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Kendall Flavin's avatar

Girl, Hollister just released hibiscus motifs and I feel OLD. This was also a reminder to myself that I still want the Staudines beaded bag. Plus, I'm super into the paracord & rope jewelry that's having a revival - summer camp chic for adults brings a little bit of nostalgic joy to adulthood. I'm babbling. This was fun

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Kelly Williams's avatar

HA!! 'm glad you liked it. When I read threadloopfits prediction of the hibiscus motif I had PTSD of a baby blue (skin tight!) dress I owned with enormous orange hibiscus' all over it. Did I mention I live in Colorado nary a hibiscus in sight but I felt cool as hell wearing it 😂 God save me that it's back 20 years later.

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Kendall Flavin's avatar

We really thought our rhinestone hibiscus tanks would bring us the Roxy lifestyle (I lived in suburbia, nary a surfboard in sight)

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Hahaha my middle school soul sister!!

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Cora's avatar

I just saw the Staudines bag on Vestiaire for 330€ if I remember correctly and the seller was from Switzerland, don't know if that would work for you but I'll include the link just in case :)

https://de.vestiairecollective.com/damen-taschen/handtaschen/staud/sonstige-leder-staud-handtaschen-57011603.shtml

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Kendall Flavin's avatar

You angel!! I really truly want the black and white version so I’m waiting to find one that isn’t nearly $1k😭 https://www.vestiairecollective.com/women-bags/handbags/staud/black-cloth-staud-handbag-54479158.shtml

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Cora's avatar

Oh yes, the black and white one is pretty much impossible to find without spending serious effort and/or money 🫣 But should I come upon that specific unicorn by chance, I'll tell you instantly ;)

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Emily Grady Dodge's avatar

You are SO good at spoon feeding me what I need to know, but you make it fun - like the spoon is the airplane, and I am the baby waiting to be served! And serve you do! Also? My boss is now collecting Labubu dolls and I’m sort of obsessed and want them for my kids (or are they really for me?)

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Bahahaha “open wide baby Emily! Vroom here comes the airplane.” That image made me crack up but is also the best compliment ever. I think I under the Labubu hype simply because they are so ugly it’s cute!!

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Emily Grady Dodge's avatar

I’ve got my bib on and everything!!! Hahahhahaha and yes they are so ugly they circle back to cute hahaha

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Evonne Sturm's avatar

The commentary between the two of you is making my night! Keep it going...

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Hahaha I’m obviously off the deep end already.

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Emily Grady Dodge's avatar

I’m scared the internet couldn’t handle it! Hahahhahahahaha

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Jennifer Klee's avatar

The number one kitschy item I have on my wish list is a Dolly Parton concert t-shirt. I am going to really study these principles on how to incorporate.

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Ooh I’d love to see you in that shirt!! Especially under a blazer; the graphic tee + blazer combination never fails.

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carlene's avatar

“I carried a watermelon.”

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Elle Sundberg's avatar

Your point about how we aren’t really putting bag charms on boat totes honestly made this all click for me! It’s about using kitsch to create contrast against a higher end or more refined piece that just works. so. good.

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Elle! Man it makes me smile to see you here and that you liked the analogy. I love a little kitsch but realizing that it needs to be elevated was a game changer for me too.

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Traci Landy's avatar

I love kitschy trends; it's my favorite way to add a little fun to a look. I really appreciated how you discussed offsetting kitsch with more structured pieces or grounding colors. The “Leopard Litmus Test” was such a smart takeaway, and now I’m trying to decide if I want to lean into some cow print this fall. This was a fabulous reminder that fashion can be fun and refined. LOVED IT!

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Yes to fun AND refined!! I think the Quiet Luxury years fooled us into thinking it’s all or nothing. I’m so glad you liked it. And I am ALLLLLLLL about cow print 🐄

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Traci Landy's avatar

Omg can’t wait to see what you do with cow print 🤩🤩🤩

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Danielle's avatar

I love this post, and your skill at making anything wearable shines through. I also love kitsch and have to restrain myself lest I veer off into Miss Frizzle territory. That crochet cherry 🍒 bag in one of the first photos is *chef’s kiss*

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Omg the Miss Frizzle reference is sending me!! God she would be THRIVING right now. It really means so much that you liked this post.

