Back in my heyday of designing clothing, I briefly worked for a company that designed resort wear...just so ya know, back then that was code for appliques and rhinestones (I am pretty sure I have see similar items on The Real Housewives of Orange County). I used to make fun of it, but it was a job. Some of the items were fine, but all of them had to be BOLD - nothing sweet, small or demure. BIG appliques, lots of BLING, and shoulder pads galore.
I, of course, was oh-so-chic in my fashionable uniform - black turtleneck, short black skirt, opaque black Donna Karan tights (I swear by them still) and black high heels. It was the 90's so there was usually one big piece of jewelry - a necklace or earrings to add some flair. I always wondered, "What I was doing there?" Why would people design this? Why would people wear this? Don't they know it is brash and BOLD and you can be seen from space?
Then it hit me...I used to be BOLD. In junior high and high school, I wore fluorescent outfits that were perfectly paired. I owned 5 pairs of rhinestoned boots (better known as "jeweled witchy shoes"), and 2 pairs of fringed and studded boots. My denim jackets were decked out in colored jewels. My colors made you take notice. I was BOLD and I enjoyed it.
Eventually, the oh-so-chic uniform of the 90's evolved into a trousers and smart blouses...and then capris and t-shirts... and then jeans and sweaters (cute ones of course)...and now...finally, sort of - a pending resurgence of fun and flirty and flashy. I am breaking out the jewelry again (before Jules commandeers it all), buying cute jeans, and am drawn to color and sparkle...and it makes me feel good (I so should have been a rhinestone cowgirl!)...And you know what I see in my future...gemstones, rhinestones, appliques, and possibly shoulder pads (they make your waist look smaller, don't they?). I have another shot at being BOLD, after all I still own a bedazzeler!
Are you bold? If so, how? If not, why?
This week the prompts were inspired by words...Simple; Angsty; Excruciating; Enchanted; Bold.
Sometimes I wear bold lipstick.. But thats about it.
ReplyDeleteI will never wear shoulder pads!! LOL
I'm definitely bold. My approach to life is BOLD. Go BIG or Go HOME. ;P
ReplyDeleteIt works for me. But...I'm with Steph...no shoulder pads for me. Period. Ever again.
I dont wear bold clothes at all. My mom used to force me to do it, but I am not the fashion forward person as my baby sister.
ReplyDeleteI do however have a very bold personality, and I think that is all the bold I need right now...lol
Oh my goodness, what a great post! I don't own a bedazzler, but I do like a LITTLE bling! But black is my staple color.
ReplyDeleteYvonne
I'm pretty conservative. I have a bold streak in me, but sometimes it can be hard to pull out. Jeweled witchy toes and matching neon? Girl you need to pull out some pictures to share! :)
ReplyDeleteI still wear bold floral shirts and bright colors every chance I get!
ReplyDeleteOoh a bedazzler!!! Love it!!! I am pretty plain, blacks, grays and whites are my favorite. Me being bold no days is just getting dressed and doing my hair! :) I do however LOVE big chunky rings! Does that count? :)
ReplyDeleteYou go, girl! Work that bedazzler! :)
ReplyDeletei am so unbold... i like neutral and soft colors, i rarely wear jewelry unless i love it... and even then it is a simple necklace. do i live boldly though? i would like to think so... i am outgoing, an extrovert for sure. i like making new friends, but i like my clothes calm, cozy, and stylish too.
ReplyDeletei am so unbold... i like neutral and soft colors, i rarely wear jewelry unless i love it... and even then it is a simple necklace. do i live boldly though? i would like to think so... i am outgoing, an extrovert for sure. i like making new friends, but i like my clothes calm, cozy, and stylish too.
ReplyDeleteI always love to be bold-I'd wear weird combos-just love to express myself-we need more people like us in the world-or maybe not!
