Monday 18 April 2011

manga girl

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I'm sorting through some of my photos from last week, when I met up with my father in his internet-challenged hometown in North Yorkshire, but in the meantime I thought I'd post something up-to-date for once!

When I bought this dress (for half price, I can never get over a bargain), I suspected that I was going to wear it a lot, but I never imagined it would be quite so versatile as it is. I mean, it's a dress with a see-through top. But I've discovered it's secret: it isn't actually a see-through dress, it's a skirt with a lace top, and it goes wonderfully with almost all my blouses. And I have a lot of blouses.

Anyhow, when I emerged wearing this, my boyfriend's response was "you look like a Japanese comic girl." So obviously I had to bring along my new comic book as a prop. We went on Friday night to the comic fair in Barcelona, and Albert treated me to this book about (of course) dragons. I actually wasn't very geeky about comics in my childhood, and I'm still not, but was introduced to some great graphic novels (Persepolis, Maus) in university, and spent a summer a few years ago happily improving my Spanish vocabulary by reading my boyfriend's childhood Spider-Man comics. In fact, for anyone trying to learn a language, I highly recommend comics... the pictures provide most of the context and there are few enough words that you actually might look some of them up!

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dress (sale) and socks: American Apparel, blouse: Desigual (gift), shoes: KG by Kurt Geiger

58 comments:

Velvet said...

You're so cute! I agree with your comic-learning languages recommendation.

dimi said...

Congrats for your imaginative outfit!! I like comics too (not the x-men, spider-man type but the persepolis type...). And what an amazing background! Have a nice day :)

caitlin said...

i love this! it's a pairing that totally wouldn't even cross my mind, but it works so well. i love when neutrals are paired with brights. :)

i was never into comics or the like, but i did try to get into anime when a group of friends in middle school were obsessed (esp sailor moon). it just wasn't really my thing, but i do appreciate the concept, esp of graphic novels with more "mature" themes.

Shybiker said...

What a fantastic and useful dress. It looks perfect with that blouse, those socks and the adorable shoes. Very cute.

Veronika Novotny said...

Love this layered look, what a great way to re-style a dress! And your shoes are absolutely perfect, love, love them!! Hope your weekend was a fantastic one. xx veronika

Closet Fashionista said...

Love this!! So creative to use it as a skirt and wear blouses under it!! :D :D
http://www.closet-fashionista.com

Xavi said...

I agree with you. This blouse under the dress looks nice. I'll try to follow your advice. To improve my poor english, I'll try to read comics. Dragons book "of course", why? Dragon Sant Jordi legend? je, je.

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Caitlin: I agree with you. Comics, and particularly anime, are generally not my thing... but a few of them have appealed to me down the years.
@Xavi: Not Sant Jordi specifically, but I just really love dragons. Always have. It's only 'of course' because I mentioned it in a post last week. : )

LikeSpinningPlates said...

haha OMG YOU DOOO. Especially the adorable socks you paired with this. I love the way it looks layered over the colorful shirt. I wouldn't have thought of that. I used to love anime haha. I used to draw those people all the time and I love the way they always look ridiculously girly and cartoonish.

Ashley said...

That is an amazing dress!
Reading comics is an excellent idea for a way to learn another language:)

dr.antony said...

You look like a doll in that first picture.

I think it is all because of your perfect color sense.Whatever you choose to wear,really suits you.More than the individual items,it is the perfect combination, making it picture perfect.
I am not a fashion expert,still !

Tomz said...

Nice combination..the dress and the prop..of course the background in the first pic also matches well with the posing belle..

Rachel, Cold Knees said...

I love the layering, you look lovely with the blouse underneath. I feel like heading straight to American Apparel for that dress! Lovin the shoes too.. I think the best way to learn a new language is by dating someone from that country ;) xx

veronika, tick tock vintage. said...

absolutely adorable! you'll have a couple more blouses, if the package ever ends up making it to you...

mari said...

such a lovely look.
love the nude dress with the colourful shirt underneath - amazing!
x


themerrimari.blogspot.com

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Rachelous: I agree in theory, but my boyfriend hasn't been very helpful in that regard. I always insist to everyone that I learned Spanish under my own steam!

Anonymous said...

Bf's can come out with the funniest remarks about girls clothes! Think you look completely adorable, loved the concept of the photos!

Cess O. <3
The Outfit Diaries

Tanvi said...

I LOVEEE how you wore the dress over that top! Genius :)

♡ from © tanvii.com

Penny said...

my boss had told me that the best way to learn italian was by ureading comic books!but i could not find a lot of donald duck comics where I was.Persepolis is of course amazing! and for the geekier of us I would also suggest Logicomix :)
ps)I love the shoes with the socks!

Ashley said...

Nice, daring combination :)

Louise said...

You look beautiful. I like your ingenious layering- very clever! I tagged you for a blog award too, because I very much enjoy reading :)

daisychain said...

Absolutley LOVE this x

Kerri @ OldLadyChic said...

That is a great dress to style and restyle over and over again. Gorgeous shoot, I love the theme.

