Style Imitating Art: Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer
This is my second time participating with a Style Imitating Art prompt and I almost missed it…again! I saw the prompt yesterday, the day that submissions were due, and didn’t want to miss out on the fun. So I hastily created an outfit inspired by the chosen artwork, took some photos, edited a few, and sent one off to Terri of Meadow Tree Style who curated the artwork for this challenge. I was left with just enough time to draft a post of my own to share with you all. Be sure to visit Terri’s blog today to see all of the other art inspired outfits.
About Style Imitating Art
Style Imitating Art is hosted by Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks, Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, and Terri of Meadow Tree Style. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday, one of the hosts, acting as curator, selects an inspiration image that they will each post on their blogs. The following Monday, each host shares her art inspired outfit. Participants are invited to submit their art inspired outfits to the curator by 10:00 p.m. EST on the Tuesday following the hosts’ art inspired outfit posts. The following day, Wednesday, the curator will share all of the submissions on her blog.
You don’t have to be a blogger to join! You are invited to share your images on Instagram or other social media platforms! Just be sure to tag Salazar, Terri, and Daenel or use #TeamLOTSStyle and #StyleImitatingArt so the hosts know you have joined. Go have some fun in your closets and join the SIA challenge next week!
The Inspiration Artwork
The inspiration artwork was curated by Terri of Meadow Tree Style. You can read why Terri has chosen this specific oil painting as her inspiration artwork here.
The Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer (Circa 1665)
*Also known as “The Mona Lisa of the North” for the delicate tilt of her head as her enchanting gaze meets the eyes of the viewer.
As soon as I saw the painting, I was drawn to the rich, dark shades of olive green, gold, and black highlighted with the brighter blue turban and ivory collar. In addition to the impact of the colors, it was the styling of subject’s outfit in general that really appealed to me. The jacket or robe appears as if it may be crafted from some lush fabric like brocade, velvet, or raw silk. I immediately thought of my olive green crushed velvet top and that was my starting point.
I have been wanting to share these adorable black lace trousers that were a recent thrift shop find and they seemed perfect to anchor the outfit in the same way that the black background of the painting frames the girl’s face. Since we cannot see the bottom half of the girl’s outfit, I took liberties with my styling considering that a girl from this era would unlikely be wearing trousers of any sort other than the under kind. Although she may have worn shoes similar to my black heeled oxfords.
I wanted to add a similar head piece in blue like the girl in the painting. First I tried a pale blue knit headband that looked totally adorable but just didn’t work with the velvet and lace combination. Then I remembered this blue velvet turban that was a gifted item from a few years back. When I first styled it, it was awful! It really just didn’t work on me. But I decided to give it another try. However, this time I spun the turban sideways so the twists fall on the sides instead of the front and back. It literally changed the entire shape and fit of the turban and now I kind of like it! At the last minute, I grabbed my cute blue beaded bag that was recently featured in a Thrifty Six post.
I completed my art inspired outfit with an ivory beaded chiffon scarf to mimic the girl’s ivory collar and, of course, pearl earrings. My fur trimmed coat in olive green with green velvet gloves were the perfect additions for heading out into the snow for photos.
What do you think of my style interpretation of Girl with a Pearl Earring? Have you ever created an outfit inspired by artwork? It really is fun to challenge yourself with unique style prompts!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
Outfit Details: (Everything was shopped from my closet) – Bag (No Brand) and Pants (Loft)-Thrifted / Velvet Turban-c/o Banggood / Velvet Shirt-c/o Zan Style / Coat-c/o Rosegal (Use code SHELBEE) / Shoes-Aerosoles / Velvet Socks-DSW / Scarf, Earrings, and Gloves-Old
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
37 Comments
Nancy
Oh I missed this one. Such a pity as it is a beautiful painting!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I almost missed it, too, Nancy! It is a gorgeous painting. I love the colors. I just marked my calendar for every other Monday so I remember to check for the prompts!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy Turner
Shelbee, I can’t believe you came up with this like right on the hour!! It’s bloody brilliant! I love everything about it. Utter perfection!
Hugs
Suzy xxx
P.S This week I’m launching a new blog, new facebook page, Instagram account, twitter, etc, etc LOL! I finally decided to split my lifestyle stuff from my books, so I created The Grey Brunette. It’s obviously not completely ready yet, I’m just writing my first post. It’s going to be a lot of hard work to get my follower count up to something good though lol!
