So long! Farewell!

Kristin, here! Reporting one last time from Reruns Boutique. After about a year and a half of being in the Reruns family, I’m leaving all familiarity behind and charting new territory; this Saturday I’m moving to Charleston, SC to start a new chapter of my teensy life! As the acting social media manager here, it only seemed appropriate to write a farewell blog…so here it is! In my time at Reruns, I have learned many things from how to find a pair of jeans that actually fit my body to the sheer perfection that makes up a genuine, hand-painted Hermes scarf.

Though it may sound cheesy, I’ve also learned a whole heck of a lot about myself and my personal style. I learned that being tall with broad shoulders and narrow hips doesn’t mean I can’t wear beautiful, well-made, tailored clothing. I learned that being pale-skinned and minimalistic can be and is beautiful. I learned that the size on the tag doesn’t matter as long as I look and feel good. I learned that I can rock heels even if it makes me almost six-foot tall. I learned that although I wear 85% of my clothing oversized, clothing really can be too big, not just too small. I learned that personal style is not an obsession over materialistic things and outward appearances, but an exercise in finding confidence and a sense of self. Finally, I learned that confidence looks good on everyone; not that I don’t have my insecurities, but I’ve learned that dwelling on them does nothing for me.

As I move into this new era of my life, my grand plan is to implement the parts of my current style that I love but with more care and diligence, more refinement, if you will. What I mean is I want to take my look and just polish it up a bit. So, here’s what I’m imagining (a girl can dream!)

Hair: Messy, curly and effortless is what it’s all about. Perfect beach look, don’t you think?

Make-up: I don’t wear much make-up, but I want the little bit that I do wear to perfectly accent my blue eyes and fair skin. I love this look from Fashion Week.

Top: I love love love flowy, oversized tops and that love will most likely only grow stronger living in a place where its 95 degrees and sunny all the time. Something like this Free People top will be a wardrobe staple, for sure.

Nails: Harper’s Bazaar says neutral nails are all the rage this season. I’m in love with this natural look. Polished but not too extravagant!

Bottoms: Jorts jorts jorts. I don’t care what anyone says, I love them. I especially love the high-waisted look, its flattering, interesting, and fashionable.

Shoes: I wore the hell out of my low-top Converse in high school and my roommate has recently resurrected them. Now I want some high-tops!

Surely my style profile will change with the seasons (literally and metaphorically), but Reruns has taught me about fashion as a form of expression so I feel positive that said changes will just be a natural part of my personal evolution.  Leaving Reruns means leaving behind a little family of amazing women who have shaped me, challenged me, supported me, and befriended me. But, I’m leaving with lasting relationships, extensive knowledge about well-made clothing, a surer sense of self, and some GREAT articles of clothing that are staples in my wardrobe.

I want to thank all my dear, sweet, beautiful co-workers for the opportunity to be a part of this fun, fashionable and fabulous family and send you all a million kisses!

Until next time!

Kristin

Making an Impression

It’s time for another guest blog, y’all!  This week we present to you the amazingly talented owner and operator of The Happy Envelope, Sarah Pattison. The Happy Envelope is a small business (with small products but big ideas!) located in the heart of downtown Knoxville. THE specializes in unique letterpress invitations and announcements and commits to making your special experience a perfectly special one.  When she isn’t operating an amazing business, wrangling her two beautiful girls, or on a romantic getaway with her hubs, Sarah finds some time to consign some of her super cute clothes with us at Reruns.  So we thought, obviously this matriarch of a woman needs to write a guest blog for us. So she did!

Ladies and gents, I share with you a few wise words from Sarah Pattison:

I’m constantly reminding clients that their invitation is the very first thing that their guests will see regarding their wedding. The invitation will inform guests on far more than simple content, such as date, time, and place. It will also inform guests on the mood and feel of the event: Formal? Whimsical? Fun? You may not want to believe it, but it will inform guests about the level of taste: thin, chintzy paper? Pre-made stock with a logo on the back? Or thick, luxurious paper stock with a creative, thoughtfully designed layout? 

In the same vein, I recently decided that I better practice what I preach. When clients walk in the door of our studio, what is the first thing they see? Well, most directly they meet us, Ty and myself. We are the ones sitting down to meet with potential clients, brainstorm ideas, estimate pricing on their job, and generally flesh out The Happy Envelope experience. 

