I'd like to present a very special friend to not just my blog, but to the general public. She's very near and dear to my heart. She goes by the name of Darla.
(Who ze fuck is Darla?)
Well, Darla is my other half.
(Wait...Avery's finally coming out of the closet?)
No. Darla is literally my other half....she's my alter-ego.
(WTF! This brawd is crazy!)
No, sillys :o) . She's my fashion alter-ego.
(Collective *sigh* from the audience.)
Yes,
Darla is my boho-hippe-tree-bark-eating-tree-hugging-granola-chompin-Birkenstocks-wearing-cargo-pants-buying-borderline-lesbian-but-more-into-free-love fashion personality...!
I've decided to introduce a new brand of style into my closet. Anyone who knows me knows I'm into grey, drapey tops and leggings. I tend to buy grey, drapey tops in bulk. I then pair them with many different styles of leggings. I then throw on a few edgy pieces of jewelry, some sort of flat or boot, do a winged eye and hit the door! Now, this has worked for about 2 years. People often identify me with the likes of Rihanna for my tendencies to change up my hairstyle and wear hard-edged accessories.
However...I'm getting tired of the same ol' same ol'. With the re-introduction of flare jeans this season, I'm completely hooked. I find myself digging through my closet for old chunky knits and clunk shoes that I thought I'd never wear again. I throw on piles of bangles and long scarves which has brought new life to many old clothes...but there are the days where I wanna play it casual. For those sullen Mondays, I gravitate towards chambray button downs and leggigs with clunky boots. Sometimes, I'll grab a baggy tee and some cargoes to change it up a bit. This was when I created Darla.
Darla likes fashion. No, darla loves fashion. However, like most style mavens, Darla doesn't like conforming to one look. Sure, Darla loves piling on jewels and accessories as much as the next girl. Sometimes, though, she just wants to play it cool in lived-in basics and a square-toed boot. This is why I identify Darla the way that I do; a bohemian gypsy with a splash of butch. When shopping, now, I keep Darla in mind. I ask myself "What would Darla wear?" So far, it's worked in re-inventing my Fall wardrobe. I've already bough a fabulous pair of Woodstock jeans by Hudson and a beautiful, chunky oatmeal sweater that drapes anyway I'd like.
I did have a bit of a lapse on a recent trip to National Jean Co., where I found myself in love with a very "Avery" tee shirt. Grey, dip-dyed and gorgeous. It has three little rips on the right sleeve where liquidy, silver mesh shines through. Very edgy. Very easy. Very "Avery".
After leaving the store empty-handed because I knew "Darla" would never approve (and because I lacked the full $128 I'd need to purchase it), I had a tiny lightbulb moment. I may have a little Darla living inside of me, but I'll always be Avery through and through. I like grey. Alot. I like clothes that exude a tough "don't fuck with me" attitude. I like leggings. I like tall boots. I like leather. Who gives a fuck if "Darla" would rather put on a belted boho tunic and bounce. I'm still me!
....I later returned to National Jean Co. to put that shirt on hold until my payday this coming Wednesday. It may not be "Darla", but it's sure as hell "Avery", and I'm gonna do "Avery" regardless.
Remember this, my style chickies. Fashion is fun. Don't take it so seriously. With fashion, we can be whoever or whomever we want to be whenever we want to be! :o)))
xo,
Avery (with just a "splash" of Darla)
