Monday, July 9, 2012

Jacque O + Twiggy = Style Dichotomy

Steffany Arzate, featured previously, embodies part of the contemporary notion of vintage-elegance embellished by an eclectic nature.

Her hair may scream Jacque O, but it sings Kimbra. Her clothes scream, "Today I am Ferrish Bueller, and this is my day off!" but it also poises a sense of Twiggy and sophistication.

Via email, Steffany answered some questions about her style. Please read and enjoy:


Tell me a little bit about yourself (school, major, future goals, why are you majoring in that,
etc.


I am a sophomore at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, planning on majoring
in Regional and Comparative Studies. With this degree, I will specialize on two regions of the
world and link both with one overarching theme. Currently, my plan is to study the implications
of access to education in Latin America and the Middle East.



Where do you shop?


I tend to rummage through the clearance racks of Macy’s and Dillard’s, but I prefer to shop
not in the Juniors department, but in the petites or young women’s racks. Not only will you find
better sales, but the clothing is of much better quality. I would also say that a large part of my
wardrobe is from Forever 21, but recently I have been trying to break away from them (though
I’m not completely sure how feasible that will be).

Do you consider yourself a savvy shopper?


To a certain extent, yes. Nothing makes me happier than buying something that was originally
over 100 dollars for a mere 20 dollars or less. However, I am also not the type of person that will
break my back to find a good deal. I will splurge if I find something I really love.


What's your typical budget for when you go shopping?

To be completely honest, I loathe shopping. I can go months without buying a single piece of
clothing and then when a new season comes along or I come across some extra cash, I will
treat myself to a nice shopping spree. My general rule of thumb, however, is that I try not to
spend more than 20 dollars on a single piece of clothing.


Where did you purchase each item from your outfit? How much was each item? Which one
item was your best bargain? How did you come across each garment?

Blue jacket, black and white polka dress: Both were originally $88 dollars. The dress and jacket
were both $30 and $20 respectively. My mother had a $20 off coupon on a purchase of $50 so I
technically got each for $15.

Necklace: $7, Dillard’s, originally $35

Ring: $5, Dillard’s

Pink dress: Originally $160, I got it for $20, Dillard’s

Necklace: Gift from my mother, but I think she got it for $5. This is actually cute. My mother
told me she got me the necklace and said: “I got you this necklace because I want you to have
something that when people ask you, you can tell them that your mother got it for you.” I thought
that was really sweet.



Ring: $20 (I kind of fell in love with this ring. It took myself a lot of convincing to get)

Brown Dress: $17, originally $99, Dillard’s

Ring, $5 Macy’s

Yellow Dress: $20, Dillard’s, originally $148

Cardigan: $12

Ring: $8

Shoes: $40, DSW


Who inspires your outfits? or How do you originate creative wear?


Currently, my style icon is Kimbra, most famously known for lending her voice to Goyte’s
Somebody that I Used to Know. Realistically speaking, my style is nothing like Kimbra’s, but
I find everything about what she wears beyond perfect – it’s lace, floral, and vintage done in
perfect harmony.


I also just love anything and everything about sixties fashion, especially the fashion dichotomy
that existed between style icons like Twiggy and Jackie O. When I was younger, I think I really
tried to emulate the former much more. I had the most beautiful black floral dress that looked
exactly like the one a young girl from a book I owned was wearing in Greenwich Village circa
1968. I used to wear it with a suede pink headband and a pair of salmon-colored moccasins
I managed to find at Target for $5. I think I used to put on that dress, lay out my records, and
pretend I could somehow travel through time. Today, my style has certainly evolved more
toward the “Jackie O” end of the spectrum, but I still find inspiration in that flowery, vintage side
of the sixties. I love flowers.

More than anything, however, I admire the poise and elegance my mother radiates with
everything she wears. She’s my biggest fashion icon.

What are you usually trying to portray/what are your trying to say with your style?


I hope my style can give a person a small glimpse of the person I am.

If your clothes could sing, which song would they be singing?


Dedicated to the One I Love, The Mama’s and the Papa’s




8. Define your style in 3 words.
I couldn’t think of anything, so these are my boyfriend’s words: “Simple, sweet, Steffany.” The
only thing I would like to add is put together.


Where would you wear the outfit to?

I like versatility. Every single outfit I am wearing is something I wear to my internship. While it’s
still elegant enough to wear to the office, I can go get some coffee with a friend or run some
errands afterwards without feeling like I’m too overdressed.

What magazines are you currently into?

Nylon is probably my favorite.

Tell me about your haircut and style.





A couple of months ago, I decided to disregard every single opinion that told me not to cut off
my hair. The decision, I believe, was made quite impulsively. I had been to the salon only the
day before to have a routinely hair trim and the day afterwards I woke up, grabbed my keys,
and told me mother I was chopping off my hair. When I got to the salon, the same women that
had cut my hair the day before told me that she had “been left with the utmost desire to cut off
my hair.” Once the first cut was made, I knew there was no turning back, but frankly I have no
regrets. Only those who have cut off so much of their hair will understand this, but chopping off
your hair is truly liberating.

Stylewise, I love florals and I have a fond love of indigenous textiles. Virtually every purse I
own is from another part of the world, whether its from my travels to Guatemala or Mexico, or I
managed to snatch it up from when I used to work at Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade store.
In college, we played a game in which we would all describe ourselves using one thing we are
wearing. I like to make sure I’m always wearing at least one thing that is interesting enough to
speak for who I am.

What makes up your Summer wardrobe?
Dresses and skirts. I have a strict no pants-no shorts rule.




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