I have a knack for taking things out of context and re-contextualizing. It’s my favorite past time. I like to take myself out of my element to see what I can learn. I like taking an idea or a belief for a ride to see if it still walks upright after it’s been challenged by the crowd. This week I’m taking up ruffles.
When I see a ruffled collar, I feel like I should invert my subject-verb (instead do verb-subject) arrangement and go Elizabethan. They remind me of Shakespearean drama. Perhaps the most striking image that comes to mind is that stuffy El Greco protrait prototype. You’ve seen then in the museum. You’ve possibly said to yourself “what is so amazing about this? It’s just a guy in a ruffled shirt. It looks like a fan that vets use to keep dogs from licking themselves.”
But in a different context the ruffle can be fun and not remind you of your pooch at all. It can even be elegant. A ruffled silk shirt will definitely draw up a serious teacher-look but a ruffled jacket — a new concept! I turned this shirt into a sleeveless jacket by pairing it down with a simple white T-Shirt. The ruffled collar accentuates my neck but remains unbuttoned, loose, debonair.
I love this outfit because it can pass for office casual and it’s perfect for the weather we’re having today. Scalding in the sun, breezy under the tree.
Chin up Everyone. It’s Hump Day. The week’s halfway done.
F21 ruffled collar , H&M Skirt, Kurios San Diego T-Shirt, Stradivarius watch, Modcloth Bag
