Sartorial Lit | The Victory Tour Fashion Inspiration

Sartorial Lit is a feature at Novel Days that combines fashion with fiction.

Dear Blue:

Happy Cyber Monday! I hope that you had such a blessed Thanksgiving, and that if you chose to come out with the hordes of people seeking sales on Black Friday, that you were safe. 

I spent loads of time with family, ate pretty much everything, and was surprised with a third showing of Catching Fire (I didn't plan it, I promise! I've got an estimate of two more showings with my Dad and a Friend...What?! I promise I'm not crazy!). With each viewing, something else pops out at me that I may have missed. Yet, each time, the one thing that stood out clearly was that if I had access to Katniss' wardrobe, I would jump in, and no one would see me ever again! 

I tend to be a person who can see loads of possibility for my summer wardrobe. It's light, airy, and you don't need to shield yourself from often frightening cold. However, over the last few years or so, I've come to realize how possible it is to be fashionable, stay warm, and be comfortable all at once. I love over-sized sweaters, and cowl necks, and huge scarves, and what do you know, Trish Summerville, the costumer for Catching Fire, loves them too! Here's what I found whilst perusing Polyvore for Victory Tour Inspired looks:

Catching Fire coloring ranges from mutes to vibrant reds. It's quite a somber story that Trish Summerville so expertly executes by allowing wardrobe to correlate with Panem's District muted spectrum of colors. It goes without mentioning that Katniss' Capitol Couture is the stuff of dreams, but I found myself drawn to her wardrobe in the Victory Tour as it most links with the clothes you and I might wear on an everyday basis. Trish Summerville has such talent in showcasing Katniss' new status as victor through wardrobe, while capturing her character so that nothing seems over done as it might in the Capitol. I loved Katniss' asymmetrical knit sweaters, leather/knit combos, coats with huge collars and cowl necks. You can pair either of these items with form fitting jeans, or quality made leggings, and leather boots. Can you feel that, Blue? The feeling of a rainy Saturday, with your favorite comfy sweater and a Gingerbread Latte? (I never liked Gingerbread Lattes, but Starbucks' new recipe is not to miss!).

The most coveted item in Katniss' wardrobe seems to be her Cowl Neck wrap! I wish that I could find one in stores, but at the same time, I feel that this wrap, along with every other knit piece, captures a District 12 handmade spirit. It would probably mean a whole lot more to you if it were handmade, be it by you, or someone else. Etsy has a few listings for this shawl (1 |  2-Pattern), and if you're more ambitious (I'm looking at you Gabbie), one of my good friends, Casee, sent me the link to Ecouterre's free patterns for it. Does this pattern seem like a novice could dive right in? I'd love to know. (I was unable to find an adequate translation for Katniss' reaping suit, which I adore. Also her knit nightgown worn during the beautiful scene where she asks Peeta to stay with her after having a nightmare. If you find something, please, drop me a tweet :-).

{ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4}

One of my favorite pastimes is collecting subtle bookish accessories. Of course, I swoon over Hot Topic's movie merch like every other fan out there, but, there's something about wearing accessories, and ascribing meaning to it that won't automatically call you out as that crazed Hunger Games Fan! If you love bookish accessories, Etsy is literally a treasure trove of special trinkets to boast your lit love. In terms of recreating some of Katniss' iconic looks, I would pair my outfits with burnished golds, silvers, metallic's. Simplistic items that aren't overly gaudy or dripping in sparkle. Antique lockets like the one above which has freeze dried rose petals and baby's breath inside of it (How poetic is that?). Incorporate pearls with a twist of burnished metals, or simplistic bow and arrows. They're all just enough to fan over, but not enough to make you look a bit odd at work.

Once again, I hope that you enjoyed Catching Fire as much as I did, and I pray you have a wonderful week, Blue!

Love,

Sartorial Lit: Spectacular Literary Themed Weddings

If it's one thing that I adore most about literature, it's observing how the world translates it into their daily lives. Particularly, I'm in love with the mere thought of incorporating my literary love into a romantic, mysterious, and beautiful wedding. Lately, I've been looking up various wedding photography showcasing the most beautiful weddings translated from some of the worlds most favorite novels. Some are also purely inspired by the art of literature itself.  Here are a few I adored:

{The Hunger Games @ Ology}

This Hunger Games inspired wedding is perrrrrfect. Creme colored lace, intricate braiding, earthly layered tones, and even the inclusion of a bow. Wonderful.

{Twilight Inspired Wedding @ Green Wedding Shoes}

What I adored most about this beautiful Twilight inspired wedding is that it is in no ways your obvious 'twi- centered' wedding. Its adorned by beautiful blues, a simplistic wedding gown and tux, in a gorgeous field, set in the midst of an actual twilit sky, surrounded by lanterns.

{Pride and Prejudice Midnight Tea Themed Wedding Reception @ Wedding Chicks}

This is my favorite of the entire bunch. I nearly squealed upon discovering this gorgeous Pride and Prejudice photo shoot. It is entirely magical and visionary. I would have never thought of a Midnight Tea theme for a reception, yet its the most brilliant theme. Vibrant purples, blues, and greens fill the room, with twinkling crystals, bunched bouquets, and a lively atmosphere.  It seems a more glamourous take on Regency Era decor/fashion, and I'm in love!

{The Great Gatsby Themed Wedding @ Ruffled}

This Great Gatsby inspired wedding is wonderfully glamourous in a simplistic way. It's drenched in vintage flare, and even has a romantic detail to do with the brides shoes. I love her vintage broach adorned head piece, and what seems a pale blue gown.

