Sunday, January 15, 2017

meet Helen and Georgia

In this post, you'll get acquainted with two of my best friends, Georgia and Helen. Georgia has been taking my blog pictures since the very beginning, so you've already been introduced to her in some ways. You may recognize Helen from my prom 2016 post.
Helen Maynard
WHAT TO EXPECT: film/ thrifting/ politics/ personal essays
DEFINITIVE FASHION PIECE: I wear mostly statement pieces. Stuff that you can’t wear everyday because it would tire. My favorite would probably be my light blue track suit, like the ones that were really popular (Juicy in particular) during the early 2000s. I can wear it in a preppy way with a crop top and tie the top around my shoulder or go “sporty” with no bra (my go to). It’s an easy way for me to be funky without having to try too hard.
3 OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS: Watching and talking about “films;" estate sales, the best place for nice clothes at a great price; the Walmart clearance and children’s toy section, specifically the baby dolls that cry and poop
A COUPLE OF SENTENCES ABOUT YOU: I’m a home grown Fayettevillian, with Texan and Californian roots. I wear whatever makes me feel good about myself and try to surround myself with others who do the same (and I return the favor).
SOMETHING RIDICULOUS: The choker trend. I think they’re just all terrible. I think I tie it too closely to my friend’s 5th grade goth phase. Next thing you know Hot Topic will be in style again, and I just don’t have the willpower to watch style fall.
GUILTY PLEASURE FOOD: Easy Mac
FAVORITE FORM OF SELF EXPRESSION: I think writing right now. Writing is an intimate way that I try to tell my (currently undeveloped and frankly boring) story and my (unsolicited) opinions. I’ve been writing for about five years and currently am writing mainly personal essays. I love to take faint memories from my childhood and insert a message that may not have been there originally. I think even if the message wasn't there to start, by creating the story (and to an extent the memory) it develops more value to me than it ever could have otherwise.
WHAT DOES FASHION MEAN TO YOU? Through fashion I try to show my funky side. My style is inspired by Iris Apfel, and I often hear “I wouldn’t wear it, but it looks good on you.” I don’t follow many fashion rules either. I wear white after Labor Day, I wear two fancies, and I wear velvet in the summer. I just wear whatever I want and feels good in the moment. Style is how I establish my individuality.
GEORGIA WILLIAMS
WHAT TO EXPECT: photography/ humor/ outdoors
Georgia in Ireland
DEFINITIVE FASHION PIECE: I’m not sure that I have any piece of clothing I immediately picture when thinking of my “style,” but my go-to is my pair of dark-wash, high-waisted GAP skinny jeans. They are comfortable and high-quality, go with everything, and they hold in my tummy in the most comforting way while also slimming me down.
3 OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS: I love my Birkenstocks, especially with socks. Go ahead and judge me. I think I rock it.
I love my dogs and all other dogs. They are pure and can do nothing evil.
I love London fogs. The lady at my favorite coffee shop even told me she now associates my school uniform with London fogs.
A COUPLE OF SENTENCES ABOUT YOU: I’m more of a dirty hippie than a glamorous fashionista, and I may make cynical jokes too often for my own good. But if you can appreciate someone who can fit a fart joke into an intellectual discussion without skipping a beat, I’m your girl. I’m all about comfort and simplicity, and I hope I can provide the perspective of someone mostly oblivious to trends but inspired by many things nonetheless.
SOMETHING RIDICULOUS: Guides to clothing based on body type. My body doesn’t fit into any one of your definitive shapes or types, and I’m gonna wear what makes me feel good, not what “flatters my figure!” Take that, teen magazines!
GUILTY PLEASURE FOOD: Sea salt and vinegar chips. I’ll eat an entire bag in an hour. My tongue will be destroyed and I’ll be chugging water the whole time, but I’ll do it every time.
FAVORITE FORM OF SELF EXPRESSION: Writing. Hands down. I have no preference of form, but I tend to write a lot of poetry.
WHAT DOES FASHION MEAN TO YOU? To me, fashion is still an uncharted territory I’ve yet to traverse. I feel I have a good sense of what I like, but I’m stuck in the idea that comfort means loss of style (which is obviously false). I’ve spent so long taking photos for Claire and seeing the development of my friends’ styles that I’m excited to use it as another form of self-expression. I want to keep things simple and comfortable but also unique to me and creatively put together.

