I don’t wear hats. Allow me to clarify: I can’t wear hats. My unique combination of large cranium + lion’s mane doesn’t allow me to fit into those adorable straw fedoras or wide-brimmed black numbers; heck, even beanies look kiiinda ridiculous on my noggin.
Lucky for me, the head scarf offers a forgiving alternative to accessorizing my utmost extremity; scarves are cheap (I believe I purchased both of the ones pictured for around $3 at thrift/vintage stores) and they’re just so darn versatile! You can go super retro with a big bow, fashion a turban or quasi hijab, or drape it gently over your head and shoulders for that gipset vibe. As a whole, the look says, “I’m mysterious and cool, but not overly put-together.” I can dig it.
I’d like to begin with an apology for my unannounced hiatus from this small, yet valuable plot of e-soil. My life as of late has consisted of such relentless change, and with that I’ve emerged a far different woman than I was just months ago, let alone two years prior when this thing was conceived.
I’ve gone back and forth with thoughts of rebranding Folk & Feather or even walking away completely, but ultimately I’m proud of this little train and the wonderful, beautiful passengers it’s collected along the way. I just can’t quit you!
Still, F&F can’t continue without there being some shift in direction. My passion and focus has long been writing, and at the same time I’ve always wanted there to be a sense of raw, authentic personality here. So things might get intimate, folks. I might share some of my personal struggles, some thoughts I’ve had about non-fashion matters. But most importantly, I’m not going to try to define things too much. Let’s leave things open-ended, shall we?
The picture at the top of this post is one of just a few I took with my Canon on a trip to DC this spring to visit my older brother, Sam. It may not have been an atypical occurrence, but on the particular day we visited the Capitol, the sky above the National Mall was filled with all sorts of kites. I remember being so captivated by the sight of those happy, lilting shapes that I nearly forgot the blisters forming on my feet from my poor choice of walking shoe. I don’t know exactly what it was about that sight, but it injected such a simple joy and hopefulness into my heart that I had to try to capture it.
The day I returned home from that trip, my life was flipped seemingly upside down. I say “seemingly” now because retrospect and clarity from God-only-knows-where have provided me with a new perspective—one that not only allows, but obliges me to be thankful, even in the bad times, because life is so very good, and grace is a real thing.
I’m so excited to continue on this journey and hopefully provide you with glimpses of the beauty that becomes increasingly evident to me each day. Thanks for sticking around.
A special thanks to Meg Fee for writing with such elegant honesty on her blog. Not unlike countless others, you’ve inspired me to share with the same level of openness and integrity.
Mrs. Tomasi-Hill is one of those women whose beauty supersedes her fashion sense, and that’s saying a heck of a lot. Beyond her doll-like features and shock of perfectly red locks, her style embodies a sense of confidence and singularity I’ve rarely seen. Between rocking mixed-up proportions, a seemingly endless collection of crazy-awesome necklaces and some of the finest footwear around, our Taylor’s become the Athena in the pantheon of street style goddesses.
Style blogging (specifically, personal style blogging) has this really interesting way of not only showcasing an individual’s aesthetic successes, but also shedding light on our less-than-stellar pasts. Upon initiating myself into this world of semi-regular outfit posts, I had no concept of how this self-awareness would develop into a near-constant evolution of my fashion preferences. I’ll be honest, there are times I’ll go back towards the beginning of F&F and think, “Why did I wear that? It’s not me at all,” or, most frequently, “Why am I making ‘model face’?” Nevertheless, there’s also some joy in seeing how much I’ve come into my own and developed my own unique brand of style; I only hope that evolution continues.
That being said, I thought I’d show some photos of top bloggers when they first started out. This isn’t to poke fun as it’s evident these ladies have always had style, but it’s fascinating to see how they’ve honed their looks over the years.
Aimee Song of Song of Style
The California-cool, designer-darling Aimee of today is a far cry from whence she came. Just a few years ago, Miss Song’s wardrobe was borderline average, giving the rest of us hope that we, too, may curate such an awe inspiring wardrobe.
Rumi Neely of fashiontoast
I’m almost certain I’m not alone in my opinion that Rumi has one of the most specific looks out there. I render it apocalypse-chic, or else a quasi-minimalist, largely monochromatic take on fashion that makes us all feel a lot less cool. But I have to say, I feel a heck of a lot better when I look at some of her outfits from ‘08-‘09; I don’t think she’d be caught dead in a printed peasant dress nowadays, but Rumi does occasionally surprise us…
Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere
Although her style differs from mine quite a bit, I can’t stop following this girl. There’s nothing really crazy or groundbreaking about her style, but she lacks the “I’m-cooler-than-you” attitude most top bloggers tend to possess. She mostly goes for classics, but also has a sharp eye for lasting trends and unique ways to lend subtle edge to her looks. That being said, I’m pretty sure she’d be pretty embarrassed to see the first two photos of the pre-NYT best- selling-author version of herself. Are you feeling inspired yet, people??
Kelly Framel of The Glamourai
Kelly has maintained a fairly consistent style aesthetic over the years, but I will say her current look has a more quiet, self-assured vibe. For example, she’s always been a pro at mixing prints, but her earlier days (see first photo) reveal a more over-the-top approach. Since then, her picks are less contrived and seem better suited to her lifestyle.
A couple weeks ago I showed some behind-the-scenes snaps of my photo shoot with Her Magazine, and I’m so happy to finally be able to share the finished product.
The concept and tagline was “cool-girl street style meets authentic urban wear”; by mixing higher-end boutique wares with vintage pieces and beautiful, impactful jewelry & bags from Voguevert, the team and I played heavily on street style pioneers like Jak&Jil. I wanted the images to reflect the current state of fashion, which is, in a phrase, ‘anything goes, as long as you’ve got the confidence to match’.
Thanks to our awesome (and freezing) models and talented photographer, I feel confident we achieved these aims. I’m excited to provide creative direction for future projects, and in the meantime, I’d love to hear your feedback!
