Red & Brown For Style Imitating Art

I am again participating in the Style Imitating Art Challenge , which is the brain child of three bloggers: Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks, Kim of Fierce Fashion, and Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey. Twice a month they they take turns picking a work of art or a piece of historical clothing and challenge us to style an outfit that is inspired by the work.

This week Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks has picked Gumball II by Charles Bell, which he painted 1973 in the Photorealism style.

Photorealism is just that, a painting rendered in such accuracy that it looks like a photo. Charles Bell’s Gumball painting is very colorful but what I’m relating to is the contrast of the color saturated area (gumball machine) against the more neutral peanut machine.

I’m doing this with an older style that I put together three years ago featuring a very bright red sweater balanced out with neutral tans and brown.

My closet shopping came up with this combination. Three of seven pieces are 2nd Loved. Others were previously bought new by me and one belongs to Michael, but I keep borrowing it (can you guess which one?).

The thrifted GAP sweater is a 55% Nylon/15% Merino Wool/15% Polyester combination. I was surprised that so little wool is actually in the sweater because it looks as if it could be 100% wool. For cleaning, I will still air it out outdoors and spot clean it like wool. If I full out wash it (and I did just this week), I will use my wool cycle with Eucalan wool wash, which I have used for years for all my woolens. As usual, I dry it flat (no dryer).

In these photos, you can’t see the sweater’s V-neck but you can see the longer length in back which gives it a tad more character.

My velour stretch pants are by Dear John, picked up on clearance at Sophie’s, a locally owned boutique in Joplin. When in Joplin, I occasionally hit the clearance rack there.  Hopefully, Michelle is with me because shopping with either of the girls is a lot more fun than going by myself.

The camel boyfriend jacket was a Salvation Army find with two tags. One says Augustus (which I found no relevant information about) and another that states,” Made in the USA by American Craftsman“. Along with my Nanette Lepore satchel (she doesn’t sell bags online anymore), it was what I wore in my very first style post HERE that was almost five years ago. It’s hard to believe I’ve been doing this fashion thing that long. But I also took time off from September ‘19 to January’20.

Another thrifty bargain is the brown and copper metallic large scarf. It added the balance of brown that I wanted.

My Nine West Oxfords are old and have been on here a few times.

If you guessed that my hat was Michael’s, you’re right. I picked this Ascot Ivy hat by Epoch for him at our favorite hat store in Kansas City. I really think it has been on my head more than his.

If you want to have some fun, check this bi-weekly challenge out. Every Monday, there is a post on the ladies’ websites announcing what art work is going to be used. You don’t have to have a blog or even an Instagram account to participate-just send your photo (if its from your blog or IG, that will be published too). Include a statement of how that work of art influenced your decisions in styling your look. There are no wrong answers and all submissions will be published the next Wednesday by the curator for that round. Check it and them out!

Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks (this weeks curator)

Kim of Fierce Fashion

Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey

Take care and stay safe!