{Random House' Literary Themed Wedding Pinterest}

I jumped right into Random House's Literary themed Pinterest, as it's a treasure trove of literary wedding ideas. I also loved their adorable engagement photography pins. 

If you had to choose one novel to theme your wedding with, which would it be? I'm brimming with so many influences that I'm not sure I could choose one!

Sartorial Lit: Lessons from The Women of District 12

Sartorial Lit is a feature at Novel Days that combines fashion with fiction.

One of the most striking aspects of The Hunger Games film is it's attention to fashion. Most are in awe of the bizarre garments donned by the citizens of The Capitol, or custom costumes conceived by Cinna. But I was most drawn to the simplistic nature of those warn by the citizens of District 12. Even as District 12 is a stark portrayal of hardship, it carried for me a nostalgic beauty that shined through the bleakness. For this Sartorial Lit post, I've drawn inspiration from Katniss and Primrose Everdeen's reaping dresses, hand me downs inspired by styles from the Depression Era.

It would seem that a young woman of District 12 wouldn't have very many opportunities to dress up, but on a foreign occasion, hopefully happier than the Reaping, the fashion would be natural, classic, and nostalgic. Katniss's dress is a simple one that shows off her natural beauty. Primrose's outfit is similarly simple and clean, revealing an effortless modest beauty. Given the harsh circumstances that would have flooded the days of a young woman from District 12, there would be no room for excess. A woman from District 12 would do what she could with what she had, no more, no less. Clean, soft skin; tousled hair perhaps braided or in a messy bun; clothes often handed down from many woman in her family or sewn; heirloom jewelry of the simplest nature (e.g. pearls (wink wink), lockets, timepieces, etc). Her clothing would not only highlight her natural beauty, but also her strength in a rustic terrain.

The color scheme seemed to fit that of soft and faded shades: cremes, beiges, soft florals, deep blues or browns, etc.

Featured Designer/Shop:
Modcloth: Dresses  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 / Shoes: 1 | 2 | 3

1928 vintage looking jewelry, $32

J.Crew tahitian pearl stud earrings, $50

Butter London lacquer nail, $14

Butter London nail polish, £12

Butter London nail polish, $14

Butter London lacquer nail, $14

Butter London 3 Free lacquer Bumster, £12

newburycomics.com - The Hunger Games - Mockingjay Prop Replica Pin, $20

Of course, the fashions represented by the Capitol are nothing short of magnificent, but the natural, classic beauty of District 12 is also not to be missed. 

What did you think of the film's attention to fashion detail?

Oh, and before I go, There's still time to enter my 1st giveaway featuring Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristina McMorris!

P.S.S: I leave you with the music video for Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars. Such a beautiful video, and Taylor's dress is simply gorgeous!



Source: 1-2

Sartorial Lit: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Sartorial Lit is a new feature at Novel Days that combines fashion with fiction.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver, is about a girl named, Lena, who lives in a world quite similar to our own, but with one difference...Love has become the fatal disease, Amor Deliria Nervosa, with a cure that all citizens are expected to undergo when they turn 18. Lena is excited for her own cure...until she meets, Alex, and experiences this troublesome force called Love for the first time.

Delirium has had my mind in the clouds! I've thought of revolutions and serendipitous meetings that make you want to conquer the world. It made me wonder what it would be like to live in a world where, Amor Deliria Nervosa, is cured, and one must experience love, music, and pretty much anything that produces a strong sentiment, underground. As much as this could be problematic, think of the adventure that this could pose? Secret concerts, discussions of banned literature, long walks in the woods, galaxies of glowing stars waiting for you and your soulmate, with the threat that it could all vanish with the slip of the tongue. As crazy as it seems, it also seems beautiful if you know where to look.

Romance can imbue your ways of life. It can cloud your mind, stain your books, or flow through your wardrobe with pastels, neutrals, and strong bursts the color of wine. After being inspired by the novel, I decided to attempt to give you a sartorial interpretation of Delirium.

Etsy designer, River of Romansk, has perfectly captured my experience of Delrium. Taking in the beauty that Lauren Oliver describes of Portland: glowing sunsets, stars so close you can reach up and place them in a bottle, and the whisper of love, I thought that neutral or soft colored fabric would be lovely. Wispy fabrics that undulate in the wind, with delicate details offering just a touch a femininity and the wonder of change. I imagine Lena as a natural beauty who's presence comes into shape with the passage of time. I can imagine she and Alex having a meeting in one of these gorgeous garments.

Where the garments would imbue a kind of romantic chimera, I thought that with the novel's many layers, the accessories would be more edgy to showcase the threat of the government's rule.

Marty White Designs

Iloniti

DebbieChoo

SecretCharm

These beautiful accessories give a hint of edge without going overboard. The necklace and earrings retain the theme of a light and airy chimera. The ring and bracelets show the beginnings of an edgy rebellion. All choices retain their delicate nature, but they also have a touch of dissonance that reeks of a silent rebellion.

I imagined that nail varnish and makeup would give this style an edgier quality. Instead of being completely romantic by adding creme's, I thought that metallics, dark burgundy's, browns, or violets, lighter grays and other deeper colors would give this style a drama that would enhance a natural look with the aura of discovery.

With the natural terrain explored throughout the novel: booties, combat boots, and flats would finish off this Delirum style.  I thought that these selections made for a truly eclectic outfit, blending romance and weathered styles. Nothing delicate here, as anything can happen at any moment. Yet, it's still imbuing a feminine beauty.

Delirium is potentially a wealth of outfit inspiration, and I would love to hear your suggestions. If you were living a romantic adventure tinged with mystery, and threatened by penalty of death, how would you translate this into style?

Sources: Brushes used in photo collages by: Stardixa.