a lovely member of tfs posted this photo in the mary-kate and ashley olsen thread, reminded me exactly why i count both of the sisters (although it is ashley in this pic) as a major fashion inspiration, regardless of the fact that i really don't dress that much like them at all.
[tfs/olsen-online]This outfit is pure genius. So simple. It's actually almost offensively simple if you think about it, the leather skirt, the battered zip up hoodie, the ballet flats, the gold necklace, the big black sunglasses. But the sum of the whole is greater than its parts. There's something really interesting about the way she's paired it all together, these really simple, essentially modern 'classic' staples, in such a nonchalantly stylish way.
I mean, leather is such a high maintenance fabric. It needs a lot of care and attention in order to keep it at the highest quality and without any visible signs of wear and tear. Compare that with the hoodie, an item of clothing whose value increases, at least for me, the more battered and beaten and worn in it gets. It becomes more comfortable, it has seen more history, you feel more attached to it as it gets its 'scars', as it were, battle wounds, the signs of age and comfort and love. And then contrast both of these with the ballet flats in leopard print... a print that will forever hold the connotations of tanned 40-something plastic-surgery veterans swanning around ibiza in versace and roberto cavalli. The antithesis to the olsen fashion creed itself.
Everytime i see this outfit i just grow to love them, and the way they dress, even more. They embody keeping it simple in a way that no other starlet at the moment can quite equal. They both have an innate and overriding sense of style that really shows, but even more than that they just know how to put an outfit together. Beaten up hoodie, leather skirt, leopard print flats, classy gold necklace.
Instant chic.
X
ps. i'm at work, tres bored as i man the phones. *sigh*. i'd say where i work but i'm sure that my boss has a blog herself, and so saying i'm bored might not go down well, especially if she manages to see this (which i'm sure she won't, but hey, better safe than sorry right!?)
I was tagged by the dear at Raspberry Jam and Maple Syrup and Rosie Posie Rosie to list 6 things that make me smile. So here you go:
1. being around my darling friends, who, in their eccentricity and individuality never fail to put a smile on my face, especially when we are just mucking around and being silly.
2. getting letters and parcels in the mail. There's something old-worldly about it, isn't there? I just love it when, amongst the sea of bills and bank statements that my parents receive there is a letter addressed to little old me filled with cute thoughts and news.
3. a really well made meal. It doesn't have to be gourmet, i'm as happy with spaghetti bolognaise as i am with creme brulee, the point is more when something is well made, with fresh and tasty ingredients, and when someone takes the time to make a meal for you, that just makes me grin like crazy.
4. Watching heston blumenthal's in search of perfection. He is such an interesting perfectionist chef, and this series is just illuminating. He goes around trying to make 'the perfect' version of classic, staple meals/dishes such as fish and chips, pizza, the hamburger, trifle, roast chicken, black forest cake etc. He is a real joy to watch as he uses biochemistry, research, trial and error and good old taste buds to create 'the perfect' meal. He is hilarious as he says 'you can do this at home' while breeding his own rice grain, a cross-breed of 3 separate grains, in an attempt to create the 'perfect' risotto. What a class act!
5. the smell, feel and simple thrill of flicking through a new magazine or book. there is nothing, and i mean absolutely nothing, like it in the world for me. Both of them hold a different allure, but essentially its the idea of knowledge, images, thoughts and ideas that are new and un-felt by me until i dig my teeth into said book or magazine. Every word and picture makes me smile wider.
6. logging onto blogger and finding comments from all you lovely people! hearing your thoughts, opinions and views about what i blog about is a surefire way to make me smile, no matter the day.
So i have to tag 6 other bloggers. I would like to tag:
the one who shares my taste in everything, books, tv shows, films and MEN: and then byron turned into a tea cup
the one whose doodles are as cute and lovable as james mcavoy: notebook doodles
the one whose skills with the sewing machine makes her the envy of every blogger: All Things British
the one who is my fellow australian fashionista: This Organised Chaos
the one whose taste in everything is as impeccable as kate lanphear's: withasianstereotypes
and finally the one who is a vintage thrifting queen: friends and lovers
You have read this article ashley olsen /
fashion /
inspiration /
style
with the title keep it simple, sister.. You can bookmark this page URL http://startthefire-cafagesta.blogspot.com/2008/12/keep-it-simple-sister.html. Thanks!
