FULFILLING YOUR CANADIAN TUXEDO FANTASY
I'm dreamy.
not the kind of beauty that's only real in one's dreams,
but the kind that's tied up in a sleep so deep that she lives with her eyes closed.
When I dream,
my pillow merges with my mind,
the covers hold me a little tighter,
as if arms were enough to draw me back down from the clouds.
To dream this deep
is to feel a need so strong to stay within this imaginary life,
a life I've built from vision & ecstasy.
I'm a big dreamer.
I dream most nights, & ever so often, during the day too.
When I sleep, I tend to fall in deep - deep enough that by the time morning comes around, I am far from ready for it. With the snooze button at my disposal, my dreams get stranger within each five minute interval. The longer I lie wrapped up in my sheets, the easier it is for me to fall right back in, far into the depths of my mind.
Sometimes, I dream so deep that the reality created by my mind feels more real than reality itself.
This causes the occasional sense of confusion as I wake up to find that I’ve never even left the bed, still lying comfortably in my pyjamas & doing none of the things I believed I was doing while my eyes were firmly shut.
All of this to say that my dreams are vivid as hell.
What I love most about my dreams is that there are no limitations. My mind can run wild, send me to foreign ground, introduce me to an entire world I could never have imagined. Honestly, I feel the same way about clothes. In my wardrobe, there are no limits.
Wearing a certain garment can make me feel like a completely new person, almost as if I'm portraying some sort of character. Like my dreams, my outfits truly vary from day to day, the theme drawing inspiration from each new experience & inviting some pretty wild adventures my way. As if my thoughts could be transformed into garments, fashion allows me to bring my dreams to life.
& this right here is the look of my dreams -
DENIM ON DENIM ON DENIM
Denim on denim, also know as the Canadian Tuxedo, is an outfit consisting of a denim jacket paired with jeans, originating in the 1950's in Vancouver BC. Crooner Bing Crosby introduced the world to this iconic fashion statement when he was nearly rejected from an upscale hotel because of his choice to wear an all-denim Levi's ensemble. Jeans, at the time, were not considered upper class, even if worn by a world famous celebrity. Levi Strauss & Co. heard of the news & sent him a custom-made jean tuxedo, referred to today as the Canadian Tuxedo.
Since then, the Canuck staple has dominated the fashion world, making appearances on the streets as well as runways & red carpets alike. One of the most influential denim-on-denim power moves dates back to the 2001 American Music Awards, when Justin Timberlake & Britney Spears's matching denim suit & gown turned heads across the globe. Who would of thought that such a look could be pulled off by pop stars & cowboys at the same time?!
Denim sure has a way of blending the casual with the bold.
& that's something pretty damn impressive,
knowing it's favoured by rednecks & local sherifs.
So what exactly does it take to put together a denim on denim look?
To help you get inspired, I've narrowed it down to five simple steps. Approach it as you would an old recipe - one that's been passed down through many generations, getting tweaked & refined with each use. Take what you will from these loose guidelines & add your own flair to best display your style.
Creating the perfect Canadian Tuxedo is like creating the perfect batch of cookies. You don't need to follow an intricate recipe but you should probably know what the hell you're throwing into the mixer.
Let's get started!
Step one: the jean jacket
This outerwear made from denim was introduced in the United States in the late 19th century & has become a staple piece in both men & women's fashion. For me, this iconic garment is so much more than just a jacket. Something about the weight of the denim brings me a sense of comfort & security. It's as if simply having the material around my shoulders could protect me from any trouble the world could throw my way. A big denim jacket reminds me of precious time spent out in the woods, surrounded by endless trees, cool winds & the smell of campfire. My dad's oversized denim jacket, the one with the big collar & sherpa lining, was my favourite to wear on a late summer night in the wilderness.
A good denim jacket needs to have the weight of arms that wrap around you in a hug & nostalgia woven into its seams.
The jacket featured in this post is one of my many thrifted gems & although was not one of my glue gun creations, I thank the granny that fearlessly took her BeDazzler to it. Putting your own stamp on a staple piece is a beautiful way to bring your personality into the basics. When creating a cohesive look, the jacket should never be an after thought or a piece you just happen to throw on as you leave the house. Choose a jacket that completes & complements the rest of the outfit.
Step two: bottoms up
Wether it may be your beloved hand-me-down jeans or favourite cut off shorts, choosing denim bottoms abides very few rules: cut & comfort. Looking your best goes hand in hand with feeling your best! As good as that skin tight jean makes your ass look, being able to sit down & breathe is a must. Keep in mind that denim bottoms come in many shapes & forms, so don't just settle for a simple pair of jeans when you can play around with your options! Skirts, dresses, overalls, shorts, tearaways - the world is your denim oyster. Working from your bottoms up, search for a top (if you even need one!) that is either a perfect match or complete contrast to the denim of your choice. Denim shade awareness is very important guys...trust me.
Step three: delicate details
Monochromatic looks are powerful as hell, yet can be difficult to achieve with success. The use of combining different textures & materials can help create contrast & variety when working with the same colour scheme. A full denim on denim look can be challenging as it's the same use of material, so the little details, embellishments & accessories are what bring the whole look together.
Jewelry, eyewear, handbags, makeup, footwear...for me, these are the elements that can truly elevate a look. In fact, it was a handbag that inspired this entire blog post. I came across a Wrangler jean purse about two months ago & since then have been slowly collecting denim bits & bots, as I knew I needed to create my own version of the Canadian Tuxedo.
Step four: dare to dream
The act of pulling off a Canadian Tuxedo requires a little coordination, a daring sense of adventure in one's style & a little time spent up in the clouds. You can be as bold with your outfit choices as you wish to, all while rocking a look inspired by some good ol' Western Canadian roots.
If creating your own version of the Canadian Tuxedo is one of your fantasies, hopefully you feel inspired to go for it! If not, I hope you allow yourself to dream big -
big enough to wear something daring, to push your boundaries a little further, to let go of limiting beliefs & let in some inspiration.
If Bing Crosby can accidentally start a worldwide trend in some beat up jeans, imagine what you can do decked out in a little denim?
Step five: JUST DO IT ALREADY
Need I say more?
xx C
PHOTOGRAPHY: KITTY EVANS @kittyshootsfilm
OUTFIT ANTHEM: BLUE JEANS - LANA DEL REY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRWox-i6aAk
OUTFIT DETAILS:
A BELLE IN BLUE
DENIM CORSET - GEORGIE GIRL VINTAGE
DENIM EMBELLISHED SKIRT - MARCHÉ UNDERGROUND
DENIM JEWELED JACKET - THRIFTED
ICY BLUE COWBOY BOOTS - L'INTERVALLE
DENIM COWBOY HAT - DIY
BELT - THRIFTED
EARRINGS - EVA B VINTAGE
DENIM DARLING
PATCHWORK OVERALLS - ARRÊT VINTAGE
DENIM HAT - EVA B VINTAGE
WRANGLER JEAN HANDBAG - EVA B VINTAGE
DENIM HEELS - FROCK & FELLOW
BELT - THRIFTED
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