 

How do I want any client, first-time or long-time, to perceive our company and brand? Well, in line with our products: professionally designed, creative, luxurious, sophisticated. With this in mind, I determined that no matter how badly I may long to roll into work in my workout clothes or “comfy” pants (I am my own boss, after all!) I simply cannot. The truth is that what I’m wearing, (along with what Ty’s wearing, and even what our interns wear!) presents our company in a certain light. It may sound shallow and unfair, but it’s very true: people make perceptions about you according to how you present yourself. It is wise in your professional setting to “out dress” those around you.

 

I once heard the phrase, “Dress for the job you want, not the one you have.” This underlying (simple!) concept stuck with me: Present yourself in the most positive light possible, and others will be more likely to see your potential, too.

 

Visit The Happy Envelope at 525 Union Avenue

or contact them at (865)457-7577.

Alaina Smith: Artist, Manager and Fashion Designer

We have another great treat for y’all; another of our very own, Alaina Smith! She is a lady of Knoxville; always working downtown, performing with her local sensation of a band, Marina Orchestra, or playing with her favorite gal pals. Alaina also has a great talent for art and fashion design (what can this girl NOT do, right?!). We asked her to share what fashion means to her and how her experience as a fashion designer has shaped and molded her into the woman she is today. As always, your job is to sit back, relax, and take a walk in someone else’s shoes for a few minutes.

Happy reading!

Performing, NYE 2012

I could say that fashion brings people together and that it is the most important thing people have, but that’s not how I feel. Relationships, making connections, and feeling like part of a bigger picture is more important, which is why fashion is so instrumental in our society. Personal style displays feelings about so much more than just how people like to look. Vintage clothing can identify you as a hunter and a dreamer while wearing a handmade sweater from your grandmother with striped leggings identifies you more as an inventor and a rebel. No matter the choice – you are relating, you are creating, and you are participating.

I am a fashion designer. For me, making clothing is not only a way I can cultivate my creativity and harness my energy, but a way to relate and participate in a larger way.

Alaina at her First Friday show at Reruns.

The idea that I can imagine something, create it, and find someone who appreciates it the same way I do is exhilarating. I have become some small part of their life when they purchase that item. While most people can connect with a stranger by commenting on their fantastic jacket or their killer dress, I can make that jacket and that dress.  Below is a just a small peek into some of the designs I have crafted in the past.

Geometric clutch, Alaina Smith Designs

Fringe detail on an ASD original blouse.

After showing my collection in the first Knoxville Fashion Week, I realized that there are many Southerners like me that have an unquenchable thirst for fashion, and that kind of realization has really influenced me. Not everyone in Knoxville wears Northface jackets, Nike running shorts, and Tevas. Through working at Reruns and managing Rala, I’ve met a plethora of people just as excited about creating and sharing as I am.

Alaina Smith Designs on the runway at Knoxville Fashion Week, March 2012

I love fashion because it acts as a gateway to people who interest me and because it allows me to feel fully me. I hope that everyone can have a similar experience every day in their own closets and armoires.

The Sartorialist and a “Style Star”

Our guest blogger this month is our very own, Kierstin Powers: wild woman, world traveller, artist, and queen of collectibles. You may recognize her as the lady who goes by KK, has quirky but elegantly beautiful style, crazy curls, and never leaves the house without her favorite pair of boots.  During her residence in New York City, KK was photographed by well-know photographer Scott Schuman, commonly known as The Sartorialist.  As their interactions became more frequent, the Sartorialist asked Kierstin to model for his upcoming book; of course, she said yes!  Since this is not something most people have under their respective belts, we asked KK to share some things about her amazing experience. The following style profile is loosely based on some on the questions KK was asked during informal conversations with Scott and modeled off style profiles he has published in the past. Sit back, enjoy, and–for a moment–live vicariously through this beautiful gem of a woman!

Style Profile: Kierstin Amelia Powers

1. Where do you find inspiration? History, in nature, the shades, colors, textures from the earth, and small country towns.

