Decades Of Style & Fashion

40s, 50s, 60s?

Which One Spells You?

 

Lately my mind has been preoccupied with the concept of courage.  Daring to do things I normally wouldn’t because I’d be too afraid.  Be it something as rudimentary as swapping signature red for a softer pink on the lips, or walking up to a complete stranger at an event and saying, “Hello!! I’m Sheela, what’s your name?”.

Admittedly, accompanying that heady rush of adrenaline (aka bravado) is an equally powerful sense of nausea and wanting to throw up but still, courage and being courageous have been taking over my heart, mind and spirit these days.

The courage to speak my mind when I feel my needs are not being met or when I believe my opinions are not being heard.  Courage to reach out and ask for something I know I deserve and am fully capable of helping it realise its full potential.  And no longer allowing society to dictate whether I can or cannot based on some unfathomable parameters. 

Most of all, the courage to recognise fear but refusing to let it cripple me, and hold me back.

Are you on that same path?

Keeping your chin up, above water level so you’re continuing to breathe even as you cautiously step forward into the deep end?

Isn’t it the scariest, most exhilarating thing you’ve ever done though?

E Q U A L    P A R T S    N A U S E A    A N D    B U T T E R F L I E S

Afraid that you may be making the wrong choices.  Afraid you’ll fail.  Afraid that you aren’t going to make it?  That you’re just not enough?

When was the last time you told yourself you were enough?  That you are brave and fearless and fierce.  That you are mistress of your own destiny and that you (and you alone) gets to decide which turn to take at every crossroad.  Or not.

When was the last time you told yourself you were enough and that the world is yours to conquer?  That you have every right to live the very best life you can, with no apologies.  To walk boldly and ferociously, with pride and conviction.

When was the last time you told yourself you were enough?

That in spite of being broken and bruised, you are (and will always be) beautiful and perfectly imperfect in every possible way, shape and form. That you wear your scars like badges of honour.

When you finally realise it’s time to let go and love yourself with all the strength and passion bursting from within every single beat of your heart?

When you believe that you are truly are so much more than you know?

When was the last time you told yourself you were enough and that the world is yours to conquer?  That you have every right to live the very best life you can, with no apologies.  To walk boldly and ferociously, with pride and conviction.

When was the last time you told yourself you were enough?

That moment is here, the time is now.

I held close to that thought process when I put together my look for #thefab40s last week, the theme being “favourite decade in fashion” as chosen by Daenel. 

I knew I wanted to be brave, so to speak, and take a nose dive straight into the decade which has always been my go to for inspiration, and aspiration, and muses.  The 90s. 

To not be afraid to just do what I wanted, go wild with mixing different types of prints and textures and shapes.  To go braless (although it’s completely not evident LOL), why yes, taking ownership and responsibility that this is my body, and mine alone to showcase as I desire. 

Essentially, to be courageous and boldly go where I’ve never ventured before in terms of celebrating the 90s and all its eccentric, flamboyant sartorial wonderfulness.

So thank you, Daenel for being the catalyst behind this epiphany of mine.

Onward and forward to what we’re doing collectively today, and that is to highlight an outfit inspired by a particular decade in fashion which has proved influential upon our aesthetics.  That one era which has left an unforgettable stamp on how we view garments, and how, consequently, we assemble them into outfits most reflective of who we are as fierce, fashionable females.

Allow me to begin with the purveyor of this month’s theme, Daenel.

Daenel, Living Outside The Stacks

If you, like me, have come to associate her style aesthetics with being a somewhat gothic interpretation of bohemian then I firmly believe you we have struck the nail on its head where Daenel is concerned.  Whilst this outfit of hers is inspired by the 50s with the silhouette and those Mary Janes, it’s that dark yet utterly feminine palette which beckons me so.  Charming but decidedly not Stepford wife girlish.

Suzy, Suzy Turner

Woman, you conquered this month’s theme.  You really did, with your fresh take on the 40s.  First of all, those colours (googly eyes).  They could’ve so easily gone Yuletide couture (or Halloween) but you artfully (and successfully) circumvented that cliche with a contrasting print pussy bow blouse and neutral bag.  I am so enthused over those palazzo pants to be honest, like seriously infatuated with them.

Jennie, A Pocketful Of Polka Dots

No prizes for guessing which era takes Jennie’s cake (psst, it’s the 50s) with that body-hugging dress (wiggle, wiggle) and cardigan.  It’s clearly a time when womanly curves were celebrated with gusto and aplomb (and rightly so), when snug pencil skirts made for swaying hips, and the pointiest of heels created unforgettable impressions when she left the room.  You look amazing, my friend, this is most definitely your time.

Shelbee, Shelbee On The Edge

There’s something about the 60s being free spirited that thoroughly spells Shelbee.  Out of all the styles I’ve seen her experiment with, this is probably my fave (ok, pin-up doll as well).  Her exuberance for life is beautifully expressed in the loud graphic print of that mod dress and them decidedly groovy fuchsia tights.  Then that fuzzy wonderland of a coat with its slightly exaggerated silhouette makes for the perfect bodacious touch.

Mary, Curlybyrdie Chirps

Somehow, I did not think Mary would be picking the 70s as her time.  I had envisioned the 40s for her, you know, those hourglass peplum suits and pencil skirts.  Isn’t that the hallmark of a truly stylish woman though?  Constantly surprising everyone with her sartorial picks?  I adore everything on this woman’s body today, so many tiny little accents and details which instantly elevate Mary’s outfit from protestor to influencer. 

And then there’s me.

I don’t think the decade I chose came as much of a surprise to anyone, really GRIN

It’s Polished Punk for me this month.  Specifically, punk and rock n roll, with a healthy dose of ladylike badass boardroom babe (well, that was a mouthful). 

Beaded & Embroidered Leather Jacket (Pinko) | Bustier Tulle Dress (Handmade) | White Blouse (Forever21) | Leather Boots (Bakers) | Rings (House of Harlow) | Belt (borrowed from boyfriend) | Beer Bottle (randomly found prop seen in other shots)

Tell me, which decade of fashion speaks to you most?

Which era is your utter fave?

Until the next post, I LOVES YOU.

 

Love, Sheela

p/s I link up here.