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Outfit Post: A Stitch in Time

November 1, 2009 by WendyB

I don’t love being in front of a camera. I have one look: a big smile. If I don’t smile, my eyes are still smiling. If my eyes aren’t smiling, I look sad instead of serious or sexy. Plus I’m always disappointed that I don’t look like a young Sophia Loren in the pictures. Inside, I feel like a young Sophia Loren, but the somehow camera never captures that. Oh well. People say it’s inner beauty that counts and my inner beauty looks like Sophia. Believe.

I've always loved this photo of Sophia Loren giving Jayne Mansfield the side-eye.

I've always loved this photo of Sophia Loren giving Jayne Mansfield the side-eye.

I mention this because yesterday I participated in a photo shoot for a project that I will tell you about in a month or so. For now, it’s top secret. The photographer and other folks on the shoot were very patient and hopefully they got something usable.

Unfortunately, my insomnia is in rare form lately, so I got about three hours sleep the night before the shoot. I had to get up early to get an emergency manicure because I belatedly realized my nails were in terrible shape, which is a problem when you’re a jewelry designer who is showing off her rings.  I rushed to the nail place in my gym clothes, rushed back, threw on a bunch of black clothing items and hopped a cab. The only thing that makes the outfit notable is the Moschino Cheap & Chic motorcycle jacket with giant trompe l’oeil stitching that I got on eBay relatively recently. I was yearning for a motorcycle jacket that was a bit more flattering than my oversize ’80s original. It was also about 4 a.m. when I was sniping and a lot of eBay auctions look like an excellent idea at that time of night.

moschinojacketoct2009

In addition to the Moschino jacket, I’m wearing a Splendid t-shirt, Acne Generic Girl jeans and my Karl Lagerfeld shoes from the 1994 going-out-of-business sale of the Galeries Lafayette in New York. This is about as fancy as I get most days. It’s not always leopard gowns and faux-ny tails in my life! Well, I am wearing my own Gloriana necklace. That dresses it up just a tiny bit.

UPDATED TO ADD: This wasn’t what I wore AT the shoot, just to and from. I got to wear a beautiful black dress that didn’t have a label in it, so no one was sure who it was by. Too bad, because I’d run out and buy it if I knew.

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Filed Under: acne jeans, jackets, my designs, necklaces, outfit post, pictures of me, shoes Tagged With: jayne mansfield, sophia loren

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Poochie says

    November 1, 2009 at 9:59 pm

    Well, you look great here so I’m sure you did wonderfully.

    I’m going to mug you for that necklace one day.

  2. jayne says

    November 1, 2009 at 11:05 pm

    love the jacket! excited to hear about the project

  3. Clare says

    November 1, 2009 at 11:24 pm

    You are simply gorgeous. I’m glad you smile all the time!

  4. deja pseu says

    November 1, 2009 at 11:30 pm

    You always look gorgeous! I LOVE that ensemble and am seriously coveting that fabulous jacket. Two thumbs up!

  5. Topaz Horizon says

    November 1, 2009 at 11:48 pm

    Me, too! I’m a smiler–I try doing the closed-lip smile a la Nicole Richie or the smoldering frown and I just look ridiculous. I have to smile big and wide!

    I love the shoes, btw. Of course I’d notice the shoes! =D

    Anti-spam word: GODDESS

  6. Alicia says

    November 1, 2009 at 11:54 pm

    That side-eye is one of my favorite of all time.

    And there is nothing wrong with smizing (c)Tyra Banks. Apparently,there’s an official word for it now.

  7. Ms. Smart says

    November 1, 2009 at 11:59 pm

    you look hot and cool

    I love your big smile!

  8. Lenya Jones says

    November 2, 2009 at 1:13 am

    You look NYC Chic to me. LOVES the jacket

  9. Ela says

    November 2, 2009 at 1:59 am

    Why is it that whenever I hear “top secret” I need to know right away? I’m not nosey (I promise) but that phrase, it’s like catnip. Can’t wait to hear all about it 🙂

    I love your big smile – it’s such a pretty one – no sense trying to hide it 😉

  10. sharon rose says

    November 2, 2009 at 3:34 am

    Hi there-Can’t wait to see the photos of the shoot in time and this Moschino jacket was such a fabulous find, a really stylish and timeless piece, well done!