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Danielle's avatar

The Miss Frizzle options are endless right now omg so true

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Erin's avatar

Fabulous instructional on balancing the crazy! 😝 And now I want a beaded shrimp baseball hat?!

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Kelly Williams's avatar

RIGHT?! I saw that and I was instantly obsessed. Honestly give me beaded everything.

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Sogole Kane's avatar

It’s SUCH a slippery slope bc one hair to the left and to your point it can just feel all wrong. The way you’ve broken it down here provides a lot of good ideas and tips to bear in mind to pull it all off! (And you know I love that crudite bathing suit!!)

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Kelly Williams's avatar

When I saw you post the crudite bathing suit I knew I must include it! And, frankly, Staud kills the kitsch (in a good way). I knew I needed to explore this trend when I went to a swim meet and a mom next to me was decked out head-to-toe in cherries and it was a NO for me but Evonne's post was a YES. As you said, we are walking a razor thin line.

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Joyce Lee's avatar

I love fruit as bags!!! 🍉🍓

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Kelly Williams's avatar

That watermelon bag (ofc it’s Moschino) will haunt me.

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Anna Newton's avatar

This might just be the push I need to buy the spice girls t-shirt I’ve always wanted….

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Shut your mouth!! That would be so good and my 6th grade self would lose her mind.

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Maurene Goo's avatar

I have been very, inexplicably, annoyed by the sardines trend but now you've convinced me--I am being a curmudgeon. I love the charms on fancy bags trend and you know I love a good paracord! This was such a fun round-up and damn it now I want a sardine cap???

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Hahaha I’ve only been tempted by 2 kitschy things; one is the gold sardine tin charms that people were finding and now that silly beaded fish clutch. Why did I do that so myself? I’m sorry for showing you the beaded shrimp; it’s too cute!!

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Carly's avatar

I really want a Dorsey necklace but I have this fear I’m being over influenced and l will spend $500 on something that is going to oversaturate and then feel meh and of an era. And then I’m like eff it I live in Utah and have way too much substance to care? Someone talk me in or out!!!

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Hahaha Carly I feel your pain!! I just started reconsidering paracord sandals (not Miu Miu but like it) and then I think we are entering the “laggard” part of the trend curve. I think we have more time left on the necklaces but the price is probably too high for me anyways 🤷‍♀️

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On Shopping My Closet's avatar

This was such a thoughtful take on how to wear playful pieces in a way that still feels elevated. The "Leopard Litmus Test" is brilliant - it's such a helpful way to reframe kitsch as something that can sit comfortably alongside the classics. I’ll definitely be keeping that in mind the next time I reach for anything with fruit or fish on it. :)

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Kelly Williams's avatar

I'm glad you liked this!! I have been applying the leopard litmus test to all the patterns that are coming up as "trending"

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Elin Strong's avatar

This was so fun!!! I still need/want to try out the bag charm trend. And I can’t see a labubu without laughing…out loud? Truly, what a time to be alive. Anthro and Staud have my heart forever. Susan Alexandra is a great one for kitschy, too! 🍒

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Wait, Elin, I had never heard of Susan Alexandra until now! I just perused her website and I love the kitschy jewelry she has; the charm necklaces! So fun!

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Elin Strong's avatar

Right?! I have one of her bags, and it is SO well crafted.

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Maurene Goo's avatar

I LOVE her stuff and got something from there for a recent college grad! Just so whimsical.

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Jordyn Sharfe's avatar

such! great! tips! for dipping your tomato/leopard/watermelon/fish toe. As always, the practical tip of ‘if X works, why can’t Y work’ will be carrying on with me for all trends that feel too kooky at first glance.

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Kelly Williams's avatar

You are sweet and it means so much that you liked this. I’m always looking for the practical application!!

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