Signature Style for a Little Girl

It's a signature style week at Project Run and Play, I decided to play along. It's always interesting to me how people develop their personal style, the underlying reasons behind what people choose to wear. My personal style was definitely influenced by the environment I grew up in. I grew up in the Soviet Union where fashion was a big no-no. I wrote a little bit about it here. It was the land of sameness, same haircuts, same uniforms, same dowdy clothes more suited for grandmas then young beautiful girls. If you dared to stand out, you were promptly put in place. But it's hard to beat a human spirit into submission. We rebelled. The skirts were a tad shorter then allowed, small details were added to uniforms, and even a bit of mascara worn to school. How naughty. When the Soviet Union collapsed I was a teenager and dove head down into everything fashion.

I would design new outfits during long lectures at the University, at the dinner party, walking down the streets. Often waking up with the idea in my head in the middle of the night. A few things were great, a few I laugh about. But I finally had a chance to express my creativity that was stifled was so long.

I was always drawn to fitted, almost architectural silhouettes. I like my clothes to be well tailored, slightly edgy, preferably with the unusual twist or a pop of color. I never liked cutsie things. And that's what I tend to make for my child, cool things but certainly age appropriate. Things that are easy to run and play.

 The skirt was refashioned from a lacy blouse I got at the garage sale for 50 cents. I bought it with a skirt for Ania in mind. The cardigan used to be mine. It's 100% wool and I loved it until my oh-so-helpful hubby threw it in a wash and then a dryer. Sigh. I still had to cut it apart, since the shoulder and sleeves were too big. It's super warm.

The shirt underneath is Hanami by Straight Grain. it's made out of Nani Iro cotton and it's soft like butter. It's the most luscious fabric, I highly recommend it. I gathered the flounce of the shirt in the back, but added pleats in front.



 I like the versatility of the outfit. She can wear all the pieces separately with other things.