Sunday, January 8, 2017

meet Darcy and Jenna

Like I mentioned last post, Outfits and Observations is evolving into a whole team of cool, creative girls! Today I'm introducing Darcy and Jenna. Get excited for the cool content they'll be publishing! Bailey Lindsey took these photos.
Darcy Olmstead
WHAT TO EXPECT: film/ art/ culture/ criticism
DEFINITIVE FASHION PIECE: A few weeks ago my best friends and I were discussing what we call our “cartoon character uniform”-- that one outfit we wear so often that it’s the only thing others think of when they’re trying to imagine you. Something on the lines of Timmy Turner’s signature red hat and pink t-shirt or Ferb’s fashionable high-waisted purple trousers.  For me, my friends will tell you my uniform always includes this one pair of mustard yellow cargo pants. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not cargo pants in the traditional sense (evoking images of male classmates with their exposed knees, red and chapped in the winter weather) but ankle-length and slim. I love the near androgyny of them (I’ve actually worn them as Richie Tenenbaum for Halloween. It’s the first picture of me on Google, if you’re curious) and how they make me feel like a badass Kim Possible impersonator.
3 OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS: Coffee ice cream, Boston terriers, and kayaking
ABOUT YOU: I’m an artist, writer, filmmaker, and history nerd. I’m also a bit of a monstrosity because I’m at least three inches taller than all my close girl friends. However, I do love the fact that my weight gain can be stretched out over such a long surface area.  My dream is to be a part of the art world, and museums are my true love. I currently volunteer at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art where I’m president of the Teen Council - so expect many posts from there. Get me talking about art history or design and I won’t shut up. So it comes as no surprise that I plan to specialize in art, film, culture, and criticism here on the blog. Of course I’ll find ways to work in my many other interests (don’t be surprised by a post on Arkansas river trips or my love for Catherine the Great) and fashion will be a must.
SOMETHING RIDICULOUS: The nature of major film awards in this country, especially in regard to minority filmmakers. Literally the only categories ever specifically designated for women are “Best Actress” and “Actress in a Supporting Role.” What about female directors, writers, and musicians? Aren’t they rare enough as it is? Or what about categories for people of color? The fact that we have to have separate categories for these artists to get the recognition they deserve is sad enough (even when they’re obviously better than those who are being represented). Hollywood is ridiculous. I could go on, but I’ll keep this one short. Maybe I’ll turn this into a post of its own in the future?
GUILTY PLEASURE FOOD:  Any fridge leftovers but especially cold rice. Drench that thing in salt and I’m there.
FAVORITE FORM OF SELF EXPRESSION: As of late? Embroidery. I picked it up over Christmas break and I’m obsessed. It’s basically doodling on fabric.
WHAT DOES FASHION MEAN TO YOU? Pure self-expression … mixed with a pinch of humility, aesthetics, and societal norms.
Jenna Blakeman
WHAT TO EXPECT: politics/ feminism/ social commentary/ fashion
DEFINITIVE FASHION PIECE:  Over the past year, I noticed that the ‘90s were making an incredible comeback in fashion. One of the pieces that I clinged onto was the slip dress, which is very definitive of my personal style. My favorite slip dress that I own is a soft pink-purple dress with a small slit on the left side to add shape. It’s a piece that I’m able to carry with me from season to season by layering tops underneath it or throwing an oversized sweater over it. I’m able to incorporate new trends with the slip dress like sheer tops, bomber jackets, and sneakers. I can’t financially afford to never wear the same thing twice, nor do I want to, but I can creatively afford to use the same staple dress and create new outfits out of it. The slip dress is also very definitive of me because it includes my favorite dress and skirt length- the midi. The midi length to me is a bold fashion statement that makes your outfit go from something normalized to something unique. You are able to access so much creativity and fashion history with just a few more inches to your skirt or dress.
3 OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS: debate, documentaries, John Mulaney
ABOUT YOU: I grasped onto politics from a very early age of seven when I dressed up as Abraham Lincoln for Halloween. I had a very naive understanding of American politics at that point and idolized Lincoln for his efforts towards abolishing slavery. Of course, there is so much more to the story, and my suburban elementary school in Arkansas gave us the most heroic depiction of white politicians at the time, but it was one of the first memories I have of feeling empowered, inspired, and passionate about social justice and equality. Around this same time, I got in a fight with my mother in a Walmart for not buying me a plastic placemat that had the 43 presidents of the United States on it. I wanted it so badly so I could study all of the white men on it and figure out how to get my face on one of those. I willingly stared at it for the duration of our grocery shopping trip and never saw someone who looked like me on it, so I desperately searched for any similarities I had with them, and I discovered that I share a birthday with Herbert Hoover.
SOMETHING RIDICULOUS: Until I lived for a decade, my favorite movie was “The Wedding Singer” with Adam Sandler.
GUILTY PLEASURE FOOD: Ben and Jerry’s Half Baked. I will eat an entire pint by myself.
FAVORITE FORM OF SELF EXPRESSION: Modeling. It’s not something I could ever pursue as a career, nor do I think it’s one of my strengths, but I like the way I feel when I’m doing it. I enjoy being around photography, unfortunately I don’t know as much as I would like to about the art. With modeling, I’m able to see a vision come to life. I’m able to express my femininity through modeling as well as my sense of style and fashion. It’s an underappreciated outlet for creativity.
WHAT DOES FASHION MEAN TO YOU? Feminism. Gender is performative, and generally those who perform their gender the best, are more accepted and more likely to avoid scrutiny. The idea of gender equality is manifested in the ability for all people to express themselves freely, and feminism is capable of completely deconstructing the status quo where females are expected to wear one thing, and males are expected to wear another. Fashion is an outlet I use to communicate themes of feminism by turning gender stereotypes on themselves by using elements of men’s fashion and incorporating them in women’s fashion and vice-versa. It means expressing my individuality as a person regardless of if my outfit meets the social standards imposed on me or not.  Fashion means having the autonomy to express myself candidly through clothes.

