PHASE 1: SHAME
It wasn't until college that I dove deep into the ocean of fashion. My best friend, whom I met my first semester, was into editorial and runway and did something totally foreign to me and gave the topic a level intellectualism. Growing up, I had hid my interest behind shame, worried it would make me seem vapid.
PHASE 2: OBSESSION
With my very own laptop for the first time, I started hoarding pictures of shoes, runway, and style stars on my desktop. I thought I knew what fashion was, but girl, I was wrong! Take for example Prada. I assumed I knew what was happening; rich people wearing leather bags in various shades from black to lime green with the logo in prime placement. Going through the Vogue Runway (RIP) archives, I went through Prada, then Miu Miu, from start to finish. A total revelation. I was blown away. Shoes that looked like chandeliers? Fairy illustrations on silk trousers and shoes with Iris heels? I couldn't wrap my head around how much incredible conversation around clothes I'd been missing. I had to think hard with visual eye. It became like a Prada keyboard in my head, allowing me to string together a visual code, forming words and sentences within the framework of a Prada language. I became obsessive and hooked, watching new shows like football people watch... football (clearly not a fan).
PHASE 3: BLOGGER
When I studied abroad and missed my friend in 2013, I would revisit favorite collections and create best friend looks for us. When we studied abroad together the next year, this concept blossomed into our blog, Wednesday + Meriwether, where we'd use our limited resources to "photoshop" ourselves onto these outfits and decide where we were going in them. View the remnants of our collaboration here. Excuse the "photoshop" it was really powerpoint (LOL).
Take for example, Christopher Kane's infamous Resort '11. We of course wore our favorite dresses from the galaxy inspired collection on Mars.
(left): Margiela tapestry boots, Spring '12. Note: The tapestry dress is available and would be a show stopper! Buy the dress now!
(right): it-girl Alexander Wang sandal, Fall '11 RTW.
PHASE 4: UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
My mentality was very much to bring the fashion fantasy to real life, with Prada scores from eBay mixed with clothes from Goodwill. I'd be teetering to class thinking I looked like hot shit. The kids around didn't get it, but I did--visually at least. In reality, my feet hurt and I didn't know why I was dressing so fancy for my very not-fancy life on campus.
While other kids had rich parents buying them sensible christian girl fall boots and camel cashmere from J.Crew, I was going for Street Style Star Hannah Lambert, with velvet Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton heels and the Prada fur stole from the banana collection. Do we see a disconnect? What I was putting on just wasn't comfy for my actual life.
(below): Me in Philip Lim pants and Prada heels, next to cone flowers.
(left): The legend Hannah Lambert. I wonder where she is now! She was a fashion journalist.
Evidenced below, my complete obsession with shoes. Always looking for the party for this reason alone.
(left and center): Prada smoking heels. An eBay score and my watercolor to celebrate.
(below): Marc Jacobs Pilgrim vs. Valentino Tango at a consignment shop. Lady Tango won and still proves useful to this day.
PHASE 5: GRASPING AT REALITY
I moved to San Francisco and was walking or taking the bus everywhere. My friend would help style me over FaceTime and would beg for the heels. I could not. I would wear the heels, and almost die running to catch my bus for work. I got smart, said no to 4" problem shoes, and developed a more practical style.
(left): being practical. Silk button up from Grandma, Wang jeans from the Rack, Wang shoes from eBay. I went to a museum after work--it was a lot of walking. In my unrealistic life, I would've been in Proenza Schouler archive boots that were 7" tall and in a foul mood as a result.
(below): My Stella McCartney jacket that was a steal! Nordstrom didn't have a return policy, and I am pretty sure someone returned this years after buying it so it was beyond discounted. With the Tango for a day at work as a Nordstrom stylist.
(below): A classic working-girl stylist uniform. My laser cut velvet top from the short-lived DKNY revival, and the oxfords I thrifted years prior and have had resoled too many times.
(below): My favorite No. 21 dress (too fancy, but pushing my and everyone else's limits at my corporate office) with Alexander Wang combat boots.
(below): Philip Lim dress covered in bunnies from eBay, thrifted jacket, Wang boots via eBay. This is a good balance, I'd say!
(below): Isabel Marant jeans via the RealReal, Wang boots (always), and Levi's button up. Branching out into colors that feel more me but I found challenging to wear. Like if I was running late for work, I wouldn't have gone for these. They took time and consideration.
(above): The Rachel Comey coat that I tried on and fell in love with and then bought later for way less on eBay. Ann Demeulemeester heels from eBay, velvet Frame trousers from the RealReal, and Levi's button down. I did have to walk some where very hilly after work and yes, I was cranky. I felt so good in this, but hated being uncomfortable. The jacket was too heavy and I should only let myself walk long distances in flats.
(left): A party look! Prada Mary Janes (a treat as I left my Nordstrom job and still had a great employee discount on a sale product), Zara shorts, random t shirt.
(above): THE isabel marant jeans. I tried these on in NYC and fell in love. My best friend found them on ebay for my bday. They were shipping from Russia and were lost in the mail for months. Zara sandals, Levi's t shirt, and a Rachel Antonoff fur embroidered with radishes.
(left): The Wang sandals I bought on eBay and recently sold on TRR. Frame velvet pants. Uniqlo tshirt. This is incredibly me and I feel great, and wore the converse because the Wangs were death traps!
(above): These slides were like $2 at Urban Outfitters and I really loved them, but they didn't last long. A chunky slide would be a useful addition for me!
(above): Really, this is it. A crew neck and velvet pants in monochrome pink with chunky, furry slides. Peak Olivia. We're done here.
(left): Do you feel that the outfits are getting better? I do. Isabel Marant skirt, tinsel sweater in an inky blue/purple, and burgundy combat boots. Interesting colors and textures and a shape I feel confident in.
(below): An Isabel jacket I will not get rid of but find challenging. I'm either incredibly into it or can't find a use. It makes the sound of tarp crinkling so you have to be in the mood for both visual and auditory drama. This is another monochrome outfit that I am obsessed with. Go me.
(above): This was both fancy and practical. I felt like Emily Blunt a lá Devil Wears Prada. It's a conductor's jacket with grey jeans and heels that are actually pretty comfortable for a dinner date.
(left): Another look to highlight. My beloved Stella McCartney jacket with pink velvet pants and the damn furry slides again with a white t shirt. If you missed the story above, this jacket was likely returned to Nordstrom years after purchase and my friend found it on the rack and told me to never let go of it. I wore it out of the store and someone immediately yelled at me "THAT'S A NICE COAT!"
PHASE 6: TODAY, BABY!
I think this is going to have to be a part 2
Thank you for reading!
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