THE CITIZEN INDEX

Friday, May 24, 2013

Outfit Post: Into the Dark



Summer. 
You might be thinking ice cream pastels, sun-bleached ivories or chalky whites.  Summer's come hither,  with its leggy hours that dip well into a long evening. Summer calls into play a flirtatious 4 o'clock sun, dancing against the leafy shadows of the tall trees that line the streets you find yourself. You succumb to the charms of chiaroscuro. It's a good season.

With the bright summer sun, also comes your summer shade. Simple, dramatic, cuts-t0-the-chase dark clothing options that turn a bright summer, into a summer of cool. Midnight blacks carry the day. Clean lines + dirty minds. 

Is there such a thing as a good-girl Goth? This avant garde licorice hued sleeveless trapeze dress sets sail, broodingly over a pair of Gothic black printed leggings. Observe the pouty girl in her sky-tower sandals, black patented + studded, who is as prone to kicking out as much attitude as an arrogant rooster presiding over its high noon. 

Cockerel, I think you've met your match.

shop romwe online, free shipping


Now Wearing: 
  • oversized shades
  • vintage 1980s silk necklace (listing soon)
  • black nylon sheath dress, BE
  • vintage print sash, yard sale
  • leggings c/o Romwe
  • Fluevogs, consignment shop

Edit: I added the Chris Cornell video due to Ulla Marie's suggestion. She is never wrong.

40 comments:

Idee Fixe said...

Love this, you look fab! XXX

Ulla-Marie said...

Yes! But I suggest Chris Cornell as the soundtrack to this look.

Susan B said...

As an unrepentant noir-ista I applaud some summer black! Your writing here is quite poetic. And I love your Marcel-waveish hair!

Crystal Hammon, ABC, MLS said...

You nailed this look, Bella! Those leggings! It's still my dream to have you style what's in my closet--and maybe have you cull about half of what's there.

Lynn Hasty said...

Ooooo, love the phrase "good-girl Goth." And I think there is such a thing! You look stunning!

xoxo
Lynn

Veshoevius said...

LOVE THIS!!
Black for summmer - YEAAHHH!

Suzanne said...

Wicked cool.

bisous
Suzanne

Shybiker said...

Great combination with oodles of style.

Unknown said...

Bella! I love that top!!! If you ever list it for sale, please give me first dibs! You look GORGEOUS!!! Hugs my friend and I owe you an email! Serene

A Matchy Matchy Midlife said...

Amazing top, great look! I would fry in that sucker out here in the AZ heat, but I love it none the less.

xo,
Alyssa

Ofelia said...

Cool-Girl-Goth!
And then Chris Cornell and Death Cab for Cutie, I mean how much coolness can a post have?!!!!!!
I laughed at your description of your attitude in this outfit as an arrogant rooster presiding over its high noon.

Carelia said...

So far, THIS is my very favorite outfit from you. I LOVE IT!!!!!

Mysmallwardrobe.com

Patti said...

You nailed the "good-girl-goth!" Love this look, and your prose too. Oh, and did I say your hair is totally awesome? xoxo

Willow said...

This outfit is definitely "good girl goth." There's something about wearing black in summer that I just love, it looks best with oversized sunnies like yours.
I chuckled when you described yourself as "kicking out as much attitude as an arrogant rooster presiding over its high noon."

Ulla-Marie said...

Great choice!

Anonymous said...

Love that top! Really! I wanna be a good goth girl, too - you make it sound more than fun, but sooooo cool. Funny, I just heard Black Hole Sun on the radio the other day. Maybe I could be a good grunge goth girl!

Jenmarie said...

Those are some fun layers and shapes on your top!

thorne garnet said...

Black for summer works for me. Years ago on a family trip to Disney world I was wearing a black summer dress. My sister-in-law said to me "Thank god you're wearng black, we would have never found you in that crowd. You stuck out like a sore thumb"

Zickimicki said...

black beauty!!!
xxx birgit

No Fear of Fashion said...

I very much like this look. Very pretty top. Arty leggings and lovely sandals. Love the necklace with it too.

Anonymous said...

LOVE the outfit--you look amazing!!

Helga said...

O, Bella, this is fecking SWEET!
You look "Glam Goth" to me, and I love it!!! XXX

juuli said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
juli said...

Your summer darks are spot on! Love that licorice top.

xx juli
fragmentsofmyclothing.blogspot.com

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

Yes, yes, yes!!! This cool good-girl goth doesn't smile AND she wears pink lipstick. Tha's ma gal!!!! xoxoxoxoxoo

Kitty said...

OOh I've always loved Chris Cornell, and I bet you'd turn his head with this fab outfit.xx.

Anonymous said...

Very cool and very chic!

Señora Allnut said...

there's something very appealing in wearing total black on summertime, you look cool and sassy and love your dress shape and that fabulous leggings!!
you're gorgeous and dark!!
besos & sunnies

Sarah said...

I love it, Citizen R. The interestingly shaped dress, the necklace, shades, and hair, and the concept for the entry. I, too, seek ways to continue with darkity-dark colors even in the humid heat and sun of summer. Ice cream pastels and chalk whites and I do not get along!

mispapelicos said...

Wonderful dark on a woman who is the light itself.
STUNNIG you, the outfit and the pic, dear Bella.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Anonymous said...

Yep, I am definitely going to have a look at a pair of those leggings. Those are the BUSINESS. ANd you put a video of my boyfriend, Chris Cornell up on your site! Cool! He and I go way back when I used to stalk him in the corridors of the QFC in Wallingford.

Flora Cruft said...

Wow you're looking so moody sexy and womanly, I love it! So cool. Fab outfit, those leggings are amazing.

Anonymous said...

Honey, let the little girls wear the pastel colors. I say go deep, dark, and rich or go home! I love this look on you because it really IS so you.
And you throw in Chris Cornell, the greatest voice of our generation. I may swoon ;-)

Spashionista (Alicia)

Gabriala Brown said...

Photo is fabulous and the writing is glorious. xo

Curtise said...

Great Gothic alternative summer look, Bella! Pastels aren't for me, I like a little more drama, and this outfit certainly delivers that!
Btw, I don't have an Ebay shop, I am just a small-scale occasional private seller (seller ID cumo2) but don't necessarily always have vintage for sale. I am far too low-key and hit-and-miss to warrant your kind offer of promotion, bu thanks anyway! xxxx

The Style Crone said...

There are times that your writing takes my breath away and this is one of those posts. I have always loved black in summer, or any season for that matter. I can't take my eyes off the black nylon sheath dress!

Unknown said...

You are talking about my favorite time of day ... you ARE my favorite time of day in this ensemble. Besides looking beautiful, you never fail to amaze, impress and inspire.
Wonderful.
Have a great week, Bella.

Hollie Black-Ramsey said...

woah, that top is so unique! Love it!!

Anonymous said...

You know the goth in LOVES this! Oh Bella, I need to steal your style in this outfit :)

xoxo
Cyrillynn
http://any2ndnow.com

The Foolish Aesthete said...

Love, love the avant garde top. Cean lines might always be sophisticated. But structural lines like these, with depth and dimension, are even more interesting! -- J xx