Monday, January 2, 2017

reinventing outfits and observations


2017 is going to be the year of many exciting changes! Outfits and Observations will be transforming into something better and larger than anything I could have dreamed up when I published my first post sophomore year.

This blog is my baby, and it's been one of the most rewarding things I've done in high school. It's a place that's completely mine, and I've used it to process my changing thoughts, interests, and feelings. I've published a lot of things that I'm proud of, but there's also so much more I want to do. Even if blogging was my full time job, I don't think I would be able to create all of the content I want to share.

So, I've gathered up some of my coolest, smartest, most creative friends to create a whole team! You'll be meeting them in a special post soon. We all have interests and ideas that overlap, but we also all have different special knowledge. Get ready for more about art, fashion, politics, music, feminism, and so much more! It's essentially what I've already done, but bigger and better and with more writers.

Our mission statement is: Outfits and Observations is a website that empowers young women to create and express themselves through intelligent, thoughtful content. It's a community for those who appreciate style, in all forms, and acknowledge the importance of sharing their thoughts. 

With more people and dedication, there's going to be a consistent schedule. Since it was just me writing before, and I have to deal with the unpredictable schedule of high school life, it's been difficult to have a concrete schedule. Now, posts will be published on Sundays. We're starting with the promise of at least two posts per month, and that number will grow as things get rolling.

If you're interested in creating content or you have things you want to see on the new Outfits and Observations, shoot me an email and let me know. I'm beyond excited for everything that's about to happen!

Spread the word, follow us on Instagram @outfitsandobservations, like us on Facebook!

much love,
claire
outfitsandobservations@gmail.com