Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Now this Crush is Crushing


There aren't many instances where I have a real and true style crush on an actor or singer. Don't get me wrong, I admire the styles of many people, men and women. But the thing is, most times people who are in the public eye (and I'm sure this is no big shocker to anyone) have stylists and personal shoppers and all that jazz, so even though I may admire his/her work, I'm just not that interested in what they wear because I either assume its a costume of sorts, or it fits into a style that really doesn't suit me. For example, I'm sure Rhianna looks amazing in liquid leggings, but I can't really see myself wearing them.

Two big exceptions to this are Tracyanne Campbell and Carey Lander: the ladies of Camera Obscura. I have to admit that I love their styles because I can easily see myself wearing any of their vintage dresses. But its also something more than that. It looks like they really wear these dresses, like its not a uniform or a costume, but their regular clothes...and frankly I like that. Vintage can be tricky, sometimes it can feel like the dress is wearing you, especially if one is not comfortable looking a little unusual. These ladies are sporting their dresses on stage...whilst playing instruments and, to me, there's something so inherently cool about that. They also wear the dresses so simply with few other accessories, and despite my new challenge to myself to incorporate more colors and accessories, I really love the look of an interesting thrifted dress with little else to distract from it--especially in the summer.






Maybe its just that I'll be starting guitar lessons fairly soon and it helps me to imagine myself rocking out:) Or maybe its that I love the idea of incorporating old clothing and accessories into my everyday outfits, into my life--making beautiful things normal, but at the same time making the everyday incredibly special through the garments in which I choose to clothe myself.

Quite possibly its a little of both.

Either way, the band is one of my favorites. Besides their (in my opinion) cool sartorial choices, the music is also incredible. The lyrics are smart, interesting and complicated and they're surrounded by a distinct, swelling 60's sound--especially on the last album My Maudlin Career. I'd actually started listening to Camera Obscura through my brother several years ago and didn't know about Tracyanne Campbell and Carey Lander's styles until my brother commented last year that one of my dresses looked like something they would wear.

Anyway, sorry for the long post. I'll leave you with one last thought that fits into everyone's recent wishes for an end to winter. As PJ wrote at The Yellow Stereo "It’s almost as if Spring is already here, as listening to anything from this group is almost like having a little bit of sunshine in the palm of your hand. I dare you to listen to them and not at least feel as if your day hasn’t been brightened even slighty."

Enough said.

17 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous bunch. Love all the clothing, and keep us posted on the guitar lessons - cool!

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  2. I love the vintage... yes I can also see you wearing those clothes. xoxo

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  3. oh, yeah, you are my sister from another mother ;) love love love them and totally agree about their style (and yours). I watch the video for "French Navy" almost daily, in no small part due to the fashion. Other favourites: "Lloyd, I'm ready to be heartbroken" and "Let's Get out of this country." "Honey in the Sun" is growing on me, too.

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  4. oh, I still think you look like the lost member of the gorgeous band, "Au Revoir Simone," though ;)

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  5. What? Guitar Lessons? That's awesome that you're going to start learning guitar! If you ever want to start a band of any sort-well I have no musical talent and I suck at carrying a tune-but I'm confident I can maybe shake a tambourine. I've always had dreams of wearing like a little 60s gogo dress and playing tambourine. And on and on I could go--sorry I realize this really has nothing to do with your post :)

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  6. Right, I'm off to find out who they are. I like there individual styles, I love that they don't conform and are themselves. So I'm sure I'd love their music too.

    Guitar lesson, go girl!

    This quote from you made me think .... making the everyday incredibly special through the garments in which I choose to clothe myself....I so admire you.

    That was hystercial about the Rhianna leggings!
    xxx

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  7. Wow, so cool - I can see why you'd find them so inspirational! And I wish I had the time to hunt down all that vintage...

    http://dreamingspiresandoldcartyres.blogspot.com

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  8. Wow, guitar lessons? You're going to have so much fun. I play piano for the most part but I've dabbled about with guitar and it's so nice to be able to play anywhere (coffee houses, camp fires, etc). Those dresses are perfect - I'm in love with the train station photo :)

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  9. i must admit, i am a huge hip hop fan. but there is something about these 2 chicks that have me completely intrigued. thanks for posting this!

    ~pemora

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  10. there something so endearing about these girls and i know my sister is a huuuuge fan of their band not to mention their fantastic style.

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  11. I'm bobbing up and down in my chair! I loved your very first word right down to the last, I'm totally on the same page as you about these two awesome musically talented beautiful ladies. It's funny, when Camera Obscura came to play here, I got lucky and got a group photo with them. And someone said I dressed just like her, best compliment ever!! Till today, no kidding.

    So yes! I love it so much that you love them too and everything you said about them really wearing the clothes. I totally imagine them picking the dresses off racks in awesome vintage shops. OOH! Okay I am rambling way too much, excitement does this to me!

    I'm leaving the link to the picture too: http://www.greenlaundry.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/2985061576_334c5e3dbf.jpg

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  12. I have been meaning to get into this group. Those girls are super cute. I love their clothes. Thanks for sharing this, reminded me that I need to check them out.

    http://inbugsdrawers.blogspot.com

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  13. What a good crush!!! I love camera obscura!

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  14. I love camera obscura! I haven't listened to them in a while and I have to admit I had kind of forgotten all about them. Thanks for reminding me and making me having a crush on them as well.

    I too want spring so badly right now. I forgot to wear my gloves today and even now there's is almost no feeling in my hands...

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  15. I've never heard of them but I'm loving their style!!


    clothedmuch.blogspot.com

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  16. i love them I love them I love them. The music is perfect and they themselves are adorable in thier little morose ways.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts!