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Thursday 10 November 2016

Style doctoring without borders

The very best clothes change me - they move me, literally. They make me hold my hands a certain way, stride a certain way. They affect my carriage and expression and speed. For me, these are the things that propel an outfit from merely great to exceptional.


The movements here are large. They are not something you would do going down the sidewalk. Even so, when I hit the pavement, these bold physical expressions are still there, coiled inside, ready to spring, not necessarily through a kick, but maybe a quick smile or high five. An energy has been created.


It's getting easier to express the particular supremacy of a cut or colour or texture and its effect in my photos. Is it because I am more in tune with these connections or because I am becoming less timid in the use of my camera and locations? Probably both.

I am patient too. I know there can be no exceptional responses without the short-of-exceptional in between for comparison, which can feel interminable, so when I do find that magic combination, well, it's something to relish, something I couldn't fathom giving up.


This week I imagined what it would be like if I woke up one morning and found out freedom of expression had been banned during the night. Specifically, from now on we would only be allowed to wear state-issued khakis and button-downs with plain black cotton shoes. Bobs would be the only sanctioned hairstyle. In other words, the pinnacle of norm core.

The blow would be staggering. But I wondered about those people who have always suppressed their style choices fearing what other people would think. I can't imagine the regret they'd feel staring at, say, a little red dress they'd secreted away in the closet before the clothing police raided their home.


They'd probably be asking themselves - why didn't I wear my dress/platform shoes/palazzo pants when I had the chance!? Why was I worried about a few raised eyebrows?

So I say, PUT ON THAT FECKING RED DRESS. Put it on NOW!! Freedoms are nibbled away bit by bit until, yes, it's possible we could wake up some day to an altered reality. It happens. So right now, this very minute, is as good a time as any to revel in our freedom to wear whatever the feck we want. Abso-fecking-lutely.


I use my individual expression to create antibodies against the pestilence of intolerance. This particular outfit created an especially powerful batch. In fact, I shared it with people I met on the street who were also eager for a big dose.


I bought this coat at My Sister's Closet after it had been rejected by shoppers in a pop-up shop at a cinema before a fashion film I couldn't attend. When I didn't see the coat at the shop the next day, I was sure it had been snapped up, but I had to ask anyway. The volunteer on duty went to check, and when she came back, there it was. Apparently, many people had tried it on and passed. Whew!

These tartan palazzo pants are made from a heavyweight brushed twill and I bought them at Used House of Vintage several years ago. This was my first time wearing this particular combination. Pretty damned strong antibodies if you ask me.

It's been quite a week.


54 comments:

  1. BAM!
    thank you for this post - pics and text!!!
    exactly what i needed - its been quite a week - politically and personally!
    you are so totally right, i know how it can be to live in a restricted society. it was´t that bad anymore in my own youth - but one generation before (50s/60s) longhaired young men got their had shaved bei hooligans, who called them self "communists", on the open street.... for example.
    thank you again for being so gorgeous!!! it helps me!!
    xxxxx

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  2. You are so damned right. And red is such a beautiful colour. The colour of freedom. I think the coat is fabulous. Had I been in My Sisters Closet before you, that coat would have been mine. By the look of it, it is big enough to be my size haha.
    Your trousers are great, although for me on the short side. But that is because I cannot get used to this new trend in fashion (shorter, wider trousers). So you are on trend (again haha) and I am not. Surprising by the way, that you haven't farked them yet.
    You keep on fighting for freedom dear.
    Greetje

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    Replies
    1. That red would look great on you, Greetje, and the coat is large enough for many people but I don't mind oversized at all. No need to get used to a new trend either. Wear what you like, as you know well. These just happened to be this length and I'm too lazy to change them even if I wanted - it would require miles of stitching. Heh.

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  3. Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am! I think I see the light coming to me, coming through me giving me a second sight. I mean, now I don't have to wear head-to-toe black anymore. Or maybe just for a day or two in mourning. Perhaps I'll just make some black arm bands our of various black fabrics. Yes, that's an idea.

    Thank you so much for your doctoring by example, Melanie. You look/ are absolutely fabulous.

