Inspired by one of my favourite Twitter pals, the graphic designer-cum-style blogger Quan Mai of GENETICBOI, I've decided to do some overdue spring-cleaning throughout my wardrobe.
Quan's been shaking out the old vibes from his life by parting with some very stylish items he no longer wears - all part of his detach & detox process - and I'm inclined to do the same, albeit via a quick trip to the nearest Salvation Army.
But sometimes, despite your best intentions, you start rummaging through your old treasures and you just can't bring yourself to give away a few items. I'm not a hoarder, though. I swear.
This all demands a separate 'closet clean-out' post, but my initial rummaging yielded an interesting array of articles. There's the fourteen-year-old pair of denim overalls in surprisingly good condition (those will come back in style, I promise you); Opening Ceremony suede heels I've worn only once since getting them in 2010; a kaleidoscopic tunic fit for Auntie Mame...
Some of these things I can bear parting with. The few jewelry pieces I own, however, will have to stay - costume & real alike. Always a nasty tangle of chains, never-worn beads and such, my jewelry box was hiding the above earrings in a dark little recess and I can't believe I left them in there for so long.
I wore the crystal and silver chandelier earrings on my wedding day; how can I ever give those away? And the 24k gold circular, Indo-inspired one? My paternal grandmother gave me that from her personal collection, just before passing away in the 90s. I'll keep those forever, as well.
My maternal grandmother used to wear the drop-pearl and silver mesh earrings whenever she dressed up, and they were passed down to me, from my mum. The silver hoop? Can't even remember how or where I got that, but I do remember picking up the plastic rose for $1.99 from Forever 21 on a whim.
Forever 21. Can't beat that place with a big stick. Even if you tried...
By now you're probably wondering what the hell Dolce & Gabanna or Prada has to do with all these ramblings, non? After sorting through my stuff, I came across that little Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception silver medal - a gift from mum which, I'm sure, is to remind me to say my prayers more often!
Something about saying prayers, miraculous medals and filigreed jewelry patterns always reminds me of the Dolce & Gabanna Sicilian aesthetic. Of course, a great deal has to do with their recent collection of dangly jewelry comprised of gems, scallops, and religious ephemera.
Nothing sells their cinematic flair like a lacy push-up bustier, red lips, jingling earrings and undone hair. Lacking the first two at the moment, I opted for an Italian-papa vest and black lace capri pants in lieu of the bustier, and found that combining a few of my precious old earrings delivered the jingling factor nicely.
As for the Prada bit?
Those F21 earrings reminds me of their resin-like floral jewelry collection. Because, when else am I going to wear dolly-like rose earrings?
Wearing: The GAP vest & bra; H&M lace capris
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