Match Made in Seven: January 2019
Welcome to the monthly edition of Match Made in Seven! We are an international group of fashion bloggers who meet virtually once a month. One of us chooses a theme each month, and that can be anything: a book, music, a color, a movie. And then we all style an outfit based on that theme.
This month’s theme was chosen by Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style and is PUNK!!! See my interpretation of the theme below…and be sure to take a look at my fellow bloggers to see how they have interpreted the theme this month.
Debbie of https://www.debbiestyleslife.com/
Darlene of https://aquamarinastyle.com/
Sonja of https://www.yustsome.nl/
Anna of https://www.muttonstyle.com/
Emma of http://www.style-splash.com/
And now, on with our show!
So, I’m thrilled to be part of this group of bloggers for this series. That said, those of you who are regular Fashion Schlub readers know what an overwhelming month this has been for me, from finding a new apartment to packing and moving.
I had a vision for my punk outfit…only to realize the most important elements were already packed! So I had to make do with what I had available to me to recreate my punk look.
Now, I’m old enough that I was in my late teens/early 20s during the height of the punk era, but even then I only dabbled in the look. I was a little more on the “new wave” side of punk; a little toned down, more mainstream, more Jennifer Beals in “Flashdance” than Nancy Spungen of Sid&Nancy fame. Cropped skinny acid-wash jeans w zippers at the ankle, black jazz oxfords, sweatshirts w collars, sleeves and waistbands cut off, black rubber bracelets, lacy hair ties and camis, shrunken denim or black leather jacket. That was The Look for the dance clubs. And I was SO into dance clubs then! Mostly I would go with my friend Debbie but if she was unavailable I Would Go Alone. To a dance club. By myself. And dance. By MYSELF. The concept seems unthinkable to me now.
40ish years later, punk is not a look I generally aspire to (#understatement). So I looked at this as an exercise in “stepping outside the box.” I did the best I could under the circumstances and came up with this oufit.
Black skinny jeans: pretty much de rigueur for any punker worth his or her salt.
Black combat boots would have been the go-to shoe but the closest I have is black ankle booties.
Black leather jacket: mine is not as “shrunken” as “the kids” wold have worn back in the day, but then, neither am I. Anything too tight or too small would have been the outwear of choice – tiny black motorcycle jackets, denim jackets, blazers.
A band tee was a popular item, ripped up, cut up, torn, etc. This tee I’m wearing was my one new purchase for this outfit. I love graphic tees in theory but rarely find one (like tattoos) that I actually want to wear on my body as a personal sentiment (I bought myself a “Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come” sweatshirt in December from a wholesaler in China but, shockingly (#sarcasm) it was WAYYY too small). I don’t usually show the cancer card but at least this tee seemed appropriate.
And cuz I’m old and frugal I did *not* want to rip up a brand new shirt (though it occurred to me days later that the shirt might have fit better if I HAD cut it up, but…) And cuz it was FRIGID I wore my long silk ‘wares under the shirt. Even though any self-respecting punk rocker would have laughed in the face of freezing temps and NOT dressed accordingly.
And I will make a confession here AND give myself some whispered accolades. The confession: in THEORY I embrace body positivity. No one should feel bad or ugly or imperfect or anything because of the way their body is shaped or the amount of space it takes up. Our bodies are amazing gifts that carry us through life. In REALITY, however, I do not always like the way mine LOOKS. And usually, I dress accordingly. But in the time-crunch of finding something to wear for this shoot, I ended up with something MUCH snugger than I would normally wear. And in my reflection in the mirror I kind of made it work. But when I got back from the shoot and saw the pictures?? Oofah.
I almost bailed on the whole thing. BUT – I had a made a commitment to this group of women AND I am trying to be better about “just letting it all hang out” (more metaphorically then figuratively, but you get what I’m saying), so…here is me, “uncovered,” so to speak, for better or worse. And for NOT deleting these pictures and hiding my bumpy body, I’m giving myself a little pat on the back. Maybe I have just a LITTLE punker in me, after all.
I want to give a special shout-out to Nicole at the Deer Park Torrid for helping me search through racks and racks of clothing at the last minute for something to wear!
And to share what I *wanted* to wear: my pink tulle skirt, grey or black graphic tee, red plaid button down blouse open or knotted at the waist, black biker jacket, black capri leggings and red converse sneakers. That’s what 20-year-old me would have worn to a dance club back in the day. I also started spiking my hair up, but…I just couldn’t do it. I wanted to look like me, not like I was in costume.
Don’t forget to check out the other bloggers in the group to see how they styled their punk look!
What I Wore:
- Torrid “Kiss Cancer Goodbye” graphic tee, size 4. Out of stock online, comparable here
- Charlotte Russe Plus Size Refuge Skintight Legging Jeans, size 22 short
- Black Bongo faux leather jacket, old. Comparable here and here
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you click on them and/or buy something as a result of clicking that link.
