I asked myself why I chose this particular outfit today, what influenced my decision? And the answer came quickly - this sundress with its hot colors and flame-shaped edges has always reminded me of fire, and forest fires is what's on our minds a lot lately. Of course, summer heat can bring forest fires pretty much anywhere in the world, and I hear there are such fires in Germany, Siberia and other places. What we experience here is rather an outcome of such fires in British Columbia, and we have the heaviest smoke which just hangs in the air and doesn't move for a few days, a very unhealthy air quality that is, they say, at the moment the worst in the world. As we are calling for rain to set out the fire and ashes in the atmosphere, I just couldn't help but create this rather expressive clothing duo.
If you've seen this sundress before (shown in AUGUST 2015 and in JULY 2015), you remember how sweet it is. But for today's outfit, I just had to go a bit edgy, so I doubled the colors and stripes with a linen kimono (a part of a matching set which I've shown back in MAY 2017, and the trousers in a different combination in SEPTEMBER 2017). I chose these chunky platforms as a juxtaposition to the sheer and flowy dress.
And even though I love smiles and sharing joy and uplift with my posts, and that is what I do pretty much 99.99% of time, I do reserve the artistic rights to be expressive and moody at times, and the mood to express this time is uneasy, anxious.
It won't last for too long - the smoke will lift, and so will my mood, it always does, but I enjoyed expressing it through my sartorial choices, and I think it is something new to me. Before, I only used my outfits to uplift my mood - but not here. Maybe the word "mood" isn't right here. Not that my mood was bad, but definitely living under a heavy blanket of smoke creates a certain anxiety or even angst - and that was what I wanted to express, as well as eagerness to see things changing, waiting for the wind to blow away this tension and uneasiness in the skies above us, dreaming of pure blue skies again, and of golden, not fiery orange sun. Creating this outfit and photo shoot almost felt like a sacred ritual to me.
The faux amber accessories are vintage - I bought the whole set (completed with earrings which I didn't wear). Judging by the quality, they are from the 1960s if not earlier, extremely lightweight and in superb condition. They were perfect for my vision for this photo session.
Do you choose your outfits mostly to uplift your mood or to express your current feelings
and ideas that are on your mind?
Dress - Lane Bryant (old)
Linen jacket - Elvi (old)
Sandals - Mia (old)
Accessories - vintage, antique mall finds
* * *
Our air was upgraded to "unhealthy" from hazardous yesterday! We cannot see the islands.
ReplyDeleteLuckily we have no breathing problems but I do bad feel for those who do.
I like your colour choices and the jacket goes so well with the dress as does the amber.
Thank you, Jan! I wrote this post late last night. As of this morning, we can see the islands again! I think it's the first time since Sunday, so five days of heavily smokey air. Rain will feel soooo refreshing!
DeleteI mostly choose my outfits to uplift my mood, as dressing in bright colours often seems to do the trick. I am very impressed with your outfit, and the philosophy behind it and I think that, even if it initially expresses a darker mood, it is still very uplifting. I love the way you have played with colours and stripes here, as at first you almost fooled me into thinking the dress and kimono were a set! The sundress is a thing of beauty! I can't imagine how it is to have to breathe in smoky air for days on end, but I'm sure it must be horrible. Here's to hoping the weather conditions will soon change and rain will put paid to the forest fires! Lots of love xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Ann! It is getting better, fortunately. Justin wears a mask when the air quality is so bad, but I sometimes see people jogging in this condition - that's not wise... We are fortunate to have AC at home, that helps with the indoor air quality, but many people don't have it at their homes because summers are typically not that hot here, so the microscopic particles (ash) get even inside...
DeleteI have this dress for 3+ years, and I bought the kimono and trousers last Winter (2017) - they do have such a strikingly similar pattern that I wanted to wear them together, as an ensemble, but it's the first time when I've actually done it. I am pleased that you like it!
I think that as creative dressers we are very much like artists, writers and other creative types with their art - we have the power to make statements with our art! It felt powerful and healing to me, and I am glad that it doesn't come across as gloomy - maybe edgy, moody, yet still uplifting, that is the message I'd love to send.
Lots of love!
Sorry to hear about the fires, and the smoke. It seems that there are forest fires everywhere, and heatwaves and other climate change related problems. Very scary if this is the new normal from now on...
ReplyDeleteBut on a lighter note, I just love your outfit! These are your colors, as if you were born to wear them.
Thank you, Tiina, I appreciate your words! Orange does seem like my color, in all its variations - rust, 'orange' orange, carrot etc. I think it symbolizes life energy to me - something joyful and powerful.
