Author: theseventhsphinx

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on the street: friends with style

When I see two people out (women, men, one of each, whatever) and I want to take a picture of one of them, I often want to take a picture of the other, too. Style travels in pairs.

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IMG_6257I actually ran to get ahead of these women to capture them, I liked their looks so much. In one you get a clear snapshot of beautifully executed individual style, and in the other a pitch-perfect interpretation of current trends. Both looks are great, but put them side by side and call them friends and I say they get even better.

I’m reminded of these two women from the spring, who I keep thinking back to as perfect examples how great it can be when you simply combine whatever you want, whatever you love.

IMG_2857The effect is, in part, that they look like they enjoy getting dressed. If this effect can be achieved, no matter what someone is wearing, no matter what other effects might be in play, I can usually enjoy the result, too.

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the straw fedora

 Style ain’t nothing but keeping the same idea from beginning to end. Everybody got it.

                                                       –August Wilson, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

I got a new hat, a snazzy little blunt-brimmed straw fedora in bright ivory. Arguably out of place anywhere but summer.

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IMG_6214You gotta get. that. dirt off your shoulder…

IMG_6203Some light, easy fare for the last days of summer. Old Navy top, Hollister cut-offs (thrifted, cut off myself, as is invariably best – don’t want them to look too neat or precise), Victoria’s Secret python bikini top, Superga sneakers, Goorin Bros. Marin fedora, Fossil watch, antique scarab pendant, Pearls of Joy 6-7mm studs. On the lips: OCC lip tar in Banjee.

This is my rather dull balcony. There’s a fair amount of hat holding because there was a real danger of having it blown off. Plus, it looks saucy.

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IMG_6222_2-bwIf you can’t do gangster poses with a fedora, when can you?

Resolved to play more with black and white. Got the excellent advice to include some pure black or white (or both) in the composition to maximize the range of contrast. Have a bit of a thing for sepia, too.

IMG_6184This lip color is a straight, marigold orange (swatched here in my ode to orange). I was skeptical to use it alone–thought it would look too editorial/bizarre–but after messing around a bit, adding a little gold powder to the center, I really liked it. Not as distracting/weird as you would think bright orange creamsicle lips would be, right? [Or maybe I got desensitized over time…] Fruits of experimentation.

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