What I Wore: Shirt (J. Crew), Blazer (Old; H&M), Skirt (Pin Up Girl), Shoes (Minnetonka), Scarf (Yarnworks by Danyon)
Ever get an idea for an outfit in your head, but you put it on and something isn't quite right? So you try a little something else- add a hat, take away a scarf- and the look somehow evolves right into that perfect look. That would be this. The blazer gives me just a little bit of sense of a Teddy Girl- not quite androgynous, but with a definite menswear flare.
If you've never heard of the term "Teddy Girl" before, don't worry. Until just recently, I hadn't either. "Teddy Girls" (also called "Judies) was the nickname given to one of the first youth cultures that arose in post-WWII London; they were the female counterparts to the slightly more well-known "Teddy Boys." This Teddy Girl subculture seems to have mostly flown under the radar with only one article on the group being written during their own time, and very few pictures taken. Honestly, the subculture is probably only getting the attention it is now because Ken Russell, one of the few photographers who did take photos of these girls, died, and a post-humous exhibit entitled The Last of the Teddy Girls toured. Not much about them is known even today, but you can find out more here, and here.
Speaking of women in menswear, I was perusing back issues of my favorite online magazine, Matchbook Girl (So much easier to read with a Tablet! I'm delighting in going back into their archives now!), and I came across this article about a book entitled Tomboy Style. The author says in this article that she divided the book in categories based on different types of Tomboy Styles too. Would you get this book? And what style, if any, of a Tomboy are you?
Such interesting articles! They sort of look like today's 'hipsters' but I like the term 'Teddy Girl' MUCH better :). I actually really love the style. I need some trousers like some of them are wearing but it's so hard to find them in that silhouette. I love the look you're wearing! That blazer is one of my very favorites that I've seen and you certainly seem to have the persona down also.
Reply DeleteIt IS so hard to find the same (or similar) looks of the pants these Teddy Girls often wear. I'm like you though and would love them.
DeleteThank you, Katie.
I've never heard of the term "Teddy Girl", but that's really cool. And not to disagree with Katie, but I think they look way better than the hipsters of today.
Reply DeleteP/S: I want that blazer!
Haha. Maybe, probably. I'm still a little cloudy and what hipsters today really are. They are a changing breed, I suspect.
DeleteThank you by the way!
I never thought about doing an action shot like that. GREAT idea.
Reply DeleteThe Nautical Owl
Action shots are fun; hope you give it a go! :D
DeleteWow! This is my favorite outfit so far! That elbow patch blazer looks exactly like one I am coveting from Zara. I love it so much! The patterns and colors in this outfit are wonderful. Great job! <3
Reply Delete- Anna
www.melodicthriftychic.com
Excite to see what outfits you make with the Zara blazer, should you get it :)
DeleteHi dear!! You have a lovely blog :)
Reply DeleteNice post, i really like your skirt, so stylish!!
Take a look at;
http://peaceinmyshoes.blogspot.com.es
loving that blazer so chic! thanks for visiting my blog darling
Reply Deletexo Ilana @ My Modern Vintage
Love the look; it looks preppy with a twist! Love your poses too; they look so alive!!!
Reply DeleteSmile On:)...Classy Pam
http://classypam.blogspot.com/
Oh thank you Pam. I'm so glad the poses seem "alive" to you. My photographer and I really apperciate when people notice our hard work on that :)
DeleteI love this look, especially the jacket and the glasses. And the scarf. I love it all, actually.
Reply DeleteYou saved me a trip to Google - I had Teddy Girls highlight and ready to search! I see the inspiration, or rather post-inspiration totally. That blazer is so cute - and it's great with the skirt as a nice little girly flare to it.
Reply DeleteGlad to have saved you a trip.
DeleteThank you.
Sooo interesting reading about Teddy Girls! I've heard of Teddy Boys, never knew there was a female counterpart. I also love this entire look, the way you matched the colors and THAT BLAZER! I want!!
Reply DeleteI'd never heard of Teddy Boys OR Teddy Girls before but find them and their fashion inspiration very interesting.
DeleteHattitude Style Blog
Reply Deletelove the history lesson! i love learning things like that. flapper girls were one of my favourite era's now i will have to research teddy girls! love it. and i LOVE this blazer!
talk soon wild child
-Hattie
Hattitude Style Blog
I like flappers too! I also like that that era reflects a growing sense of independence for women what with autos and planes.
DeleteThank you!
adorable! love the bricks and stripes and plaid!
Reply DeleteThis outfit is so cute Kristian! I love your blazer and I'm enamored with your twirling pictures. It's the perfect outfit to twirl around in :)
Reply Deletexo
Ashley
Southern (California) Belle
The Boy likes skirts that twirl so...now do I! Funny how that works...
DeleteVery cool. Hadn't heard of Teddy Girls before either. A Google image search yields lots of great pictures too.
Reply DeleteYour blazer is timeless. Makes for a very cool androgynous look, no matter how you style it. Love that you chose a skirt, though. Very interesting look!
xo,
-Nathy
Earnestyle
Oh, thanks Nathy! Yeah, I think it is interesting to pair more menswear pieces with more feminine ones like skirts; creates a cool contrast.
DeleteI don't have enough wherewithal to have a style, but from the linked article's list, I'd like to be a sophisticate/adventuress tomboy style. :)
Reply DeleteYou do too have a style :p I think style is pretty innate myself though if I was packing boxes like you are, I probably wouldn't be dressed like either! :D
Deleteand yay for Danyon scarves! looks good with your cute outfit. The jacket makes me think British.
Reply DeleteI too had never heard of a teddy girl but was interesting hearing a bit more in your links. I love the big blazer w/ the skirt, great combo of girly w/ tomsboy! also your sister's cowls are just gorgeous, please pass on my compliments to her and a congrats on her awesome shop!
Reply Deletehttp://dusanabotswana.com
Oh thanks Dus! I definitely will let her know. :)
DeleteIm not a tomboy at all and never have been but you wear menswear like nobody else Kristian! seriously, you rock it! Im kind of obsessed with this blazer, I do love me a good blazer! And it looks amazing with the stripes and scarf.
Reply Delete-Jessi
haircutandgeneralattitude.blogspot.com