my heart runneth over-- teacher outfit

I'm going to sound like such a sap, but did you know I have the best job ever? In my world, one must dress prepared for impromptu dance parties and sneak-attack hugs. And sometimes a combination of the two. Today was one of those days I thought my heart was going to leap straight out of my chest and swallow everyone up, it was so full of love. How fitting that I wore my dorky little patchwork hearts sweater on such a day! To accompany it, the pants I can only describe as "sweatings", a chimera of jeans and sweatpants offering the necessary freedom of movement for Russian dance kicks and squatting low to boogie with small ones. Hope you all found something to love today <3

Wearing:
Patchwork hearts knit sweater from Last Chance Thrift Store
Sweatings/jeggings/pants from Festivity
Boots from Underground Atlanta
Collared blouse (underneath) free from university give-away pile.
Brown ribbon in hair.

stars and stripes and outfit evolution (in reverse)

I think I'm going to be one of those embarrassing moms or kindergarten teachers who has a dress and a broach and a pair of earrings for every holiday. I love dressing in theme, and have the most fun ever preparing the right dorky outfit for the right occasion. Naturally today was Fourth of July! My camera is out of commission, but I had some fun with photobooth this gorgeous day of independence. Here's the evolution of my outfit (the top pics are the result I settled on).

I started with last year's Walmart tank, cut up and reshaped, but I didn't feel classy enough with the torn up T and shorts and braids.

I reaaaallly wanted an excuse to wear that amazing jacket I found forever ago at a thrift store.... but Atlanta in July is just not the place to pull that off. Plus I wanted that class-factor like I mentioned.

I got really happy with this old plain blue t-shirt; that with the paisley granny shorts and flats made for a sweet 50s picnic look, I thought. Plus I pinned up the french braids Heidi style. I'm using plain black sewing ribbon for a belt and my necklace is an anchor with an American flag design.

Hope everyone else looked festive and ate plenty of our national foods and mayonnaise and PBR etc.

Your grandmother called... She wants your outfit back: The Glory of Granny Fashion!

Often in the wintertime, I find it hard to get really pumped about anything, including outfits. The cold weather zaps my energy and with it, my will to look cute. While moping around my closet, I realized that the only thing I really felt like wearing at the moment was this:

Onesie: Thrifted
Hat: My parents' closet
Red lace: My sewing box
Bag: Won it at a Harry Potter festival!
Shoes: Thrifted

Grannytastic, no? And it's a good thing I decided to play inspiration dress up, because when I looked at the picture, I understood that I actually am pumped and inspired about a look right now-- the Granny look! And it can be just as fun with winter sweaters as it is with summer onesies.

Sweater: Thrifted
Pants: They are thermals I usually take hiking.
Shoes, bag: Thrifted

My love of granny fashion has been slowly creeping up on me, and almost subconsciously I have been amassing a collection fit for a woman named Mildred or Gertrude. A simple flickr browse was enough to tell me that I'm not the only one feeling the granny-love either. (All of the pictures not of me were shamelessly stolen from said flickr search. Click the user name beneath the pic to see the flickrs of the younger gals).

      

Shopambrosia and TheCatsPajamas

The greatest thing about granny fashion is that grannies come in all types and shapes and sizes and so do their clothes-- from extra extra large cardigans to tiny little orthopedic flats. And there are multiple kinds of grannies to suit your every mood! I've organized the Granny Look into three sub-categories:

1. There's the classic "little old lady" granny, adorably awkward in oversized fads from 20 years ago, smelling permanently of moth balls.

Left Over Hearts

2. There's wacky Floridian granny whose greatest loves include slot machines, sparkly colors and pizazz; she's not afraid of gaudy jewelry or a loud heel and is probably looking for a younger boyfriend.

A-day

(think Peggy Guggenheim)

3. And then there's your rich New York granny who prefers to be called Mimi, never leaving the house without her eyebrows pencilled on and her designer hat from 50 years ago adjusted just so. Be nice to this grandma, she will give you real pearls at your graduation.

Without discrimination, I want to raid every single one of their closets and complete my collection of:

Comfortable shoes!

  

Loafer flats and orthopedics both thrifted.

Sassy shoes!

Oversized accessories!

Such as...

Big purses and handbags. 

Piksi and Tierney B Handmade

  

Super long sweaters 

biddyoverboard and Vintagerevolver

    

Big wacky sunglasses

Costume jewelry! 

Gold-rimmed glass fish and gold-rimmed black flower pieces: both thrifted

Hamsa hand: from Israel, gift from sister

Berry jewel ring: A gift from my actual granny!

Granny floral!

CalamityJem and Jodache

Adorably awkward knee socks!

Thimblescratch and Strawberrykoi

Pantsuits and Jumpsuits!

 

My pantsuit: Thrifted

Belt and Scarf: Antique

Shoes and purse: Thrifted

Caroline@goodwiu and Dignified Conversation

And let's not leave grandpa out... he has some stuff worth stealing too! I love gramps' giant cardigans, his collection of sweater vests and argyle, and his delightfully ugly practical shoes.

Sweater: Thrifted

Crochet scarf: gift

Jeans: Forever 21

Red bag: H&M

Argyle socks: Hand me down from long ago.

Shoes: Thrifted

What is it about old-people style that makes young cute girls want to take fashion tips from their grandparents? Maybe it's because granny loves comfort. Maybe it's because granny loves bling. But I think most of all, it's that granny just doesn't give a crap! She wears what she wants, no matter how out of style it is or how ridiculously it fits. Granny wears what makes her feel good, whether through physical comfort or fabulosity. Next time I am down in the fashion dumps, I will try to keep this attitude in mind.

Hooray for GRANNY FASHION!!

(P.S. Can't get enough of the old-people look? Visit this amazing blog dedicated exclusively to the fashion efforts of gramps and grams!! Thanks to Annalise for the tip!)