2. What would you consider your uniform? My day to day outfits are a mix of feminine and tomboy, sexy but rugged. Lately I’ve enjoyed wearing the same color in different shades and textures.

3. When do you experiment with your look the most? When certain things become trendy, I will usually steer clear of that or experiment with something completely different. I get bored with fashion when everyone seems to be wearing similar pieces.

4. Who has influenced your style? The cowboys and ranchers in Texas that I worked with, Coco Chanel in her early years, 1930’s European school kids, and the film O Brother Where Art Thou.  The film had a huge influence on me because of how it depicted the classic southern style of years ago.

5. Most memorable gift? A stranger in a laundromat in Buena Vista, CO was watching me work on my jewelry and gave me a huge box of quartz!

6. Never caught wearing? Tennis shoes with a dress, heavy make up, or Ugg boots.

7. You build your daily style around? How I am feeling or where I’ll be going.

8. You feel best when wearing? Slacks and a button up shirt or a simple cotton red dress.

9. You dress to impress who? At the moment, myself!

10. When you were in high school you wore? Anything funky! I became very rebellious with my style sense and tried pretty much anything bright or dull!

The original photo of Kierstin taken by The Sartorialist. Outfit inspired by 1930’s newsboy. Union Square, NYC Fall 2011. Photo is now hanging in a gallery in NYC

“Fashion means absolutely nothing. Style, now style is everything.”

This was the response from a professor in a grocery store in upstate New York after I complimented him on his amazing style. The more I thought about it, I realized that is how I have always felt about my own style.  It was never about trends or the price tag, but more about how well it was made and how it would allow me to put myself together. What matters to me is the coexistence and the flow of the entire outfit.  I focus on the details, the colors and textures, of every piece I put on myself from my socks and under garments to my hats and slacks.  My only desire–what is truly important to me–is to present myself in a manner that reflects the way my mind works and the way I see the beauty in nature and in the world that surrounds me.

Photo taken for the book “The Sartorialist II,” showcasing KK’s handmade “bookbag.” Book debuts this month (September 2012)

I have been to every state except Hawaii and Alaska.  I have lived in trailers, tents, in a loft in an old lingerie factory, out of a donut truck, an old Land Cruiser, off the grid in a cedar mansion built out of trees from the hill it sat on and countless houses from coast to coast.  I’ve always been on the move, soaking up scenery and adding to my aesthetic. Before I met Scott, I had never much cared about the fashion industry.  However, my interactions with this style icon not only produced a love of fashion in me but a passion for true, genuine style.  It also taught me how to incorporate my various experiences into the way I put myself together every morning, which to me is very valuable.

An Education

The fall season is upon us so we thought, what better way to get in the “back-to-school” spirit than to ask our resident high-schooler, Paris Woodhull, to talk about her adventures as a fashionista in her school. We think that her advice is tried and true, and even if you aren’t BTS age, you can easily implement her fashion tips into your own wardrobe. Take a look!

When most people think of going back to school their first reaction is, “Ugh!!!.” Not in my case. School is an underused opportunity to express yourself, even if you have to wear a uniform like me! The wonderful thing about being in school is that you have a get-out-of-jail-free-pass for fashion mishaps. Every person has worn something in school that they later regret. Without mistakes you never learn, so why not make them while you’re young so you have an excuse?

Vince Camuto boots and H&M skirt, scored at Reruns!

No stylish woman I know started out completely stylish. She had to play around and find what worked best for her. All that being said, school is a golden opportunity to play! If you do have a uniform, like me, here are the basics of what you need to play around. Even if you don’t have a uniform, these basics will work for you.

 I find having a snazzy collection of accessories will spice up even the most austere looking uniform. My back to school staples consist of: a few pairs of cute and comfy boots (some girls brave stilettos at my school…more power to them!), some solid colored cardigans, fun accessories, and a few one-of-a-kind pieces to wow your friends with.

A Free People cardigan and Gap boots are killer consignment finds!

Just one warning! Some people get extremely excited about dressing for the first day of school and make the mistake of wearing all their cool pieces within the first couple days. Make sure you don’t wear all your cool pieces too soon, spread them out a bit so you’ll feel fresh and cute for a while.

This blouse, a piece from avant-garde designer Comme de Garcon is the best Reruns find, hands down!

