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Categories: My Fashion Haus

My Fashion Haus: Style Imitating Art, Theda Bara’s Cleopatra

 

My Fashion Haus: Style Imitating Art, Theda Bara's Cleopatra

Artistas and fashionistas, hello!

Taking full advantage of having recently tidied my fashion haus of all cobwebs and dust bunnies for last week’s capsule wardrobe post.  Opening it up again today for another SIA, Style Imitating Art post.  The inspiration art work for today is a poster advertisement for “Cleopatra” starring Theda Bara.  Jen at Librarian for Life and Style selected this piece for the fierce, intense stare of Theda Bara’s Cleopatra.

My Fashion Haus: Style Imitating Art, Theda Bara's Cleopatra

Style Imitating Art, Theda Bara’s CleopatraMy Fashion Haus: Style Imitating Art, Theda Bara's Cleopatra

A few weeks ago, I came across this tee shirt at Loft Outlet.

My Fashion Haus: Style Imitating Art, Theda Bara's Cleopatra

I loved it so much but PC said I have plenty of tee shirts.  Which is true.  But I don’t have this one!!  And still don’t.  Went back to buy it this past week and found a blouse in the same print.  Ha!  More than one way to skin a cat.

And apparently, I was intended to have something in this medallion print.  When I saw the poster for this week’s SIA, I knew this blouse would become the focal point of my interpretation.  It was meant to be, girls.  Gotta love when the stars align like that.

So, here are a couple of ways I styled my blouse.

Option 1

Loft Outlet blouse, Dress Barn gray boyfriend cardi, Loft Outlet burnt orange denim jeans, Payless gray booties, NEW black bag courtesy of my sweet Princey-poo, gold ladder necklace from Amazon, a popular piece on one of the former Get Your Pretty On capsule wardrobe challenges.

My Fashion Haus: Style Imitating Art, Theda Bara's Cleopatra
My Fashion Haus: Style Imitating Art, Theda Bara's Cleopatra

Decided to try the blouse in additional combinations, channeling my inner Cleo.  Don’t you ‘spose she had lots of different outfits?  Or at least different ways of wearing the same gown?

Opción Dos

For this combo, paired the blouse with Loft skinny gray jeans, a Banana Republic boyfriend cardi with cow-friendly, vegan leather pockets (like that?) and a silver version of the ladder necklace, same Payless Brogue booties from above.

My Fashion Haus: Style Imitating Art, Theda Bara's Cleopatra
My Fashion Haus: Style Imitating Art, Theda Bara's Cleopatra

Option Trois

Wanted to swap in my Loft Outlet burnt orange cardi to see how it worked with this blouse.  What do you think?

My Fashion Haus: Style Imitating Art, Theda Bara's Cleopatra
My Fashion Haus: Style Imitating Art, Theda Bara's Cleopatra

Option Vier

And then with a nod to Cleo and Theda’s sultry, seductive strength…I subbed in BCBGeneration leopard heels for the Brogue booties, and Loft navy ankle dress pants for the denim.

My Fashion Haus: Style Imitating Art, Theda Bara's Cleopatra
My Fashion Haus: Style Imitating Art, Theda Bara's Cleopatra

The Inspiration Behind My Blouse

Both Cleopatra and Theda Bara invented themselves.  Cleopatra was born into a royal family but it was her own ways and wiles (and legendary beauty) that made her a fierce military leader and strong ruler in a male-dominated society.

Theodosia Goodman was born into a humble beginnings to Jewish parents in Cincinnati, Ohio.  After graduating high school, Theda followed the bright lights to New York and reinvented herself there.  With died black hair, and heavy, dark “panda-like eye makeup” [source] and the fabricated story that “Theda Bara (anagram of “Arab Death”) was born in the Sahara to a French artiste and his Egyptian concubine and possessed supernatural powers” [source], the actress made a place for herself on the big screen.  She was known as the Vamp and was often photographed with snakes and skulls.

The pattern in my blouse reminds me of a shield or family crest.  I imagine these tiny shapes as mini-shields protecting me, giving me strength or as crests representing my strong family foundation.  The blouse is simple but has fluttery bell shaped 3/4 length sleeves that make it more feminine.  Something about the design aesthetic of the ladder necklace reminds me of chain mail, also symbolizing strength and protection.   The Brogue booties are a feminine take on a traditionally male look.  The leopard heels are all girl!

Your Turn

Which of these looks do you prefer?  Please let me know in a comment below.  Then I think I will share a photo on Instagram and Facebook of me in the outfit with the most votes later this week.  So please pick your favorite!

Lots of posts planned for this week before we head up to Albuquerque and then over to Phoenix.  Hope you will pop back by for another visit.  Thank you, dear ones!  And be sure to visit the curators of Style Imitating Art, Jen, Salazar, and Daenel, for their interpretations.

Hugs and kisses,

leslie

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About Leslie Roberts Clingan

I am an aspiring blogger and children's author, wife, mother, daughter, sister, - in-law, responsible pet owner and recently retired elementary school librarian. I hope to figure out the next chapter of my life as I transition from crazy, busy work world onto totally idle retirement and now to something in-between.

Comments

  1. Gail

    October 10, 2018 at 8:21 am

    Oh it’s a pity we don’t get to see you striking that pose in your stunning outfit – the colors match the original so well! You’re ahead of me here because I was aiming to attempt at least one SIA challenge in my fall bucket list (still time) but I would struggle to find these colors in my wardrobe. Maybe next time. Don’t forget to link up at my blog, #WowOnWednesday x

    Reply
  2. Andrea@WellnessNotes

    October 10, 2018 at 9:48 am

    That’s such a fun challenge! And you absolutely nailed it! I can’t decide between #1 and #3 (really love the blouse with orange). I think you’ll have wear both and show us!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

    Reply
  3. Debs

    October 10, 2018 at 9:50 am

    The last combination is my favourite – love those shoes!

    Reply
  4. Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom

    October 10, 2018 at 1:18 pm

    This is always such a fun post! Hmm! I really like both looks, but I’d have to see them on maybe? I think the second one is my favorite, I really love the leopard added. And, I have always wanted that necklace! I think it is sold out! Have a great Wednesday!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

    Reply
  5. Daenel T.

    October 10, 2018 at 7:06 pm

    I loooove both outfits! And you know those brogues are definitely my style. I had to LOL at you getting around the tee shirt thing. I’d totally do that. I can’t wait to see you in your outfits. They’re truly fabulous.

    Reply
  6. Dara

    October 11, 2018 at 6:58 am

    I really like the orange cardi because it brings out the color in the blouse!

    Reply

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In what felt like the blink of an eye, I have gone from full-time wife to my sweet husband, hands-on mom to my two beautiful daughters and elementary school librarian to a retired, empty nester with lots of time on my hands. Join me on my journey to rediscover who I am. Glad you are here...
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