Welcome to another week of Style Imitating Art, where we draw our style inspiration from works of art. This week’s selection was curated by yours truly.
STYLE IMITATING ART INSPIRATION
Monkey from Quadrupeds series (N41) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, The Met, circa 1890 {public domain}
I selected the inspiration piece for this round of Style Imitating Art. This lithograph is from a set of cards that were used to promote Allen & Ginter brand cigarettes. This image is from The Met’s public domain collection. While I do not advocate smoking, I do find it fascinating that trading cards were used to promote tobacco products back in the day. Am I the only one who remembers when that rock hard pink gum used to come with comics? I think it was called Bazooka gum or something like that. Anyway, Allen & Ginter was a tobacco manufacturing plant that was formed in the late 1860s by John Allen and Lewis Ginter. They created and marketed the first cigarette cards for trading and collecting. Fascinating on so many levels…
Honestly, I chose this piece because MONKEY {I seriously heart monkeys} and, well, the lithograph is just so colorful and spring-like. And, since this is my first time curating, I thought I’d go with something fun and colorful, with plenty of room for interpretation.
For more information about the inspiration piece, click here.
MY LOOK
When I chose my inspiration piece, I did not have this outfit in mind… I had actually planned to wear a green tropical print skirt, but, ummmm, what’s the saying? “Everything’s all fun and games until your pants don’t fit?” Yep, the same goes for skirts.
Notice my hair matches my outfit. I’ve been thinking about going with a solid deep purple or navy blue. But I also like burgundy. I don’t know… What do you think? I’m soon to be between jobs, since we’re moving, so I’m thinking now’s the time to have some fun.
But I digress, the outfit…
This tunic is actually a dress but I decided to pair it with leggings because the library is sooooo cold. Anyway, I thought the colors / print reflected the tropical feel of the lithograph. I brought in the brown from the monkey in my bracelets and sandals.
I don’t usually wear open toed sandals to work, but we’re on a semester break so things are a little more casual.
Tunic – Walmart | Leggings – Old | Earrings – Nickel & Suede | Bracelets – Old | Purse – Sharif | Shoes – Payless
I guess the gnats thought they were invited to the party…
JOIN US
Everyone’s invited to participate! We’ll post the inspiration piece on Monday, 14 May. To be included in the round up post, send a picture of your Style Imitating Art inspired outfit to me by 10:00 PM EST tomorrow night. My email address is livingoutsidethestacks@gmail.com.
The round-up will go live on Wednesday, 23 May.
Hope you’ll join the fun!
