So, we've learned a few style lessons from the inimitable Dolly Parton: Sparkle - yes! Schlumpy - no! Let's turn our attention to another icon of questionable, but fun! fashion choices - Cher. Sure, Cher is famously known for calling electrical tape and a leather jacket an outfit. But really, who hasn't made that mistake? Let's see what we can learn from the lovely and spunky Cherilyn Sarkisian.
Don't be afraid of statement pieces
Cher loves her some statement pieces. Native American headdress? Check. Tinsel, boob-hiding wig? Check. Live Falcon? Obviously. And while I would call myself stylistically adventurous (I have been rocking harem pants for the last three years) even I would balk at wearing Ojibwa headgear to a dinner party.That being said, I think there's a lot to say for Cher's bravery. Life would be pretty boring if we were all shuffling around in khakis and button-ups all the time. My vote for a slightly more realistic approach to the statement piece goes to: the fascinator. Not often seen in America, the fascinator is a fashion staple of lady antipodeans, particularly while attending horse races. I think Cher would approve!
View your hair as an important accessory - and change it as often
Cher has never been one to accept the hand that genetics has dealt her. Your straight dark hair isn't working with your chainmail leotard? Think blond would look better with your gold fringe underpants? Then follow Cher's lead and plop a wig on your head and go.Obviously, a wig changes the entire look of an outfit. Let's examine how three different wigs and a few choice accessories influence the look of a basic black t-shirt and jeans outfit. Ooooh look! Artsy bob girl! You met her at your community ed pottery class and have developed quite the girl crush. And spunky blue haired girl! She works at your favorite coffee shop and always gives your niece an extra big cookie. And the hippie high school art teacher! She's blew your mind when she introduced you to Ansel Adams.
Small boobies are hot, too!
We can all acknowledge that Cher is wicked hot, despite many qualities that might not fit under the heading of 'traditionally attractive.' Biggish nose and sexily wonky teeth? She totally rocked them, (or at least she did before she got them 'fixed.') She also rather blatantly showcases her small, perky assets. And they are so damn cute! If you are also lucky enough to possess a pair of buoyant little rosebuds (and you are crazy, crazy brave) you can borrow a page from Cher's book and rock a transparent shirt. Personally, I would add some pasties and big necklace to the mix to keep things in NC-17 territory.
Who's your favorite non-traditional style icon?
15 comments:
Well, Bjork, of course. To be entirely honest what that means to me is less "wear a hot pink parachute with strategic silver clips" and more "if you are wearing your hair in little bunny-ear buns you can NEVER be unhappy" (<-this is very true). But even more than that: be authentic about how you dress and present yourself. You KNOW that she'd dress like the fantastic freak she is even if she worked as a bank teller, and as a lowly student, that's what I want to hear.
I've always loved Gwen Stefani. While everyone was doing the clean cut pop star look in the 90's she was rocking blue and pink hair and the craziest outfits. I find her so original and beautiful!
Heidi Klum- I've noticed she can even dress up jeans and then go classic when she dresses up for the red carpet... she's not out there like Cher is tho I give kudos to Cher for having the balls to be outrageous- tho now she has cooled it due to her age which shows that even she knows when to tone it down.
i'm loving cher's purple wig! she's always looked uncomfortable to me though, as though someone has coached her in her style rather than that she's doing it as a reflection of her own taste/confidence...
I've always liked Bjork, but I really love Kevin Barnes of the band Of Montreal. He'll often bring in his love for theatre in with what he's wearing/what will happen at shows that he is performing at. He is so eccentric looking and I mean, at first glance, you might think that he's a bit fruity, but yaknow there are trendy straight men out there. I love his boldness for wearing what he does.
Ooooh! I love me some Cher! The fact that she's half-Armenian and pretty tall just ups the Cher love to a whole new level. Remember the preeeettty racy chaps? leather pants? she wore in the "Turn Back Time" video? Amazing! Thanks for another excellent post, Sarah!
As for some of my favourite style icons, I'm going to have to include Patti Smith, Lynn Yaeger, Iris Apfel, Linda Evangelista and Vivienne Westwood and Peter Pan on my list!
Favorite non-traditional style icon award goes to Dolly Parton. She's so nutty but she's so fabulous and she ROCKS her body and everything she adorns it with.
Betsey Johnson (she herself, not necessarily her fashion line) because she blatantly refuses to dress "her age" and pulls off the wild hair and indi-glo makeup better than many models (literally) a quarter of her age.
And Rainbow Brite, because knee-socks and brightly coloured anything are right up my alley.
Am I gauche to say Lady Gaga? I love her and her craziness, and in an age where everyone's supposed to be blonde with the perfect blowout, she's prancing around in granny panties and metal globes strapped to her body. Love it!
ha ha this is fantastic!
Tina Turner! 5 and a half inch heels, spangly dresses that shake and shimmy, and the shaggy yet sassy hair. Oh, and the 5 and a half inch heels. Again.
um, this post is amazing. i am a HUGE Cher fan (in fact I'm going to Vegas in May to see her in concert for the first time... ah! definitely will be a moment of win!), and love her bold and courageous style. would I rock the see-through blouse? likely not, but i totally want a hot pink wig now.
you made me laugh, smile, and even get a little teary-eyed with this one, sarah. happy weekend!
I fully support any post (or fashionista) that supports women with small breasts!
This was genius! Most people would never think to take this approach since Cher was so out there with her style choices.
I agree with changing of the hair. When I go so long with the same hair style, and then I switch it up I feel a million times better and I think "why didn't I do this months ago!?"
Fun post, I liked it!
Did you hear her son just killed himself. So sad.
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