Hello dear readers and fellow bloggers! I'm back with another fashion illustration. In this post I'll share a recent autumn styling in earth tones. Moreover, I'll share a fashion drawing of this neutral styling. So, this post will be another post in my Fashion Illustration Friday series. If you are a regular follower, then you'll know there is this regular feature on my blog called Fashion Illustration Friday, where I post my fashion art. Sometimes I post my fashion drawings and illustrations every week, sometimes I do it on a monthly basis, but the fashion art is definitely a part of my blog. Sometimes I illustrate other bloggers, sometimes I illustrate runaway looks, and sometimes I illustrate my own outfits.
I've had this post in wraps for a while now, and this evening I finally managed to finish it. I felt like it was lacking something. This afternoon when I came back from work, I decided to sketch this autumn outfit and include it in this post. Now, this post seems to have everything I love the most about blogging- fashion art, DIY fashion project, sustainable fashion and local travel. It's the perfect post to write about all these topics I enjoy so much, so my dear readers- let's get started!
WHAT IS THE DIY ELEMENT IN THIS OUTFIT?
A FAUX LEATHER NECKLACE MADE OF AN OLD FAUX LEATHER COAT AND RHINESTONES
We love being creative, so there's another artistic element to this post, and that is this DIY necklace I made and wore with this outfit. There's much talk of sustainability in fashion these days. What is more sustainable than upcycling and recycling? DIY accessories have the added benefit of being unique. When you design something and make it with your own hands, you can be sure it is 'one of a kind' item. Recently I have (re)made and made a few necklaces like this one. If you look around your home, you'll probably find some materials that can be used to make recycled accessories. I told you that I have recently celebrated my twelfth year blogging anniversary. I'm starting to realize just how much has my blog encouraged me to be more creative and eco-friendly. I mean, I was always the type to enjoy DIY projects, recycling and all that, but somehow writing about in on blog or just noticing it more really made me even more motivated to be sustainable in my fashion choices.
I started making necklaces from recycled leather back in 2014 and documented it on my blog a number of times. What I have been using to make these faux leather necklaces hasn't changed ever since- I got all the material I needed from a second hand faux leather coat! In fact, you had the chance to see me wear it back in 2013. This faux leather coat was second hand so it was sustainable to start with. Actually, the coat was one of the pieces left over after a clothes fundraising charity thing I organized with friends back in 2011. Anyhow, I wore this coat until it was all worn out- and then I made tons of necklaces from it. What is more, I only used the bottom of the coat and I might convert the top into a cropped jacket some day- if I manage to find it. You could say this faux leather coat was recycled to perfection. I cannot believe how many necklaces, belts and brooches I was able to make from it over the years. One of the benefits of having a fashion blog is to able to keep track of these things. I tend to forgot these little DIY projects of mine. When I browsed my archives, I was truly surprised not just by how many necklaces I have been able to made from this coat over the years but how durable they were. I have made alterations on some of them recently (like this one). The alterations were made either because the sewing elastics I used were worn out (because they were probably super old when I used them in the first place) or because I wanted to upgrade the design. With this one, I upgraded the design. The new design makes me think of bat wings or something like that. I feel like it adds a rock vibe to this look that I love.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATION!
There's not that much to say about this fashion drawing. I sharpened a bunch of colour pencils, and then I set to work. I used the ones that seemed to match the colours of the outfit the best. It was fun drawing this! It took me about 15 minutes to make this.
I do like how it turned out. It was fun to sketch. The tweed biker jacket was especially fun to sketch, because I tried to capture all of its colours. Tweed is an interesting material to draw because it's so rich in texture. This jacket is rich in both colour and texture, plus it has this shimmering bits.
Was there anything else that I enjoyed sketching? Well, yes. I enjoyed sketching both the ruffled V-neck top and the cargo khaki pants. I mean ruffles are always so much fun to render, and it's been a while since I sketched cargo pants so this was a nice challenge.
DO YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF MY FASHION ILLUSTRATION POSTS?
