Sunday, September 14, 2008

Two Things Challenge: Old / Fashion

Tie-dye: a non-fashion that is old. So old.

This week's Two Things Challenge was Old / Fashion. What better way to portray these two than with tie-dye and cufflinks?

Tie-dye seems to be making a comeback and featuring in a lot of fashion these days. This is a close-up of a friend's latest tie-dye t-shirt. I wouldn't be caught dead outside the house in a shirt like this. (Of course, I use to say the same thing about Birkenstocks and now I wear them all the time, when I'm not wearing shoes or going barefoot.) Personally, I'm labeling tie-dye Old, but I leave the door open for others to call it Fashion.

My cufflink collection. From the bottom, up: Shift Key (a gift from my friend, Mary Ellen);
Tiffany Knots (bought in San Francisco); Scottish Reds (also a gift from Mary Ellen);
Paper Clips (bought at the Tie Rack in Union Station); Liberty Dimes (bought in San Francisco);
Engraved K's (bought from Lands' End); and Variegated Blues (bought in San Francisco.)


This second picture features the height of my fashion fabulosity: cufflinks! These are all my cufflinks and I know where I got every single pair and whether I bought them or they were a gift. I love, love, love French cuff shirts and cufflinks! The only downside is, my favorite shirt purveyor--Brooks Brothers--doesn't carry a lot of women's shirts with French cuffs and the few they do are all fitted shirts. In the heat and humidity of Washington, a fitted shirt is akin to wearing gloves in summer: not comfortable. My only other recourse is either custom-made or Thomas Pinks and I can't afford either of those at the moment. As a result, my cufflinks are often lonely at the moment. But aren't they the epitome of timeless, classic Fashion?

There you have it! Another glimpse into the private world of D.C. Confidential!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 09/08

18 comments:

Virginia said...

What? Do I have some kind of subconscious repressed desire NOT to be an active, card carrying member of Team Two Things?? Maybe a nice tattooed reminder across my hand or something.....I forgot again!

On to your photos. I am not a tie dye person as I am sure you have figured out. It's O.L.D. in my book

On to those fine, fine, superfine cufflinks. I tried to pick my favorite and gave it a good deal of thought just for the fun of it. I can't choose. Maybe those gorgeous engraved ones, but the paper clips are so darn unexpected, but I think those old shift keys are great. You have a great collection by me.

marley said...

Great use of items for the challenge! I like the detailed photo of your cufflinks.

Thanks for the link to the information about Scott. It made it all the more personal.

Wayne said...

I used to wear cufflinks. Now I don't even own a tie. I used to have those sleeve thing-a-ma-jigs too, I'm reasonable sure they are called sleeve garters. Of course I could avoid all sorts of potential embarrassment by Googling before I post but I feel like being reckless.

No contest for me, the typewriter keys are my favourites.

Janet Kincaid said...

VJ: I'm going to start emailing you daily reminders! And if that doesn't work, we'll have it tattooed backwards across your forehead so every time you look in the mirror you're reminded!

I'm glad you like my cufflinks. They're my favorite accessory.


Marley: I'm glad you checked out Scott's link. It made his story even more personal to me, too. As for the cufflinks, I was digging for stuff. Desperation drove me photograph them!


Wayne: I think more and more men are sharing your trend: getting rid of stuffy business suits in favor of casual attire.

As for the Shift Key cufflinks, I get a ton of compliments on those and the Paper Clips!

Z said...

Cuff-links are very nice. Although I like whimsy, in the end I tend towards the simple designs, so I think I like the Tiffany Knots the best in your collection.

Eeyore said...

Love the cufflinks. I've got a few pair, but I almost never wear them. I think to weddings is about it.

Virginia said...

J,
I actually have a photo I can post for Product/Label this week. Maybe I ought to run it asap before it escapes me. YIkes, I'm scary.

Janet Kincaid said...

Z: I like the Tiffany knots, too, for their simplicity. They were actually my first pair of cufflinks.


Larry: Weddings and funerals seem to be about the only occasions for cufflinks anymore.


VJ: Excellent! Post it. (And I need to post the weekly round up, but I'm sick as a dog and barely have the energy to even respond to comments, let alone do the round up. Maybe tomorrow...)

Tash said...

Love the cufflinks. My favorite is the silver dimes, even though I think for you the shift-key is PERFECT. I feel the same way about bracelets. I'm just going to have a look at them now...

Maya said...

Oooh, those cuff links are awesome! I love the "shift key" ones. I just bought a no iron Brooks Brothers shirt that is way too big for me, so not so fitted. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be, but it isn't on me now! Too bad. I like that look, but it never seems to work out for me because I hate to iron.

Maya said...

Oh, I just read that you are sick. I hope you feel better soon! Sending healing vibes your way (does that go with the tie dye?).

Janet Kincaid said...

Tash: I bought the dimes at the Van Heusen store in San Francisco on 2nd and Mission several years ago. Supposedly they're 1910 Silver dimes, but I'm dubious. I only paid $20 for the set. Seems a bit cheap for vintage money. Still, I like them!


Maya: Hm. Sounds like you bought their classic line. Look at the label. If it says "Classic", it's not fitted or tailored. I have a few of their fitted shirts, but I end up taking the darts out of them. How silly is that?!

Thanks for your good wishes. As you can see, it's 2:40 in the A.M. and I am wide awake. And this, despite taking cough meds and a sleep aid. Grrrr.

Maya said...

Hmmm, it doesn't say "classic" just "non-iron". It's probably a fitted shirt that is just too big!

Janet Kincaid said...

Maya: Hm. Okay, let's try this: Is the writing on the label blue or red?

If it's blue, it's fitted. If it's red, it's classic.

And how scary is it that I know that?! Obviously I need to either a) get a life or b) stop paying attention to the labels in my shirts.

Maya said...

It's either very dark blue, or black. My, you certainly are the fashionista with expensive taste, aren't you? ;-)

Janet Kincaid said...

Hm. Sounds like it's fitted. Odd that it would be too large...

And my secret: outlets. I buy my BB shirts at a BB outlet retail location rather than their online catalog or upscale retail stores.

Greyhound Girl said...

Love these 2 things! Brilliant idea! And I love both- cuff links and tye-dye shirts. i just bought a tye dye kit to use at school!

And I can't find women's french cuff shirts anywhere near here at all!

Janet Kincaid said...

Prof.: You should tie-dye one of those Farm Boys Wanted shirts! As for the regionalism of shirts: You can't get French cuffs in Montana, but we can't get snap-studded shirts in D.C.