Anyway, I’ll be posting my Fab40s on The Grey Brunette from now on, but I will email all your girls to let you know.
Huge hugs
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Suzy! I was actually really proud of myself how quickly and easily I pulled this look together! Sometimes it happens like magic! I am looking forward to your new blog, my friend! I have to update my Fab 40’s page and stuff anyway and create a new collage. I will have that all completed before our post date. And I will do what I can to channel some readers to your new website to get that follower count up!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy
You’re the best, Shelbee! Thank you so much!
Suzy xxx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
You are pretty fantastic yourself, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Suzy xx
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
What a chic look!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
What an awesome representation of the artwork. The shine of the jacket is so similar to the painting and the turban looks great! I have only participated in the challenge once, I just always forget about extra things like that! Gotta scroll back to the pics, my 3 year old wants to see the snow again and is about to throw a fit.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! I kept missing the prompts for this challenge as well. I finally marked my calendar on every other Monday to make sure I check the new art prompt. And I love that your little guy is enjoying my snowy photos! I will have lots more for him over the coming weeks, I’m sure!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
I think you pulled this off great!!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jennifer!
xoxo
Shelbee
Terri Gardner
Shelbee, Thank you for submitting your wonderful design. It helped make my debut as co-host a memorable experience. I hope to see you again. Terri
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Terri! I am so glad that you joined as co-host! I have marked my calendar now so I don’t miss a prompt again. This is too much fun to pass up! Thanks for all the hard work that I know goes into hosting things like this. It is much appreciated!
xoxo
Shelbee
Midlife and Beyond
What a great representation, and a great look Shelbee.
Alison xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Alison! This was a super fun style prompt.
xoxo
Shelbee
Barbara De Mul
A fun look. Have u seen the movie inspired by this painting? i think a lot of it is set in the cold and snow, too! I’ll bet you are happy you kept the headband even tho it didn’t work the first time. I wish I had more space to keep my clothes!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Barbara! I have not heard of that movie before so I just went and looked it up. It looks fascinating! I may give it a watch! Thanks for the recommendation. As for space for clothing, I just keep rearranging things trying to fit more stuff in the same size space! It’s not working! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica
This is such a fun take on a classic painting and I always like blue and green together! This is a lovely outfit you created! 🙂
Hope that your week is going well 🙂 The rain has stopped and it’s been sunny and warm since our 3 day lockdown was lifted which is nice 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mica! This was a really fun style prompt! We just entered a 3 week lockdown with lots of snow and a polar vortex heading our way! I guess I would be staying indoors anyway considering the weather. I hope you have a fabulous week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kezzie
I thought this was such a brilliant outfit and I CAN see the olive shades in it that you see – her jacket looks iridescent- so it’s olive in in one light, yellow in another, so we were all right! Your outfit is so pretty and worked so nicely- delicate and wonderful fabrics! The turban is super!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Kezzie, thank you so very much! Her jacket really is sort of iridescent and when I was viewing the image on my phone, the green seemed so prominent. But when I looked on my laptop screen, the yellow jumped out much more vibrantly. Art in every form is left to our own interpretations, I suppose. That is the fun of it! I love these SIA challenges and look forward to participating with more frequency this year. It is so fun to see the other ways you all interpret the artwork into your personal style!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
That is so very cool. Love it.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Patrick! It was a super fun style challenge. It’s like a game to me and keeps my creativity alive!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
You really got the colors so perfect on this inspiration Shelbee!!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jodie! I found it funny that everyone else was seeing shades of yellow and all I saw was green! Probably because it is my fave color and I have way more green than yellow in my closet! But it’s all in the name of art and creativity so we can interpret it all however we like!
xoxo
Shelbee
Abby
This is such a cool post! What a great idea! I just love the snowy background of your photos! I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful day!!
XOXO, Abby
thatslifeforyablog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Abby! I do really enjoy creative style prompts like this! It is super fun! Have a wonderful day, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
You nailed it! I love the blue turban. Perfect for the challenge, and also just beautiful. I had intended to participate, but my closet is sorely lacking in yellow – although I keep trying to remedy that. I don’t have any olive either.
