#alexa's been wearing such bolder colors

[misshyperbolemakes]

Alexa & Madison color coordinating.

[toongrrl-blog]

My Own Style Analysis: Ben’s Dream

This was originally posted on Reddit.

*Warning: The following picture may be NSFW, you have been warned*

“I am Fire and Air” Cleopatra, as imagined by Willy Shakespeare

Ever since I saw this scene, I have been thinking about any possible references that were made here. This is by no mean's an organized think piece and I feel pretty okay about this, I was shocked to see the overt sexuality in this scene (and hoped no one was coerced into performing) but I always felt that Maitreyi had the talent and looks to play a 21st Century twist on the classic Film Noir Femme Fatale and felt vindicated here. In fact my mind went to different places which shall be covered here.

Lighting: First thing we notice is the purple lighting used in the scene, both to set the tone for Ben's lust and love for Devi and to enhance both Maitreyi's and Jaren's physical appeal. In fact, aside from being a color that stands for status and heroism, purple is one of Dr. David Rosenau's color-coded pyramid of intimacy (which also incorporates colors which were so darn persistent in the show and used in the final scene of the series); purple symbolizes touch and passion, the former that Ben was yearning from Devi at that moment and the passion that they mutually held for each other in a way that matches the damned wildfires in our Golden State and in their academic competition. It is also noted that the both of them hated it when Ben wasn't talking to Devi, in a scene where they were both in outfits picking up on each other's greens (bonding intimacy) after he rescued her from getting groped by a Fabio reject and when she showed up high at her house and ruined an apple shaped cake. The dark purplish lighting also helps to accentuate Maitreyi's dark skin and the metallics on her lingerie and makeup which add to another part of her fantasy mystique.

Madame X: In the late 19th Century, John Singer Sargent painted a very scandalous portrait of a red-haired socialite named Virginie Gautreau, an American ex-pat and wife of a respectable French banker. This was a woman with a sense of confidence who knew she was beautiful and owned her sexuality, both no-no's in the 20th Century Western World (actually given how society loves to humble a woman with high self-esteem or bravado, have things changed?) and in a time when women were expected to cover themselves up with layers of fabric and decor, she was wearing a simple curve-hugging dress in black that contrast with her very fair skin with metallic straps and instead of looking demure, she looked proud, this scandalized Parisian society and practically ruined Sargent's career and Gautreau's reputation, it wasn't until later that this flop became iconic, inspiring Rita Hayworth's dress in Gilda, the gold-chain Chanel dress, the allure that later LBDs now possess, and dresses worn by Christina Hendricks in Mad Men Season 4 episode "Waldorf Stories" and Post heiress/Mr. Sheffield's cold ass mom Dina Merrill and even Maitreyi herself in real life.

Makeup: Complementing the metallics of the lingerie are Devi's makeup, which is inspired by the very contemporary Euphoria and I argue, the intro to the 1980s James Bond film A View to a Kill with the models in bathed in a dark light to better accentuate the neon colored makeup, nail polish, hair, and weapons that would glow in the dark. Another thing to note is that while Devi's lip gloss enhances the natural pink in them, her eye makeup and manicure are bolder and match her nose ring; this is likely a call back to how the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic impacted makeup trends in sales, with lipstick taking a dip along with economics (a reversal of a trend that was first noted in the Great Depression) while eye makeup sales soared as people found ways to experiment with different colors and designs while keeping safe with masks. Her look is likely even a shout out to Alexa Demie's Euphoria character Maddy Perez, who like Devi and Maitreyi, is a young WOC and Hollywood newcomer flawlessly portraying a complex, flawed, and charismatic young woman who isn't afraid to go ham. The big thing is that Ben is (thankfully) not Nate Jacobs: both being privileged white boys who've internalized the Patriarchy, but while Ben is obnoxious and hiding his vulnerability and abandonment issues with bravado and only achieved some semblance of popularity through is background and connection to others in the Hot Pocket, Nate however has his toxic traits enabled or even encouraged by his parents and is positively horrifying in his treatment of Jules and Maddy and is the BMOC. But rest assured no one is getting almost strangled after tossing a pot of chili after being slut-shamed.

