THE CITIZEN INDEX

Monday, July 1, 2013

Outfit Post: American Made

#AMERICANMADE Styling for a Stronger America
First off, a big hearty thank-you to lovely Une Femme for including me in her wonderful post today about "Authentic Style." I loved her essay on being authentic, and was thrilled to see my visage amongst the inspiring quotes. 

MADE IN THE SHADE. I'm pleased, also, to be among the many stylish women who are participating in Jill's and Adrienne's monthly series, How I Wear My-, with this month being How I Wear My Sunglasses. They'll be posting the pics, July 2nd, so please check out all us "shady ladies" over at Everything Just So, and The Rich Life (on a Budget) then. Thank you, Jill and Adrienne for allowing me to join in on the fun!



ALL AMERICAN. I LOVE red, white, and blue. Especially when worn together. It's been a summer favorite since childhood, and the outfit I'm sharing today is something I'm sure I would've worn way back in the day. In fact, I'm going to share with you some pictures taken of me when I was in highschool- we're talking, the eighties, folks, circa 1982 or '83. Behold a 17 year-old version of me, wearing a red, white and blue top, with a sailor collar. Aside from the bangs, and the "mom" jeans (hey, it was the '80s!) I could very easily see the current self sporting the exact same outfit. 

American Maid: a 17 year old Bella hanging with her high school pals circa 1982.
Maybe that's why I was instantly smitten with this 1980s sailor inspired romper as worn by Lynne of Dylan's Dresses. So when I saw it was up for sale in her Etsy shop, I SNAPPED it up! And it arrived days later, on my doorstep, perfect as a newborn. The garment is flawless- with wonderful details like a striped trim along the sailor collar and pant hem. It is easily something my 17 year old self would have been delighted to wear! 

What my 48 year old self delights in most, is the fact that this entire outfit is 100% thrifted (or gifted), and is ALL AMERICAN. The romper was made in the U.S.A. something I look for in a garment label, and what a bonus that it's also vintage.
#SHOPSECONDHANDFIRST 100% Thrifted (or gifted), and ALL AMERICAN.
Now Wearing:
  • "Mon Cherry" hand-made from vintage materials, worn HERE + HERE (gifted)
  • Heart Sunnies, Freestyle Clothing Exchange, similar HERE
  • vintage 1980s chambray romper, A Bit of Birdsong
  • vintage cotton sash, thrifted
  • beaded bracelets, thrifted (various sources)
  • Red clutch (really a make-up bag), Thrift Town
  • St. John's Bay white leather sandals, Value Village
Linking to the pants wearing Patti for Visible Monday

39 comments:

Susan B said...

Thanks for the shout out! Red, white and blue does suit you, very cute!

Lynn Hasty said...

Bella, look at you!! You are absolutely the American made doll in that!! I love it! I will be modeling (ahem) another sailor dress today. I just LOVE a nautical theme.

xoxo
Lynn

PS -- thanks again!!

Krista said...

I love seeing you at 17! The new sailor romper is sweet and I can see why you were smitten! Love it!

Anonymous said...

How totally fun are those high school photos?! Yeah, we all wore what would be considered mom jeans back then because people used to care about covering their underwear and rear ends, remember?



Anupriya DG said...

Awww......am ADORING the 17-yr old Bella!! Such a sweet & innocent face! <3

Also, that nautical romper is da bomb!

Patti said...

so, so cute, you! and I love the pics of you in HS. thanks for sharing all the joy with Visible Monday, xoxoxo

thorne garnet said...

you look adorable, at both ages. I like seeing my blogger friends in old photos. When I figure out how to scan, I'll post some of myself.

Unknown said...

All american girl! Love the Photo of you at 17 !

Pam @ over50feeling40 said...

Love your American girl tribute and I really enjoyed seeing your high school pics...so fun! Happy 4th Bella!

Sheila said...

You look gorgeous, now and then. Love the romper. I love finding things that are made here, even in vintage. They're just so much better quality.

Sara Kristiina said...

Ohh I love the photo of you as a 17 year old girl, so beautiful!<3 Gosh I want to see more photos of you as a youngster, because YOU are awesome and I love the 80s though I was born in the 90s :D That sailor romper is so cool and suits you perfectly :)

Anonymous said...

Vintage+Thrifted+Made in USA=100% FABULOUS!

