// clockwise
Mini turntable pave pendant by Vita Fede (similar here)
Scalloped sequin crop by TFNC (similar here and here)
Lace shorts by Alice + Olivia
Embellished shoulder bag by Valentino (similar here and here)
Puzzle sandals by Sergio Rossi (similar here and here)
Bam-Bam cartline bracelet by Madewell (similar here)
Evil eye bracelet by Shashi
As I was creating this outfit, appropriately titled bam-bam, I had an epiphany of the sartorial kind.
Well, a revelation really, one based on the inner workings of an undiscovered alter ego. It seems strange that after all this time, I’d never noted such stirrings within myself. Everyone has a little something lurking about so alter ego’s are hardly uncommon. The most famous has to be Beyonce with her Sasha Fierce and of course Nene Leaks and Nay-Nay running rampant too. I have what can only be described as an inner Carrie Bradshaw. It sounds preposterous, I know, as seemingly everyone relates to the character and we all coveted her lifestyle at some point. As a fellow writer, I know I did. Oh how I yearned to call a palatial brownstone in Manhattan home. I also needed that walk-in wardrobe featuring the endless supply of Manolo’s. A most mysterious supply given her writers salary. And I too dreamed of a Mr Big, sans the unnecessary commitment phobic drama.
But this epiphany had nothing to do with Carrie and her cryptically extravagant lifestyle. No. It was referring to the characters sartorial style. It was Patricia Field’s unique way of seamlessly blending colours and prints, trends with attitude. So how does this relate to me and my alter ego? Well, it turns out that I am a bit of a girly-girl after all. She isn’t overly dainty; all pink, pearls and florals. But she is partial to colour and a bit of glamour. Looking back at past edits (for example here, here and here) it seems I have a penchant for creating outfits that combine those contrasting principles of colour, texture and pattern. They tend to be slightly more creative, vibrant and dare I say it, feminine. A stark contrast over my usual preference of edgy minimalism. My style over the years has matured; moving away from playfulness to simplicity. Opting for black jeans and a simple white tees as opposed to the occasional embroidery and flamboyancy that I revelled in my early twenties. Paring stripes and plaid before it was considered “trendy”. So maybe it’s not actually an alter ego but a former part of myself I’ve seem to have forgotten? Subconsciously reaching out to patterns and tulle in hopes of triggering anamnesis?
Looking back I do miss those days, being somewhat soft and whimsical with fashion. Perhaps I’m in a fashion rut or it’s just what happens when you hit your mid to late twenties. Arm parties and finger swags are a massive no-no for me now. Honestly how did I manage to juggle all that frivolity on my wrists? I think I am going to challenge myself to step out of the comforting embrace of monochrome and go back to those floral and plaid blazer days of Marc Jacobs and Herver Leger. Let out that bam-bam and fun loving Carrie and just let loose, sartorially speaking.
metaphoric love child of debbie harry and stevie nicks. weaver of words. infatuated with shoes.