Judi
Great choice of outfit, Bettye. My first thought when I saw the post was “rock ‘n roll”, and punk is in that vein. Lookin’ good.
bettyewp
Thanks, Judi!
jodie filogomo
I absolutely adore this Bettye, and I think one reason is it IS a little different and tighter from your norm. Not that I don’t like your norm, but I think that whole box thing can get a little deceiving.
On a kinda similar note, I was reading Us (yes, that very educational magazine that I didn’t order but somehow ended up in my mailbox) and they were showing the difference between Kate and Meghans’ pregnancies and how they dressed so differently. Back in the day, you didn’t show off your belly. But now? It’s okay. And I think it’s the same with us too. It’s good to have things tighter. Maybe not all the time or for every occasion, but for Punk?? Absolutely!!
So here’s a challenge for you…..work these tighter things into your everyday look maybe once a week, or once a month. Maybe you won’t like it anymore, but I do think it could be game changer.
BTW…I never really did punk. All black, yes. But I was a good girl….LOL!!!! (Man, how I’ve changed…)
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
Ooh, True Confessions from Jodie! Dish, girl!
Tina von Tinaspinkfriday
Bettye you look great.
bettyewp
Thanks, Tina!
Nancy
Seeing you in this look makes me think: that must have been some bad ass girl! Cool, edgy, sexy! And also such a great backdrop! Fabulous interpetation! And I admire you for joining us while you are in such a busy stressy time! Thank you very much for that!
bettyewp
Ha, I don’t know how bad-ass I ever was, but thanks! Hopefully I’ll be much less whiny going forward!
Yustsome
Wow you Rock this style! Love the Biker jacket! I lost mine in the bus last year!
bettyewp
Oh no! I once got on a motorcycle with a cute boy I’d just met and when he dropped me off later I left my beloved denim jacket on the bike. Never saw him OR the denim jacket again! So I understand your pain. Thanks for stopping by!
Susan Sommer
Well! Maybe you’re not punk but you are most definitely Badass!
bettyewp
Ha, thanks Suzy! I just packed up the Waterford pitcher you gave me as a wedding gift way back when. I honestly think yours are the only wedding gifts I still have, 30 years later 🙂
Debbie@debbiestyleslife.com
Hi Bettye:
You are rockin’ this look, girl! You look beautiful and I love your inspiring words on having body confidence which I think most of us ladies struggle with, at least I know I do!! I’m so happy to meet you as part of our “Match Made in Seven” and I hope next month is a more stress-free month for you!
Hugs,
Debbie
bettyewp
So do I (next month less stress)!!! Well, we’re certainly all in this together, trying to look and feel confident in our skin and clothes – I think this project is going to help all of us step outside our norm a bit, making “normal” feel better than ever!
Suzy Turner
Great interpretation of a tough theme! I love the way you’ve styled it. You look great!
Suzy xx
bettyewp
Thanks, Suzy! I appreciate the kind words 🙂
Heather
I don’t think this outfit it too snug on you at all.. if anything, I think it fits perfectly! It isn’t so tight that it’s revealing, and the high neckline reserves your modesty. It looks very natural and comfortable.
I much prefer body acceptance to body positivity. It’s more along the lines of this is me, take it or leave it, but I deserve to exist and take up space.
bettyewp
Aww, Heather, you’re too sweet! And I like your take on body acceptance vs. positivity.
julia
I totally know how you’re feeling about your body. Like, “this is what I look like” to “showing myself at my best”. And it’s always the waistline dent for me though 99% of pants out there give me that dent — it’s how they’re meant to stay up! And yay for you showing us real women and real women’s bodies and real women’s clothing fit challenges. I would have gone and danced with you at the clubs for sure. I loved/love dancing!
bettyewp
Yes, the blasted waist dent! I feel like it gives me 3 stomachs! The high-up “baby belly” part, then the bump just under the waist dent…then the low “front butt,” as I think you called it, ha ha! Or…something like that!
Annemarie Moore
Edgy and perfect. It’s not too snug at all. Your smile says I will wear what I like, and rock it, and you do. Great meeting you on this challenge.
https://www.muttonstyle.com
bettyewp
Aww, thanks Annemarie! Yes, I look forward to the upcoming months to see what comes our way, theme-wise!
Darlene
Bettye,
I loved reading your punk post!! I share some of the same feelings when dressing outside my comfort zone. Kuddos to you for going for it! You did your homework on punk style and did a great job channeling that era!
I ended up looking like a biker, so don’t worry–some of us did not love this era! Haha!
Nonetheless, this will be a fun collaboration. Maybe next month will be something like wearing red? Little chance, I guess.
xx Darlene
bettyewp
Ha, I thought I looked sort of bikerish, too! Yes, I’m looking forward to seeing what the coming month’s theme will be! Thanks for coming by!
Emma Peach
I think we all have days when we’re not feeling it but have to get the post out there. I love how you’ve styled this theme, especially the message on the T-shirt!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
bettyewp
Ha, yes! I can’t wait to hear your theme for this month!