Since I gave up reading fashion magazines and started wearing almost exclusively vintage and secondhand clothing 5 years ago, I've looked to fellow style bloggers for inspiration. Lately I've found myself drawn to shorter, more fitted looks reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s. My favorite group of bloggers reside in San Francisco; The Hummingbird Girls, Fancy Fine and A Fine Day for Sailing are on my daily reading list. These girls inspired me to hunt down a little suede skirt this autumn and it has been one of my staples this season.
Unfortunately it was too gloomy outside on Thanksgiving for photos so my roommate Adeline and I shot these on Black Friday instead (no we didn't do any shopping). The setting is the glorious St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral. I'm lucky enough to see this cathedral every day from my living room window but had never got around to taking pictures by it.The Cathedral is in the Neo-Byzantine baroque style and was based on St. Sofia's Church in Kyiv. It was completed in 1915, stands 112 feet high and can accommodate over 1,000 people! Unfortunately I have yet to see the interior but imagine it's quite grand.
Adeline posing with one of the cathedral's many columns, we felt like we were in Europe.
Massive, heavy carved wooden doors grace the entrance of the church.
Look at the intricate mosaic tile work! I've always imagined Turkey and Greece to have pieces like this everywhere.
In the background is a street typical of my neighborhood, most people live in brick 3-story apartment buildings built in the 1920s and '30s.
Please excuse my slightly awkward pose, I was trying to show off my vintage celluloid Fox pin. I believe he's from the 1930s or '40s? If you like him, there are 2 similar fox brooches currently on etsy here and here. I'm also wearing huge sterling silver rings that are Art Deco in style but probably date from the 1980s.
My 1970s Turkish wool upholstery/carpet bag oddly matched our surroundings.
The lacy open patternwork of my high heeled oxfords also echoed the tile floors.
Sadly it was gloomy by the end of our photo shoot but it was thankfully warm enough for me to walk around without tights!OUTFIT DETAILS:
1990s Suede Skirt: Village Thrift Store, Chicago
Thrifted Banana Republic Tie Front Sweater: Brown Elephant, Chicago
Tan Wool Beret: H & M
1970s Turkish Carpet Purse: Randolph Street Antique Market
Bakelite Bangles: Goodwill Thrift Store, somewhere in the Chicago suburbs
1940s Celluloid Fox Brooch: Brown Elephant, Chicago
Sam Edelman Shoes: Crossroads Trading Company
How has your style evolved as you've gotten older? Do style blogs influence the way you dress?