As much as I love fashion, I think I love fashion illustration even more. I love a good photo spread but sometimes the photo-shopping that goes on in the industry sickens me a little. I understand it’s all about “aspiration” and fantasy, but sometimes I’m just like, “Come on”. With illustration, there are no limits to how you present the clothes, and it frees you to think about them as a fun costume you get to wear for the day. One of my favorite fashion bloggers/artists, is Kristatomic. She’s an illustrator from England with a great eye for fashion, and a fellow redhead. I love all of her work, and I was inspired by the styles in one of her recent drawings. I wish I could transform myself into one of the characters and it turns out, it was a lot easier than I thought.
Look at this gang. It makes me want to pack a suitcase and assemble some partners in crime for a mystery getaway. While I love all of these summer styles, the one I covet most the the red-headed gal in the middle with the killer heels. While I’m not one to sport cropped trousers with a tube top, I’m willing to give it a try. I also wouldn’t mind some vintage steamer trunks and a cat to walk on a leash.
Initially I tried to track down a starch white strapless top, but every one of them was embellished with zippers, bows, you name it. But I think this Eyelet Corset Top will do just fine to help recreate my perfect summer outfit. It has a great 50’s inspired sweet heart neckline and some great boning underneath to give it its slimming shape. Plus what’s more summer inspired than white cotton eyelet fabric? Nothing, that’s what. Leave it to Anthropologie to make a lady feel like a lady.
Now that the top is taken care of, it’s time to work our way to the bottom part of this ensemble. Cropped trousers are the for those of us who are scared of harem pants but still don’t want to have to wear jeans as our only alternative. They’re sharp. come in varying lengths, and their high-waist style is suitable for many body types. These Sarouel Trousers from ABS Luxury perfectly mimic the illustration’s Katherine Hepburn style pants. It’s the kind of traveling while elegant style, everyone should aspire to. The balance of ladylike frills on top with gentlemanly bottoms, is a style match made in heaven.
Ugh yes I know, MORE red shoes. You would think I was Dorothy the way I collect red footwear. While I was leaning toward these drool-worthy tie-up heels from Loeffler Randall, I decided to stick with the theme and find something to match the cartoon version of myself. Modcloth is known for their decidedly retro style, so of course they’re the first place I looked to find some vintage looking, pin-up pumps. Plus all of their product names are ridiculously adorable, such as these ‘Pump Up the Jams’ Pumps. Just an FYI, if you have a knack for coming up with nicknames and you like free stuff, they often host a “Name It and Win It” Contest, for who can come up with the best product names. Anyways, while the idea of traveling in heels may not seem ideal, I can attest to the fact that anything with a stacked heel like these are a breeze to walk in, there’s a reason why they were so popular back in the day. They’re just as sassy as stilettos minus all the trips to the podiatrist. Now that I found some illustrated style inspiration, I may resort going back to paper dolls for fashion practice.
