Fairytale Style Crush: Mermaids

Fairytale Style Crush: Mermaid 1 by quirkichik featuring nautical home decor

I haven't done a 'Fairytale Style Crush' post a second time yet and I thought I would like to write another. Here it is! I did recieve a request to write a 'Little Red Riding Hood' post, but I don't really feel inspired to do that right now, so I thought I probably wouldn't put as much thought into it as I would like. I am definitely hoping to write one for that character in the future though. The idea behind these posts is to create everyday outfit inspiration from fairytale characters, but if you wish to use these as ideas for fancy dress go right ahead.

INSPIRATION:

When I was a young child I had a Video of 'The Little Mermaid'. It was the 1975 cartoon of the original story where the mermaid turns into seafoam at the end. Later on, my sister and I obtained a taped copy of the 'Sabrina Down Under' movie where Sabrina from 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' goes to Australia and meets two mermaids. This movie was much more cheerful and a whole lot of fun. I never saw the Ariel episode on 'Once Upon a Time' or really paid that much attention to Disney's version of 'The Little Mermaid'. However, I did watch 'Splash', the 'H2O' TV series, part of 'Mako Mermaids' TV series, And, a movie called 'Aquamarine'. I also think that Courtney Love had a very bohemian mermaid-esque look during 1998, but that could just be me wanting to relate things to celebrities that I think are cool...

mermaid palette by quirkichik on Polyvore

COLOURS PALETTE:

Above I have posted a palette of colours that I think are very mermaid-y. The colours don't look as bright as I had hoped. I tried to go for colours I had seen mermaids illustrated as or dressed up as, as well as colours found on the beach or in the ocean. In 'Aquamarine' the mermaid's tale is the same colour as her name (and yep the movie is named after her), while the girls off of 'H2O' have gold tales, And, the Merman on 'Mako Mermaids' has a blue tale.

 I included several shades of blue and blue-green to match the sea, Coral colours to match the shells and starfish, bronze colours to match the sand and the rocks, And, Mauves because of the sunset.I would also include some more neutral colours such as white, beige, black, navy and grey. As well as metallics like pearl white, gold and silver. I don't think that an outfit has to be limited by this colour palette, to show that it is mermaid-inspired, but I think these colours definitely help.

TEXTURES and FABRICS:

I think shiny fabrics like Satin, as well as flowy fabrics like chiffon and plain fabrics like cotton or polyester are appropriate. Denim would create a casual look and fit in well with the colour palette. Cool textures would be textures that give off shine or a pattern that resembles scales such as beaded textures, sequins, glitter and lace. Modern attempts at 1920s fashion seem to suit this style especially well, because some of the ruffles, scallop cuts, scallop patterns and art deco patterns are very suited to creating a scale effect.

fairytale style crush mermaid 2 by quirkichik on Polyvore

CLOTHES:

I think a lot of 1920s and 1930s silhouettes suit this look. Some of the bohemian styles that were re-introduced in the mid 00s were also very suited. Detailed tank tops, art deco style lace tops, maxi skirts, oyster skirts, flared pants, crocheted cardigans, And, formal/semi-formal dresses that have a form fitting bodice and a flared skirt are all items I consider (with the right colours, accessories and details) to be suited to that look.

SHOES:

Well, mermaids didn't really wear shoes, even in their land form. I would probably go with some sandals or embellished flats, but each to their own. You can do what ever you want.

JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES:
Clam-shaped clutch bags are cool and very mermaid-like. Other cool mermaid inspired jewels or accessories could include a belt with a shell clasp, starfish brooches, sea themed bracelets, locket necklaces and scarves with sea-style print. 

mermaid style crush 3 by quirkichik on Polyvore

HAIR:

Hair set into curls or waves is very traditional for a mermaid. I would also suggest a braided up do or a wet-look hair style set with gel. You could also include sea-themed hair accessories or put beads in the hair.

MAKE-UP:

Mermaids are most often illustrated sitting on rocks, brushing their hair and looking into mirrors. Don't ask me where the mirrors come from, but with all that sitting in the sun, with light reflecting off of the water and sand particles stuck to their bodies, they ought to look a bit bronzed and shimmery. I suggest a bronze, pale apricot or  mauve blush. I also suggest a natural to medium colour on the lips and a shimmer applied to the cheek bones. While silver, gold and bronze shimmers can be used to accent parts of the face (like the lips in the board above) darker, more intense shimmers would look nice on the eyes. I would choose a clear or dark brown mascara. 

