Welcome to the second installment covering some of the top five fashion accessories of 2009. Volume two focuses on those accessories that were popular in the alternative fashion scene(s) this last year.
Thanks to Ash of Mechanic Organic Clothing for being the first to write in with these five favorite fashion accessories of 2009. Check back to see more of her designs (like the underbust corset in the bottom-most picture) when her website launches this spring. We’ll also be doing posts on the other two designers pictured!
#1 – The quirky ‘mini-hat’. Crowns, tophats, bicorns & fedoras… the mini-hat is likely the cutest head-adornment the world has ever seen. Worn by steampunks, lolitas, burlesque dancers, & festival freakers, this head piece lets you get your antics up without the hat-hair.
#2 – No longer for running around and waging war… spats keep the ankles of post-apocalyptic artists clean & protected! Running to photograph deep in a swamp, hopping fences to fancy-up a dull warehouse wall, or simply to keep your ankles warm while dancin’ in the rain. Fashion and function, spats got it all.
#3 – Vests for everyone! Over a collared shirt, tank top, t-shirt, blouse or straightup on its own, vests can pull off a huge variety of different looks! What’s your style? Equestrian? Teacher? Faery? Victorian? Scenester? Freaker? Everyone needs one of these bad-assed badboys!
#4 – The leather utility belt. A ‘fabric’ becoming more and more widely accepted as eco-friendly, and by far the most sustainable as it only gets more supple and formed to your body with age. The meat industry isn’t dying out anytime soon, and our leather is simply making use of a byproduct. While caravaning across dusty plains, trippin’ around a summertime festival, or merely going for coffee – the purse and backpack can prove bulky, they can throw out your back, and just plain become a nuisance. The utility belt solves all your carrying needs in a stylish, and comfortable way.
#5 – Underbust corset. Not much need be said. Comfortable to wear, keeps your back straight when sitting for long periods of time, and all will agree: bloody sexy.
We’re excited to continue this series on your top five favorite fashion accessories of 2009 so email us with your words and pictures at the email address below the Follow Along links.
Thanks for the series on “What to wear if you want to look like a scenester clone!” I’m going to run right down to 5 and Diamond and pick up TWO OF EVERYTHING.
Snort.
Right on, Cheezdoo! Glad you could add something to our dialog, especially if it’s a bit subversive
Would love to see the aces up your wardrobe’s sleeve. How about emailing us some pictures and words of your choicest fashion nuggets? Hey so what is this 5 and Diamond place?
http://www.fiveanddiamond.com
I just looked up 5 and diamond (never heard of it either) and it seems to be a site where a handful of westcoast designers sell their wares. All of them are companies you’ll see around festivals and trunk shows in the west (such as Steam Trunk, Skin Graft, Tawapa, and Sawna Hofmann) – but have a similar enough aesthetic to combine forces & sell their wares on the same website.
As quoted from the website:
“The Five and Diamond Design collective is a collaborative project created to promote local artists and designers while providing a resource to San Franciscans and beyond for unique, artistically designed apparel, jewelry and accessories. The collective encompasses seven local design houses originating with the triple threat of Wildcard, Bootleg and Tawapa, by Leighton Kelly & Phoebe Minona and aided and abetted by Steamtrunk, Shawna Hofmann, Heathen and Jan Hilmer.”
Yow, I’d love go go down to San Fran and check out this showroom sometime! Thanks for the heads up on this place, Cheezdoo! I’m a sucker for communal arts projects <3
Although, Cheezdoo, unfortunately they don't currently carry the mini-hat, spats, utility belts, or underbust corsets. You may have to look elsewhere for those
Thanks for researching this 5 and diamond place Ash. I would have gotten on it but I assumed Cheezdoo was joking and that it was fictitious!? I’ll have to check it out too!
Love the under-bust corset and the knee-high tights (spats?). Definitely good ideas!
You’re very welcome TeeJay! We love spreading the inspiration and are so thankful for your comment. Believe this, it means the world to us
Glad to hear you like the corset, TeeJay <3! I had my mind on "Viking Burlesque" when that one got churned out =]
Viking Burlesque! I LOVE it ;}