AND MORE FRIDAY FASHION ILLUSTRATION POSTS
AND SO ON.... I mean if I kept including links with my fashion illustration post, we'll be here all night. Just search my blog if you want to see more.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE OUTFIT AND THE COLOURS!
I put this outfit with neutral colour in mind. I love bold colours, but sometimes I turn to neutrals. Since I wear black and white for work, I felt like wearing some colour, but still keeping it neutral, so I went for earthy colours that happen to be on the trend. In one of my recent post, I said how earthy tones such
as olive green and khaki are trending this Autumn/Winter. If British Vogue is to be believed, khaki is the colour of the year:
"There are certain trends that have such commercial, mass appeal, you will see them dominate every new-in section, and this autumn there is one colour which buyers and designers clearly see huge potential in: khaki. Instead of being used for functional, utilitarian looks, this colour is being positioned in a more elevated way than cargos, with rich, earthy shades of olive and moss greens realised in cashmere, silks and tailored separates. This is a colour for those who dream of shopping exclusively at The Row and personally identify with the “quiet luxury” movement – Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jennifer Lawrence will no doubt emerge cloaked in a full khaki look any day now."
A bit more information about earth tones, cited from
Wikipedia:
Earth tone is a term used to describe a palette that is similar to natural materials and landscapes. These colors are inspired by the earth's natural hues, including browns, greens, grays, and other warm and muted shades. The term earth tone first became popular in the 1970s during the environmental movement, as people sought to reconnect with nature and embrace more natural and organic lifestyles.
People often connect earth tones with warmth, comfort, and steadiness, which is why they are commonly used in interior design, fashion, and graphic design. They are also versatile, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, from rustic and traditional to modern and minimalist. Some of the most common earth tones include white, brown, tan, beige, taupe, khaki, green, olive, moss, and rust. These colors are often used together in a variety of combinations to create a connected and natural-looking palette. In interior design, earth tones can be used to create a calming and inviting ambiance,[2] while in fashion, they can add a touch of elegance and experience to any outfit.
While earth tones are often connected with nature, they can also be used in more urban and industrial settings to create a sense of harmony and balance. In recent years, earth tones have become increasingly popular in graphic design and branding, as companies seek to convey a sense of authenticity, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.
LET'S TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT THE LOCATIONS: ČAPLJINA TOWN AND GREEN PARK
I wore this outfit for a visit to Čapljina (Bosnia and Herzegovina), a town I love visiting.
LOCATION- ČAPLJINA, A TOWN WITH THE TALLEST POPULATION IN THE WORLD
One thing you will notice if you visit Herzegovina is that people are taller than average. Well, that is especially the case in Čapljina. This is the city that has the tallest people (on average) in the world. If you want to see more of this place, you may visit some of my old posts.
Čapljina is a very pedestrian friendly town. There's much to see and do: explore Neretva river, try the gastronomical offer, visit Roman villa Mogorjelo and enjoy horse riding. Don't forget about Hutovo blato nature park! It is located in the vicinity and it's simply a must visit if you're in the area. Moreover, in Hutovo blato park there is a bridge that is even older than the old bridge in Mostar. Most people miss it, but it's literally right there at the entrance to the nature park (visit this post to see what it looks like).
MORE POSTS ABOUT ČAPLJINA
1. Mogorjelo ( a post focused on describing the historical sight Mogorjelo with an ancient Roman villa) 5. Train Station in Čapljina (perfect for train lovers and photo taking, you can also take a train from Mostar to Čapljina but the lines are not too frequent. You'll have to look them up for more details).
Besides Čapljina, we visited another place on our way there. On the road from Herzegovina to Čapljina, there is this Green Park place. It's basically an autopark with a coffee shop/restaurant. There's a little caste built at its entrance. It's a cute place that I have visited before. In fact, we often stop there on our way to Čapljina.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SUSTAINABLE FASHION AND SHOPPING OUR CLOSETS!
My favourite thing about fashion is the ability of telling stories with our clothes. Sometimes we can tell a story with an outfit. Sometimes the clothing items we wear have stories to tell.
