Inspired by SpyGirl: All the Prints
This was by far my most challenging inspired outfit ever. That sounds kind of weird, doesn’t it? I mean, if it is an inspired outfit, it shouldn’t be a challenge, for the inspiration was already there. So let me explain.
My very dear friend, Anne M. Bray of SpyGirl and other blogs, has been an inspiration to me in countless ways over the past few years. She is one of the funniest women I have ever met. In life. Ever. In my 45 years on earth. We get bantering on and on in blog comments, Facebook comments, and emails and I am always in stitches by the end of the conversations. She is a woman who appreciates all of my oddities just as I appreciate her eccentricities.
She is also so very talented that I am constantly in awe of how she does it all. So many different projects, so many different mediums, so much stinking talent all wrapped up into one tiny little woman. Oh wait, she doesn’t have two crazy little boys to contend with in between her creative pursuits. Anne knows how crazy these boys of mine can be as she spent an afternoon with us this past summer at the Adirondack Experience on Blue Mountain Lake in New York. I think she spent most of the time laughing at me in all of my chaotic mom-ness, probably thanking her lucky stars for her childless freedom. You can see a picture of the four of us in the giant chair here and read all about our museum visit here.
When it comes to fashion and style, Anne is one of the most fabulously eclectic humans on earth. And I am so drawn to her quirky and colorful style. While she and I do not have the same style at all, we do share a few things in common. We are both huge advocates of second hand shopping for a variety of reasons. It is better for the environment. It is better for our bank accounts. It is better for finding some crazy, unique pieces.
We also both tend to be very drawn to things that most people would consider ugly, obnoxious, completely unwearable. Strange color schemes, out of the ordinary prints and patterns, and a combination of it all. I have been known to exclaim, “Oh my word! That is the ugliest shirt ever. I need to have it.” I love the challenge of taking something “ugly” and making it freaking fabulous. I suspect Anne is the same way.
Another thing we both have in common is really fantastic legs! We both have them and we are both fully aware of how great our legs are! Am I right, Anne? It is my favorite feature on myself and I believe she has the same love for her own legs.
We also don’t either really much like rules. Or following them. Tell me I can’t do something because of some dumb arbitrary rule and you can bet your ass that I will make my best effort to do just that thing. While I am out here walking that fine line between what’s acceptable and appropriate by societal standards and proving my points no matter how strange they may be, I can sometimes get a little lonely. But then I remember that Anne is out here on the same line with me. I just need to look around and I am sure to spot her in all of her colorful glory. And then I don’t feel so lonely anymore.
A few weeks ago, I posted an outfit that was Inspired by Not Dressed as Lamb and Anne presented me with a challenge for this little Inspired by series of mine. In her exact words, “I’d love to see how you’d interpret one of my outfits! You’d have to check IG or FB though, since that’s where the Daily Outfits get posted.” I already stated that I am always game for a good style challenge. But I had no idea how challenging this was going to be.
I adore Anne’s style but I never ever considered even attempting to pull off her level of amazing. I mean, Anne falls into the ranks of Iris Apfel, Lyn Slater, Mel Kobayashi, and Leandra Medine when it comes to unique and fascinating style choices. I can’t compete with this.
But she presented me with a challenge and I am not one to shy away from a good style challenge either. So I started scrolling through Anne’s Instagram looking for something that I could copy. It didn’t take me long to realize that a woman like Anne is so unique that she simply cannot be copied. Nope. One of a kind. Through and through. There is no point in even attempting to copy her. It just can’t be done.
As I scrolled through her Instagram feed, I could find nothing similar to anything in my closet. And there are a lot of things inside my closet, too. But Anne has curated such a unique collection of wardrobe pieces that I literally had nothing similar to work with as a basis for a SpyGirl inspired outfit.
I stood in my closet glancing around the stuffed racks of clothing waiting for the fashion gods and goddesses to point me in the right direction. And there it was…thank you, fashion gods and goddesses…this stripey silk tunic dress that I found at the consignment shop a few years ago. It met all of my unspoken Anne criteria…it was second hand, the colors were not the most mainstream, the style was a bit unique, and it would show off my legs. Mustard tights and platform sandals seemed the obvious choice. But it is cold outside so I needed a topper of some sort. I wondered silently into my closet abyss, “What would Anne wear?” Again, the fashion gods and goddesses answered with my favorite geometric printed kimono in similar colors as the dress.
It was still needing something, something around the neck. I started digging through my scarf bins looking for a solid color to match. But then I reminded myself that Anne would not pair a boring solid scarf with this colorful printed outfit. She is, after all, a pattern magician of sorts. This outfit needed another print to complete the look in total Anne M. Bray fashion. And voila, it all came together in the most beautiful way! Anne, I hope you like it! I felt like a freaking quirky boho princess all day long as I swooshed around town with my kimono floating behind me in the most dramatic way!