Flame: Sex has always been symbolized by elements (old films used beaches and other forms of water to imply acts of sex and passion) and fire was used as a metaphor for sexual desire in songs like "Hot Blooded" and "Somethings Burning"; flame is also used to illustrate a fiery temperament, Ben is well aware Devi is a hothead like her father's hero John McEnroe (the fact that the elder white Boomer male and a teenage South Asian girl are validated for their short fuse is amazing) and contrasts with his doting yet cool parents and she also often dresses in warm colors that highlight her looks and her personality. In fact many iconic female characters have been depicted with fiery tempers or strong personalities (think Joan Holloway, any character played by Joan Crawford and Bette Davis and Maureen O'Hara, Trudy Proud, Betty and Veronica). This not only played to male audiences but also to female ones in more misogynistic times....

Femme Fatales: As an interviewee in Jackie Stacey's Star Gazing noted "I liked seeing strong, capable, and independent types of female characters, mostly because I wish to be like them" and she, along with many female spectators of films in the 40s and 50s, are in awe of femme fatale's and the career women of the era's films own confidence, intelligence, beauty, and wardrobe. In fact the Femme Fatale comes from a long tradition of men using women as scapegoats for shit hitting the fan and society fearing what would happen if women started to own their intelligence and sexuality (yeah why wouldn't a group that's been long subjugated, abused, and exploited burn down the village?); Devi is no stranger to the feminine being pathologized (blamed for Paxton's accident in Season 2, her grief and temporary disability was mocked, been gaslit by Des...yeah no wonder I channel Lucille Bluth when Devi "damages" something), but wait Toongrrl1990 what about her Unfuckable Nerds moniker? One of the forms of gaslighting patriarchal society has done to women is to liken their worth to their appearance and even when they are pretty, is to gaslight them into thinking they aren't enough: think of how much money the diet industry has made post World War One to now, think of male authors finding ways to insist a woman is "pretty but not beautiful" or say "a model she was far from" or even look at what P.J. O'Rourke says about Bimbos. I grew up in the era where Bridget Jones was considered fat at a size 6 and where people said Bill Clinton (who looked like a basic Boomer Dad to me as a kiddo) could have had "hotter" women (even the one that was a pageant winner wasn't enough or even the freakishly gorgeous and Dorian Gray-esque Monica Lewinsky wasn't enough), in fact go read about Golden Era Hollywood stars and you can see many of the iconic beauties were labeled some form of "unfuckable" (Sophia Loren, Bette Davis, Maureen O'Hara, Grace Kelly, Judy Garland, Meryl Streep). Bosley Croeger, a critic, even critiques Rita Hayworth in Gilda as five and a dime in playing her worldly and street-wise characters.

Devi even lives up to the iconic image of the Femme Fatale's aesthetic: having long wavy hair that bounces and matches her lively nature, her shapely legs that get plenty of focus in Devi's costumes, her quotable "snatched waist, slim thicc queen" figure, quick wit and intellect, and inclination to take risks. As with Madame X, Devi deviates in a major way from the image of the FF, as she is South Asian while the other two female archetypes have been traditionally depicted by white and white-passing women. Devi's image in the scene is a double-edged sword: is it empowering to South Asian girls and WOC and AFABs or is it exploitative as Maitreyi is a young adult and WOC have been historically sexualized? Can girl just express her sexuality because she is feeling herself?

The Femme Fatale is also depicted as being manipulative and intelligent, enough to lead some poor shlubs to their ruin; this is called back to Devi saying "I am so much better at school than you" in the dream and managing to take Ben's shirt off without him noticing her doing so. But as discussed in u/Professionalish00 brilliant post, Devi is a Hot Mess and this new archetype is somewhat of a victory and evolution from the Femme Fatale, who sighs with relief that complex and sexual women aren't pathologized like she was. Now we can see her own vulnerabilities and see she's just a woman, trying to survive.

Elizabeth Taylor: To quote Tom and Lorenzo, the late cinematic icon and AIDs activist Liz Taylor was a strong woman who had a rich yet messy life, "but she was never the victim that Marilyn [Monroe] was. She took charge of her life and owned her mistakes, but never stopped pursuing the perfect love, demonstrating a sexual aggression that few women of the period would have been comfortable showing". Also as noted by M.E. Lord in The Accidental Feminist, Elizabeth Taylor was a funny gal with a great appetite for living and like Devi, was something of a man eater (Debbie Reynolds noted that Liz stayed friends with many of her exes) and the opposite of a doormat (except in the film Ash Wednesday and Season 2 after Paxton's accident, which was the point). Like Liz's character Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Devi possesses an aggression that is still looked down on in women but otherwise tolerated in men (see my notes on McEnroe), encourages Paxton and Kamala to buck the system a la Leslie Benedict in Giant, dealt with having her physical and mental health used as a cudgel against her  like Cathy in Suddenly, Last Summer (minus the threat of a big ass ice pick), I would even argue that Liz playing Gloria in Butterfield 8 struck a blow for young women expressing their sexuality (I also love the image in my head of Gloria teaching Devi how to better utilize her hot headedness, especially with lipstick and stilettos) and Devi deep down encourages the best for her loved ones, a passion I saw with Liz Taylor's activism.