DeleteTo tell the truth, before last August, I haven't noticed such a bad problem with smoke here - I don't know whether it's just me or the situation changed that dramatically just in a couple of years? I wish there was a simple solution to this, but the answer is probably in spreading awareness as much as we can, so more and more of us treat our planet and live every day a little more consciously.
sending you some of our rain we had last night.....
ReplyDeleteto answer your question first: so or so - mostly i create my looks to express my moods/feelings/situation etc. - but sometimes i use the power of clothes to cheer myself up. this works especially well with our modish matrons themes for which i have to leave my common dressing path once a month :-D
shamanism includes dressing for the occasion - of cause. and you look like a flame, not a fancy one for a party - a smoky, earthy flame that is dangerous if we do not watch..... its art with clothes!!
although i miss you gorgeous smile - you look adorable in you role as a warning wise being!
chapeau - my dear!!
hugs & kisses & rain!! <3 <3 <3
Thank you, my dear Beate! I looove your descriptions - you go right to the core, but at the same time you write poetically, and that's a rare talent! Lots of love!
Deletesorry that you have to live under the smoke from those fires, it's something so stressing and obviously makes you feel anxious! but I totally understand that these feelings are expressed through your fashion choices. You created a fabulous inspired outfit, I love the sundress and the linen tunic, they look really matchy, and also love those so beautiful colors and accessories!. Even in a darker mood, you look gorgeous and inspiring!
ReplyDeleteUsually I like to dress up to improve my mood, but sometimes I prefer to embrace whatever I feel and dress to express it! even a bad mood could promote creativity and inspiration!
besos
Thank you so much, dear Monica! I think smoke (smog) made the whole area feel anxious, and as a sensitive person (and artist) I pick up on energy rather quickly (which is both a curse and a blessing), and I felt inspired to approach this topic as an art statement with my clothes. :)
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about the fires, I hope the smoke will lift soon. I experiences what it is like being surrounded by summer fires a few times and it's not a nice feeling. We do get summer fires here and they're never nice.
ReplyDeleteI can understand how your mood influences your style choices. This outfit is reminiscent of fire and smoke...you've compared putting this outfit together with a ritual. I hope it helps, in a manner of some ancient ritual, to chase the fires ways. You do look lovely! And your question is interesting. I think both bad and good things can be a good inspiration for our outfits and our art.
Thank you, Ivana! Yes, it is a curse and a blessing for creatives to be sensitive and open to the energy around them, so we can use it in our art! <3
Deletemmmh nice Colours! They let me think for caramel, Nougat, chocolate...early in the morning, and what shall I do now? ;-)))
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteI love your fire and smoke outfit, Natalia. It expresses the somber but connected relationship we share with our world. As you may or may not remember, I am living slightly north of you in Vancouver and I have not enjoyed the somber underpinnings of my "mood" (if we can call it that) lately. My days have been fun and busy, but underneath is that sense of gloom which I need to choose to rise above. I never thought to express this with style, but again, there you are creating art by your very presence in the world. Stay strong! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen! Of course I remember you - I always look forward to your wonderful, thoughtful comments! I am very touched by your words, my dear!
DeleteI have always loved these colours on you , you look splendid and they could only lighten the day. I hope the forest fires have eased and the air quality has returned to normal.
ReplyDeleteI always admire your artistic approach to dressing , I always find taking time and effort and playing a little always lifts my spirit. Best wishes, Jill. xx
Thank you so much, my dear Jill! It is very much appreciated, coming from you, amazing style artist yourself! Lots of love!
DeleteOh what great colours! Love them so much. BUT also love your being moody and showing it. Seems it runs round the world, so it caught me also. But it will lift for sure! Fingers crossed and head up!Queens are queens, or? Love, Sunni
ReplyDeleteP.S. We had a fire at night beside our small hideaway, not a km away a house was burning down. It was a shock to awake and listen to the breaking wooden parts in it. It took me 4 min to pack our things to be ready to go...And there are still large fires in the area round Berlin and in the fields, but its a little colder now, so we hope that was it about fires. I do feel so with you about the air and breathing cause with my asthma its already a problem with cold air or fresh one, but fire is much worse. Hopefully it will be better soon!!!
DeleteOh Sunni, I am glad that everything is well at the end. Lots of love and healing thoughts your way! <3
DeleteWhat a divine outfit. The kimono is the perfect match to your sexy strappy sundress and the beads are sublime.
ReplyDeleteLike Jill, I've always loved these colours on you. Our clothes have an effect on both ourselves and those who see us and I think it's important to give thought to what we dress in each day.
Those forest fires have been terrible - we've even suffered here this year what with the heatwave we had earlier this summer.xxx
Thank you, my dear! So glad that you liked the outfit!
DeleteHope all the forest troubles went away, and no more danger to creatures and people.
Lots of love!