The Awkward Olive: Fashionista in training

Should I be concerned that my kindred fashion spirit is a four-year-old? In all seriousness, lately I have found that my wardrobe and current taste has a lot in common with the granddaughter of my boss… what does this mean? Granted she is four going on thirty-four, and is by far the most precocious child I have ever met, is often allowed to dress herself and pick out her own “costumes” as my boss calls them, and what can I say, this girl has taste! Perhaps it is because a lot of her outfits are whimsy and dress up inspired, which is something I am currently longing for in my own wardrobe.

I work in a garden store and farm, and though I am primarily indoors, my fashion has definitely started to reflect my settings. On non-event days, it makes no sense for me to show up for work in cute shoes, skirts, or pretty much anything I don’t want covered in occasional garden soil or olive oil. Thus my daily uniform primarily consists of jeans, tee shirts, dansko clogs, and fabulous earrings. Not that its all bad, I’m comfortable, and practical… but on occasion I get nostalgic for high heels, fitted skirts, lace camisoles, and sexy cardigans.

The other day Ava, my four-year-old fashion maven came into the store wearing her bangs pulled back with a very chic barrett. Three black fabric roses were woven together, and with her very stylish 20’s bob haircut, I was totally jealous… I had been out accessorized by a child.

The Anthropologie Version of Ava's hair-clip

I could spend hours browsing the shelves of Anthropologie and online boutiques planning my dream wardrobe. It involves a lot more pearls, boots, lace, ruffles, one shoulder numbers, sheath dresses, pencil skirts, blazers, blouses, embellishment, vintage, bracelets, sophistication, sparkle, sassiness. .. sigh… someday. Nevermind the fact that my current life doesn’t support such a wardrobe, monetarily or socially, or the fact that this probably won’t change for a LONG time if I get accepted to graduate school. I try not to dwell on these factors though, and prefer to be distracted by the pretty things.

I think my boss has started to realize that Ava and I are on the same fashion wavelength as my outfits are sometimes referred to by my boss as “costumes”. Last week Ava wanted to wear a bird Christmas tree ornament in her hair to school ( can you see the style potential in this child? Four years old, and she is already channeling the fashions of Sex and the City… Think Carrie’s wedding dress/ veil ensemble in the movie). Her mother wouldn’t allow the ornament, but my boss did note “well you know, Tayler does wear feathers in her hair sometimes” though it is kind of a mystery whether this was an encouragement to Ava’s style, or a dig on mine… but I’m going with the former.

Here are a few items from Anthropologie that I am currently lusting after