Boise fashion | Frivolous Universe

Pretty as a Fruit Basket and Dandy as a Fop in Warm-Weather Togs and Wide-Brimmed Hats

By: Kelly Lynae Robinson

25-03-2012

Nicole: Spring is here, spring is here, spring is here!!! Even though my first winter in New York was possibly the most mild winter in the history of the East Coast, I am still doing cartwheels over the fact that spring has arrived. On the day I wore this fruity outfit, I spent a good 6 hours outside enjoying a sunny 75 degree day in the city. It was so nice out that I took the East River Ferry (for only four dollars!) to get from Brooklyn to Manhattan so I wouldn’t have to go underground.

Kelly: In the spirit of the season, I’ve been Spring cleaning. When turning a critical eye on my wardrobe, I scrutinize each item to see if it is versatile, well-made, and special. The rejects go back to the thrift store. The problem I’m having this closet-purging is more the lack of problem. My closet is packed with interesting vintage pieces that I love and I still see in my future. I’ve never worn this bizarre teal swimsuit cover-up over a peach silk tank and blue pencil skirt before, but I sure think it looks dandy.

N: I agree. Dandy as a fop. Love the sherbet-ness of it all. You just make me crave gelato. The recipe for my fruity ensemble consists of (1) vintage wool skirt, (1) fruit print tank top, (1) woven leather belt. Top with (1) floppy wool hat and finish with floral print wedges.

K: I love your color story and the competing floral and fruit prints. It isn’t easy to make predictable items like high-waisted skirts and tank tops look interesting, so throwing in a statement accessory like a wide-brimmed hat is a must. It is my over-abundance of wardrobe staples that has made me want to explore new kinds of accessories like this thrifted black straw hat.

N: I picked up these sandals at my new favorite consignment store, Crossroads Trading Co. A floppy had just demands feminine shapes like flirty skirts and floral wedges.

K: The peach and blue color palette of my outfit is mirrored in the cloisonne beads on my necklaces. Details, details, details!

N: I pick up the purple from the sandal in my hat. And my single-bead necklace is the sister of Kelly’s, bought from Anna D.’s man friend and given to me as a classy BFF necklace.

K: Cause we be BFOATs (best friend of all time). Jeezass, do you think there are any other best friends who have as many terms of endearment as we do?

N: Doubtful. If there are any, I doubt they are above the age of 12. Although, we have been friends nearly 10 years, so that’s a lot of time to come up with loving nicknames. And if we can’t frolic in the sunshine together, the least we can do is coordinate wide-brimmed hat wearing from opposite sides of the country.

Spring done sprung, bitches.

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On Being Both the Beast and its Master (and all things animal-inspired)

By: Bethany Walter

17-03-2012

Inspiration Bites

I like to get dressed with ideas. References to nature, science, literature make me giddier than jeans that make my ass look spectacular (though those have their place). Maybe it is because fashion is often purely material and superficial, but it doesn’t have to be. My clothes can do a lot more than make me look hot, they can allude to my inner self and the duplicitous nature of my character.

I am never only a pretty woman. I am sexual and asexual, masculine and feminine, soft and strong. I am both the beast and its master, ever ludicrous and profoundly serious. In these illustrations from Peony Yip I see the tension between instinct and awareness in each of us. When I get dressed, I do not only tend to my outer self, but to the inner contradictions, the strengths masquerading as weaknesses that propel me forward.

Thomas Lea captured this outfit for Boise Style on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I threw it on without thinking, but, upon further review, it captures many of my favorite contradictions. I love the softness of a wool wrap, woven by my grandmother, against the hard, armor-like cuff and necklace from Armor Bijoux. I love Mickey Mouse, an iconic symbol of childhood, wearing a headdress of Navajo squash blossoms.

madras plaid blazer, vintage navajo necklace, plaid flat cap, cowboy booties, vintage mickey mouse t-shirt, cuff

I’m three parts professional, two parts child, two parts warrior, and one part old man. And somehow, I’m still the type of person who wears skinny jeans with cowboy boots. Every item was either thrifted, gifted or borrowed from Bethany.

The top runways are all being stomped to death with unusual contradictions. I always love a beast versus beauty reference, like this German Shepherd sweater.

Or these fox pumps found at Street Fashion Style:

We Are Handsome gave up loads of fierce animal face last summer. I’m not sure which I like best, the wolf mini-dress from here:

Or the lion roar leotard from Violent Green:

On this night, Anna D. gave Nicole a vintage silk Bob Mackie kimono blouse with a demented kitten and a ball of yarn on it. Only Knuckle could make that sexy (it’s her superpower). I can’t wait to see how she pulls it off. Jaime looks appalled!

But could she wear a sequined zebra on her arm and still get laid? Hmmmm?

Don’t even get me started on Jessica’s goat-faced glory. That is straight-up Bacchanalian sex appeal.

Sometimes being both the beast and its master means wearing a kitty kimono.

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Silk, Acetate, Ruffles and Bows: the Boos are united again

By: Kelly Lynae Robinson

12-03-2012

Kelly, Kelly and Nicole, Nicole

Nicole: Two weeks ago I arrived in Boise for my first visit since I moved to New York. I wrapped myself in a bow and presented myself as a gift to Boise.

I got this amazing vintage dress at the Idaho Youth Ranch ages ago, and have been dying for the right occasion to wear it. It is made out of 100% Acetate. If I stand too close to a candle in this dress, it will likely melt into my flesh. Kelly did a handy bit of tailoring in the arm holes to make it fit like a glove.

Two days ago I celebrated the six-monthiversary of my moving to New York. It’s been an incredible experience so far, even if it has the draw-back of boo loss. This loss affects not only us, but the general public, who do not get to experience the awesomeness of our powers combined. Like how we coordinate our outfits.

For Story Story Night, we kept a very neutral color palate and long hem-lines. Kelly is wearing a brown silk skirt as a dress, layerd over a tiered-silk skirt and made into a dress with a woven leather belt. When in doubt, wear silk and leather.

We both add a little bit of drama with our neckwear. Me with a tulle scarf tied into a floppy bow, Kelly with a borrowed (and totally rad) Armour Bijoux breast-plate.

Who wouldn’t want to be our friend?

My boring Target booties are classed up a notch with vintage shoe bows, part of my birthday package from Kelly. She’s also gave me the lovely jade ring I’m wearing and letting me borrow her vintage beaded clutch. Our outfits are always better with the combined force of both our wardrobes.

The pretty embroidery helps make this dress special. Add it to the dramatic length and high-neckline, this demure number is better than your average little black dress.

My bows match! Details, details, details…

Story Story and local food and cheap drinks and old friends and dancing boos made my Boise trip a blast. But New York is buzzing, and I’m glad to be back.