  11. Make Do Style says

    November 2, 2009 at 5:12 am

    Fab put together outfit – it disguises all signs of insomnia, put it this way I’d be a girl on the street giving you the Sophia Loren sideways look!

  12. Bella says

    November 2, 2009 at 5:23 am

    It is a darling outfit, I love the jacket. Thanks for sharing

  13. Leanne Pizio says

    November 2, 2009 at 9:43 am

    I think young Sophia has nothing on you girl. You always rock it.
    Can’t wait to hear about your project. Very exciting.

  14. Lara says

    November 2, 2009 at 10:24 am

    I love that pic of Loren and Mansfield so much, it’s been my Myspace profile pic for a year now (not that I even get on there anymore)!

    I’m an awkward picture taker as well. There’s this point of no return with smiles that I end up looking like a hyper gerbil in most pics. Wish I could take pics and not have to give my face a second thought but of course, we can never be so lucky.

    Your 4am eBaying turned out pretty well! Love the trousers rolled up!

  15. janettaylor says

    November 2, 2009 at 10:38 am

    Love Ur KL shoes, Wendy!

    X♥X♥

  16. Miss Peelpants says

    November 2, 2009 at 10:43 am

    I think big smiles in photos are the best. Well, I have to think that because I am exactly the same. That photo Samantha took back in July makes me giggle because I can finally compare side by side and see that you actually have a bigger grin than me – which I never thought I would see.

    Do you also get told to ‘cheer up love’ a lot in the street?

  17. Jill says

    November 2, 2009 at 10:52 am

    You be Sophia…I’ll be Ann Margaret!

  18. daisychain says

    November 2, 2009 at 10:58 am

    I love your trousers (and jacket) a lot.

  19. Couture Cookie says

    November 2, 2009 at 11:04 am

    I hear you regarding smiling or not. I am the opposite, though: I look dumb when I smile, while my serious look is much more photogenic. What to do? I wish I had your big, natural smile!

    Also, I did read your older post that you linked to, and I have to agree: nothing beats circular rouge… I’ll skip the lipstick teeth, though! 🙂

  20. Kristin says

    November 2, 2009 at 11:09 am

    I think your jewelry could dress up pajamas! LOVE those shoes too. You wear insomnia well. You don’t even wanna see me after a sleepless night. It’s not pretty!

  21. enc says

    November 2, 2009 at 11:09 am

    Your everyday outfits are always perfect. You get it right every time. This new jacket was worth the middle-of-the-night effort. I love the “contrast stitching.” It looks great on you!

  22. Rosie says

    November 2, 2009 at 11:21 am

    Ahh, you lucky person! It is apparently almost impossible to catch me smiling on camera. It’s not that I don’t smile, they are just very quick smiles, and they die quickly, so I usually look like I’m trying not to cry. I can do smoldering half decently though, so I will survive.

    I adore your outfit, those shoes are too divine!

  23. TheShoeGirl says

    November 2, 2009 at 12:18 pm

    1. You are GORGEOUS. All the time.
    2. Sophia’s look in that picture is priceless- It makes me happy every time you mention it. and
    3. If I were your photo shoot people I’d have given you the dress.

    xox

  24. Susan says

    November 2, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    Looks like Sophia is in awe of Jayne’s breasts. Already curious to know more about the mystery photo shoot…

  25. DrZibbs says

    November 2, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    I love that side eye picture.

  26. K-Line says

    November 2, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    Poor you with that insomnia – I know it’s been really taking a toll. And let me say you look entirely like Sophia “energetically”. For what it’s worth, I look like Ava Gardner 🙂 Cannot wait to find out more of the deets about your top secret photo shoot.

  27. Sher says

    November 2, 2009 at 2:19 pm

    Poochie better watch out, I’m like a heel biting chihuahua. I’ll get to that necklace first ;D

    Can’t wait to hear more about the shoot. You look gorgeous, even with no sleep. I bet you didn’t need any makeup.

  28. Lynn says

    November 2, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    hi wendy! your smile is gorgeous! and the moschino jacket is fabulous.

    and i cant wait to see the results of the photoshoot!

  29. Iheartfashion says

    November 2, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    3 hours sleep? I wish I looked like that after 8!

  30. Miss Janey says

    November 2, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    Miss J is sorry to hear Miss Wendy has been afflicted by the insomnia. Miss J has been plagued by the same thing of late. Its too bad these hours can’t be put to productive use instead of fretting.

    Despite her lack of sleep, Miss Wendy looks as fabulous as ever.

  31. lisa says

    November 2, 2009 at 4:49 pm

    That jacket looks great on you–I don’t think the late-night sniping was such a terrible idea in this case. As for the top secret project, I can’t wait for the big reveal!

  32. Cindee says

    November 2, 2009 at 5:33 pm

    i wonder what my inner beauty would look like?? hmmmm….

    well i’m excited to hear about your photo shoot and can’t wait to see what’s up with that! i basically just said the same thing twice in that sentence only in slightly different ways. WAY TO GO MONDAY! >:O

  33. savvy gal says

    November 2, 2009 at 5:48 pm

    can’t wait to hear what is your new project and your moschino jacket is just snazzy!

  34. hanako66 says

    November 2, 2009 at 6:25 pm

    you look gorgeous!

    I can’t pull off the smile…I always look crazed or something

  35. Denise @ Swelle says

    November 2, 2009 at 6:52 pm

    One of the best photos of all time. If it weren’t for the resemblance it would be impossible to believe Jayne Mansfield is Mariska Hargitay’s mother.

    Keeping us in suspense, eh? Look at you in that crazy jacket. Very WB.

  36. Stef M says

    November 2, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    Wow, Sophia Loren has a look that could kill–and we’re not talking about killing with kindness. Ouch. (Love your look!)

  37. KD says

    November 2, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    You look amazing! That outfit is super. Sorry about the insomnia. 🙁

  38. jennine says

    November 2, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    well you look better than sophia giving the side eye!
    and 1000 times better than me when i have SIX hours of sleep!

  39. jennine says

    November 2, 2009 at 9:44 pm

    omg you do a swandive in jayne’s cleavage!

  40. Marian says

    November 2, 2009 at 9:52 pm

    honey love those heels! hot hot hot! glad to hear the shoot went well! cant wait to see images.
    heart that image of sophia loren giving the evil eye!
    xx
    marian

  41. Jillian says

    November 2, 2009 at 10:52 pm

    you really do look so gorgeous!!!
    i love everything you wear!

    great rings below too btw!
    i know i know i neeeed to write you back still contemplating it’s so hard!

    <3 hope you had a great halloween!

  42. Nubiasnonsense says

    November 3, 2009 at 12:41 am

    look at you missy in that side eye pic lol
    great jacket!

  43. lipstickatthemailbox says

    November 3, 2009 at 12:52 am

    oh WB, you look fabulous! Where was The Sartorialist?

    BTW, my anti-spam word was broadway. kinda funny, huh?

  44. Midtown Girl says

    November 3, 2009 at 3:15 am

    That’s you on LITTLE Sleep? Uhm, stunning hello!!

    And that little diddy with the trompe l’oeil stitching was a fabulous find – love this.

    I think the red lips are your secret weapon for sleepless beauty!

    XOXO

  45. Cheryl says

    November 3, 2009 at 6:18 am

    Love your shoes and your necklace! I think Sophia was looking at Jane’s boobs because hers was uhurmm…demurely covered? 😉

  46. parisbreakfasts says

    November 3, 2009 at 11:02 am

    Please show us a non-smiley face!!!
    I wanna see..

  47. Queen Michelle says

    November 3, 2009 at 1:16 pm

    I have a horrific smile and try not to accost people with it too often! You however have a glorious, generous, enviable smile.
    I love that photo of Sophie and Jayne. She’s like “yeah alright love, put them away eh?”.

  48. Duchesse says

    November 3, 2009 at 2:27 pm

    Love your outfit! Sophia and her girls are still here, Jayne not- so you win, Sopf.

  49. dreamsequins says

    November 3, 2009 at 3:08 pm

    Your smile has become your signature, and it’s a lovely one at that! Also: loving you in those Acne jeans. Work!

    P.S. Yes tomatoes are slippery suckers indeed.

  50. silje says

    November 3, 2009 at 3:12 pm

    Great look! Love the Moschino jacket, very chic.

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MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
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