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.