Cinema Style Spotlight-Early 80s Fashion on Netflix's Stranger Things

I just finished watching the amazing Netflix sci-fi series Stranger Things. 

 Dripping in 1980s nostalgia its a tribute to the sci-fi and horror classics of the era and references a horde of films and tv shows, including Back to The Future, Stephen King, Star Wars, and Twin Peaks to name just a few.  Unlike much entertainment set in the 1980s, Stranger Things is subtle in its references, and its fashion, which is spot on early 80s perfection.   The adults clothing is rather boring but the two groups of kids have some great looks.  

The younger children, a nerdy group of Dungeon and Dragons playing boys, the  mysterious disapearace of one of their number is the crux of show, wear the sort of casual clothes you'd expect on pre-teen boys but with lots of references to earlier sci-fi works. The vest  on the right is clearly a Marty McFly tribute.

Their t-shirts, corderoy jackets, and sweatshirts are authentic 1980s, but would look very stylish today. (I think the camo head band is a Rambo reference and I'm crazy about the turquoise explorer hoodie)

 

The boys mysterious friend Eleven sports a baby dress and denim jacket that recalls the early day of grunge.

The older group of kids, led by the teenage beauty Nancy, have a more defined  sense of style.  

The girl in the pink sweater on the far right, Barb, Nancy's best friend has become something of an internet and instagram style icon, inspiring the hashtag #weareallbarb.   Her geeky chic: all pie crust necklines, mom jeans and grandma glasses, is strangely compelling:

Sadly Barb makes an early exit from the show.  Leaving Nancy to investigate her dissapearance while wearing a range of high neck sweaters and 80s jeans.

The clothing on the two lead teenage boys hi-lights their respective popular jock and shy loner stereotypes perfectly.

It's one of those shows where every frame looks perfect.  If your a sic-fi or horror fan or a child of the 80s or a combo of all three then this is something you have to watch.

A Day at The Beach

Last Sunday we took a little trip to Sandy Hook beach in the Atlantic Highlands. This is the beach nearest to our home and the bay side is dog friendly.  We new it be to crowded for Bob and that Ping would likely be uncomfortable so we brought the three youngest, Weasley Fry and Tuvok.   Tuvok has been to the beach once before, but this was Weasley and Fry's first visit.

We started the morning with a trip to the Flaky Tart a pastry and coffee shop.

Then headed down to the beach.  The bayside is very small but there is enough room to walk
                        

 

or run on the sand:

And if your like Tuvok and are not remotely interested in running, lounging is perfectly acceptable too.

People use the bay side for paddle boarding, kayaking and fishing so theres lots to see.

 

The bay side is popular with dog owners, but there weren't too many dogs there Sunday morning.  We did meet a little white dog, Molly, that Weasley fell in love with:

I  think the fact that Molly was swimming was what made Weasley so brave about going in the water, Fry and  Tuvok where not interested at all.

We had so much fun on our beach day!

To be continued next week, with the ice cream we got after the beach!

Happy Birthday Esther Williams-Queen of The Seas (and The Hair Flower)

Today marks the 95th anniversary of the birth of one of the most gorgeous stars of all time, Hollywood's Mermaid, Esther Williams.

Williams a gifted athlete, was perhaps not the best actress, but she was charming and amazingly beautiful.   While film can never tell us what a person was really like, Williams always seemed like a kind person to me and her films shine with her delightful personality.    Her style perfectly captured one of my favorite eras in mid century fashion, the post war 1940s and the early 50s.   

While she is of course best known for her amazing swim suits, many on display in my favorite of her films, Neptune's Daughter, she also seemed to have a favorite accessory, the hair flower.  Esther's gorgeous chestnut locks were rarely without floral adornment.

Now I'm no Esther, I only dog paddle and I certainly don't have her gorgeous tresses, but I do love hair flowers.  Since I'm hair styling challenged they let me add a festive vintage look to my locks with minimal effort.  Most of my favorites are front the brilliant Jamie's Etsy shop Chatterblossom. Her beautiful creations are made from genuine vintage millinery flowers.  I have quite a collection by now.

My latest hair flower though is from Luxulite.  It's a tiki style hair clip and its tons of fun, inexpensive (less then ten dollars), and it really reminds me of Esther's flowers.

Perfect summery hair gear.  Now if only I could swim like this, and had such a fabulous pool!

Vintage Casual-Housecoats

As anyone who reads this blog knows, I love to dress up!

But sometimes I just want to lounge around at home and be comfortable and casual, without giving up my vintagey-ness.    Enter the house coat.

House coats are the ultimate in functional vintage loungewear.   Popular in the 50s and 60s the roomy garments slip over your pjs and can be warm for winter or cool for summer.  

When I saw this adorable summery house coat complete with kitschy poodle applique, in the Etsy shop Riley Bella Vintage , I new it be perfect for lounging about at home and playing with the dogs in the yard.  Times I want to be covered aporopriately, but not "dressed",and way cuter then sweatpants.  The price was also excellent


The seller listed the house coat as 70s, and I can certainly see it in the wacky avacado green, red and purple color scheme, but it seems kind of 60s to me too.  Particularly the poodle, which is in a fun terry or chennile fabric.   The fabric is also light and airy, (this is the perfect outfit for eating ice cream out of the carton in.) 

The lazy days of August past by too quickly, I plan to make the most of then (in my house coat).