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    Replies
    1. So shine, shine, shine, Pao! I love both of those songs and both of those artists. Cat Stevens got me through my teenage years, xo

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    2. No, no, no armbands!! Gaaa! But butterfly sleeves, oh, yes, please. We go higher. This is the best time there is to push ourselves to the max in our freedom. As you both do, thank Santa God!!

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  4. Ohhhh YES! Melanie. You are absolutely right. I'm on the best way to wear what I want.? Thank you for your stunning blog. The best way to built antibodies against kaki and button down and black cotton shoes ;)
    xxxxxx

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  5. Yes "I use my individual expression to create antibodies against the pestilence of intolerance." !!!!!!!
    xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

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    Replies
    1. No pestilence allowed - it should be a t-shirt. xo

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  6. Oh, your fabulous flowing red outfit was just what I needed this morning. My world has turned black and scary and it's time for me to get out of this funk and not be afraid. The fight against intolerance and bigotry needs to be forefront in all of our lives from now on and what better way to symbolize this agenda than to wear freedom-loving clothes!!!

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    Replies
    1. A little time has passed now so I hope you are armoured up in good vibes. It's a great way forward. Hugs, xoxo.

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  7. Replies
    1. Whoa, my absolute pleasure. We take what we can get, right?

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  8. Absolutely. When I went to my acting classes the ones I loved the most were about getting dressed and figuring out what the person would wear. And then there will be people out there telling you clothes do not make a difference....haha...I simply adore your pictures! Thank you! Sabina

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    Replies
    1. Clothes have the power to change everything if you are open to it. They are like magic, or their effect can be like magic. I'm glad you know what I'm talking about, Sabina. Hugs.

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  9. Love that coat and those fabulous palazzo pants! You do look wonderful and have no doubt cheered up a few unhappy people as you went about your daily business. Yes, let self expression reign - what a boring world it would be without it.

    I'm so sorry about the election result and worried about the future...

    Try to enjoy your weekend

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Ah, yes, shock. This is how I deal with it. I tell you, this red was much needed out there on the street. The future is what we make it, I keep trying to tell myself that. I try. I try. Fingers in ears, tralala. Hugs.

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  10. It *has* been a week. Last night L and I tied one on for the death of Leonard Cohen, mourning the poet and the man. Here is to bright colours that say "feck you!" into the void. Hugs to you, Mel.

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    Replies
    1. You got it, Sheila. I have whole strings of expletives I can reel off with grand delight and vexation and depth of passion. Hugs back to you, Sheila.

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  11. Why HELLO! You are BRIGHT! A LIGHT! I needed this NOW! More than the clothes...although that Teddy Coat is fabulous {and how did it not sell ASAP?}...your voice cheers me immensely.

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    Replies
    1. Hahaha!! I try to live by my words, Sue; some days I'm better at it than others. Hugs.

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  12. You so fabooluss! I wanna smell that coat.

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    Replies
    1. Hey Hollie, stick your nose right in there deep and sniff. Hahaha!! Not much there I'm afraid. I haven't even sweated it up right yet either. Give me a couple winters.

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  13. That's why robes are SO empowering - you create your own breeze and just BILLOW. Your dervish dance is inspiring - that coat is fabulous and forever. This is the absolute masterclass from 00:6 (I'm trying this with litter-picking bags next time I'm out with my grabber-stick)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ2lL3oAIpQ

    I was in TK Maxx the other day and there was a gang of ladies flocking around the little red dresses in high anxiety about whether their of-a-certain-age knees or arms would show if they tried them on. I was like a moth to a flame to the SEQUINS on the next rack. O.M.G. The sky nearly fell. The fat old woman in the trendy young thing section trying on clothes. Gadding about in sequins, aided and abetted by my man shouting BUY IT NOW IT LOOKS FABULOUS. Who would not want to live like this? Worth any amount of side-eye and tutting.

    Inflatably,

    Elaine Monkeypaints

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    Replies
    1. Create your own breeze - that sounds like a great t-shirt. Hmm, or a gas medicine. Sequins and side-eyes were made for each other. Love that you dove into the heavy armour section. Poor dears, faces agog, don't even know what they're missing. Your man is definitely a keeper!! Love that encouragement. May I borrow him? Heh. Hugs, xoxo.

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  14. These photos are so liberating, joyous, artistic and energetic! Freedom and self expression creates ripples of happiness in the world. You are living proof.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    Replies
    1. There's power in this kind of thing, as you also know so well!!