Put the blame on Devi...oops Mame: Alas the night ended with Ben showing up high as a kite at Devi's house, driven by his love and lust for Devi, only to ruin her grandmother's cake and implode Devi and Margot (another complex and charismatic woman) efforts to get their parents together. A misogynist would blame Devi for it, in case you think I am off my rocker, watch Shiny, Happy People on Prime or Fundie Fridays on the Duggars and IBLP, remember what Helen of Troy was blamed for or listen to several episodes of You're Wrong About. I would have liked to see Ben really apologize for the UN and all the other shit, but perhaps getting locked listening to Paris Paloma's "Labour" would help (ooof my cramps right now, dang medical science for not finding a way to diagnose menstrual pain without surgery).

So please read this and give me your thoughts, or I'll cry lol.

[bettycooperoutfitwatch]

4x02 Chapter Fifty-Nine: Fast Times at Riverdale High

Senior year!

Just a mere glimpse at this shirt—what looks to be a sleeveless pink polo. Echoes of the sleeveless shirt she wore at Pop’s in her first (fully-clothed) scene in 101. 

It’s possible Betty wore this skirt in 311, visiting Hal in prison, but it’s a little inconclusive. The platform pink Chucks are very familiar to us. 

(What are they projecting here??)

Catch me lusting over this cropped sweater. The navy cuff detail is quite nice. Notice Betty takes her ponytail out, literally lets her hair down, to celebrate with friends and toast to their senior year. 

And, you know, this. Everyone’s like awk, and I’m like, teenagers, Riverdale, etc, shrug. 

(This is a Natori Cherry Blossom bra, we saw one in the flash forward in 322 in a different color.)

Not the first time we’ve seen Elizabeth in a Jughead Jones S-shirt. 

Nor the first time she and Jug crashed out on a couch only to wake up in a tizzy. 

The lines of this outfit remind me of her drag race look (206): high-waisted jeans, a nipped-in waist, a crop top. I honestly adore this outfit—the red, white, & blue stripe ribbed shirt, cropped, the Chucks, the dark wash jeans. 

Gray envelope purse, first appeared on the scene in 219 and holding strong ever since. 

Guess Backpack 2.0 is still around. 

(Betty wore this collar in 209, Veronica wore it in 211, now we have completed the trifecta.) 

Betty only rarely breaks out a new purse, so it’s always an occasion when she does. 

Betty’s outfit and her blonde ponytail bring Bret Weston Wallis (l o l) to label her ‘very Sweet Valley High’—which for a brat like Bret, who participates in a salon discussion of Moby-Dick, is notably not high praise. Historically, Betty’s been underestimated by those who judge her visually. We know Betty isn’t a person to be trifled with; Bret’s sure to learn that in time. 

A+ coordination of the polka dots with the overalls, Elizabeth. 

Honestly, Betty’s read on this place isn’t wrong. I know prep schools, I went to one (albeit a Catholic one, which is a slightly different beast.) Additionally, Veronica states that there’s no school more ‘nihilistic and/or privileged’ than Stonewall. Things to remember...

There’s a lot to suss out about this storyline, and I’ve got a lot of thoughts on it already. But that’s Jug’s story; it’ll intersect heavily with Betty’s, given their relationship, so we’ll chat about it when it does. 

Kevin, still drinking milk, bless. 

This pink bomber (with a red stripe detail) first popped up in 305. Compare this Betty-confronts-Kevin-in-the-woods moment with the one we saw in 203 for an interesting, if difficult to parse, parallel. 

Ah, yes. This dress is probably why I started this blog. (We’ve come so far, guys.)