Unknown said...

beautiful at 17 beautiful at 48! what a fabulous and unique soul you are! I love your shady outfit post xxxxx

That's Not My Age said...

You look fantastic, shady lady in a sailor suit!

Unknown said...

You are ten times more gorgeous now then you were at 17 - and you were beautiful then!
This is so very, authentically you. I had a similar navy romper, in true navy blue, when I was about six years old. I don't think it ever suited me. But yours is magical ;-)

Alicia

Content Director - Strong Female Leaders said...

awwww you were such a pretty teenager. (you are still pretty.) And I like you in this all-american style. By the way, so right of that girl to name you "authentic." authenticity is what makes me come back to your blog.

Melanie said...

Awesome! I love your red/white/blue. So I'm a Canuck but we all looove the song Born in the USA. I loved your high-school pics. Yes, mom jeans were the rage... Shall we fast-forward now?
I must the links in your post.

Anonymous said...

Ahoy, Cap't Rosebud! That is a cute romper, and looks great on you. You haven't changed a bit since your high school picture - you still look gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Bella, you don't look a day over 17 in this jumpsuit. Can I possibly find one of those? Your picture from highschool days is the BEST. I bet you're so wishing you still had that blouse to sport today.

Beryl said...

Love those beaded bracelets. Have a fun Fourth!

The Style Crone said...

Beautiful at 17, but even more so now Bella. You've been sporting some very authentic headwear these days. Your thrifted/gifted ensemble is a holiday hit!

Goody said...

How fun is this and love the flashback pics!

Flora Cruft said...

That is one amazing sailor outfit, I love it on you Bella, so cute and stylish!

Vix said...

One of my favourite ever Bella outfits! Girl, you look incredible. Second-hand, vintage and made in the country you live in, perfect combo in my book! xxx

Anonymous said...

I love the sailor inspired outfit and it's a pleasure to see your photos, you aren't changed at all and your style was awesome then and now! I'll wear both the lovely blouse you had then and the fabulous playsuit you are wearing today!
Love xxxxxx

mispapelicos said...

Wonderful and unique, my dearest Bella.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

No Fear of Fashion said...

Red, white and blue are also the colours of the Dutch flag, so I am very familiair with this combination. And of course it is also very classic and fresh.
Looking cool.

Anonymous said...

you are even more gorgeous today than your 17 year old self!!
love the romper--it's awesome and you are rocking it!!

Unknown said...

So pretty and patriotic all at once. Who says we need to be all over stripes and stars!
Will you be watching the fireworks from Queen Anne or out on the floatilla on Lake Union? I've done both and miss both so much. Here, I have to hope the yahoos don't set my pasture on fire!

Unknown said...

Just very fabulous as usual.

Jill said...

Amazing outfit, I mean seriously, mama like! Thank you for joining us for the "How I Wear My: Sunglasses" post, I could not imagine it without you and your heart-shaped glasses! Also, those pictures of you circa 1982 were so great, my God you look like a Vogue model. I don't know what fountain of youth you are sipping from, but you need to share these secrets with the rest of us! XO, Jill

Curtise said...

I remember Lynn posting that sailor jumpsuit, and now you are rocking it! Love the homegrown vintage look, and the teenage pics - beautiful then, beautiful now. xxx

SeƱora Allnut said...

that romper is a classic piece with a twist, as you worn it with your usual sassiness, you look gorgeous!
and love that your outfit is locally produced, and love that it fits you like a retro dream, that little headpiece and sunnies are delightful!!
besos

Ofelia said...

Ahh Bella, the wonderful 80's! How innocent and fun you and your friends look!
100% percent American and thrifted is the best combination for our Independence Day celebration.

Please may I? said...

How I remember the 80 well, takes me back....

Loving the all in one suit hun. Looks fabulous!

X x

Hollie Black-Ramsey said...

Oh my gosh, I can't believe you're 48!! You are such an inspiration. Please heavens let me age like you!

Unknown said...

You have a gift for styling your outfits! Debbie @ ilovemylemonadelife.com

Mrs. D said...

Lovely! For some reason - must be the volume of the trousers and the collar as well as the little hat, it reminded me of Dada theatre costumes, amazing!!!

doradadama said...

You look amazing in your cute sailor romper. especially love the cherry hat.Younger you so pretty and innocent.

Besos