Stay Ups. Need I say more?

Sock Pair # 3

Stay ups......oh where to begin? They hold such a stigma, such an appeal. In fact, as one could imagine it was hard to find a not so trashy image of them as well. When going through my drawer I absolutely had to write about these. I have not owned them for very long as I bought them when I was in Paris. I embarrassingly must admit that I didn't even know what they were until I came across them in H&M. This may seem impossible, but while I had seen them in pictures, I never knew what they were called. I assumed that any pair of topless tights would need those weird panty attachment things, which to me looks like a waste and extremely uncomfortable. So when I came across these I was pleasantly surprised. These were titled in French with English in parenthesis (Stay Ups). In confusion,  I took them over to my friend Liz: "Liz have you ever had these? I mean, do they just stay up?" Liz replied "I don't know but you should totally get them!" So I did, and I have not regretted it one bit. The reason I wanted to write about these is that I believe every women should own some. Not for your man (even though I am sure he would appreciate), but for yourself. When wearing these you just feel like a women. A sexy, confident women. There is still mystery in the female condition, and when wearing these you can sense it. Also the sheer black ones make your legs look great! 

Chateau de Versaille

I wore them the very next day to Versailles. I must admit it was a bit scary at first as I kept pulling at my skirt to make sure they were not showing. However, by the end of the day I was an old pro. A note of advice to the novice: don't wear them when it is 90 degrees outside and you have to walk all day. I ended up with a nasty rash (eesh!) where the plastic meets the skin; i.e. the stay up part. As you know sometimes we women have to pay a small price for beauty ,as I did that day (ouch!), but I must say it was totally worth it! 

Personification: sexy, frenchy, sheer, dressy, and by far the most feminine in the drawer. 

Stylish Cinema: French New Wave Part 1

Breathless is a must see, not only from a cinema standpoint but also from a style one. This film is directed by Jean-Luc Godard, takes place in 1960, and is part of the French New Wave cinema movement. This is one of those movies that has helped craft the idea that the French just get it when it comes to style. 

A bout de souffle(1960)

(Breathless) 

Clip

Trailer

Stripe obsession? Absolutely, and I love it. I love that these looks are timeless. 

French New Wave

 (What is French New Wave anyway?)

"Although they admired many of the studio films being made at the time, they also felt that most mainstream cinema, especially in France, was not expressing human life, thought, and emotion in a genuine way. Many of the popular movies of the era, they argued, were dry, recycled, inexpressive and out of touch with the daily lives of post-war French youth.

While the Nouvelle Vague may never have been a formally organized movement, its filmmakers were linked by their self-conscious rejection of the‘cinéma de qualité’ (‘cinema of quality’), the pompous and expensive costume pictures that dominated the French filmscape at the time. Besides being made to impress rather than express, these films generally afforded their directors very little freedom or creative control, instead catering to the commercial whims of producers and screenwriters. "

Don't forget it is not too late to enter the giveaway: HERE!!
I will announce the winner this weekend. Cheers everyone! 

Sincerely, 

Darcy 

Fashion Through Film: 'Midnight in Paris'

 I FINALLY watched Midnight in Paris this morning and gah! I absolutely loved it. I loved that Owen Wilson was a complete representation of Allen. It sounded just like him, which was a fully appreciated surprise. I am mostly a fan of Allen's earlier films, but I really enjoyed this one because it was so fun and relatable. I loved the embodiment of Hemingway and the Fitzgerald's, and the total dream of being in Paris with them in the 1920s.  I also felt so similar to Gil, I am altogether nostalgic about everything. I typically think that the past was a better time and place, just as I am sure many do. It's like it is part of the human condition to never find satisfaction in life. We definitely don't want it to be mediocre, so then our dreams can often times become grandiose and we can't see the beauty around us. 

Basically, sometimes I am just waaaay too romantic for real life.....sigh.

The last photo above is my favorite 1920s inspired dress in the film. So gorgeous. Costume designer for the film is Sonia Grande. See this link for more photos and explanations of costuming. Apparently, she went on a 

"tireless search of half the

 world's antiques in Paris, London, Madrid,

Buenos Aires and their sultry boutiques,"

......um that would just be AMAZING.

Happy Friday Everyone 

Sincerely, 

Darcy