this month in shopping i

It is probable that the juxtaposition of the excessively serious and excessively frivolous, which is the basis for the rhetoric of Fashion, merely reproduces, on the level of clothing, the mythic situation of Women in Western civilization, at once sublime and childlike.

                                                                                            –Roland Barthes, The Fashion System

I spend a lot of time determining what to acquire. A lot, a lot. I take acquisition quite seriously, or rather am able, when in the mood, to shift into a very serious stance about it, so my choices are at once outside, peripheral to what is necessary and deserving of considerable time and attention.

I think it’s always interesting, how people spend their money.

Here are some current highlights.

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If you’re in the market for a hat, the Goorin summer sale is a good place to start. I picked up a short brimmed straw panama, the Marin. [Wearing it here!]

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I find hats difficult to wear, usually, but I love them anyway. They radiate attitude. They often for me can fall into or at least approach falling into the category of too much, which is exactly what I like about them.

On a slightly related note, inspired by the price and the pattern, I picked up this utterly charming and unnecessary paper parasol mentioned in a recent xojane post. A childlike selection.

8pal60852_red_frontviewA parasol is a pleasantly eccentric accessory, but a practical one, too. As a prop, for about $15, I couldn’t resist it. At 32″ in diameter, it’s not small.

Made curious by boisdejasmine‘s post about ways to use orange blossom water, I picked some up to play with.

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Another comfortable underthing option for the flat chested, the Cheap Monday triangle microfiber bra (via asos). This looks less like a bra and more like a basic bikini top or abbreviated camisole. Great for wearing under loose tank tops as it doesn’t look especially bra-like, i.e. like it shouldn’t be visible. Great for tee shirts, too.

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And one truly practical item, a light cargo jacket by add (via YOOX). This is a wonderfully light (ideal early autumn weight) and thin parachute-like material. Loving the symmetrical pockets that make it at once slouchy and structured. I got this quite a while ago, actually, but only recently is it approaching the weather for it.

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Have also been finding some great dresses, on which will have to do a separate post.

 

strawberries & cream

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My latest impulse buy is a very properly stringy kind of string bikini, with triangles none too generous in size and with little strawberries on it. We are perhaps approaching the line. I think it’s so cute, though things being so cute does not usually make my purchase a forgone conclusion…it’s like white (which I love), only cuter than white, I think is what happened.

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How glam is this hat? I theorize that it would posh up any outfit. Excellent sun protection, too, if a bit of an umbrella-like liability. This is an 8″ brim (compare with this one, which is 5″ and I would say still quite dramatic).  I actually tried on a 10″ brim but was outdone. 10″ is too much for even me.

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Bikini from Pret-à-Surf (via The Outnet), skirt from some shop in Santa Fe, sun hat from San Diego Hat Co., [cheapo] wayfarer-style sunglasses from eBay, pearl studs from Pearl Paradise*, pearl bracelet from eBay, espadrille wedges from Eric Michael.

*I am loving how they stand out against the backdrop of the hat brim. So often modestly sized earrings get lost in the chaos. Do you need any more convincing that pearls would be a salutary addition to your life? If so, wait until next week.

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