A lot of people equal consumerism with love for fashion. For me, consumerism is the opposite of love for fashion. For me loving fashion is treating our clothing with care- and then wearing them to bits. For me loving fashion means being creative, knowing how to alter clothes and doing DIY stuff when I feel like it. For me loving fashion means creating stories with my clothing items. For me loving fashion means shopping my closet.
THE STORY OF THIS OUTFIT- SUSTINABLE FASHION FILES
THE DARK PURPLE CROPPED TWEED JACKET
Let's start with this biker tweed jacket. I bought it in Ljubuški more than a decade ago. I wore it so much that it started to fall apart. That's why you haven't seen me wear it in a while. I'm not very good with mending tweet. I just googled why tweed is so hard to fix and I guess I found my answer. Tweed fabrics are typically loosely constructed and they tend to fall apart with time and wear. I found this five step tutorial
about saving a ripped seam on a tweed jacket. This jacket has more than a ripped seam, so I think I'll need more tutorials.
SEE HOW I WORE THIS TWEET BIKER JACKET BEFORE!
Tween and biker cut is a fabulous choice for a jacket. I wish I knew where to get another jacket like this. Warm and stylish, it's simply the perfect autumn item. The colours on this jacket are gorgeous as well. I don't know if you can see it in the pictures, but this jacket is not black- as it might seem from afar. In fact, it's blue and purple and grey and black with some shimmering accents. I paired this jacket with all sorts of outfits in the past. Here are five looks that I managed to find on this little place to call my own.
4)
IN 2015, WITH A VINTAGE PLEATED MIDI SKIRT, DIY LEATHER NECKLACE, MARY JANE HEELS AND A YELLOW HOODIE FOR A VISIT TO ČAPLJINA
5) IN 2013, WITH A BLUE DRESS AND DR MARTENS BOOTS FOR A VISIT TO NATURE PARK GORANCI
THE RUFFLED V-NECK TOP- second hand, a gift from my sister-in-law (not sure about the brand)
THE BLACK BELT-borrowed from my husband.
When you are shopping in your closet and you can't why something, why not look in your significant other's closet? That's what I did, and I found this lovely black leather belt.
THE KHAKI CARGO PANTS- borrowed from my husband.
I wanted to steal this pair of khaki cargo pants for a while now, and this weekend outing was my perfect excuse. It's been a while since I wore cargo pants. I must say- it was fun to style this look.
THE LITTLE BLACK BAG WITH GOLDEN CHAIN DETAILS- As I mentioned earlier, I already illustrated this bag in one of my Fashion Illustration Friday features. I wear it pretty often, for example it appeared 3 times in this recent post.
THE WHITE SNEAKERS-from Deichmann, I think my husband got it for me. I don't wear sneakers often. I think I only have something like two or three pairs of sneakers, all of them old. I wore this pair of sneakers most recently here with a lilac Ozz skirt.
DO YOU WEAR CARGO PANTS? DO YOU WEAR OVERIZE ITEMS? Do you like the
khaki trend?
The color khaki (, ) is a light shade of tan with a slight yellowish tinge.
Khaki has been used by many armies around the world for uniforms and equipment, particularly in arid or desert regions, where it provides camouflage relative to sandy or dusty terrain. It has been used as a color name in English since 1848 when it was introduced as a military uniform.[1] In Western fashion, it is a standard color for smart casual dress trousers for civilians, which are also often called khakis.
In British English and some other Commonwealth usage, khaki may also refer to a shade of green known as olive drab. Khaki is a loanword from Urdu خاکی 'soil-colored', which in turn comes from Persian خاک [χɒːk] khāk 'soil' + ی (adjectival attributive suffix); it came into English via the British Indian Army.
I still remember how I was surprised by D&G Spring and Summer 2020 collection and the presence of two colours: khaki and green. In particular, I was surprised by the amount of khaki looks present on their runaway four years ago. In a way, it makes sense because khaki pairs with leopard perfectly and animal print is one of D&G signature patterns. Still, from a brand that simultaneously embraces vivid colours and black, a collection dominated by khaki was not what I expected.
