Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Escapades of a 1950s Housewife: The Fashion of I Love Lucy

I Love Lucy is my favorite sitcom of all time.  Ironically it is also the first sitcom I ever saw; I discovered it at age 7 and kind of got the idea in my head that all good TV shows were in black and white ! It kept me from recognizing the quality in sitcoms that were in color for many years--in fact my husband had to introduce me to Seinfeld when we were in college!! Weird, huh?

Anyhow, I own every single Lucy episode, including the long-lost pilot, courtesy of said husband, and I have seen them all innumerable times. I performed "Vitametavegamin" in a theatre class in high school (and was questioned for my choice of "imitating a drunk"--an accusation that theatre teacher would learn to regret!!) and can still recite the words of the majority of the episodes. I truly love Lucy.
And growing up on it, I learned to appreciate the fashion sense of the show.
It took a few episodes for the writers to get into the swing of the plot-- the zany housewife of a Cuban band leader in post-WWII New York City has a hard time accepting the ordinary role of staying at home, and always wants to get into her husband's act.  She loves shopping and glamour and struggles to reconcile with her middle class lifestyle.  She is best friends with the older, frumpier wife of her landlord.  They both get up to ridiculous adventures that often constitute elaborate and hysterical costumes.  Now you have the background (which, in my ideal world, you would already know!), so without further ado, here are 8 things I learned from I Love Lucy fashion:

1. Simple can be sexy
Lucy rocked the 1950s look that we now identify as archetypal of the 1950s--but in the most conservative way.  In a few episodes she dons stunning ballgowns, but usually in a character role/skit (within the show), an even then, nothing too revealing.
You more often find her in long skirts, button downs, capes, cute housedresses, and even trousers.  And she simply ROCKS them.  Her sexiness is in her long neck, slim ankles, the way she carries herself, her arced eyebrows, and her effortless but nonetheless engaging accessories (a sparkly hairpiece here, elaborate embroidery there, and that hair of course!).

2. Dress For The Occasion
This goes right along with Number 1-- Lucy doesn't try to be something she's not (well, besides her frequent attempts to get into Ricky's act)--she dresses the part.
This means being casual, comfortable, but nice-looking while at home, gorgeous and fancy but not overdone when she goes out, and, best of all, she always has a piece in the back of her closet appropriate for every situation!

When they move to the country, Lucy raises chickens and learns how to mow the lawn, but she doesn't stop wearing lipstick! She does begin to wear a lot more gingham, plaid, and generally pastoral outfits.

When in Europe, Lucy adapts her wardrobe to each apt (and hysterical) situation:
From left to right--
Lucy hiking in the Alps, at the Monte Carlo Casino, and making wine at an Italian vineyard.
See how each outfit is perfectly suited to the situation? Brilliance.

3. When in doubt, add a belt, bow, or lace.
Any of these add extra pizazz to an ordinary outfit. The belt can be around the waist or up high, and the bow or lace can be placed anywhere, including the hair.
Look at this sweet collar bow--
And this patterned one--

And lace touches below, left to right---
 in the hair and on the dress, along the collar, and a lace overlay shirt with simple black skirt.

Lucy never hesitates to belt it.  Belts allow you to emphasize your womanly curves and look put-together.  They also keep your pants from flapping in the back as you plan your newest exploit!


4. Pearls, pearls, pearls !!!



Drop earrings, clusters, chokers, single strand, stud, flowers.  All the female characters wear them well!


5. How to wear trousers
Fitted around the waist but not too tight elsewhere, with a crease and big pockets.  Belted, naturally.
When women in the show wear pants, they look casual but still classy, with little touches to ensure that they appear put-together.  The pants are always high-waisted (no low rise! Pants were made to go OVER your hips) and usually a dark color. Black looks best, especially with the cute little flats they style them with.  Most important of all, blouses and shirts are tucked in, to emphasize your waist.

6. Always be prepared.
Lucy never knows what shenanigans she is going to get up to, or more importantly, what celebrity she may bump into.  This means being at your best as much as you can! Having your hair styled, fingernails polished, and your face on.  Remember the episode where her and Ethel get caught in curlers when they meet John Wayne?? Lucy tries to cover her curlers by yanking her purse over her head.
She doesn't lounge around in her pajamas all day--she gets dressed and does her hair and makeup and is always ready to go.  This is good advice for all of us! 

7. Speaking of makeup....
Lucy was the queen of Highlighting and Contouring.  She did it to emphasize the angles of her face on television, but it soon became part of her normal routine because it was so flattering--it literally gave her no bad angles in photographs.
Also, many women would shy away from a bright lipstick if they had hair as bright as hers, but she used it to complement her coloring! And those eyes!! Lucy was all about the big, exaggerated expressions, so she wore false lashes and plenty of mascara, and high arched brows to frame them.
So remember-- highlight and contour (especially those cheekbones), defined eyebrows, heavy on the eyes and lips!


8. Casual is cool !
Because she spends most of her days around the apartment (or the house, in later seasons), Lucy is relaxed much of the time.  But she still looks cute--and efficient! here are some casual little touches that I love that she styles, from left to right:
Thick framed glasses and a narrow tie!; A deep V neck with stripes underneath; The baseball T.
Even the most casual (the baseball T, for example) looks chic tucked in, with makeup and curls done, and a little bow in her hair.

In conclusion, here are some of my absolute favorite outfits from the series:
I couldn't find the Scandinavian-ish heavy sweater she wears at the beginning of "Lucy Gets Chummy With the Neighbors" but it is a true favorite of mine and I find myself forever searching for my own version to wear with a button-down !!

So remember, keep is simple, classy, and with fun details, or you'll have some 'splainin to do !!!!!!!!!!!


