Trend Watch: Pre-Colombian Prints

Ruche Curvy

As an white American History major with a concentration in black history, I have also earned my official Liberal certification in political correctness.  This is why "ethnic" fashions make me slightly uncomfortable.  Obviously, it doesn't matter what your heritage is, you can wear what you like. It's more how the labels and terms are thrown around. What is an "ethnic" or "tribal" print?  I'm not really sure. It just seems quite vague, patronizing, and not quite right. On the other hand, since I'm starting on my path to becoming a Social Studies teacher, I also want to be wearing interesting prints representing the world's cultures.

With that disclaimer out of the way however, an interesting print is an interesting print. It doesn't matter whether it's on an authentic traditional garment or a tank top made in Forever 21's just-above a sweat shop. If it's cute, why not wear it? This season I'm really digging all the Aztec-inspired geometric patterns. I'm no expert on Pre-Colombian design, so I can't speak to their authenticity or the correctness of labels.

Enough of my white guilt, here are the pieces I'm talking about:

Forever 21

Ruche

After the jump, more geometric Aztec-inspired motifs on standard and plus-size styles, menswear, and accessories.

Musings: Summer Essentials

From L to R: J.Crew, Havaianas Slim, Flojos, Old Navy, Old Navy, H(avaianas) Top, Old Navy, H. Top, Old Navy, Delia*s, H. Top, Old Navy, Sea Club, H. Slim

What says summer more than a graphic t-shirt, a pair of flip-flops and some cute shades? Today I'm going to share my collections of all three, plus as always, a few links where you can find the same styles. To read more about my flip-flop philosophy specifically, head on over to this post first.

 

After the jump, I pair up my sunglasses and flip-flops with my most ridiculously ironic statement T-shirts.

Style Icon: Lucille "2" Austero

At the Desi awards, which recognize excellence in Spanish language daytime television.

Lucille Austero is Lucille Bluth's best frienemy and counterpart, and their dressing has a lot in common. Both favor sequins for their many evening events. Both have impressive collections of fine and costume jewelry. Perhaps these similarities are why 2/3 of Lucille Bluth's sons are attracted to the Widow Austero. However, as Lucille 2 is curvier and a little older than her bestie, she tends to favor more flowing and less tailored silhouettes. 

Read on for more fabulous day and evening looks! 

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Portland, OR: Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Before we get to the fun parts of Cinco de Mayo, we have to first talk a little bit about the holiday. Let's start off by talking about what Cinco de Mayo is not. It is not the Mexican Fourth of July (Independence Day).  Mexico's Independence Day is September 16, and celebrates the beginning of their War for Independence from Spain in 1810. So if the Fifth of May doesn't celebrate Mexican Independence, what does it commemorate? The Mexican Army's 1862 victory over French Imperial Troops at the Battle of Pueblo, of course.  I recommend heading on over to the Wiki article for a bit more background. TIME magazine comments on the significance of this battle, "Mexico was still occupied by the French a year later, but the Puebla victory came to symbolize unity and pride for what seemed like a Mexican David defeating a French Goliath" (from the article, "Top 10 Drunken Holidays").

The Battle of Puebla, May 5, 1862

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the Mexican State of Pueblo, but otherwise it is an American Holiday. It is a day on which those of Mexican Decent and Gringos alike can celebrate the contributions of Mexican Culture to the United States; whether that be through music, food, dance,  or yes, downing a few cervezas y margaritas. 

After the jump, lots more about  Cinco de Mayo.

A few Mexican-inspired looks

Old Navy Maxi Skirt, Target Scarf,  Gap V-neck T

"You're the only person in the world who goes shopping for Cinco de Mayo. Mexican people already have appropriate clothes."

My best friend may be right, but after working on my gringa musings on Cinco de Mayo for tomorrow, I felt like putting together outfit incorporating some bright Mexican inspired colors and prints. I found this lightweight bufanda with an Aztec inspired print at Target and paired it with my favorite white maxi skirt.

 ON Gauze Top, Alloy Skirt (availble in XS-XXXL)

This second outfit is a bit more evening. This Gauze  top comes in a rainbow of colors, I chose the boldest, 'Warm Sunset'.  If you like this blouse, you may also want to check out the Trends We Love section of the site which lots of cute "Mexicali" pieces. Since Cinco de Mayo is an American holiday what's more appropriate than buying something Mexican-inspired manufactured in India at an Old Navy in Vacaville, California? Nada. Nothing is more appropriate.

I also think the outfit looks cute with my summer bag for this season (from The Sak)

The above skirt can also be worn as a dress. I defined the waist with a skinny gold belt (Old Navy) and added my Mom's necklace (Chico's).

Denim Georgraphy: North America

Naming jeans' colors is quite a hard business. Apparently, many color experts have just given up and chose nonsensical names.  I've recently noticed lots of colors named after geographical terms.  Most of the names tell us nothing about the color of wash itself.  That being said, I find it amusing to associate the jean's color with its namesake locale.

Sacramento, CA: To start off close to home, a pair I'm seriously considering trying just because of the name:

Old Navy Mid-Rise Denim-Bermudas in the color "Sacramento"

Yahi: An extinct Northern California Native dialect. The last known speaker was Ishi. I'm not going to go into Ishi's amazing story, but you should really look into him if you're not already familiar.

Speakers of the Yahi lived the area around what is today Butte county. Read more about them here.

Denim Bermudas in "Yahi", Ishi in 1914

Arrested Fashion: Oilcloth!

While working on my Arrested Fashion project, I stumbled upon an oilcloth! George Senior walks by  two gentleman are enjoying their cervezas on a table with a lovely green oilcloth.  Nothing says south-of-the border set dressing like a vibrant oilcloth! Where does all this oilcloth enthusiasm come from? Well our friends over at Oilcloth International, of course. Check out their blog!

George Senior, in "Good Grief"

Below's a pic of my adorable gifted oilcloth (from the aforementioned bloggers). It went perfectly with the Little Miss Sunshine poster and vintage chairs at our Ward Street apartment in Berkeley.