Nicole Orabona | Frivolous Universe

Turbans and Kaftans

By: Kelly Lynae Robinson

05-12-2011

Kelly: I’m not sure whether it was Jessica Holmes or Lisa Sanchez who first typed the words “turban and kaftan party” in a facebook comment, but it was Jessica who offered to have that party at her house and on my birthday. Last Friday night, garments of improbable square-yardage were paired with the world’s most forgiving hairstyle and we ate, drank and made merry. The turban/kaftan combo is comfy as pajamas and chic as shit. Black satin turban and cross-stitched embroidered kaftan.

K: I watched this video to learn how to tie a turban, then did it half-assed.

K: This antique pendant is from Armor Bijoux. I jangle when I wear it. People take notice. You might even say it’s disruptive. How marvelous. The diamond infinity band belonged to my great-grandmother.

K: I constantly marvel at the embroidery on this while I wear it – all the way down to the cuffs.

K: With a garment this epic, the accessories have to be correspondingly larger-than-life. This woven leather belt has a medieval feel to me, like I could hang a broadsword off it.

K: Platform sandals with socks.

N: The nice thing about the weight of the kaftan is that you don’t necessarily have to wear tights with it in the winter, socks will keep your tootises warm and the bed sheet…ahem…kaftan…will keep your legs warm.

K: I have four kaftans, two for warm weather and two for cold weather.

N: The sad thing is that a lot of people have no kaftans. We used to be some of them. And there are sad, giant kaftans in thrift stores everywhere looking for you to take them home!

K: Again, the intricacy slays me. Especially because I got this kaftan for only $8.00 at the Good Samaritan thrift store at 19th and Washington. The tag doesn’t tell me much, other than that it’s from Jordan. Does anyone have cheap calls to Jordan? Call that number and report to me what you learn!

Nicole: Just because I was in New York for my boo’s birthday doesn’t mean I was gonna let the opportunity to dress on a theme pass me by! I threw on my thrifted electric orange kaftan and butterfly turban (because yes, you literally can just throw on a kaftan) and my lovely roommate Sarah shot some pics of me in our hood.

K: The best kaftans at thrift stores are always in the large, extra-large, XXL, etc. If you ask me, the bigger the better. Drama, drama, drama.

N: And if you’re wearing highlighter orange, you really can’t afford to back off the drama. So, might as well add a parrot necklace. When I got this necklace at a thrift store it had a big-ugly-gold-metal-bead-thing on it. So Kelly and I pried it off and, voila! Now it’s not over the top at all!

N: These sandals were left behind by the former resident of my room. I rescued them and gave them a loving home paired with purple tights. They’re very happy not to be stuffed in that bag of give-away clothes anymore.

N: I didn’t think parrots and flowers are enough for one outfit. So I added a butterfly scarf turban, too. Gift from Kelly many moons ago!

N: I think this kaftan was actually hand made. You can see the seam down the middle here, and if you look inside the seams are unfinished and look home pressed. Plus, there is no tag. I seriously love whoever made this ridiculously colored garment!

K: Here’s a few pictures of the party:

There’s something inherently intimidating about a woman who has the guts to wear a kaftan.

Comments

Olive for Autumn

By: Kelly Lynae Robinson

28-11-2011

Kelly, Nicole

Kelly: Olive is one of my favorite pseudo-neutrals. Pseudo-neutrals are colors that can stand in for neutrals in any outfit, adding more visual interest. Khaki, black, and white are expected and do no favors for the skin tone. It’s more interesting to use olive, burgundy, camel, nude, or rust.

Nicole: If this skirt were black it would be soo boring! This is a work outfit. On Wednesdays I host. I don’t get paid as much, but the fact that I can wear whatever I want makes up for it! This week I wore a vintage pleated skirt with sheer, flower printed blouse.

K: I shortened this skirt by 12 inches. While I love it, I wonder if I would love it more longer. Thoughts?

N: When I wear full skirts and knits to work, the other host calls them “Jane Eyre outfits.”

N: Ms. Friday Bethany gave me these gorgeous vintage earrings as a going away present! Thanks, Armor Bijoux! Also, look at the adorable embroidery on the collar of my cardi.

K: Vintage Middle-Eastern jewelry goes with EVERYTHING.

N: Vintage clothing has such great details. Pleats for days, buttons, and an interesting waist-line. Woven belt ties it all together.

N: Purple tights and purple boots to go with my purple cardigan. These boots are Born, and were a prezie from my lovely Mama a couple birthdays ago.

N: My skirt, sweater and belt were all purchased second hand. The shirt is an Urban Outfitters brand, but I actually found it in a free backpack…shh, don’t judge me.

K: A free backpack that someone left at the yoga studio. Okay, now judge her.

K: Same color skirt, totally different silhouette: vintage tie-waist jacket and olive pencil skirt.

K: Bethany Walter, our Friday contributor, found this union-made 70s polyester jacket at a thrift store for $4.00. I love the 70s. I swear clothes from that decade fit me better than any other. Runner up: 90s. I love the colors and pattern. It reminds me of linoleum.

N: Clothes from the 50’s definitely fit my figure best, with the 90’s being my second as well. Who doesn’t love a good crop top?

K: I almost gave these department store shoes away in September, because I didn’t wear them all summer. They just felt too heavy with all of my girly, hippie summer frocks. But then I discovered them with socks. Socks have the power to make or break an outfit, and these chunky platforms with chunky socks make the perfect fall-outfit anchor.

K: I wear this wool wrap my grandmother made almost everyday. It is as warm as a winter coat and can wrap three times around my head in case of freak blizzard.

All clothing was purchased second-hand or rescued from the yoga studio.

Comments

Suitable for Separates

By: Kelly Lynae Robinson

21-11-2011

Kelly, Kelly and Nicole, Nicole

Kelly: ~~I am in a sick suit.~~ I am sick. This is the most enthusiasm I could muster to show you this navy two-piece I got second-hand for $6.00. The fabric is a stiff silk/wool blend and is tailored like death. When I bought it, I thought it looked like a Hillary Clinton power-suit. When I tried it on at home, Jason told me I looked like a martial artist.

K: Martial artist turns to old lady fortune-teller when I pair the long suit coat with a silk turban and tulip-print dress.

K: Remember when we used to go to the Banana Republic in the mall and hunt through the sale jewelry? That’s where I got these earrings five years ago. I probably thought they were a bargain at $10.00-15.00. Now I buy a whole outfit for that much.

N: Yes, yes. Not that these aren’t a great pair of earrings, but we get better treasures for better prices these days!

K: A belt is essential to define the waistline, even under a jacket.

K: The union label in this dress tells me it was made between 1974 and 1995. I’m guessing early 90s. I love the two-tier ruffled hem.

K: I traded some dresses that didn’t fit anymore for these vintage purple suede heels at Lux Fashion Lounge.

N: These pumps make me pee my pants a little. Your freakishly tiny feet mean you always get the best vintage shoes!

K: The blue coat, green bag, and purple heels all work together as dark jewel tones. A pop of orange is always a good idea.

Nicole: I picked this suit up on our very first thrift store fashion expedition! It’s orange tweed, satin lined, and oh-so perfectly tailored. While absolutely beautiful, it’s a little costume-y when worn all together.

K: Ah, yes. The thrifting trip that revolutionized the way we dressed and shopped. No big deal, you guys, it was just the beginning of a whole new perspective on fashion for us.

N: Pair the suit jacket with high-waisted cropped pants and silk shell for the Equestrian in the City look

K: Looking at this picture, one would never know what a reluctant model you were at first. You are working the shit out of that outfit!

N: This jacket has awesome jewel buttons. And like Kelly mentioned earlier, a belt is a must for tying any outfit together, especially if you’re wearing anything high-waisted.

N: My entire outfit was thrifted, except the suede riding boots. Another throwback from our days when we worshiped Banana Republic.

K: We repent our misplaced praise.

N: I chose this silk Liz Claiborne scarf (birthday gift from my boo!) because the blue/grey hues matched my pants. These vintage slacks from Koret of California are cropped, but when tucked into boots they look just like riding breeches, dontcha think?