80s does 40s: Animal Instincts

I had originally picked up this dress while thrifting to sell in my etsy shop, but out of sheer curiosity I tried it on when I got home and needless to say I decided to keep it. I loved the way the dress fits, it's a lovely 80s does 40s wiggle style dress that is made out of the softest knit I've ever worn.

And it's incredibly figure flattering. I love, love, looooove the slight ruching that is at the waist and sweeps to one side. Me-OW! I'm not quite sure what color the background is as sometimes it looks gray and sometimes it looks bluish, so I'm going to say it's a bluish gray with a black animal pattern all over. Which animal does it look like to you? I can't seem to figure that one out. Hahaha, oh 80s fashion!

Wearing; sweater, dress, boots, beret (all vintage), rhinestone spider brooch (I wore on my wedding dress), earrings (The Pumpking Coven)

I'm going to try my darnest to wear my 80s dresses this winter. I have a few lovely pieces that need to get worn and I hope to feature them here. I have a lot of fun wearing vintage and adding my own personal spins and touches. *Wink*

Thank you for reading, until next time!

Wearing Whatever the 'F' You Want

Lists. Advice. What to do. What not to do. It's enough to make someone's head spin. A lot of these lists that I have read focus on women and age and I've basically come to one conclusion: You're not allowed to have any fun after thirty. My reaction: Giant. Middle. Finger.

How about making a list encouraging women (and all people) to wear what makes you feel good. Why is age always the focus? Why do we need to stop wearing things that bring us joy? Just to blend into the background? Why are certain things considered juvenile, rather than celebrated as self expression? Sigh.

I am met with these questions almost on a daily basis as someone who works in a retail environment. There are women who come in and are so self judgmental and self depreciating that it makes me so incredibly sad for them. I've met women who tell me that they can't wear a fun printed dress, because their friends are going to make fun of them! WHAT?! My brain nearly exploded. I secretly want to tell them that they can come hang out with me in their fun dresses and we can have a party. Hehehe!

Now, I'm not opposed to advice and those who seek it out. I have read many helpful articles on the art of dress and use those elements for myself as well as when others ask for my help. It's help, not set-in-stone rules. These 'DON'T WEAR THIS OR YOU WILL BE OSTRACIZED FROM THE WORLD' type advice=nope, not listening.

I guess this is all coming from a gal who has always been rebellious, like keeping my hair blonde for years when I was told I could never truly be goth without black hair. Pffffffft.

Life is too short to wear things you hate and in turn hating yourself in them. Embracing age is not a bad thing, in fact I think it is liberating and a part of the journey of life. The voices that emphasize age need to shut the hell up and mind their own business.

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Late Summer?

I wish I was able to take photos outside, but it was so very windy! It's been very unseasonably warm and it has got me a little mixed up as to what to wear. I was actually too warm wearing the lace sleeved cardigan! I'm not ready for snow, but it's hard to sip on pumpkin spice tea when it's 78 degrees out.....then again I can drink hot beverages at any temperature.

I ordered this maxi dress seeing as I thought it was a bit more summery and would be packed away until next season, but it's proving to be nice choice on this windy warm day. 

I'm not a big fan of racer backs, but the hemline won me over. I layered the dress with a tank top as the medium is rather generous in the bust/armpits, it would be a little ummm, revealing if I only wore the dress with a bra. I wish I would have sized down, but C'est la vie!

I'm happy with the dress, it's great for layering with leggings and flowy cardigans. I'm sure I'll experiment with layering sweaters and/or tops over the dress. I love a versatile piece!

How is the weather in your neck-of-the-woods? 

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Outfit of the Day : Cotton T-shirt Dress

Oh yes, feeling a little goofy after all the moving that Derek and I accomplished today. Even though we're only moving across the courtyard from our current place, it's a lot of work and I'll do a jig once we're all done. I hate moving, but bigger kitchen and Tiki room (aka dining room) makes it all worth it.

I took a shower and slipped into one of my favorite types of outfit, a dress, pair of leggings with a pair of boots. I'm calling the dress a 'cotton t-shirt dress' as it's just as comfortable as wearing a t-shirt, it's from H&M's Divided Basic line and I think the price is around $12.95. I love this dress so much that I went out and bought another one, because I can't have just one of these comfy beauties! Speaking of buying things, I'm on a 'no buy' quest this month, it's voluntary task that I bestowed on myself in order to keep better track of my spending. I have been stressed out with all the changes going on (nothing bad!) that I have a tendency to indulge in retail therapy and well, I wanted to nip it in the bud. Shopping is not a cure for stress, so I'm taking my own advice about spending/budgeting. My no buy August is only limited to things that are extras, so items for the move, household items, toiletries, food, gas, etc. are A-OK! Derek says "You don't have to do this", but it's actually grounding me a bit and I've become a lot more focused. Yeah, I'm weird.

Bonus photo with Ice Bat!

Have you ever had a 'no buy' month?

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Outfit of the Day: The 80s Tropical Dress

I have mentioned in a previous post that I love the '80s does the 50s' styles, so I was excited to find the beauty I'm wearing from an ebay seller for $20. 

The dress is a size 9/10 and I needed to do some major altering in the chest/halter area which included putting in (as I call it) boob darts. I am pretty proud of the job I did, though not the cleanest application, the alternation was a learning experience. 

The bold print with the black background makes me happy, the cut of the dress is flattering and it has pockets! I wore a green metallic spider flower (made by my friend Julie Ann), black stretch belt, black filagree bat necklace and little comfy flats. 

I think I might have to wear this dress to the next Tiki gathering we go to, now which Tiki mug should be my drinking vessel? Hrmmmmm.....

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Vintage Galeria

+"Riding Shotgun" Horror Monsters Dress +"Twist-Her" Sacred Heart Milagro Skirt

+Skull & Roses Full Apron  +Victorian Messenger Bag

I've loved Janet Zuniga's work since I featured her in a style article featured in Auxiliary Magazine a few years ago. Her designs and choice of fabrics are wonderful!

Check out the items by clicking the descriptions or shop her etsy here, VintageGaleria.

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-

Meagan Kyla

80s Dress And New Shoes

My crazy shoes came in the mail this week and I ripped open the box and knew I loved them before I even put them on. They are ridiculous, it makes me happy.

The platform is weird, plastic and light weight, I've never had a platform shoe quite like these. This style is definitely a Jeffrey Campbell knock-off and put together as such, but I don't plan on wearing them everyday or running a marathon in them. Could you imagine me running in these? Hahaha! The only con I can say about the shoes is that the bottoms are extremely slippery, I'll have to do something about that.

I paired the dress with one of my newest thrift store finds, an 80s dress sack for $5. I'm totally in love. I love 80s fashion, but I usually resist some of the more tackier pieces, but this dress appeals to me. When I look for vintage from the 80s I look for; black & white, geometric prints, and items that don't look too dated. 

And I couldn't resist tying a scarf in my hair and making a big bow, I think I'm ready to go dancing at an 80s night! Oh, that sounds like fun!

Do you like to wear vintage?

Thanks for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla