Friday, August 29, 2008

Spring Style Fit for a Queen


Norma Shearer as Marie Antoinette


I know I am a few days early, and Spring has not sprung quite yet, but today is such a delightfully sunny day that I am already planning ways to welcome it. I spent this morning having an outfit fitting for the Worn Wild event, and as such, am now in rather a theatrical mood. In typical Super Kawaii Mama fashion, I have been pondering one of the most recognizable style icons from a bygone era, Marie Antoinette. Now while the recent movie by the same name was beautiful, its styling was rather flogged to death on both fashion blogs and on the glossy page. I could barely search out a picture of the lady herself without being overwhelmed by images of Kirsten Dunst in her divine frippery. But during all my reading and searching, something not often highlighted occurred to me. Not only one of history's greatest fashion icons, Marie Antoinette was also mother of two children. Perhaps it could be said that she is the original Uncommonly Fetching Mama!

So as the first rays of Spring sunshine works their fingers into your days, start planning some fun, fabulous and infinitely stylish ways to celebrate. And so with all this in mind I present you with some of my dreamy picks for a Welcome to Spring Picnic, in modern Mama / Marie style. Children and pets most welcome!



Feminine, frilly and oh so much fun. I have had my eye on these frilly collar necklaces for a while and am currently working on a DIY version. The shoes I discovered today while out hunting for stockings in a sex shop. Who knew you could get such gorgeous shoes there?




While you're planning your perfect picnic, don't forget to include all the proper accouterments. Bring along a mechanical songbird, and that way if only the seagulls should make an appearance, you won't be disappointed. And for some rather Georgian entertainment, pack a sheet, some black craft paper and your embroidery scissors to tackle a little silhouetting in the Spring light.



Relax and enjoy the splendor of the budding trees and add a parasol to soften the sunshine (much more flattering). Don't forget to pack a little cardi for the latter part of the afternoon and make sure to kick off those shoes and run through the grass in your bare feet. Ah Spring!

18 comments:

Tizzalicious said...

Gorgeous picks again! I wish we were heading for spring here too!

Anonymous said...

I love all your outfits and wonderfully springish accessories!

emsydo said...

bring back corsets- that aren't lethal! I very much like that combo of blue and pink.
There is a childrens book out there that paints Marie Antoinette in a very different light to the Kirsten Dunst movie. It's complete with illustrations and believe me, they draw Marie like a whore. It's quite funny...

WendyB said...

Nice picks. I'm working on a Marie Antoinette ring and earrings now!

Ruby Hoppen said...

You can actually get some pretty neat stuff in sex shops! Like sort of weird leather bondage things! haha! But those shoes look totally out of this world.

floraposte said...

Great outfits but I am really looking forward to the Marie Antoinette hair tutorial!

Lisamaree said...

That shoe shape is perfect for dress I got in Monsoon a couple of weeks ago. So flattering. (oops, don't tell Imelda you have given me shoe-spiration)
xx

Candice DeVille said...

Tizz: but you have the joy of the beginning of Autumn which is just as lovely. Breaking out the heavily textured fabrics and layering up just nicely before the real chill of winter.
Casey: I think I'll have to make some new spring time accessories with this in mind.
A Dreamer: I'm working on one at the moment and trying to give it a different, less cliched look.
Wendy B: Can't wait to see these! I'm sure they will be both decadent and divine.
Ruby May: It is a surprising place to find all kinds of interesting things that style up well.
Floraposte: So am I! I have to get it right and make my hair do something along those lines for next weekend! *eek*
Hammie: And they are only $44! I may have to order a pair online, cause the store told me it would cost me $140 to get them through them. Talk about highway robbery.

Robo said...

Ah, didn't even think of pre-revolution France for "vintage" inspiration. Well done! All the outfits are very cute and good for transitional weather. We're (hopefully soon) heading into fall here, but it'll be warm for a while still (a bit longer than I'd like, really).

Lidian said...

Norma's rocking that hair!

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

Great sets, I love this inspiration! It's so decadent. I wish I could wear my hair like that...

Elle said...

Ahhh I love those clothes/shoes/bags/everything! I would love to own a corset (the one featured are gorgeous) but I think I'll wait until I go to England to get a proper fabulously made one :)

Stella Polaris said...

I'll have to watch this Norma film!

Anyway, this is to tell you that I just decerned you the Brilliante Weblog award. More info on my (French, unfortunately) blog, if you're interested in spreading the love.

Candice DeVille said...

Robo: When you start looking back that far, this get much more interesting and avant garde. So fun!
Lidian: I have to try and achieve something like that myself!
The clothes horse: Decadent - isn't that how all good picnics should be? :)
Danielle Delamont: There are some specialist makers here in Australia that you might be better with. That way you can go for fittings and the cost is less too. They can take quite a while to make. There is actually a woman very near me who makes to order, and the Worn Wild event next weekend will be showcasing Australian makers of these types of wares. If you'd like the details of a maker here, email me and I'll send you the details.
Theremina: Why thank you! I've been using a translator to read your blog, it is quite beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Ah spring, I feel more cheered each day as it begins. I must find myself a pale pink parasol with delicately painted gold blooms on it - that will make spring just perfect.

Anonymous said...

So charming to travel in the past !!^-^

Candice DeVille said...

Cybill: Just pop on down to China town and pick yourself one for $5!
Scheharazade: Isn't it just. :)

Anonymous said...

Great minds think alike! I've been planning on channeling Marie this spring too, complete with parasol and fan :)