This is lightyears away from season 1 Betty, but it does have all the signifiers that would suggest this is the same person, just one at a different point in their life. It’s a sporty polo dress, it’s preppy. It’s even a color (goldenrod, mustard yellow, etc) we saw Betty play with early on in the show’s run. 

It’s in the details that we see growth. Her hair is down and tousled, casual, very different from the ponytail we used to see her in almost without fail. The ponytail hasn’t gone away (she wears it in this episode, frequently)—she’s just not as buttoned-up as she once was. Which, also: her cleavage is...glorious.  

I think these are the blue velvet Mary Janes she first wore in 211. 

Another crop top, and much bolder than what we usually see Betty in at school. I fully would have gotten detention for baring my stomach. Well—I would have gotten detention because I was out of uniform, but the cherry-on-top would have been the stomach-baring. The Sisters would have been scandalized (and my Sisters’ order was way more liberal than the Sisters of Quiet Mercy—stripped of their affiliation in Vatican II as they apparently were. But the Catholic Church has always historically tussled with the women who make up their orders. This is the strangest aside. ) 

Betty wore this skirt in 202 (giving Cheryl the shakedown) and then again in 316 (during that episode’s opening number.) The knit crop top evokes a sweater she wore briefly in 314, and yet another abstract animal-print motif sweater in 320.

Alexa play The Look of Love. 

Pink sling-backs, how coordinated. 

(You can tell it’s the same skirt from the center v-detail.)

(Defo FP’s kid.) 

Okay, yes, this top is accidentally see-through. It happens to the best of us, and it certainly can happen on a television set with bright-ass lights. Whatever, still cute. Also, it’s a Natori Feathers bra (also here). 

First saw this skirt in 202. Lotta repeat items and motifs in the ep, and yet it still feels fresh. There’s been growth. 

And then there’s our flash forwards. 

Everyone’s looking for Jughead in the woods, wearing these search party vests. Betty wore this zip-up in 316, while staking out the Farm (and also in 317 and 318, in a scene that bridges those two episodes.) 

I wonder what kind of before/after vibes we’ll get in wardrobe with these flash forwards, if any. Season 4 is the first of these Outfit Watch posts I’m not doing retroactively, so it’s a new kind of experience. We’ll see how it plays out. 

Summary: 9 different outfits—including one instance of sleeping in ur boy’s t-shirt, and one flash forward. 

I Own This: Well, yes. I own that Natori Cherry Blossoms bra (in that Sea Spray color and 2 others.) (I also own the Feathers she wears with the accidentally see-through top.) (Wish I owned both of the stripe tops she wears here, love them.)

Is Betty a River Vixen??: Veronica and Cheryl certainly are (and a creepo tries to photograph V in the locker room post-practice), but Betty’s not in attendance. 

That backpack?: RIP Backpack. You really served us well for 3 seasons. We’ll remember you. this is so sad alexa play sarah mclachlan. Backpack 2.0 reigns. 

The Season 4 Crop Top Count: I’m not taking any chances here, because we get 3 in this episode alone. 

Best outfit: For me it’s really a draw between the goldenrod polo dress and the first-day-of-school striped crop top & jeans.

gif via @fyeahriverdale​

Honorable mention to Veronica’s bra, which my boobs wouldn’t tolerate but is indeed *chef’s kiss*

[robertshugartca]

Where were you and what were you doing back in 1995? On any...

Where were you and what were you doing back in 1995? On any given weekday afternoon, I was likely running around the playground at Lakeview Elementary School in Denville, New Jersey, where my friends and I passed our recess hour playing soccer, hanging upside-down on the monkey bars, and discussing the celebrities we lovingly displayed behind the plastic of our binders.

What were we wearing as we talked all things Leo, Drew, Full House , Selena, the Spice Girls, and TLC? I’d imagine there was no short supply of plastic barrettes (back again, ICYMI), butterfly clips, jelly sandals, skirts over jeans, and pedal pushers we probably got at Limited Too, Claire’s, Delia’s, or Esprit before we got seriously into Hot Topic. One major motif we especially couldn’t get enough of? Daisy prints.

I probably haven’t worn or thought about the print since about that time, so I was a bit surprised by its recent return on the S/S 19 runways. Daisies have made a triumphant return in the latest drops from major players like Alexa Chung, Mansur Gavriel, Ganni, Rixo, and Shrimps, making the case for a slightly more grown-up take on flower power. Keep reading to see what I mean and shop the trend for yourself.

