Bethany | Frivolous Universe

ANACHRONISTIC TWINNERS: Kelly and Bethany Ring in a New Fashion Era Without Rules

By: Bethany Walter

14-09-2012

Bethany: Kelly, did you ever dress up the same as your best friend in high school and say twinners?

Kelly: Um, Nicole and I never go out in public together unless we look like we just stepped off the same runway. In these outfits, you and I could have been in the same 90s ensemble-cast drama. What’s your damage, Heather?!

B: Looking back, I remember my friends being embarrassed to be wearing the same thing. Even wearing the same color made them embarrassed. Interesting because now the friends I have wouldn’t care. I also consider the friends I have now to be more supportive and less competitive.

K: Yo, it’s a good thing you gots some new friends. People who believe they have something to be ashamed of feel embarrassed about anything. But a confident person can pull off anything. Perfect examples: my suede high-waisted pleated shorts (wtf?) and your 90s platform boots. Who cares about being in style or on trend? How boring!

B: So true. Having your own style has it perks. I got these “out-of-date” Steve Madden boots made of quality leather and wood heels for only $6.75 at Restyle. As Alexander McQueen says:

“It’s a new era in fashion – there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal style, wearing high-end, low-end, classic labels, and up-and-coming designers all together.”

Alexander McQueen Fall Collecti0n 2009

K: Grrrrrl, in that case, we got it going on! You wearing Jason’s bowler hat, me in my American Apparel grid dress worn as a top, we are the epitome of dressing without rules – only an eye for what works. It’s called anachronism, baby. Get into it.

B: Definitely. This robe-like coat I am borrowing from you (vintage Anne Klein II, $3 from Restyle) paired with my Lucca Couture floral romper ($14 from The Lux Fashion Lounge) and layered with these American Apparel lacey bike shorts echo the silhouettes of Vera Wang’s pre-Fall 2012 collection. Not bad for just playing around. Shopping at thrift stores and being able to mix several decades and varying styles of garments together is way better than spending thousands of dollars to get the same look from top designers.

K: Lead me to a land before time, er, a land without time. No. A land where all times and the associated fashions exist together. Yeah…

Bethany took these pictures with a little remote in her hand. Nifty!

Comments

STYLING THE BACKBONE

By: Bethany Walter

07-09-2012

Bethany

I would rather dress out of place than commonplace. It is certainly uncomfortable at times to stand out and risk the occasional snarky comment or stare. I figure dressing to stand out is great practice for not caring about what other people think. And, someday I think the thick skin and the courage I gain from this practice will come in handy. Dressing commonplace would only have the benefit of blending in.

XL sweater dress: Stan Sport, thrift store, $2.50
Vintage Turkmen silver necklace: Armor Bijoux
Silver metallic leggings: Wet Seal, 4+ years ago
Leather ankle boots: Report, some boutique 4+ years age
Leather vintage clutch: Genuine Leather, thrift store, $6.5o

Photographer: Jeanne Von Giltzow

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LAYERED SILK AND LEATHER

By: Bethany Walter

31-08-2012

Bethany

During the day Tuesday, Kelly and I were out scouting for office space. Our needs are pretty simple. We want a place with a window, historic architecture, a chalk board wall, sushi next door, a patio, a chihuahua pug mix puppy prancing around, and a space shared with other creatives. We are getting pretty close to finding exactly what we want.

After working for the rest of afternoon, Kelly spinning words and I designing a website, we headed downtown to the Boise River to shoot photos. I’m falling in love with Boise all over again. There is never a shortage of places to photograph. I spotted this rock bed a few days earlier and made a mental note to visit it later.

Excuse me as I stand here for 1.5 seconds with no pants. This purple silk Kimichi blouse, or to some a dress, is something I bought a couple of years ago at Urban Outfitters and used to wear with leggings. I’m obsessed with layering my clothes to get new outfits, dresses tucked into pants, skirts over dresses, and tops over jump suites.

These lovely thrifted silk Rena Rowan pants I inherited from Kelly. She has a rule that if something looks better on someone else, in this case has bigger hips and waist, they should have it. I try to be a generous person but this philosophy of Kelly’s stretches me. But I have learned that it feels good to let go, especially if it makes someone else happy.

This thick leather Banana Republic belt I also inherited from Kelly. It is perfect for hiding the awkward elastic waistband of my blouse and it does not dwarf my torso too bad. My jingling earrings are from Afghanistan and I purchased them on an Armor Bijoux buying trip. I like how the bits of white echo my blouse.

Since I paired silk with silk, it made sense to couple leather woven belt with leather woven wood sandals. Details, details, details. I got these sandals from the GAP 7 years ago. I like to think of the fact that I still have them not as being a pack rat but rather having timeless taste. Cough.

Do you have any photos of thrifted outfits you have layered? I’d love to see them and share in one of FU’s next posts. Email them to frivolousuniverse@gmail.com.