New Taste and Tiny Tot Fashion

I'm in total fashion mode.

I guess I'm a little more inspired here with fashion. Yeah, I've mentioned that they dress here the same way as they do in the States (sort of), but the truth is, some of them dress way better. Way better than Coloradans anyway. Between that and my weight-loss and need for a new wardrobe, I'm a little fashion obsessed. I swear, sometimes I think I totally should have studied fashion.

When George told me that he wasn't exactly averse to a fashion upgrade/update I got even more excited.  I love shopping for clothes for other people.

I'm going through some sort of a taste shift too.  When we first moved here, I was eager for decor ideas. I picked up every magazine I could find. No Domino, sadly, but I found and IMMEDIATELY fell in love with Vogue Living, the Australian edition. Oh my gosh. It's like interior design as true art. And it's so artsy that it actually satisfied an immense craving I had for seeing art.

Then something else happened.

A couple of weeks ago, I found an imported copy of Lucky magazine. I was so excited. I bought it and was careful not to open it until I was fully ready to sit and savor and be completely absorbed in its awesomeness. And when I finally cracked it open... I was so disappointed.

First of all I couldn't believe how much it SCREAMED "American." I mean, that was so weird to me given that I'd thought that things weren't that different here. And it wasn't just American, but blah, middle-American. Same tired hairstyles, same boring clothes, same sexualized ads. It just wasn't fashiony. So I thought, maybe it's time I look for a new magazine. I never really cared for Vogue, but I've read that the American Vogue really stinks, and others are so much better.

I tried Australian Vogue, thinking it would be awesome like Australian Vogue Living. Nah. Not much better than the Vogue I'm used to. I tried British Vogue, and I've found it! I'm totally hooked. I have been flicking through the same (September) issue over and over.

I've also been checking out some new fashion blogs and websites. I was so inspired at first.  (Can I please have this girl's clothes -- and face and body -- for a day?)  Then after seeing Lookbook.nu, I was a little discouraged. All these (young) people out there are so creative with their clothes (and photography), and I still look like I style myself by the Old Navy ads. What is wrong with me? Aren't I supposed to be this creative person and fashion fiend? Why am I not showing it?

I wonder if it's because I'm here that I'm feeling this now.

George says that he's a little self-conscious being all-out stylish in Colorado, because people just don't do that there and he'd really stand out. I guess I have probably kept it down a notch myself. Well, not anymore! I am hereby making a new resolution to live my life with style. Style at home, style in my clothes.  And not just style, but my style. I can't believe I haven't been expressing myself truly in my clothes. And it's such a silly thing and easy way to let yourself out. I think that's why I obsess over costume opportunities (Halloween, Mardi Gras, opening nights of movies like Harry Potter and Star Wars): I am aching to brake out of my fashion box.

So with that in mind, I did a little shopping yesterday. I don't have my stuff to show off yet, but here is what I got for Regin:

We already had the pants and shoes, but the shirt is new. It's embroidered with some very arty little fishes which I totally loved. Details:

My fashion philosophy is that clothes should express, be sleek, grown up, but also creative, arty, and FUN. When it comes to children, I believe that they have their own fashion. Although it can be cute as heck, I don't believe in dressing them like mini adults. So, it's going to be hard, but I'm going to try and keep that in mind from now on when I shop for Regin. No more buying a bunch of stuff just because that's what's available. And this was my first step. In all the mall yesterday, this (and another shirt with cows instead of fish) was the only thing I found that worked with my criteria. Poor Regin. He's going to have a very small wardrobe for a while!

I know that for most of you who are reading this, clothing is little more than the barrier between your nakedness and the world, and even if you can't ever get the kick out of it I do, I think everyone should at least consider how they project themselves. Is the image you're creating the image you want people to see? Because no matter what you or your personality says, your clothes will always be doing some SERIOUS talking.

A couple of fashion-viewing staples, in case you're interested are:
The Sartorialist
Altamira NYC

I have been following the Sart for AGES now.  Love his photos.