If you don’t already follow Anne, you are missing out! You can find her on Patreon, Instagram, Facebook, and a whole bunch of other places which are linked here.
Who is inspiring you lately?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
Outfit Details: Dress-Vertigo (Thrifted) / Kimono-c/o Rosegal (Old) / Scarf-Target (Old) / Shoes-Torrid (Old) / Necklace-Charlotte Russe (Old) / Earrings-Old
37 Comments
Jacqui Berry
Fabulous! xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jacqui! Have a great day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Karen
OMG, this is an amazing outfit. it works so beautifully on you. The yellow and red combination is inspired. You have interpreted a look and made it work for you. Inspirational!! Kx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Karen! This ended up being one of my favorite outfits ever.
xoxo
Shelbee
Julie | This Main Line Life
This is a great tribute to Spy Girl. That dress looks great on you.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Julie! I think this is one of my favorite outfits ever!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
I think you nailed it! Quirky and colorful!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Mireille, thanks so much, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
Anne definitely has such amazing style. It’s the artist in her yet I think we can all learn from it and grow. I adore this outfit Shelbee!! You’ve got me thinking how I can copy this!
Xoxo
Jodie
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jodie, thanks so much! Anne amazes me every day with how effortlessly she pairs unlikely things together and rocks the heck out of it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
OMG! You did it! SpyGirl approved! A+!
Thank you for all the complements. I blush.
Now I should try to do one inspired by you!
BTW, I wore my cow print jacket today. You will be amazed! On IG in about 1.5 hours.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Yay! I am so glad that it meets your approval! Yes, yes, yes, do one inspired by me! I wanna see it! I will be stalking your IG in approximately 1.5 hours!
xoxo
Shelbee
Adi
You did it so well hon!! Loved the striped dress dear! You look great!
Adi xx | http://www.fancycorrectitude.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Adi, thanks so much! Have a great day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
Such fun colors and patterns!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
Love the mix of prints in this look Shelbee! It works perfectly with all the fall colors in the background.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! I am so happy with how this combination turned out. It’s one of my favorite outfits ever, I think!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking so very groovy. Very nice. Love the look as it is pure 70’s. Very nice.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Patrick! I was definitely channeling some serious 70’s vibes!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I LOVE it! I will be following Anne on Instagram. This is right up my Boho alley. That said, I’m still working on fully developing my Boho style – and no doubt will be for some time. Great tribute to Anne!
Michelle
https://bijoubeadboutique.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Michelle, thanks so much! I do love a bit of boho style but I tend to wear it more in the warmer months. I haven’t figured out how to boho it in winter clothes. I love that you are developing your own personal boho style!
xoxo
Shelbee
Chrissy Rowden
Shelbee this post is so full of life. And what a sweet shout out and tribute to Anne. And now I want to hop onto her Instagram to see how close you came to the challenge to “copy” her, even though you said it can’t be done. Anyway, your striped dress is a fashion dream. You styled the colors perfectly!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Chrissy, thank you so much, my friend! Anne is most definitely one of kind! Incapable of copying! And she is the most amazing woman ever, too! I hope you had the most wonderful Thanksgiving filled with much love and many blessings.
xoxo
Shelbee
Darlene
Shelbee, I love that mantra: What would Anne wear? You pulled it off beautifully, my friend! I love the colors in the dress and the topper is absolutely the right piece to make that outfit totally unique! I REALLY love those mustard tights!! Gotta get some of those…
Nicely done!!
xx Darlene
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Darlene, thanks so much! I often find myself asking that question when I get stuck in outfit Dull-ville…What would Anne wear?! Seriously, we all need to do this more often and we will never fall into boring old outfit choices again…just do what Anne does! She is an amazing inspiration, for sure!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sarah
Awesome! Another bold post. My fave for sure are your opaque tights 🙂
Thanks for linking up. I will have this week’s link up soon.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Sarah, thanks so much! I have really been enjoying styling all my fun tights!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica
That is such a cute dress but it’s the kimono I love the most – you know I love a good kimono! 🙂
Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Mica! I do love my kimonos, too! This is by far one of my all time favorites. I wear it often!
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
You did a great job with this SpyGirl-inspired outfit Shelbee! I love the colours…and the tights and sandals combination! Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Emma! I think this might be one of my own personal favorite outfits ever.
xoxo
Shelbee
lorena
One of my favorite things about blogging is being inspired by other bloggers. You’ve done a great job here – the colors, the shapes and of course i adore the vintage vibe-
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Lorena, thank you so very much! I love finding inspiration from other bloggers as well.
xoxo
Shelbee
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