Unknown said...

This is such a wonderful outfit! I love how you layered that fun, bright top under the dress! I saw that dress in American Apparel and thought it was pretty, but didn't get it because I thought it wouldn't be versatile enough, but you've created so many cute outfits with it!
My boyfriend's always trying to get me to read graphic novels and watch some anime, maybe I'll start listening to him now, hehe

Elise said...

Wow I love this outfit! The shoes are especially awesome :)

Anonymous said...

it is too adorable! love it

Amber said...

I love the way you styled this, I would have never thought to put a printed shirt under a see through top but it looks great.

Anonymous said...

Those ruffle socks and shoes are to die for and I love how you styled this pretty dress :)

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

Gorgeous, Emily! Gorgeous! And look at you flitting all about. I'm looking forward to your Yorkshire pictures, but until then the Spanish sunset (in the last photo especially) will keep me captivated.

Rianna said...

Extremely cute shoes and socks
Rianna xxxxxx

Sara said...

Beautiful dress and pics! I love the little accessory you have there :P

Virginie's Cinema said...

Emily I adore this look! Japanse animé indeed, and perfectly lovely in all it's details! Reading comics to learn a language is a great tip, I myself learned to speak English watching Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Nothing beats pop culture!



Virginie

Diana said...

this top is gorgeous under this dress!! i would never think to put these two pieces together but they work so well :) love the nod to the comic book too cute :)

xo

http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/

callie said...

This is amazing!! I think this is my favorite way I've seen you style this dress so far.

Rosy (of Raindrops on Rosy) said...

Oh my good lord there is just so much i love about this outfit. first i must say I love the crazy colorful shirt underneath, but of course the best part is the bottom of that adorable billowy dress. I love bubble skirts!

Anonymous said...

Wherever you are in these photographs, the place is magical. And comic books are a good way to learn a lot of things. There is even a graphic version of the 9/11 report.

Unknown said...

super stinkin cute! i like your hair and pairing the dress with a colorful top! i work at american apparel and it's so cool to see how people style the clothes!
http://hammocksandtrampolines.blogspot.com
http://etsy.com/shop/puddinp0p

Anthea said...

You look sooo cute! Love the shoes with the pretty socks.

Anthea,
Embracing Style

Annebeth said...

this outfit is GENIUS!! I loooove that pretty pale dress with the feisty colorful top, absolutely amazing. And I love manga so this is an entire WIN in my book.



YES I'm Dutch, haha :D I did think my blogname gave it away :D I live in the flemish part of Belgium though!

k said...

It's so cute that you got a dragon book! And there was a comic festival in Luzern last week, so random!

Monique said...

I love how you've styled this dress. The bold colors underneath is so clever. I love your comic book prop and that you've read comics in Spanish. Wow glad your enjoying Barcelona! I love how much you travel lady!

daniela kate morosini said...

i love all the layering here - it's all so lovely! special love for your shoes :) xx

Cynthia@Beach Coast Style.com said...

love the name of your blog + you look like you are always having fun :)

Nikki | The Ginger Diaries said...

what a great outfit! love how you spiced up the elegant dress with the blouse! x

Marie said...

Such a cute, inspired outfit, love it down to the socks and shoes!
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
E.Caffey handbag giveaway

Anne said...

that dress lookes so cute on you! xx

Hannah {Culture Connoisseur} said...

Love Persepolis. Have you seen the movie? They did a fantastic job! It's funny you mention it because I had forgotten about it until about one hour ago when I saw the book at B&N. Great minds... ;)

Kitsune-kun said...

Thanks for the comment:) totally in love with your very japanesey socks.

Codeine said...

I love Your style
nice work ! xoxo

Maria Chloe said...

wow, beautiful dress and shoes.
loadsofashion.blogspot.com

Alyssa said...

yes the first one does need a special occasion! i can't wait to wear it though. it looks so awesome! haha thanks for commenting! stop by again!

and you are most adorable hun! i love the combination you've got here. the dress is so lovely!

northwest is best said...

What a lovely outfit and lovely photos!

The Cat Hag said...

Thanks for stopping by my little blog. :)

You look uber cute, I love the whole outfit!

The dress, the blouse and the socks are so darling.


xoxo,
Addie
The Cat Hag

Amber Schmidt said...

You are a peach.. I swear, I love all of your outfits that you put together. And your face! And your lovely socks with shoes.. I could go on.

I hope that you had a lovely time with you dad! xxoo

Libby said...

That dress is so lovely! Isn't it interesting how thinking of it as a skirt and lace top can help you imagine even more ways to wear it? Also, I'm a big fan of graphic novels such as Persepolis and Maus. Fun!

Brittany said...

This outfit combination makes my heart melt, its so fun and romantic!

SOJOURNED IN STYLE said...

oh my jesus! this is just brilliance in a succint series of pictures. that dress is wowww! the blouse underneath addds a touch of unexpected prettiness. the shoes and darling socks, so so beauitful!

Julia Topaz said...

wow. this look is fantastically adorable!