Monday, September 30, 2013

Ombre Lips, Inside and Out

Can you do ombre lips?
Ombre has hit every other feature it seems--clothing, hair, nails, eyeshadow...
source
source

And they've done a form of ombre lips... but I find them kind of scary.
source
They look like something off a mannequin-faced character standing in the background of a science fiction movie. I don't like that the top and bottom lip don't match, and when done this way, the bottom lip vanishes into your chin, like the top lip dripped..? or something.  Ick.
So I decided to do an experiment--ombre lips with the darkest color on the outside, and then on the inside. You know, just some fun beauty testing randomosity.  Here we go!
Let me warn you I consumed a donut (maple bar, mmmmm) immediately prior to taking these photos.
In case you're wondering about the telltale sugary flakes around my lips.
Here are the colors I used--
the lightest, a nude, is Mac Snob;
The medium shade is Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in pink pop;
The darkest is Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in candy apple!


First I put on the nude shade at the center of my kisser...


Then added the medium, and finally traced the deepest on the outside.
So I looked scarily like this...

 I blended and blended the three together but I still looked like a silly version of a 1990s heroine
that hadn't quite mastered the subtle lipliner look.


So I did the reverse! But only with the medium and dark shade--
I put the deep red at the center of my lips, and then added the medium pink elsewhere.
So it looked like I had been sucking on a cherry popsicle for 4 hours.  It is unique and cute!


And far more practical for hanging out than the icky lipliner look.
It is especially good for playing with your puppy.
 Who happens to look like a savage beast in this image, but he's just playing, as you can tell by the cool look on my subtley ombre-lipped face!




September Faves



My favorite items this month!
And they are---
Garnier BB Cream (the Oily/Combo kind)
Yes to Tomatoes roll-on zit remover
Pixi Smoky Eye stick
Revlon Vivids (this one is Pink Pop)
Kuumba Made roll-on perfume (in Egyptian Musk)
Equate Eye Allergy drops (these help me so much during the season transitions and they instantly whiten and brighten your peepers)

Friday, September 13, 2013

On Overalls

I couldn't help myself... I bought a pair a few weeks ago.
They are overall shorts and something about the softness of the denim, with the worn in shredding, and the clink of the metal links and the pressure of the straps on my shoulders took me right back to the 90s and my childhood.  I loved overalls.  They were really trendy and I was always on the quest for the perfect pair (Old Navy had some good ones!!).
So yeah, I've seen the overall trend coming back (is it, or is it in my mind?), and I just had to have these. So I made them mine!
And I've taken a bit of flack for it (people without a shred of fashion sense calling me "farmer" and teasing me about my little 1990s flashback) but I don't care--I love my overalls and I have a romanticized vision of farm life, so what does it hurt?

This is how I wear my overalls--

The saucy way: (pardon my demonic red eyes)
Overalls: Solissa | Shirt: H&M


The sweet way:



Overalls: Solissa | Shirt: Express

Both require bangs and bravery.
I highly encourage you to pull out a pair and throw them on.
They add something special to the everyday beyond jeans and a t-shirt.  So be plucky! Try the trend.
It will be a trend...right? I heard it would... either way, I'm happy.

*Items purchased and styled by yours truly!

Friday, August 30, 2013

Bettie Page Beauty

It's simple, really.

Cut those bangs! And cut em bluntly.



 Define those lips and brows...


And most of all stay happy and healthy and embrace those curves!

Friday, August 23, 2013

GoodSkin BB10 - a disappointing BB Cream

I like GoodSkin Labs. Their products are straightforward, effective, and don't distract from their purpose with flashing lights and ridiculous applicators.
You get what you pay for!
I haven't had a mediocre experience with any of their products...until now.

Their version of a BB cream is a complete letdown!
The texture is like milk (not in a good way), the color was waaaaaaay off and too light, and it did not give me instantly flawless skin, radiance, or basically anything it promised. I had to wash it off and return it.


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Remember these?!



I unearthed these beauties in an old makeup bag that I rediscovered last night!

Remember when the Mentha glosses were THE SHIT..??

And for good reason. I love the texture and the taste, and it reminds me of summer night games and the days when my husband was still my boyfriend.

And the strawberry balm is just luscious. I've written about it on here before.

Anyhow, just wanted to share my excitement! These lippies will never go out of style.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Retro Beauty: Bette Davis Eyes

Did you ever hear that Kim Carnes song?? It is one of my favorites, and complements my love of the glamorous Hollywood babe as well.

There's a reason the song is about her eyes... Bette Davis had those deep-set, heavy-lidded eyes that she could lift so slowly it made you hold your breath.  She was smoldering, temperamental, and a stone cold fox.  She had so many diverse roles, and used her facial expressions to capture Southern sweethearts of cast-iron bitches.  Her makeup went along with these roles, but classic Bette Davis beauty can be defined as the smooth, seemingly airbrushed skin as a blank canvas, deep red lips and subtly smoky eyes, with baby doll lashes (meaning you don't hesitate to over-mascara your bottom row of lashes, it is okay if they look a bit spidery) and thin, arched brows (classic Flapper style). OBSERVE:

To get her look today I recommend:

  • hair curling cream (Apply to damp locks, brush through, then twirl hair into a bun or braids to dry)
  • A glossy red lip stain 
  • Tweezers and eyebrow pencil
  • Deep gray or brown eyeshadow
  • A medium-full coverage tinted moisturizer or BB cream
  • Highlighter




Monday, July 29, 2013

TransAtlantic Style

My British Bestie finally returned to SLC ! She was here for a 3 week holiday and on our agenda we had camping, Las Vegas, and other escapades.  Here are some snippets of our style, American (me) and English (her)....