Embroidered Tunic for Ellen Terry as Lady McBeth by John Singer Sargent

Welcome to my interpretation for this rounds of Style Imitating Art.

A Little Background

Style Imitating Art is hosted by Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks and me. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday one of us selects an inspiration image and we each post the image on our blogs. The following Monday we share our art-inspired outfits. The following Wednesday, the curator shares all of the submissions on her blog.

This Round’s Curator

Today, Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey is the curator.

The Inspirational Image

My Interpretation

There’s a few things that I noticed about this painting: the richness of color, the dark blue and greens, the gold and the embroidery. Salazar mentioned that this was an example of Beetlewing Embroidery.

I remembered that a few years ago, I thrifted a tunic from the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) thrift shop. Even thought, I knew I probably wouldn’t wear it, I wanted the embroidery. I have a thing about embroidery. In the early 80’s, I use to do a lot of hand embroidery and now I dplay around with machine embroidery.

There’s not any blue in this tunic but a lot of dark green and gold (also some deep red). It also has sequins and beads. The sequins remind me of the beetlewing embroidery.

I decided to wear my stretch natural colored pants (jeggings?) for the bottoms and got out my OKA-b sandals for my feet. I thought their gold ornaments would fit right with this. I bought these in the Fall 2012, the first fall I was retired. I found them when I went to a specialty underpinning shop which also had an extensive swim suit line for hard to fit ladies (which I am one). Well, in my enthusiasm, thinking I was going to swim a lot, I picked up two swim suits, a coverup and these shoes. All are in prefect condition, because it was too long of a drive when I wanted to exercise so I bring them with me on trips.

I didn’t know too much about OKA-bs when I got them but now love their background story. “Oka-B began as the perfect spa shoe, integrating the principles of reflexology and ergonomics for ultimate comfort. Today the line has expanded to dozens of styles and colors that bring joy to your every day. All Oka-Bs and are made in Buford, GA. Also, the are made from a vegan bio-based material that is made in the USA.

I think that pretty much sums it up for me. So now…

Will You Join In the Fun?

I hope this art inspires you to create a look and that you will join us. Send a photo of your SIA inspired outfit along with a small blurb on how you were inspired to Salazar whose email is 14shadesofgreyblog@gmail.com by August 24th. She will share the submissions on her blog on Wednesday, August 25th.

Anyone can participate and you certainly do not have to have a blog.

If you do share your inspirations on Instagram use the hashtag #StyleImitatingArt so we know you are there. You can also tag us in the images. Our Instagram names are: @terrigardner_meadowtree, @daenelt and @14shadesofgrey.

That wraps this SIA up for me. Take care and stay creative!