Quite possibly the skirt that started it all? It’s neutral, so it will work with everything. At least that’s how I’m considering justifying this decidedly maximalistic purchase. Between the color scheme and the embroidered daisy, this actually feels like something that would have been right at home in my 1995 wardrobe. And there’s nothing wrong with that. A sweet micro-floral take on the daisy-print trend. Another variation, in case you’re into it. Hello, gorgeous. If Alexa Chung is endorsing a trend this wholeheartedly, who are we to disagree? Oh hi, it’s just & Other Stories offering up another take on a dress style I need this week. Featuring another key spring trend in the form of freshwater pearls. Markarian’s craftsmanship never fails to amaze us. I feel like Marie Antoinette would give up a whole lot of cake to get her hands on this piece. Another day, another shirt third-grade me would have been all over. Also this, but I’m pretty sure my mom wouldn’t have shelled out on something this nice. Because we’re also obviously very into hair clips right now. The fuzzy texture only adds to the ’90s vibes. Alexa Chung has done it again. This Ganni swimsuit is on major sale (and I fear it won’t be around long). Rixo’s always a designer to turn to for peak print inspo. Layer under your new favorite cardigan. This one’s a steal on Amazon. Sweet and simple. Very Maje. Reformation has an equally compelling daisy-print skirt you should strongly consider. Mansur Gavriel’s S/S 19 collection is chock-full of daisies. Although this bolder print does make a compelling argument. I’ll take three, tbh. Simple and sweet. Another fun mixed-print look. A girl can dream… Another winner from Shrimps. So many ways to wear this fun accessory. An affordable take on a must-own trend.

source https://gothify1.tumblr.com/post/183418258075

[gothify1]

Where were you and what were you doing back in 1995? On any given weekday afternoon, I was likely running around the playground at Lakeview Elementary School in Denville, New Jersey, where my friends and I passed our recess hour playing soccer, hanging upside-down on the monkey bars, and discussing the celebrities we lovingly displayed behind the plastic of our binders. What were we wearing as we talked all things Leo, Drew, Full House , Selena, the Spice Girls, and TLC? I’d imagine there was no short supply of plastic barrettes (back again, ICYMI), butterfly clips, jelly sandals, skirts over jeans, and pedal pushers we probably got at Limited Too, Claire’s, Delia’s, or Esprit before we got seriously into Hot Topic. One major motif we especially couldn’t get enough of? Daisy prints. I probably haven’t worn or thought about the print since about that time, so I was a bit surprised by its recent return on the S/S 19 runways. Daisies have made a triumphant return in the latest drops from major players like Alexa Chung, Mansur Gavriel, Ganni, Rixo, and Shrimps, making the case for a slightly more grown-up take on flower power. Keep reading to see what I mean and shop the trend for yourself. Quite possibly the skirt that started it all? It’s neutral, so it will work with everything. At least that’s how I’m considering justifying this decidedly maximalistic purchase. Between the color scheme and the embroidered daisy, this actually feels like something that would have been right at home in my 1995 wardrobe. And there’s nothing wrong with that. A sweet micro-floral take on the daisy-print trend. Another variation, in case you’re into it. Hello, gorgeous. If Alexa Chung is endorsing a trend this wholeheartedly, who are we to disagree? Oh hi, it’s just & Other Stories offering up another take on a dress style I need this week. Featuring another key spring trend in the form of freshwater pearls. Markarian’s craftsmanship never fails to amaze us. I feel like Marie Antoinette would give up a whole lot of cake to get her hands on this piece. Another day, another shirt third-grade me would have been all over. Also this, but I’m pretty sure my mom wouldn’t have shelled out on something this nice. Because we’re also obviously very into hair clips right now. The fuzzy texture only adds to the ’90s vibes. Alexa Chung has done it again. This Ganni swimsuit is on major sale (and I fear it won’t be around long). Rixo’s always a designer to turn to for peak print inspo. Layer under your new favorite cardigan. This one’s a steal on Amazon. Sweet and simple. Very Maje. Reformation has an equally compelling daisy-print skirt you should strongly consider. Mansur Gavriel’s S/S 19 collection is chock-full of daisies. Although this bolder print does make a compelling argument. I'll take three, tbh. Simple and sweet. Another fun mixed-print look. A girl can dream… Another winner from Shrimps. So many ways to wear this fun accessory. An affordable take on a must-own trend.