Ziggy Stardust Goes to a Garden Party

Jacket (Zara, similar here), Dress (Moulinette Soeurs via Anthropologie - old, similar here and here), Shoes (Trouve, similar here and here), Necklace (Dogeared)

In addition to prints and martinis, next on the list of things I like to mix is well, stuff that typically isn't mixed. No, that doesn't mean pickles and peanut butter (although I might try that); it means mixing things like a silver leather biker jacket and a flouncy, floral tea dress.

This is not groundbreaking of course. Countless numbers of fabulous, ballsy women have been making these kinds of stylistic choices for eons - Iris Apfel, Debbie Harry, and Leandra Medine (Man Repeller) just to name a few in no particular order.

I don't presume to place myself anywhere in or near the same ranks as the likes of these ladies, however, that spirit of experimentation and the penchant for provacation are things that we share. 

You don't need a lot of working parts in an outfit like this (contrary to what I might otherwise argue) because the pieces each say so much on their own that some of the impact might be lost if you got carried away and started piling more and more on; all of the signals would get crossed and you'd end up with a jumbly, confused mess and the statement-making loudness would just turn into muffled jibberish. That's why the whole of this outfit is greater than the sum of its parts. That is, taken together, these pieces make an outfit that does all the talking for you without being overwhelming. The statement may be a little loud, sure—I'd argue NOT—but it's clear, and more importantly, it's interesting. And that is above all, what style (no matter what your style) should be, should it not?

When in doubt, just ask yourself: "What would Bowie wear?...(to a garden party)."

Photos © Rose Garrett