Current Obsession: Mexican Embroidered Clothing

It was around a month ago that I was in California, livin' it up in the greater Los Angeles area and various cities in Southern California. Note: a major digression is about to begin (was that an unintentional music joke?). You know how Southern California is often abbreviated as SoCal? One day while waiting for the bus in L.A., one of them said "Local" on the top, and I spent a solid minute trying to figure out what part of California "Local" represented before I realized that it was simply a non-express bus. Digression completed. 

One of our small day/late evening trips included Old Town, San Diego, the oldest town in California. Since the town is only a fifteen minute drive from Tijuana, Mexico (unfortunately, we didn't cross the border even though we were so close. We weren't really in the mood to get involved with the drug cartels.), it has a very Mexican-inspired feel: Mexican restaurants, people, and stores everywhere. While in Old Town, we stopped by some cute street and alleyway markets selling clothes native to the area. As soon as I saw those embroidered dresses and blouses, my heart swelled the size of an average-sized balloon, filled with love for these garments. Due to the simplicity of the silhouettes and fabrics, the embroidery itself stood out like a beautiful, hand-sewn, vibrantly multicolored thumb. I go through phases where I admire the homey charm of embroidery, and I am definitely experiencing one of those moments right now. I think it's safe to say that I'm currently obsessed. Things that really suck: I was completely broke after we left Los Angeles and couldn't buy anything, but that just means I have to make something myself. Hashtag seamstress problems. 

The thing that I really adore about embroidered apparel is that it looks sort of rustic yet very happy and romantic, all at the same time. These sort of dresses are frequently very reminiscent of Frida Kahlo. And you know I luh dat bitch. They are particularly perfect right now because: a) it's summer and it's hot and cotton is the shiz,  b) flowers are fantastic and make everyone cheerful, and  c) there's something that I can't quite place that's just so festive and pleasing about decorative sewing. 

I spent a lil' while today browsing Etsy for the best o' the best in Mexican embroidered clothing. Below is my selection of those said best. 

Photos via etsy.com.

Frida Flowers dress from Honeywood Vintage (this Etsy store is totally rad; I highly encourage you to check it out. It's also not extremely overpriced for someone who has more than ninety-nine cents to their name like I do) 

Mexican White Tunic from Made in Technicolor (also a solid store option if you are in the market for a garment of this ilk) 

Black Peasant Vintage Tunic from Mafufa

Vintage 70s Embroidered Mexican Maxi Dress from Raggedy Threads (once again, Raggedy Threads is a super duper snazzy shop to look at) 

Vinage 1970s Mexican Embroidered Dress from Tailor's Chalk Vintage

Handmade Bohemian Maxi Dress from Honeywood Vintage

Colorful Cotton Embroidered Dress from DESIGNER CHIC

Are you in love yet? Because I am. If this doesn't become a high-fashion trend within the next few seasons, I will make it a trend. 

I just watched my cousins attempt to eat over ten pounds of food as a part of their yearly birthday challenge, so I'm still a little traumatized. 

It's the weekend? 

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Current Obsessions: Give Your Wrists A Rest

And relocate the party from your arms to your ankles. Yep, I said it, I am staging an ankle bracelet comeback.

I found this cool golden chain necklace the other day and I wore it as, well, a necklace. Then I discovered that it was going to be nearing 70 degrees in New York today, so I was like, "I'll wear a dress and my Converse and an ankle bracelet." Problem is, I don't own any ankle bracelets. Solution? I took that same gold chain necklace, wrapped it twice around the place where my leg meetes my foot and clasped it, et voilà.

I say, "ankle bracelet" you say, "hippie," n'est-ce pas? I thought so too, but all of a sudden I have felt that they are very classy. Maybe it's because my friend Sadie (who you'll see more about in a few weeks' time on this here blog) has worn t-shirts reminiscent of childhood summer days this past week. Somehow I feel like Leandra mentioned them at some point, but I think this trend might actually be one of my own creation. Let's take a look at how some people on the interwebz have worn them.

Photos via Tumblr, a.k.a. the un-cite-able hellhole. 

Classy but cute. An elephant never forgets. ...Never forgets the charm of an ankle bracelet! Pun right there. Think about that one.  

Just straight up classy. 

The whole vibe is perfect. 

 And here's how I did it.

Converse: designed by me, made by Converse 

Necklace-cum-ankle-bracelet: my great-aunt Barbara's

I decided to ease myself in to it slowly by starting off with a simple gold chain. Sadly, it was hidden by the tongue of my sneakers most of the day, but I intend to keep at this, wearing bigger and/or adding more bracelets to my party. 

Come join the shindig, why don't you? It's a blast. 

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Current Obsessions: Costume National

A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon a brand called Costume National. I don't remember how it happened--probably while reading a magazine--but I do remember that I was instantly in love. I actually wrote a Facebook post about it on my blog's page, which means it was really important. I'm not much of a status-updater.  That's irrelevant though, because I need to open your eyes to the beauty that is Costume National.
I actually looked as far back as Fall/Winter 2010 (that's like a lifetime ago)...that's how obsessed I am.

The thing that I love about the brand is that they do incredibly new and innovative variations on classic silhouettes. That's what most designers strive for because women (and men) are always looking for investment pieces that are timeless, but they don't want to be boring either. When you mush those two characteristics together, you have a beautiful baby, something that might resemble a union between Darren Criss and Emma Watson. Below are a few of my favorite pieces from assorted collections dating back from F/W 2010 to Pre-Fall 2012. Get ready to be blown away.

All photos courtesy of style.com.

Fall/Winter 2010

Pre-Fall 2011

Fall/Winter 2011

Spring/Summer 2011 

Resort 2012

Spring/Summer 2012

Pre-Fall 2012

Yeah. 

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Current Obsessions: Hagrid-Inspired Outerwear

If you know me at all then you know that I love Harry Potter and everything related to it (I stated it in my Blogspot bio on the left, just sayin'). That's why instead of just flat out saying that this post is about maxi coats, I'm referencing my good buddy Rubeus Hagrid, half-giant and fashion innovator. "Hagrid, a fashion innovator?!" you may scoff. "Yes!" I shall reply. Ever noticed how he is almost always wearing a floor-length coat, whether it's a furry one in the winter months or a lighter one in the summertime? In case you haven't noticed this, here is a photo that may refresh your memory:

"Just because he wears a long fur coat doesn't mean that he's a fashion innovator," you may counter. "Yes," I shall respond, "it does because maxi coats are a huge trend right now!" Then photographic proof would follow. Which will happen in a minute. But this post is not merely a trend post; if it were, I would have titled it "Trending Right Now: Hagrid-Inspired Outerwear." However, it is named "Current Obsessions: Hagrid-Inspired Outerwear," which implies that I am currently obsessed with floor-sweeping jackets. 

The other day, I saw a woman walking down the street wearing a floor-length black wool coat, and I was instantly jealous of her. I was a bit shocked at myself, seeing as I had never outwardly (or inwardly for that matter) expressed or acknowledged a penchant for garments such as that one. The thoughts passed and were unremembered until I was on Nadia's blog, FrouFrouu, where she was discussing her love for long coats, and I realized that I, too, love long coats. Then, last night I was looking at the Band of Outsiders F/W 2011 show when I saw a model wearing a white fur maxi coat and my immediate reaction was, "Can I be her." It wasn't even posed as a question. You'll see the photo in a minute and when you do you'll see how comfy-chic she looks. That's my favorite style and it's very difficult to pull off, but when it happens, it's magical. Scott Sternberg has somehow mastered the comfy-chic look, which makes Band of Outsiders one of my favorite brands ever. We'll discuss that at a later date. The sight of the maxi coat at Band of Outsiders triggered something in my memory--the fact that Rodarte did a bunch of floor-length coats in their F/W 2011 collection as well, and I vowed that I would go through my archives the next morning and do a post about it. That is what I did, except for in the afternoon. 

Without further ado, I will show you the photos I collected. 

All photos courtesy of style.com and harpersbazaar.com. 

Give into your animal instincts: 


                         Band of Outsiders                                                                            Missoni
   

                        Band of Outsiders                                                                 Alexander McQueen
    

Wooly mammoths are not extinct: 

                                     Céline                                                                                   Rodarte

Lightweight champions: 


                              M Missoni                                                                                   Rodarte
           

Chloé

I want to just cuddle up inside of one of those forever, hence why I am currently obsessed.

I would just like to point out that I wrote this post in the car ride to Boston today, and then my computer flipped out and I had to rewrite the entire thing. #Bloggerproblems (that's a pun because Blogger is the platform and I am a blogger). 

Enjoy the last few days of 2011 cuddled in a maxi coat!

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Current Obsessions: Bordeaux & Velvet

I wasn't originally intending to combine the two into one post, but it just so happens that everyone else who likes velvet thinks it looks best in a shade of burgundy. Crazy stuff, if you ask me.

While in Urban Outfitters the other day, I realized that I'd picked up three different velvet pieces--leggings, flare pants (funny story about these guys) and a dress. I didn't buy any of the above, but I did buy a bordeaux chunky sweater at the discount sweater store out near my grandma's house. I almost bought a different one in the same color, but luckily I did not because...I've already got one at home. There's clearly a reoccurring theme here.

I guess the burgundy/velvet combo was brought to my attention by Madeline of Jean Greige a little while back:

Velvet Ballerina from Miracle Eye. $29.

When I say "brought to my attention" I mean that I fell in love with it. I wanted that dress so bad. And if I'm not mistaken, it was made by a 15 year old girl. Pretty rad stuff.

Here are some other photos I found from Urban Outfitters, American Apparel and Miracle Eye:

Velvet Long Sleeve Mini Dress from American Apparel in Burgundy. $44.

My friend was wearing this today at school and I was mad jellin'.

Kimchi Blue Velvet Strappy Wedge from Urban Outfitters in Maroon. $49.

Velvet Full Woven Skirt from American Apparel in Burgundy. $38.

Dr. Martens Velvet Mary Jane in Red. $110.

My life would be complete with these in it.

Staring at Stars Crushed Velvet Flare Pant from Urban Outfitters in Maroon. $49.

So here's that funny story. I tried these on in black the other day at the store and I came out of the dressing room to show my friend Michelle (I was also wearing a big sweater with a bear on the front) and I started dancing to show her the full effect. This would of course be an opportune moment for one of my 8th grade English/Social Studies teachers to walk by. I'll spare you the details, but we'll leave it at extreme awkwardness ensued.

Burgundy Velvet Burnout Blouse from Miracle Eye. $16.

If you don't want to go out and buy all of these things, then...that's totally cool.
Gotcha there! Thought I was gonna reprimand you, right? Heh.

I'm going to the Daphne Guinness exhibit again tomorrow, and this time I'm bringing my sketchbook. Oh yes.

Nighty night, buds!

P.S. Did you notice how I added a baby sidebar widget that tells you how to follow my blog? I'm going to try and make it bigger/more visible, but it's there, on the right side under the blog archive.

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