NAILS:

I've seen a lot of really nice nail-art as shown above, There are sand designs, scale designs and shell designs. 

That was all folks. I hope you enjoyed my Style Crush post and I look forward to hearing any requests you have for these posts (fairytale or not) I promise I will get around to them all at some stage.

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Fairytale Style Crush: Snow White

Hair as black as night by quirkichik on Polyvore

Snow White seems to have become a bit of a "thing" lately, don't you think? There is a show called 'Once Upon a Time', a movie called 'Mirror Mirror', another movie called 'Snow White and The Huntsman and several fairytale retelling novels in the YA genre. At some point GHD had Katy Perry dressed as a 1920s Snow White and now Lime Crime has Doe Deere lapping up the candy red gloss in their new campaign for carousel gloss. I've also noticed that overall, Disney Fairy-tale characters seem to be making a bit of a fashion come-back. There are Disney couture jewels and charms as well as make-up palettes, t-shirts and perfumes. While I'm not always a slave to something that's in I do (and have always) adore(d) Snow White for her soft beauty and her style. Even if she is a fictional character.

HOW CAN THE STYLE BE TRANSLATED TO MODERN FASHION?
I think the main point of this post for me was to write about how we could all get a bit of snow-white in our look (if you want to that is) without looking like we're playing dress-ups. I think the addition of Mary Margaret to our television screens have definitely helped to modernize the look of Snow White as a character. I think that by embracing the colours often used for her costume, embracing certain textures or styles, trying out specific beauty looks and choosing the right accessories.

COLOUR PALETTE:
In most cases Snow White wears some pretty neutral colours (a whole lot of white) or she goes all out in bright blue, yellow and red. I think the safest option (especially if you are unsure about wearing too much colour) is to wear neutral shades (as shown in the bottom-right frame) with other brighter coloured accents. Those brighter colours could also be worn with pastel colours. The bottom-left square features colours that could be appropriate for lip-colour. (later on I will list a few examples of possible Snow White inspired outfits with examples of colours that could be worn together). 

colour pallette by quirkichik on Polyvore

TEXTURES AND STYLES:

While you don't want to get too era specific (walking around in long-gowns might be a little too weird) embracing some aspects of the garments worn in those times will help to create a fairytale-eque look. Some clothing articles inspired by the 50s or 60s would also look cute. This would be a more Mary Margaret style of dressing,though. A-line skirts, button up tops/dresses/skirts, double-breasted coats, peter-pan collars, "bib" tops (with ruffles and such at the front), puff-sleeve tops, peasant tops, embroidered or jewelled cardigans, ballet flats, brogues/oxfords, frilly socks and messenger bags are all items that could be mixed in with other items from your wardrobe. Textures appropriate to this style include velvet, chiffon, cotton, patent leather and lace. 

BEAUTY LOOKS:

Snow White is known for her beauty so I thought it appropriate to visit a possible list of beauty looks that could be incorporated into the complete look. A lip-colour in a shade of red, coral, plum or a dark vintage pink, as standout lips are signature snow-white trait. I don't think pale skin is necessary as Snow White is a natural beauty and I think that the beauty looks are more for emphasizing your natural beauty and natural "rosiness". A face powder and a rosy blusher would help to embrace this. A Bambi eye look could be created with neutral eye shadow colours, some top liner and a good mascara. 

As far as nails go, a french manicure or bare nails would be appropriate. For a night out or for something different some shimmery red, blue or gold nails would be striking.

Perfume should be sweet and subtle.

Hair isn't really an issue with this style, It doesn't matter which colour (for example Doe Deere has blonde hair) or which cut (for example Mary Margaret) you currently have. You could try waves, curls, a braided up-do, a bun or spiked pixie with this look...

JEWELLERY:

Any sort of metal would "go" okay with this look, but gold or gold-plated is probably the most accurate. Jewels of a simple or antiquated nature would especially be suitable. 

Image Source

OUTFIT EXAMPLES:

-A button-up beige dress, with a light-green cardigan (embroidered with yellow flowers around the neck), fawn coloured velvet (or suede) flats and a coral lipstick.

-A white shirt with a black collar, a red skirt, either red or black shoes, dark red lipstick and an old-fashioned charm bracelet.

-A Cobalt Blue peasant top, dark-grey or brown trousers, brogues, plum lipstick and pearl earrings.

I hope you enjoyed my post!

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie