Fashionistas, welcome! So glad to have you stop by. Can we pretend we are sipping tea in bone china cups with our pinkies extended? And nibbling cucumber sandwiches before indulging in a plate of petit pours. Will you have cream in your tea? One lump of sugar or two?
Style Imitating Art, Cyanotype Photography of Anna Atkins
Today I am joining in on another Style Imitating Art (SIA) post. The curator for art featured in this edition is Jen from Librarian for Life and Style. She introduced us (me, at least) to the cyanotype photography of English botanist and photographer Anna Atkins, 1799-1871. Atkins is believed to be the first woman to take a photograph and the first person to publish a book of photographs. Now that’s what I call girl power. Right on, Anna! Jen chose Atkins photos for their simple color scheme.
The subject of Atkins’ delicate blue and white photography is plants, in particular, algae. For these cyanotypes, Atkins arranged the plants onto sheets of paper coated by light-sensitive chemicals. A technique also used in making blueprints. She used a sheet of glass to secure the plants in place on the treated paper and then set them in the sun. The sunlight could not pass through the plants and so they cast a negative image onto the paper. Once the image was sufficiently visible, the paper was washed of its chemicals leaving behind the negative of the algae. The end result is delicate and decidedly feminine.
Reminds me of an airier version Wedgwood or Blue Willow dinnerware. So lovely.
My Interpretation
The first thing I thought of for my interpretation was a winsome, blue and white scarf I have had for several years. The fabric is so light that I knew it wouldn’t make me miserably hot to wear. I paired it with a Loft Outlet navy tank top with lace inset across its yoke. And my JCPenney stretch white denim walking shorts.
Sadly, I forgot to turn off the flash in my favorite photo of me in this outfit. My photography skills are no competition for Ms. Atkins.
Looks like I’ve grown a laser on my left knee! Have so enjoyed these Sketcher shoes my Prince bought for me on one of his recent business trips. Like walking little down pillows.
Although no one really dresses up where I work, I try to look at least bathed and somewhat put together. We don’t have AC and no windows to open, so on the hottest of days, it can feel a bit like a sweat box in there.
While working, I feel like I am also reaping the benefits of a 4-hour-long session in a sauna. I leave work each day feeling rather moisty. And a few pounds lighter.
I just received my white shorts through an online JCP order late in July so I haven’t gotten a lot of wear out of them. The good news is that old adage about not wearing white after Labor Day no longer applies. So with our warm September weather, I still have at least another month to wear these babies.
If you are in the market for some white shorts, check out these styles from JCPenney. The price is definitely right on all of them. And I have added a few scarves for your consideration, too. Can you guess which scarf costs more than all of my scarves put together?
Each time a reader clicks on one of the photos above, I receive a small commission and an angel gets its wings. Thank you for window shopping!
Your Turn
What’s your feeling about wearing white into next season? Will you be packing your white away? It will be interesting to read how many of you gals wear white after Labor Day.
If you would like to learn more about Anna Atkins, click here. She was light years ahead of her time. Salute, Anna Atkins!
Going to get busy ironing. I am almost caught up! If I hurry, I can go one whole day without having an ironing pile. Quite the feat around here.
Have a blessed week.
Hugs and kisses,
Those photographs are lovely, especially the one with the feathers.
Your scarf fits in with the theme beautifully, good choice. In your examples at the end I was really surprised to see something from Marks & Spencer – I didn’t realise you had them over there, thought they were something just in the UK!
You must be so hot in a room with no windows to open – how on earth are you coping with the temperatures you get out there? No wonder you can wear shorts and vests to work!
Aren’t the cyanotype photos beautiful? I liked the feathers best, too. Wouldn’t it make a lovely print fabric? I don’t know Marks & Spencer but really liked that scarf. Thought it had the same feel as the photographs.
It does get very warm at times at work. Especially when all of the computers are going. I won’t mind a bit for cooler temps to arrive with fall. Really don’t feel too comfortable wearing shorts to work but everyone there is very casually dressed.
What a cute summer look. I love a blue and white combo. Great shorts. I have a pair of long white shorts myself and love them!
Thank you! I found that blue tank top with tags buried among my other tees and tanks. Was tickled to discover it. My white shorts have just the right amount of stretch to still feel comfy after Mexican!
HOLD UP – No AC & no windows… what the heck? I feel suffocated just thinking of it!
Some days are worse than others with no AC. Today was a bad day. I was sweating like a pig. I imagine once fall arrives, it will be a whole lot more comfortable. Compound the heat with the heat of a small room with three computers and it is pretty toasty!
I LOVE those white shorts. I swear, it is so hard to find a pair of shorts at a nice and decent length these days. I should get a neck tie, I just never seem to see them when I’m out. I love the idea of a ‘scarf’, but not all of the weight and heaviness/warmth of a long scarf!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thank you, Carrie. My whte shorts are very comfy with just enough stretch! A necktie is a great idea!! I have worn one a time or two. I also like those little bandanna-like kerchiefs tied at the neck.
What a great summer look! I’m such a fan of scarves – especially light airy ones. That print is perfect for this week’s SIA challenge.
It’s funny {not haha funny, but you know what I mean}, you’re hot at your new job and I’m cold. I’m actually planning to take my heater with me tomorrow. I had on a sweater and long pants today and I was still cold.
The heater!? Wow, that is cold. I am usually cold everywhere I go…PC makes fun of me wearing cardis all summer but I am miserable at some restaurants and theaters with the AC going full blast. Our theater just got a much needed face lift complete with a bar for adult beverages and the most incredible reclining HEATED seats. Now I am so comfy there’s a real danger that I might fall asleep mid-movie.
I like scarves, too, but that’s another summer style PC doesn’t get. For awhile I wore them almost everyday til my neck scars healed. Then I was glad to be rid of them for a bit! But now I am wearing them again, but just because…not to hide behind! Sure did enjoy learning about Anna Atkins and her photography. Beautiful!
This turned out fabulous Leslie…the scarf add so much fun to the outfit. And white shorts? Definitely a staple!!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thank you, Jodie for your comment on my recent Style Imitating Art outfit. Have worn my white shorts a lot since purchasing them…and even since Labor Day!
That scarf is perfect to imitate the art you chose! It looks so lovely on you. And I’m totally about white all year-round. Although I don’t currently have any white bottoms that I love.
I really want to try white now that we are past Labor Day and beyond. Would like to sport some winter white that lots of the gals wear so well. So glad to have you come by. I know you are busy with your new job and wedding plans. Have missed your voice on your blog. XO
I came across this rule about not wearing white after Labour Day a few weeks ago and thought “what?” It’s not a rule that we have in the UK. I think white, or winter white, looks divine in the colder months, particularly if it’s worn head to toe.
I love those SIA challenges and keep meaning to get round to it. Thanks to you and Jen for the intro to Anna Atkins. Such beautiful, delicate work!
Love your sporty and nautical look. Very fresh and crisp!
On the subject of AC, I am with Cynthia Nixon. It’s far too cold in our office, we all sit wearing hoodies, even in the height of summer. I’d rather not have AC if it’s going to be so cold.
We have had some pretty dumb fashion rules over here! Pattern mixing has been frowned upon, wearing brown with black as in brown shoes with a black pair of pants, and of course, the white pants business. Not sure who had so much time on their hands that they were in charge of deciding what was acceptable here.
There’s another SIA challenge this week. Speaking of brown and black, it is based on a Jackson Pollock painting with brown, black and white. Here’s the link if you want to try to put together a look. https://livingoutsidethestacks.com/style-imitating-art-inspiration-autumn-rhythm-number-30-by-jackson-pollock/ Would love to see your interpretation!
I don’t care for full blast AC either. But the gals at work are saying as toasty as it is in the building during the summer, it is FREEZING in the winter. Wonder if I can learn to type in mittens!!