The Copycat Effect

attempting Citizen Rosebud's hardcore 'do not mess with moi' look.  unsuccessfully.

 After my recent copycat mission was such a success, i vowed to keep it up. I've just discovered The Citizen Rosebud, a blogger who's also 40+ and a NorCal girl, with a thrifted, eccentric and artsy style that knocks a person's socks off!  This outfit caught my eye - i have the exact same OTK's.  But i don't have denim cut-offs (hers are an old pair of 'mom-jeans' - waaay beyond cool), a dark boxy blazer, a cloche, or dark graphic tee.  

that flippin' ribbing kept on flippin up. i tucked the flaps into the breast pockets for a less fussy line.

So i broke it down in my head - what, to me, are the main 'parts' of this look. Small, defined head. Monochromatic color scheme using varied texture and pattern to provide interest. Casual top derived from men's undergarments. Jacket with menswear echos and sleeves rolled up to reveal longer sleeves underneath.. Long scarf looped once around neck with ends hanging long. Shorter skirt or shorts hitting just above the OTK's. Booties with a lower heel and oxford details. No waist emphasis.

 I loved the way it turned out, and it is definitely a look i'd never have come up with in the natural course of things. And these are all pieces i've had at least a year - totally shopped out of the closet.  These paddock boots are somewhere around ten years old. They really need to be  re-soled before i wear them anymore, which is why you haven't seen them until now. But they were so perfect for this look, i wore 'em anyway.

 Okay - what IS 'The Copycat Effect'? I detailed in yesterday's post how a realtor on the street approached me to take my picture. This while i was wearing today's copycat look (hardly any sex-bomb type look!). What i've yet to reveal on this blog is what happened when i wore my first copycat look a week ago. That evening, Mr. E and i went to Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in SF to see The Negro Problem (fantastic). Afterwards, during the meet and greet, a very nice gentleman proceeded to chat me up - even after i'd introduced him to my husband.  Fairly persistently, in fact. 

Given that Style Underdog and The Citizen Rosebud each has such a distinctive style, and how different their styles are each to the other, i can't see that this 'effect' is due to my channeling a particular blogger's more attractive style. Here's what i'm left with: Do a copycat look, and the men come out of the woodwork. Coincidence or causation? i leave it to you to decide!

Hat, Scarf, Earrings: gifts

Jacket: Royal Robbins (i made some modifications)

Henley: Aeropostale

Skirt: own design

OTK Socks, Bandanna: Target

Paddock Boots: can't remember and the brand's worn off