Laced with Confidence...

Today's conditions weren't always perfect. I had to run inside out of the rain. Then I realized I forgot jewelry. Then a wasp scared me away from my usual safety spot of our terrace (I mean I hate people walking around while I photo, but whatevs!).

And then the photo that came after all that was so much better than ever before! I found this great spot, with this lamp post nearby around which I can wrap my cool wrappable tripod.

The one problem with this area (which obviously is not the light in the afternoon!) is the grass. Where be my shoes? Le Sigh.

I can always take separate shoe shots, but this really must be fixed, I say. Shoes make the outfit, after all; they shouldn't be separate.

Here they are:

Or even better:

*Insert Update Mid-Post* I forgot that this corset is totally still available online. Complete brain meltdown. Not only that, but I should have grabbed this better photo for you! D'oh. Here she is:

Vintage Lace Corset $24.00 at Charlotte Russe

(Ooh and I believe that's my new beige rosette bolero but in black!)

Oh, she so does not have the curves to pull off a corset like I!!! ;-)

See how my confidence has grown?!??!

*/endupdate*

So thanks, wasp! Never thought I'd  say that. I think I'm going to love continuing to do these shoots and posts. I feel like I might get over coming out of my big closet ;-) and can turn into a regular wearrier! Haha. Go me.

And now for the best part:

Credits:

• Lace Top: Charlotte Rusee (available now:) Short Sleeve All-Over Lace Top $15.00 at Charlotte Russe
• Corset under-top: Charlotte Russe (might still be in some stores *update*: duh me! Look above $24)
• Skirt: Dots (unsure of availability) (locate a store)
• Belt: Fendi B belt (ELuxury R.I.P.)
• Shoes: Payless/American Eagle (might still be in some stores)
• Bag: Dior Saddle bag (regular size)
• Necklace: Local crafter
• Earrings: Triple Drop Pearl Earrings, Made by Me

This week, Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday is about copying and knockoffs in fashion. If you've read my blogs for a long time, you may know that I am dead set against illegal counterfeits. The gray area for many might come in the form of "fast fashion" and cheap thrill clothes, a la Forever 21 et al. I love a gorgeous-looking item that I can actually afford, so when there's no faux label or logo-esque detail, I'm happy to buy, yet I'm still shaky on lookalike purses and sometimes shoes. I think the styles can get too close to that line that takes fashion from cheap price tag to cheap woman.

Anyway, on to the questions!

Q1. Which side do you take… Copycat designs are a way for the average consumer to stay current and wear runway styles without breaking the bank OR Copycat designs take business from the designer and cheapen the value of their work. Explain.

A: I love to be able to afford things (duh), and as long as that above-mentioned line is not crossed, I'm happy, so I'm mostly on the side of the first statement. Perhaps even "fast fashion" cheap "couture" takes money from designers, but also recessionistas probably can't afford designer clothes right now anyway. Some of it is about being able to look almost equally beautiful. Even with couture-inspired bargain pieces, when compared to things at, say, Neiman Marcus, there is a huge difference, so I wouldn't fret the "stealing" aspect with clothes. With bags, it's a cheaper look, and why go there when the pleather will just tear fast, anyway? Consumers there don't get a lot for their lesser bucks, and they may still turn into designer customers when they are able to. Buying into the plastic purses might even be an education, later allowing a more-endowed, more mature woman to become a  great target for those life-lasting bags.

Q2. Sometimes we do things, even if they are unethical or illegal (downloading music for free, watching full movies on YouTube). Do you think it is unethical for a designer to copy a vintage piece, make it current and sell it?

A: It sounds like this is just inspiration and the designs are altered for today's woman, and I think that's great. How else can many of us find some great "Mad Men" inspiratons? For whatever reasons, many of us don't often or just don't buy vintage; so the existence of vintage-inspired, why not? Trends cycle anyway, and sometimes decades long ago come back. How else is this going to happen? It's natural and even desired; I think it should happen.

