Once Upon a Self

I'm always inspired by my fellow Etsians. But tonight, looking through my Favorites, I began to see a pattern...pieces that were strangely reminiscent of my past selves...and that inspired a trip down memory lane.

Once upon a time, my personal style was unique to me. I was never quite goth or hippie, punk or girl next

door, preppy or club kid. I did, however, liberally steal my favorite bits from each of these genres and create a look fo

r myself that was all...Juli.

In the mid-eighties I was probably the first girl in my 4,000 + student high school to have big black glasses, though by the time the glasses caught on, I had graduated to contact lenses. Despite all my exploits and achievements back in the day, I'm 37 and I still hear, "You went to GRHS...you had those black glasses!" Really.

Early 90's Los Angeles saw me working in a blues bar where I ended up being their theme-dressing mascot. I channeled my inner poet with a long, brocade vest over a ruffle-necked, puffed

sleeve blouse, shorts and riding boots. Then there was the "Huck Femme" get-up...straw hat and open-sided overall short

s with just a gingham bra and hotpants underneath and similar spins on Daisy from The Great Gatsby, and a 50's car hop. My look was more "high drama/low comedy" than high fashion, and I really had fun with it.

Even in Iraq I was known for my funky rain boots during mud season, hair worn long and very conspicuous in 110 + degree weather and my

"uniform" of jeans with lightweight, long sleeved shirts buttoned halfway over snug beater tanks. My "signature" piece was a big, floppy hat for long days in the sun at the helo-pad.

But now I'm back in the real world and I really haven't found my fashion niche. I'm pretty sure that shorts, t-shirts and flip flops don't count as a "look"...unless I'm in Margaritaville. So when it was time for my first job interview since getting back in the states, I had a tough time putting an outfit together.

I figure that once I catch my stride again, my fashion sense will catch back up with me. Hopefully. I'm thinking maybe retro-50's housewife-glam? A husband would be a great accessory to that look...hmmm...

Give 'em some LOVE!

My fashion past, reincarnated. From top: "Long Fu--king Hair" - Painted Earrings by JMTolman...full of fun&funky, wearable art...love the shop tagline, too! ; 1980's Silhouette Fuschia & Black Eyeglass Frames by Chigal...better than plain black glasses! This shop has a fabulous selection of retro frames; Golden Drops Crochet Choker by AmiKami...utterly romantic crochete pieces...poet blouse not included!; "Garden Floral" Wide Brim Sun Hat by NadineNewYork...would've loved this in Bagdad...this shop is full of fabulous handmade accessories to crave.