Fresh

There's a new game in town for Knoxville fashion. It's Knoxville Street Style and they are all the things this blog is not: updated regularly, maintained by someone who lives in Knoxville, and on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook.

So there, check it: Knoxville Street Style.

Bonus points to this photo (from the KSS Instagram) for its fine dinosaur graffiti. Best in East TN.

Nothing Compares

These are all photos of people at a large music festival in Middle Tennessee.

This section is women with dress inspired by tribal people who live close to the land.

This section features a creepy man who I believed dressed this way so he could harass women who wanted to take his photo. The woman here was not having it. Brava!

This section is men in funny or not a lot of clothing.

This man called himself Unicorn Jesus.

Twenty Minute Sandals

Will, whose feet are shown here, said he made these sandals in twenty minutes or so. His cordwaining speed may be above average as his brother Daniel teaches shoe-making workshops around town, but these are scandalously barefoot and I want to make a pair. They're modeled after the sandals made by the Tarahumara (or Raramuri) people of Mexico. Here's a video of an earnest man named Barefoot Ted explaining how to wrap them. Will's were made with cow leather soles and synthetic (?) rope. The rust-colored rocks are part of a sculpture in an art gallery.

I Came to Get Down - Shelagh

This marks the third time I've put up a photo of Shelagh looking good. It is a reflection of both my limited socializing and of her consistently awesome fashion. I admire Shelagh's long legs and her willingness to experiment with pieces, themes, etc. If you're wondering how you can start to get fashionably weird and awesome like Shelagh, wonder no more: go to a clothing swap. I first learned about organized and public clothing swaps through Wendy Tremayne, founder of Swap-o-Rama-Rama. I like her model of incorporating sewing stations and screen printing, but you don't need all that stuff to have a great swap.

Here's what you need:
1. A time and place-- I prefer places that are not someone's house as then the swap can be advertised more publicly
2. Enough word-of-mouth and advertising to get a diverse group of people.
3. A pick-up truck or several friends to haul the leftovers to a thrift store. In my experience, there are always leftovers.

Back to Shelagh, who posted this smart advice on the wall of an upcoming swap in Knoxville:

From personal experience: the fastest way to make sure you need to take what you find involves 1. wearing a unitard or just getting close to naked 2. drinking a beer to help dissolve inhibitions about wearing said unitard 3. keeping your eyes on the prize(s) 4. (optional) involve a friend for assistance with stripping down, building up new outfits and getting some advice on new items.

The aforementioned swap is on Sunday, March 4th at the Birdhouse, a community center in Knoxville, from 3 pm until people tucker out. All sizes and genders welcome. Don't bring: underwear, furniture or large things that are not clothing. Do bring: a bag (or 2 or 4) of your clean unwanted clothing, adult beverages if that's your thing (see rule 2 above), and a friend.

Knoxville fashion history

This video shows Knoxville's legendary curmudgeonly grocery store kingpin, Cas Walker, discussing what his stores did and did not carry. The man did not have time to dress no wimmin.

Crista

Crista always looks good. She's got a great eye,  pairs pieces well, and is what my grandmother might call a stemwinder. In addition to encouraging her contemporaries to get out and vote in the recent Knoxville mayoral elections Crista was also so courteous as to text me her style influences: Lucy Laucht and Scandinavia.

Ann

Ann tears it up all the time. And she loves shiny things. As do I, which drew me especially to her collection of jewelry last Thursday at Sassy Ann's.  There is almost always good people watching early on a Thursday evening at Sassy Ann's.

Erica and Selena

 

Erica: I try to be a slutty Audrey Hepburn...Tawdry Audrey!

Selena: Whatever's on sale.

Gen

Gen is an artist, and a printmaker at that.   I'd seen this earlier in a fancy curated fashion boutique in Portland (where I also found Gen).  Seeing the dress on Gen makes me want to buy it. I probably won't, but if you're looking for a nice end-of-summer-transition-to-fall dress you can purchase it here.

Her shoes are red canvas globally oriented philanthropic TOMS. Looking good, woman.

Where to buy a nice dress in Knoxville?

Knoxville, I am in search of a stylish and affordable (under $100) summery dress that I can wear to a fancy wedding in New Orleans (and again later). The wedding will be indoors (thank you, Lord), but I plan to be outside in said fancy-and-yet-affordable-dress. Where should I start looking?

Here's my current list of places to try: ReRuns on Union, Crush on Jackson Ave. (because I haven't been there yet), and Hot Horse on Jackson Ave. (which houses the carefully selected remnants of Janet's beloved vintage shop Legacy). I'm prepared to go to TJ Maxx and Marshalls, but I'd like to support Knoxville's burgeoning fashion scene and avoid cheap-but-stylish things made in China. If I were feeling flush (and the wedding not quite so formal) I would buy trunk loads of Wildcrafted Fashion from Konane.

