If you haven’t noticed yet, I’m a bit of a fashion chameleon.
I dress the part for whatever the current fashion environment or event calls for.
I love a good double breasted tweed blazer and pumps, but I can also wear a bra as a shirt if I need to. Ummm, Lyv that is called being skanky, nooo that’s called being overdressed in South Beach.
On a recent trip to Nashville, with my Taylor Swift partner in crime Tara Monroe, I got serious about my vintage t-shirt collection and stopped by the one only Dirty Livin’ boutique.
Don’t I look just like the Long Island Medium here, that gust of wind really got me.
Dirty Livin’ specializes in grunge, glam rock ’n’ roll thrills in honky tonk ‘ville.
When picking out a vintage t-shirt I have learned to pick out shirts that have subjects on them I can actually discuss!
I have looked like a dufuss a few times wearing a t-shirt with “The Who” logo on it and a cashier started talking to me about the band and his favorite song and I was just LOST. This blonde hair is natural, very natural.
If people relate to the graphic on your t-shirt they take it as an open invitation to fire up a conversation, so I have made a personal rule to only buy shirts that have icons I am passionate about.
For example: Space Jam, Aaliyah and the Undertaker. If you aren’t passionate about Bill Murray saving the world in Space Jam then what there to be passionate about?!
The Undertaker really united the people in Nashville. Everyone asked where I had found it with a few celebratory high fives. It was high five Friday.
So why the Undertaker? Due to having an older brother a lot of the things I like are because he liked them. This led to many years of watching Monday night Raw, Wrestle Manias and the unforgettable era of Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Dirty Livin’ has custom distressed shirts and other one of a kind vintage clothing pieces. I also got a sweet turquoise bolo.
Honestly, this fall season there is a lot of western influence present on the fashion industry so I’m looking forward to getting a lot of use out of my new turquoise addition.
I also recently purchased a Dale Earnhardt t-shirt that I want to send to Gina and have her distress it for me, because southern culture was built on the foundation that Dale Earnhardt built and I need represent that this fall with leather leggings. #3forlife
Gina Swanson owns Dirty Livin, is a total Boss Babe and an old school hometown friend. She is the JAM and real deal! Only surround yourself with real deals.
What if we want to include a little more glam into our grunge? Let’s style the look with a plaid overcoat.
I am obsessed with all the 90s plaid present in fall fashion for this season. It brings out my inner Clueless.
For a more night on the town vibe I cut this Marilyn t-shirt into a crop.
I styled the top with a high waisted wrap velvet skirt to add some texture to the look.
I paired one of my favorite vintage store finds with this look, a lucite and crystal Christian Dior cuff.
I found this bracelet at the C. Madeleine’s store in Miami. It is the MECA of fashion consignment stores. I spent an entire afternoon in the store a few years back just walking around and wanting to roll on the floor like a dog to smell like the clothes. They are currently going through location changes, but I encourage you to keep it on you radar.
So what’s an icon or public figure you could rock on a vintage t-shirt?
Is there a favorite band that you have some great memories listening to?
Go take a few laps at the Goodwill, that’s the best place to start sometimes! Then we’ll tie it to our car and drive a few miles to really give it that distressed LEWK!
Until next time, push your shoulders back and remember, being you rocks.
-Lyv