Interestingly, I have a Las Vegas friend from Denmark. She looks so much like the girl in the painting it’s uncanny.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! This was so fun to recreate the girl’s look! I am really loving these SIA challenges. I wish I had started participating long ago! And how cool that your friend from Denmark looks just like The Girl with a Pearl Earring! I hope she has a print of that painting somewhere in her life!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mike
Wow, you took a lot of photos! I really liked how you pulled your outfit together for this SIA challenge as I think that all of your colors go well with each other, just like they do in the painting. 🙂 And I can’t help but notice the terrific background that you chose to take your photos with! Really helps add depth to your pictures, which makes for great photos all the way around! Great job!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Mike, thank you so much! I always take a lot of photos! I think probably too many. Haha But it’s fun and I enjoy it. These SIA challenges are so great and I am glad that I finally got it together to participate. I am looking forward to more and seeing how you interpret the art into style as well. It is always so great to see a male perspective for challenges of this sort! It is lovely to make your acquaintance in this vast land of the blogging!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mike
And that’s great, Shelbee! I usually take a lot of photos too, but end up deleting most of them and only posting the best ones. 🙂 In most of my “trashed” photos, I usually blink when the picture is being snapped or it comes out too blurry or some other weird happening. I’m not the greatest at being photographed I guess!
Yes, I really enjoy the SIA challenges and am so thankful to be a part of this great community. 🙂 Salazar over on 14 Shades of Grey was the first one that I met in the blogging world and when I found out that we had a common interest in art, I entered into SIA. She’s also the reason that my blog even exists as she encouraged me to start one, so I owe her a great deal of gratitude. 🙂
It is great meeting you as well and thank you so much for leaving a comment on my blog! I hope that you will check out some of my other posts as well. I paint my own postcards and post them on there. I look forward to seeing you there again!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh wow, Mike, what a wonderful story about the beginnings of your blog! I have only just learned of Salazar since I started participating in the SIA challenges, but I have been acquainted with Daenel and Terri (and Kim) for quite some time. In fact, Daenel is part of my monthly The Fab 40’s. I really love that Salazar encouraged to start your own blog! My sister is the one who encouraged and pushed me to start blogging. I didn’t even really know what a blog was at the time she suggested it! I will definitely hop over and check out more of your posts. But also I would like to invite you to join my link parties. I host them every Tuesday and Friday and I also have a few monthly ones on the second Monday and third Thursday of each month. I hope you are having a wonderful week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mike
Thanks, Shelbee! Yeah, Salazar is great. I’ve known her since 2014 and she’s done so much to help me with my blogging. It seems like such a long time ago, but I still remember my first SIA submission and how nervous I was putting my image out there. But everyone was so nice to me and even though I didn’t have a blog at the time to call my very own, they all still let me participate in the challenges.
Salazar suggested that I start my own blog so that I could post my paintings on there, as well as my book reviews (we sort of had a “book club” thing going back then) and wouldn’t have to rely on her blog to post the reviews on.
I was nervous about it at first and I kept it private for a good while. But once I had gotten used to doing it, I released it to the world, and since then, I’ve received so much support. 🙂
We are so much alike, Shelbee. I didn’t know what a blog was either. Before meeting Salazar and the others, I remember hearing the word, but never knew what it was. At first, I thought people were saying “blobs”! Yeah, I’m way behind most everyone else when it comes to technology. 😉
That’s cool that you’ve gotten to know both Kim and Daenel through your blogging. They’re great too and both have supported me so much. I feel like the luckiest person in the world to have met so many awesome people. 🙂
Sure! I would be happy to join! Please tell me more about your link parties. I’m still pretty new to all of this so I’m still learning. 😉
You too, Shelbee! Stay warm!
Mike
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Mike, I really enjoyed reading about your blogging experience! Thank you for sharing that with me. I am definitely not very tech savvy myself which is not so great as a blogger! Ha. I have so many things that need to be changed, updated, and improved on my blog, but the thought of it totally overwhelms me and so I remain stagnant! One day I will get around to it. This whole community of bloggers is so supportive and I am so glad that I ventured into the whole thing. Now I cannot imagine life without my blog and all the wonderful people I have encountered because of it! I have to get over to your space and check out some more posts including your book reviews. I apologize for not doing that yet. Kids and life keep interrupting my plans!
As for the link parties, on my Tuesday and Friday posts, just scroll to the bottom and click the blue “add link” button and then follow the prompts. You just copy and paste the url of the post you want to add and it will pop up all the images from your post. Pick one for the thumbnail and the post will appear in the party! Looking forward to seeing you!
xoxo
Shelbee