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  15. Lady in red!!! Love it! Red is an energising, empowering colour. Here, it is the colour of our Labour Party, so the opposite political colour coding to the US, thank goodness. I am red by choice both in style and politics! xo
    I tried on a pair of the most fantastic high heeled sandal boots in leopard print. Bit I bought the orange sandals instead. My knees have FAR too much to say about heels to get them!

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    Replies
    1. Ah, yes, our bodies tend to gain a louder voice in our style choices all the frigging time. But the orange sandals sound sweet and a fantastic alternative to the sandal boots. I know you will rock them. I hadn't even thought about colour with political affiliation when I did this post. Why is there no paisley party? That would be the one for me.

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  16. WOW, WOW, WOW!!!! I adore this look, this post and your marvellous and inspired writing Melanie. We may all be dead tomorrow so let's party like it's 1999! It may not be healthy to have so much envy, but perhaps just admitting it makes it better - I wish I'd been the one to find these two amazing items first, although I could't rock them as you do. Brilliant, bloomin' brilliant xxx
    Anna
    www.annasislandstyle.com

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    Replies
    1. Anna, what? You always rock your outfits!! But yes, no matter what, we are responsible for our own little corners, they belong to us, and isn't it awesome that we have that power? Right on!!! Thanks for your positive words here.

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  17. Brilliant photos, Mel! You find the best combinations and move in them like nobody's business. <3

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    1. I love how the camera takes one quick movement and turns them into many slow balletic images. If you saw me for real, you might laugh. Heh.

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  18. FABULOUS, BRILLIANT bits of wisdom. And I'm so very happy you got that coat (it was obviously hyperventilating in the shop for you to appear. You belong together). I wouild want to make large movements everywhere in it, would have to forget about riding La Vie in it but the brilliance of it would have me ya hooing louder than usual as I cycle along. The tartan culottes/pants are something else! xx

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    Replies
    1. Oh, I was so worried I missed out on this coat. Imagine my elation on seeing there the next day. It's swooshy and magnificent. I enjoy seeing you in clothes for spring/summer where you live. I'll trade you seasons! Hugs.

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  19. This is good, very very good. When you waft, I feel happy. When you waft in red, my psyche is restored.
    Thanks Melanie. Here in the states we needed something to lift our spirits

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    1. Heck, I'm damned near levitating in this coat. Hahaha!! I'm glad this post helped. What else can I do? Hugs. xo

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  20. You should just swirl down the pavement and see the reactions, some would be positive and some would most likely join you in swirling. That outfit was made to float and swirl. Keep up the good work on not being the norm!!!

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    Replies
    1. I shall try to keep on floating and swirling. Not always easy. But when it's good, there's nothing better. xo, Sue.

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  21. wouaauuuuuu, your red coat stole my heart!, I love it so badly!!, I don't understand that somebody tried it and didn't buy it!! Impossible!!! The shape, the color, the Big Buttons!! everything is Fabulous!
    And those tartan palazzo pants!!! ohhhh I'm just too enthusiastic!!
    besos & twirling!!

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    Replies
    1. I know it's hard to believe. Apparently lots of people tried it on for a laugh but nobody took it seriously enough to buy it. It was really inexpensive too! Amazing. And lucky for me. Besos to you! xo

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  22. Oh my word. I have been in mourning and I needed some Mel to pick me up. You are the New Spice Girl. I really wanna zigazig ha.

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    1. I'm your pick-up gal. Hm, did that come out right? Heh. Let's start a band, Connie.

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  23. This is a perfect post Mel, no other words needed.

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  24. Word. All that exists is the here and now. Wait too long and there will be nothing except regret in your wake. No better time than the present to take chances and be heard from an aesthetic standpoint. <3

    - Anna

    www.melodicthriftychic.com

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  25. This is the perfect post to express how I feel. I have been immobilized in response to the unthinkable. Your freedom of expression means so much and speaks a thousand words, bringing me to tears. xo

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    1. I thought my computer was broken. I thought all the news stations were broken. You know the joy of freedom of expression, Judith. Let's just keep on doing what we're doing. The world is a better place with you in it.

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  26. you're an inspiration! This red outfit is so full of life!!!!!!!!!

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