Sweater: thrifted * Skirt: Tulle * Tights: gift * Oxfords: Seychelles
It was 85 degrees and humid yesterday. I totally did not wear this outfit yesterday. No, in fact, I wore this outfit weeks ago, before summer suddenly, and finally, decided to come around. But this outfit? I adore it. I wish I had thought of this combo earlier in the winter, because I adore the French ballerina vibe that it gives, as well as the utter coziness that this little striped cropped sweater lends to any ensemble. And if you can't tell yet, I'm developing a massive obsession with red lipstick. This is Maybelline Superstay 24 Color in "keep up the flame" (I love how cosmetic names are usually just a nonsensical series of made-up words and ridiculous adjectives). Anyway, it's bold, and a bit much for some outfits, I think, but I think it fit perfectly with this Parisian-inspired ensemble.
Also, you guys kicked ass in the comments yesterday! I have a bunch of new bands to look into, a new radio station to stream, and lots of concerts and bands to reminisce about. I just finishing "reading" (it's in quotes because it was actually an audiobook that I've been listening to in the car) the book Girls Like Us, which chronicles the lives of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon. Because of it, I've become re-obsessed with these ladies (and have a new, longer list of payday albums to buy - I love going to the record store on payday to get a new album), and have been listening and re-listening to my Joni Mitchell records constantly. Her work is amazing to begin with, and has always hit me where it counts, but it's even more stirring when you know a bit of the background behind some of the songs (and some of the work of some of her contemporaries are absolutely blowing me away, too - Graham Nash wrote "Simple Man", one of my all-time favorite CSNY songs, after his breakup with Joni Mitchell, and, to me, that song is the most beautiful communication of utter heartbreak that I think I've ever heard).
Joni Mitchell's music has always rung so true and sad for me. I remember in junior high and high school, listening to "River" and "Case of You" and just feeling utterly imbued with the emotions of those songs. There's nothing like powerful female vocals and emotion-laden lyrics to stir the heart of a 14-year-old. I think Joni Mitchell's work is so powerful to me because it embodies the perfect symbiosis of music and lyrics. The title hook in "Case of You" - "I could drink a case of you and I would still be on my feet" - are only half of the power of that song; the other half is in the lilting, emotion-wrought voice of Mitchell. I adore music like that. It's funny that I'm writing about this today, with this outfit, since I've always felt that there's something a bit Parisian about Joni Mitchell's music. Something fleeting, and indescribably chic, and unattainable, about her voice, and her lyrics, and her life. So I suppose it's fitting to go with a francophone-inspired outfit.
p.s. New header...whaddaya think? (Followers via readers, this would be an ideal time to click through...)
Title song: Joni Mitchell, "Free Man in Paris" (of course!!)
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