Q3. Would you buy an item that is a very well done copy of a runway garment if it fell within your budget?

A: Oh yeah, especially clothes. I'm sure I've done it. I just got this amazing bolero that is very "couture" and I'm sure it fits this category. (Left: Charlotte Russe, $40)

Q4. According to the fashion laws, at least in the US, apparel design is seen as too utilitarian to qualify for copyright protection. Would you think this is detrimental to the industry or beneficial?

A: I've already written about the possibility of a fashion copyright law in the US. Some in the small business side of the fashion industry are against it, but as one who would like to become a part of  that, I'm all for it. Even though the copyright process takes money, we must consider how large companies (more like mass market companies, not high end) rip off independent / hand-making label designs. The consumer is rarely aware this is not original. I'm on the side thinking this should stop, and it doesn't necessarily have to come with prohibitive price tags.

Q5.  Own up… share the things in your closet that are knock offs. You know those things you got in China Town, on the streets of New York, or where ever.

A: Real knock-offs? Don't have any. I've only mistakenly purchased two or maybe three from eBay, but I certainly didn't keep, carry or -god forbid- re-sell them. That's me. ;-)

Takeaway: Even though copying has a gray area, that does not mean that "Goach" bags, etc., are okay. Things near the borderline are tacky, and you should stay classy, and you'll be on the side of stylish.

Also remember that if you want to impress, cheap copies will not make you look rich to those in-the-know. Buy things you love and can afford, not cheap things that look like things you love but cannot afford. Try investing in your own career, and hope for the future!

I only recently discovered Friend Friday, a blogging weekly questions group, by Modly Chic. I soon applied, and here I am in the group! I'm very happy to begin and start answering some heavy questions. This week is light and fun though; and about fall. Fall is tricky for me here in Florida, but this year I'm determined to make the looks work in our sunshine.

1. What new fashion trend are you looking forward to sporting this fall?

Ladylike, that sums me up, any year.

I don't like a lot of them (my wallet and sense of personal style is thankful!), but I love 2.

#1 - 60s.

I love modest pieces; 40s, 50s and 60s, and I love circle skirts. I can't own enough of big, flowy, knee-length skirts! But right now "the" hemline hits just below the calf, so I am trying to avoid buying the knee-length kind and will for a time only go for that lower-calf length unless the piece is really special. Honestly, I'm on the hunt for the perfect-something similar to the beige skirt from Louis Vuitton's runway (which I've blogged about already).

I already have one dress that fits the length bill, but that's not enough of course! Hence the strict shopping diet to help focus my direction for my wardrobe collecting.

The beau and I just started watching Mad Men on DVD, and we're not hooked yet, but if we continue, it could be a great source of inspiration.

As for other pieces, like jackets and such, I will work on incorporating these pieces more, too!

#2 - Lingerie as outerwear

If I can find a corset/bustier top that looks right (black/nude lace) and fits my tummy; oh I want it badly! But I vow to keep it classy.

2. Which item in your closet is most likely to be your go-to transition piece?

I hadn't really had one for Florida weather yet, so I bought these new booties that are pretty open and with open toes. Many hate that look, but they're almost essential down here in order to participate in boot-wearing as early as everyone else. Besides, they're open in general and are actually that new thang called "shooties". I hadn't known how I really felt about them until August came, and now I know how helpful this style is for a FLashionista! ;-) I've included their picture. Buy them yourself from Zappos.

Vigotti - Paquita

$79.00 at  Zappos

I'm also going to incorporate different scarves in all-weather materials, asap.

3. What item from last year are you looking forward to reinventing this fall?

I didn't buy new clothes at all over 2008 and 2009 (nor shoes and nary a bag), but I'm looking forward to bringing back lightweight non-full-sleeve sweaters and even warm-weather/short-sleeve jackets for early fall. It's hard to wear those little boleros and things in summer, surprisingly, due to the hard-blasting AC that starts on Memorial Day. I'm just not that comfortable with throwing a sweater over a bolero and of course never over a short-sleeved blazer. I'm hoping the ACs will be adjusted after Labor Day weekend, and thick sweaters can again wait until "winter".