How are you all doing? I'm alright, but I'm working long hours. Sometimes I feel like work is all I do, if you know what I mean. It's just how life gets sometimes. I suppose that makes me even more grateful for these little weekend outings, when I go hiking or grab a cup of coffee somewhere. It's good to be about and about, especially when one lives in such a beautiful place. Herzegovina is truly full of wonders.
A FEW MORE IMAGES FROM AUTOCAMP GREEN PARK IN HERZEGOVINA
A few words taken from their site: "Located in the village of Žitomislići, just a ten-minute drive from the city of Mostar, Auto Camp Green Park is situated on the banks of the Neretva River. It is ideal for camping, especially during the summer months due to the proximity of the cool river and the tall trees that provide shade. The campsite offers complete infrastructure necessary for campers, along with numerous interesting amenities both within the camp and nearby. For those without tents or motorhomes, the apartments are available. Campers can use the gym, library, kayaks, and even the top-notch dental services at GreenDental, which is located within the camp. Guests also have access to an excellent restaurant with a variety of dishes and drinks right on the Neretva River’s edge. Additionally, there is a playground for children with various play facilities."
ABOUT BEAUTY (QUOTATION FROM THE BONESETTER'S DAUGHTER, A NOVEL BY AMY TAN)
I reviewed this Amy Tan's novel a long time ago, but recently I came across this quote I enjoyed a lot. It conveys something about art that is worth noticing. Art is more than beauty. You could say that art is the essence of beauty. Sometimes a work of art won't be beautiful in the classical way. It will go against the conventions of beauty. However, there's much beauty to be found in fighting conventions. Often, pursuing art will mean going against the stream.
“The Four Manifestations of Beauty.
“Would you like to know what’s inside?” he asked. I nodded. Anyone who overheard us would have thought we were speaking of school lessons. But really, he was speaking of love.
He turned the page. “With any form of beauty, there are four levels of ability. This is true of painting, calligraphy, literature, music, dance. The first level is Competent.”
We were looking at a page that showed two identical renderings of a bamboo grove, a typical painting, well done, realistic, interesting in the detail of double lines, conveying a sense of strength and longevity.
“Competence,” he went on, “is the ability to draw the same thing over and over in the same strokes, with the same force, the same rhythm, the same trueness.
This kind of beauty, however, is ordinary.
“The second level,” Kai Jing continued, “is Magnificent.” We looked together at another painting, of several stalks of bamboo.
“This one goes beyond skill,” he said.
“Its beauty is unique. And yet it is simpler, with less emphasis on the stalk and more on the leaves. It conveys both strength and solitude.
The lesser painter would be able to capture one quality but not the other.”
Amy Tan, The Bonesetter's Daughter
That is all for today! Have a lovely weekend!
Thank you for reading and visiting!
I like how this outfit is both casual and polished at the same time. I used to wear khakis but I generally prefer jeans and joggers more these days.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rowena!
DeleteI love this outfit. As someone who works in a professional field, this would be perfect! Love neutrals
ReplyDeleteCool!
DeleteHermosos lugares, me gusta tus dibujos y la blusa es muy linda. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteGracias!
DeleteThe drawings are brilliant! You reminded me of warmer days:) Have a nice weekend
ReplyDeleteThank you Leone.
DeleteI like your outfit very much!
ReplyDeleteThank you Irina!
DeleteYou look great, you have great clothes and you draw beautifully. You are beautiful, smart and talented. Have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteAnd so are you my dear friend! :)
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ReplyDeleteAlways enjoy seeing your illustrations.
Your outfit looks great.
Wish you a very nice weekend
Thank you
DeleteGreat photos and art. You really are talented :-D
ReplyDeletemuch appreciated Ananka!
DeleteYour earth toned outfit is absolutely perfect for Autumn and your illustration of it definitely captures its essence. I'm also loving your recycled leather necklace, which reminds me of the brooch you sent me which I believe was also made from recycled leather. You are so talented, Ivana! xxx
ReplyDeleteYes, it was made from that same coat!
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