Shoes, OMG, SHOES

Albert and Natalie

I was stalking Albert to take a photo of his snappy red kicks when I saw Natalie's hair parting the crowd. Lo and behold the two are friends and extroverts happy to jump up on a pool table to vamp for a stranger. Albert escaped without a word as to his style, but the man has it down. This photo does not do his hair justice. If someone (or you, Albert) could snap a candid and send it to me to post, that would be great.

For someone with such dramatic hair and stunning presence, Natalie had very little to say about her look.

Three Bridesmaids

Firstly, Bridesmaids, I'd like to apologize. I wasn't prepared when I photographed you all and I took down all your information on a napkin which I hastily crammed in my purse. I carefully saved it for over a week and have now lost it. So you will be anonymous (but still very lovely) Bridesmaids.

That said, here they are: three lovely friends from Texas and DC (if memory serves) in town to celebrate the union of their good friend. The dresses are all from Anthropologie, an expensive shop known for femmy-boho-chic, poetic copy, and exotic photo shoots. (Note to self: If traveling in Morocco, be sure to look lithe and fabulous.)

The Bride in charge scores points in my book for letting her Maids choose their own dresses (from within a limited range) and for providing something that they might truly "wear again."

Lastly, I want a pair of Bridesmaid #1's snappy yellow peep-toe heels. Well played, sister.

Zach and Michael

Friends told me to check out "The Golden Doodle" at the Fireproof Storage Building on the cusp of the Old City. (You may know it as the building visible from Hall of Fame Blvd. with the brightly colored mural spanning the side.) The show is immense, literally covering the walls and floor, and features the work of eight artists.

Below are two of the artists, Zach and Michael, posing in a corner of the show and their brief take on fashion influences.

Zach: My work is very colorful and busy so I tend to wear pretty neutral stuff. My house is the same way: very minimal.

Michael: Of course you want to take my picture when I'm wearing something conservative. Thanks.

Progressive Student Alliance

I'm glad to see UT's Progressive Student Alliance is so active. Contrast is good for the city and we need someone to show the world that not everyone from East Tennessee is an ignorant homophobe. Below are some standout Knox Looks from a recent fundraising event. The performers were in drag and I think the audience (with the stylish exception of Stacy below) missed an opportunity to transgress some cultural norms.

I knew already knew Joseph as a talented musician, but last night he revealed he has lovely legs too.

Stacy's style is inspired by Dr. Who and her ever-present moustache tattoo. I think suspenders and a bowtie are a winning combination for any gender.

Astrid listed "new wave love" as her style influence. I think that's maybe what could help the aforementioned ignorant state representatives: more new wave love.

Claire and Helen

These girls get it. Both welcomed spring in printed cotton dresses. Claire cited Keira Knightley as a style influence and said she was looking for something light and springy for Easter.

I'm not normally a flip flop fan, but Helen makes me want to go get a pair of simple gold ones. I recommend the Marshall's on Clinton Highway and/or AmVets on Magnolia Ave. Where do you think is the best place in Knoxville for shoes?

Bonus points if you can name the location framing these two women.

Carlos

It was really warm today. Hot, really. A reminder that when summer comes to East Tennessee, there will be lots and lots of sweating. It's hard to keep it together sartorially when the humidity and heat creep up. Carlos has it down.

The man is prepared for heat and remains suave. Dapper hat. Crisp blue shirt. All American jean shorts. Brazilian flip flops.  Shucking oysters like he does it all the time. Let's all take note and aspire to such casually bespoke weekend looks.

Dale

Put a bird in it!

I ran into two women last week who had feather extensions in their hair. The latter of the two, Dale Mackey, got hers installed at the Chop Shop Hair Studio on North Central. When asked about the appeal of permanent plumage, Ms. Mackey said, "I can curl it. I can wash it. I can style it. And I got it because I succumb to peer pressure easily. It's a fact."

One Bling to Rule Them All

Remember the multi-jointed semi-goth silver ring thing Angelina Jolie's character wore in the movie Hackers? No, well it was thrilling, but a little too Ren Fair for most Knoxvillians. This ring from the Black Market on Market Square is a nice compromise. Aggressive, but dressier.

2011 and Tara

Good-bye months-long blog hiatus. Hello new year. Hello Tara and her sculptural skirt. Her look was inspired by rummaging through her closet to see what she had available. She got the dress from Ross about six months ago for $19. Shoes she's had for years and are from K-Mart. The vest was a gift from a couple of Christmases ago. Here's to 2011!