but it looks much better on you than it does on me. That top is a lucky find! It always pays to look at the garment itself rather than the size tag. I love the side buttons by the neck - very cool!

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    1. Those buttons are precious, aren't they. :) I think we all can wear the colors which are not the best next to our skin... closer to our bottom, so to speak. :) I will definitely try it next time when I want to wear nude lace! Skirt instead of blazer! :)

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  16. The colours in that top are perfect for you. I had no idea about that line by Urban Outfitters. Very cool.

    The close up shot of you is just stunning.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Thanks, Suzanne! I was very excited about Urban Renewal as well. Think of possibilities... ;)

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  17. Look at your beautiful face!!! I love this color combo on you! My parents had a orange and brown sofa that I remember fondly as a child this outfit takes me back to it. I think part of the fun with clothes is being open to trying things on, you never know what you will end up loving.
    XXOO

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    1. Oh that is so sweet that it reminds you of your childhood! I love such associations too. :)

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  18. What a great find! I love the pattern of that top and yes those colours are such a reminder of the 70s. Like you I need either a L or XL top and would never think to look at something marked S.
    The whole outfit is very stylish and comfortable looking. I love the shoes, accessories and straw bag. What fantastic lining in the bag too!

    I don't wear a lot of orange but I do wear brown. I love brown but it seems not to be in right now. Not that it matters only it means I can't find any new brown things. The orange really suits you. Your pretty green eyes look so nice with the orange and brown.
    xo

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    1. Pretty lining can make such a difference in a purse or a blazer or anything, really. I love such thoughtful details. And I love your thoughtful comments! :)

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  19. This is indeed a great look. You're right: nothing says 70s like brown and orange. It's a combination I wear often because, like you, I have auburn hair and pale skin and I think orange and brown suit our colouring.

    $35 for Tsubo is just insane! I have a disability so can't wear heels and am always on the lookout for nice flats. Tsubo entered my radar for that reason. I've had great luck with Ecco too.

    http://www.sublimemercies.com/

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    1. I love Ecco! Can't wait for Summer to wear my Ecco sandals. As comfy shoes go, I also very much like Sofft, Born, Dansko and Pikolinos (Spanish brand), and I try to buy from discount stores and usually pay 50% less than original prices, or even cheaper. I don't remember when I a paid full price for anything. :)

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  20. You were made to be together, that top and you. Not only that, it looks as though you've bought all those accoutrements to style it with - and here we find you've had them all along. Exquisite, your combination of orange slices.

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    1. What a beautiful comment, thank you, Pao! :) Very poetic!

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  21. I don't know if it's just your camera, or cameras in general, but this one just loves you to pieces! Really pretty you, in a really pretty set of colors ... the print is retro pretty, but it's hard to imagine it looking any better than it does on you. In another season, we might have worn it with brown but if it's trendy to wear it with the orange, then let it be so! I think trends get a bad rap sometimes, especially when they help us look at visual ideas differently and prompt the kind of creativity you showed us here. Sometimes vintage sings a more modern version of its song when it is treated as a contemporary. Still vintage, with its character intact, but enhanced.
    And those little orange sandals just made my day.

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    1. Oh that is just so wonderful about vintage singing a modern version of its song! Love it. And thank you so much for your compliments, Jan, you made my day! :) :) :)

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  22. You are great finding bargains! I like your blouse, but what I really adore is your weaker bag!! Nice piece to wear with pretty much everything this season.
    Xo
    Carelia
    Mysmallwardrobe.com

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    1. Oh this little beauty of a bag is in my wardrobe for a few years now, and I am sure we'll have a passionate affair this season and many more seasons! :) Thank you, Carelia!

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  23. I love everything about this outfit! The pattern, the colors. I grew up in the 70's so I am definitely nostalgic about orange and brown, avocado green and harvest yellow. Everything came together perfectly here down to your shoes and nails! Love the purse, too. I'm a fan of wicker bags. Thrifting is great. When you buy those one of a kind things you never have to worry about seeing yourself coming and going as they say. Debbie @ ilovemylemonadelife.com

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    1. I adore avocado green and harvest yellow as well! I do have a few little vintage tableclothes from 70s in those colors, but this was my very first orange+brown clothing item, and I am in love. :) Thank you, Debbie! It seems love of thrifting is somewhat universal in our fun online community! :)

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  24. Thank you, Marlen! :) I do the same - pack up most of the summer stuff for winter, but don't move it too far away, and get some of my summer items to layer during colder season. Luckily for me, cold season in Seattle is not too different from warm season! ;)))

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