As for re-inventing, I'm not sure I do that with old-old pieces much, but this past year I've picked up a lot of ruffley or couture-looking pieces to blend in with my other favorites, which are modest skirts and such. I'm still in need of building my perfect wardrobe and perfecting my ensembles for who I am now and ... where I am now.

I am, however, re-inventing things that are new. I'm going to wear all-year scarves, which is rarely-if-ever done here, and I will soon be wearing a "six-way" scarf a lot more ways than that!

4. What is your favorite part about this time of the year?

I hate August, wherever I am, but that's not what the question asked. I guess I like this time of year for the easing temperatures, even though it's still the rainy season until late Autumn. I can't wait for Florida winter, actually.

My favorite aspect of Fall is the fashion, which I need to struggle to use. But I will! And I will feel proud of that accomplishment, so there is that.

5. Will you be attending any fashion events this fall?

Sadly, that's not likely; it's about the money situation in this household. I will be come February March though, and I'll be prepared!

I'm so not letting this no-fear, showing myself, ensemble photo series slide! Oh no. I just have delays. And laziness (I even have bangs since I took these, sorry!). And major major lack-of-photographer issues /frustrations. But it'll come more and more often. I now have plans to take pictures of clothes sans moi, so that I may do it a lot more frequently. (I'll try to include more of myself though, too.) This was my second fairly successful attempt at a personal photo shoot. Part 1 has photos so different from part 2, that well that's why there will be two parts. If I do have time to keep practicing, I may be able to actually have more photos of myself eventually. Sigh. On shoot day, it was a very frustrating afternoon! On to the photos, credits below.

OK, first of all, yeah I accidentally cropped my feet out of all these photos. Timer photography needs major work. Also I look fatter in a belt-looped / under shirt belt. *whine* Not sure what I can do while I'm not perfectly a full lower pants size.

I'm almost shocked I could get a lot of pictures of my face. Goodbye Ella in shades? Nah, course not. ;-)

OK, goofy giggle. Whatcha gonna do? It's still fun & cute. And here they are, it's the piece de resistance...

My new(ish) Bandolino pumps. Hello?! Don't they look like they cost $1,402 and not on sale for $42??? More photos to come of these (they're not online).

Credits:

Cropped jacket: Perameter (Bluefly.com find)
T-shirt: Really old Delia's??? *update* Old Navy???
(Getting less) Skinny jeans: Mossimo for Target
Bag: Hollywood Intuition @ Target w/ crafty strap
Jewelry: Indie/handcraft designer, local to South Florida. Don't shoot me if I'm wrong, but I think it's GMS Jewelry Co. I need to take close photos; great stuff!
And of course the shoes: Bandolino

My iPhone was infirmed but fixed a week ago but I somehow forgot and possibly put off a little posting the rest of the Miami Funkshion Fashion event pictures, but here they are.

Here I am in the dim room on my night #1 of 2. Somehow my BF didn't realize he should have shot my entire body to get the whole ensemble, but I perhaps blame my petiteness in even 2.5" heels. Not high enough, by fashion people standards, ha ha. Credits are: Chloé Paddington in Mousse, top, skirt and belt from Target (and boots that you can't see), can't remember my bracelet and then an event wristband. ;-) I still want to recreate my ensembles for photos, because I feel they were a bit more important than others. I am slow and too busy, as you might tell.

This was one of my favorite looks-on-display. The coat is actually little pieces of wool yarn.

One of 2 light-up dresses. The next night they were shut off, another photo is below.

[X]

This is not one of the photos of my cute beau, because he won't let me post his adorableness at his first fashion show, all seated with me. Le Sigh. Silly man.

I was very far from my lovely spot in the other show, and photos didn't come out well at all. Possibly due to the Swarovski crystals on every model, and possibly due to location. It seems all the iPhones around me were taking similar bad shots.

The rest of the pictures are below.

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