ReplyDeleteHey there, Holly! Great post! As I was reading, the vintage-esque (as in intentionally distressed) Minnie Mouse shirt my wee girl is wearing right now keeps flashing in my eye....no rhinestones, but a whole bunch of metal studs. (She brought it to me in the store asking for it. I asked her if she wanted it because its Minnie Mouse or because of the bling...she said the bling. She does love sparkle! But, I digress!) And as I read your post, I flashed back on that flourescent pink jacket that I wanted so badly and got for Christmas. Wow...that in itself makes for a great post...you've got me flashing all over memory lane! :>
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say I'm all that bold, but it does come in bursts for me. Not in my clothes, but in other forms and its good to be reminded to!!
Bold is back big time with accessories! I think that's a great way to do something a little bold, but not too crazy for anyone who wants to try something new. I don't think I'm too bold because that's just my personality, but I like to wear a fun bracelet, watch, cocktail or necklace to stand out.
ReplyDeleteI am the most unbold person ever! I need to change that
ReplyDeleteNot bold at all. But I respect those who are--maybe some of it will rub off on me.
ReplyDeleteI think I was only bold back in the day when my mom bought my clothes. Don't get me wrong, I loved them! But once I started buying for myself I became much more reserved. Sometimes I get annoyed at how much black and gray is in my wardrobe. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a plain and simple guy. Jeans and a t-shirt suit me fine.
ReplyDeleteThose shoulder pads remind me of a joke that went around back when they were the fad for shirts, that they were for blonde girls who cock their heads side-to-side as they say "I dont know, I don't know".
I think I'm a good mix of both. I don't like to be too crazy but with each outfit I love that one "attention grabbing" piece that gets you noticed but doesn't shout, "look at me!".
ReplyDeleteSometimes I like bold jewelry. It is amazing how fashion circles back on itself with a tiny update here and there. Makes you wonder why we ever throw anything away. Visiting from Mama Kat
ReplyDeleteI used to be so bold.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to be bold...I need to be bold again. :)
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ReplyDeleteI used to be bold.
ReplyDeleteNow it's mostly dark colors for me.
I suppose red is a bold color.
Maybe one day I'll go all bold again.
I don't mind the bling, but shoulder pads on me leave me feeling like a linebacker. No thanks. haha.
ReplyDeleteI like your writing style :)
ReplyDeleteI remember being bold when I was younger, too. I loved the neon clothes so much! I have pictures of my husband and I wearing neon pink, orange and green. My kids crack up when the see them.
ReplyDeleteThese days, I'm the opposite of bold. I'm more likely to blend into the background than stand out. Not sure if that's a good thing or not!
I totally agree about the shoulder pads, they do make your waist look smaller. In fact, I could get excited about my favorite 80's fashions coming back into vogue. Remember the big shirt (with big shoulder pads) worn over leggings or stirrup pants? Comfortable and slimming!
I'm getting bolder! I have a young one so unfortunately I'm usually in jeans and a top that's washable. BUT, I started figure skating at the age of 23 - giving me reason to be BOLD. Tons of makeup? Check. Fake eyelishes? Check. Spandex dress with a whole lotta sparkle? Check. I even bought hot pink blades for my skates. I love it.
ReplyDeleteOff the ice, I'm trying. I own a bright purple pair of suede wedge heels. I love them. I wear them often with my jeans and bright green velvet blazer. Some people probably think I'm tacky - but whatever. I'm BOLD!
Bling it girlfriend!
ReplyDeleteI'm very daring with things I'm sure of...BUT~is that really daring,hmmm.
Lezlee
What a cute post! I am actually the opposite of bold, going through life in the schleppy nondescript manner of wearing other people's hand-me-downs. Oh yeah, cheap, too ;) (in the frugal way, not in the tawdry way)
ReplyDeleteOK I am still into the black tights too and black leggings from the Juniors department! I still like Rhinestones too... and yes I try and be a little bold of course "Bold" for the carpool and drop-off crowd is a pretty low bar. ( -:
ReplyDeleteI remember the shoulder pads! Ugly bold haha! I, too wore the day-glow colors back in jr high and have since grown accustomed to jeants and T's...I forgot about bold..thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDelete