Neon Mamacita: clothing

Showing posts with label clothing. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

White Trash: Don't it Look Fun?

White trash. Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet? Let's try. Hillbilly, Redneck, Cracker?

Trash. The others don't quite work. This is the name for the discarded, or for those who simply got passed on by. It's a mean slur but a slur that our society doesn't seem to mind and in fact perpetuates as a running joke.

And I'm not immune because when I think of white trash I think NRA. Rick Santorum. Pleather Coaches. Methamphetamine. I think of awkward encounters in rest stops and confederate flags. So I am trying to understand why the idea of 'white trash' fascinates the fashion world, and more importantly why it is a legitimate source of inspiration.

White trash fashion is essentially the glamorization of poverty, where trailers suddenly become home to La Vie Boheme, a life of smoking cigarettes on plastic patio furniture in a tube top and push up bra. The girls are blonde, skinny, with big boobs and a look like they just got felt up. And they always always look like they got stuck in the 80s.

The truth of it is, most girls don't look so good in tube tops, that push up bra isn't doing nearly enough, and the cigarette she's smoking is starting to look more sad more than sexy. But by making white trash look good we can brush over what it means to be poor. Because being poor in America, no matter what color you are, now that ain't sexy. And maybe we need to start to think about what that actually means.

Photographs by
Mark Kean for Wonderland Magazine
Jason Lee Parry for Oyster Magazine
Angelo Pannetta for Doing Bird
Hugh Lippe for Russh #42

----------------More Trashy Girls after The Jump----------------

The Portrait Project

Portraiture is a celebration of the individual. But more than that, it is an imprint of the sitter. It presents the subject's likeness after death, or after aging, to future generations of spectators. Perhaps that is why portraits have such gravity, it is impossible not to wonder about the life behind the face.

I was particularly inspired by a recent trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see their Renaissance Portrait Exhibition. After decades of Mary and Jesus, the "Renaissance witnessed the rediscovery of the individual." Of course, I was most interested in the clothes, jewelry, and hairstyles that were perfectly captured in the profiles of the most beautiful ladies of the day.

But Nick and I, being products of our generation, decided to tackle portraiture with a healthy dose of post-modernism. Enjoy the photos!

Photographed by Nick Shepard
Styled by Annie Shepard
Assisted by Andra Georges
Modeled by Mikaela Flynn and Katie Hoffman

More Portraits after the Jump

------------Click READ MORE----------

Island Fever: Hawaiian Inspired Picks from Etsy

Way back in December I started dreaming about Hawaii. And after the monsoon that we just had, beaches and sunsets are back on the mind. It seems I'm not the only one. The Pacific Islands are officially trending right now, inspiring everyone from Givenchy to Topshop, Zara and everyone in between.

Retro Hawaii Map

Of course, we've been here before. In 1946 the first transatlantic flights to Hawaii began to, allowing the newly moneyed middle class access to a bit of American paradise and Hawaii began to export a new kind of product- vacation. While you can't bottle up and bring home a day at the beach, your clothes can certainly make the trip.

Lanai Hawaii Pendant

Tropical Charm Necklace

Thus was born the Hawaiian shirt, sarong, and Pake Muu. Invented in 1924, Rayon quickly became the fabric of choice for this new industry, with its silky feel and light weight. When buying Hawaiian, I always recommend buying rayon because it has the best hand and is the most authentic (but it is extremely flammable so watch out for those bonfires). And of course, the prints! Oh the prints!

1980s Hawaiian Shirt

Surfboard Planter

Of course, it wouldn't be fashion if it wasn't repeated. The 1980s saw a resurgence in Hawaiian style, by pretty much copying the styles and prints of the 1940s. Hello Tommy Bahama. And while I generally hate the 1980s, you can actually find some pretty good pieces out there at really good prices.

Tropical Maxi Dress

Sunrise Shell Charm Necklace

And as fashion would have it, 30 years later, we find ourselves yet again in the midst of island fever.If you wanna get with it, check out my picks from Etsy

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

For Sale!

Missoni mini dress

1960s Hand painted Silk dress

1940s Floral print dress

Pendleton X Opening Ceremony skirt

1960s sequin top and Sheer embroidered skirt

I'll continue to add links this week, or check out my Etsy

----------More clothes after The Jump-------

Coming soon to a Neon Mamacita Near You

1970s Neon Lime Green Backless Dress

1970s Cotton Gauze Dress

Vintage Silk Kimono with Floral Pattern

1970s Corset Dress

1920s Eyelet Dress

1960s Mandarin Collar Dress

More after The JUMP

Xtabay: A Portland Vintage Gem

Every trip that I make to Portland elicits a mandatory visit to Xtabay, my personal vintage mecca. My first trip to the store was about six years ago, when my style was defined by the Urban Outfitters spring catalogue. I walked in and was immediately greeted by a dog whose bark far outstripped his bite. When his yapping calmed down, I proceeded to try on the entire store and thus began my infatuation with everything vintage.

In a vintage-saturated city, Xtabay has carved out a niche for itself with couture gowns and high end dresses particularly from the 1930’s through 1970’s. The owner, Liz Gross, has an excellent eye and enough stamina for the Portland estate sale scene to amass an enviable collection. You will not find a 90s flannel masquerading as vintage here.

On this visit, I was immediately drawn to a 1940s silk floral dress that made me feel like I was on a tropical vacation (And yes, I live vicariously through my clothing). I guess I really need some warm weather because my second pick was a 1960s shift with one of the coolest prints I’ve ever seen, a vibrant palm set against a glowing red background. My last pick, a red tutu of a dress, was two sizes too small but made me feel like I was Ms. Popular at the 1962 prom. The only problem that I’ve run into at Xtabay is that there are not enough occasions to wear a floor length Egyptian-inspired beaded cocktail dress… damn the informality of today!

This past December, Xtabay expanded with a vintage bridal salon. The salon is available by appointment only but I was able to get a sneak peak of the salon with these lovely photos. I can guarantee that you will find the dress of your dreams here, now you just need to find yourself a man.