Some of my friends at school believe my wardrobe to be quite extensive, truth is, I just mix and match. With a few pieces I can create several outfits and so can you! Most importantly, make sure whatever you decide to wear makes you feel comfortable, fabulous and you! Have a great school year and remember “whoever makes the most mistakes wins!” Did I really say that? Yup.

Toodles!

Paris

Behind the Scenes: Smart Trips Window Display Contest

If you love our latest window display, you’ll love this behind the scenes look at the way the artist, Paris Woodhull, dreams up her many creations.  Take a minute and read what she has to say!

 Life’s little surprises always show up. Sometimes the surprises are good and sometimes they hit you over the head like a mallet. Being so young I never sat down and decided upon a creative process nor was I taught one. I dove in head first, which in reality is the best way to go about it because you are a clean slate. As long as I’ve been an artist, (which I’m pretty sure I came out with a glue gun in one hand and a paint brush in the other) I have always learned best by doing. So when I started creating displays for Reruns it was a bit out of my comfort zone because I had to learn to sit back, plan what I was going to do, and explain my idea to another person. Though this took a bit of practice, it made me into a stronger artist because I was creating art on a professional level not just for my own personal enjoyment. Every window begins with a theme. My most recent theme was to design and install a window display for the Smart Trips competition.

Stage 1: Sketch

I wanted this window to incorporate not only the Smart Trips mission but show its connection to Reruns. After many a failed sketch I landed on one that I felt was unexpected and would draw attention to both Smart Trips and Reruns. I never knew how much time and effort went into creating a window display until I tried one. Window displays ALWAYS take longer than you expect.

Because you have to add details!

But the time and effort is always worth it because there is not a more incredible feeling than watching an idea come alive before your very eyes.

The finished product.

 

Iconography

Our guest blogger this week is another of the lovely Reruns ladies, Brianna Lamberson. You may recognize her as the tall lady with flowing long brown hair and a killer sense of style. Or perhaps you recognize her as your personal stylist? Either way, she’s awesome and she has an equally as awesome philosophy when it comes to fashion and life in general.

A style icon is an ever-changing image to which we look for inspiration and encouragement. This is a very popular phrase but in reality this concept has been around for ages. Simply put, a style icon is a mentor.

Bob Dylan, 1966

It is a person, known or unknown, young or old, dead or living, woman or  man, who speaks to you and I mean who truly speaks to you. What you value in others and wish to have in yourself, you already possess.

Diane Keaton, 2000’s

But we look to them because they say, “I am brave since I dare to be me and so should you be you.” That is why we love them, because they show us we’re not the only ones and that there is no reason to play it small. These wild women and men are pioneers who challenge the norm to boldly flaunt their individuality. They are trailblazers in art, fashion, music, literature, and politics.

Diane Keaton in Annie Hall

Contrary to popular belief, style cannot be bought, nor is it a privilege though the current trends in the fashion industry would have you believe otherwise. Style has been and is today the purest way to represent oneself and it flourishes in the most obscure places.

Yoko Ono, 1974

As a stylist and multi-passionate lifestyle expert, I know from first hand experience that style is something that is deeply personal, constantly evolving, and fun!

Esperanza Spalding, Jazz Musician

Our clothing tells the story of our life. It tells where we have come from and where we hope to go. So I ask: Who are you? Where do you come from and where  do you hope to go? Who is your torch-bearer that reminds you we must always be true to ourselves?

After all, well-behaved women rarely make history.

Become Brianna’s Friend and follow her on Twitter for more inspiring commentary and helpful lifestyle and wellness tips!

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Lovely Paris Woodhull

Our blogger this week is Paris Woodhull.  You may recognize her as the spunky young woman often wearing one of her own creations or as the little lady that designed the awesome dresses made from recycled materials that were displayed in the Arnstien Building during the holidays.  Either way, her face is probably familiar to you because she works here!  I must say, Paris may only be 17 years old but that girl knows what she’s talking about.  But enough of my rambling, sit back for a minute and read what this firecracker has to say:

“For years I limited myself when it came to wardrobe choices, probably from a fear of making “mistakes” and then having stupid kids at school making me pay for them. I wore everything from Chacos to Toms to Northface.

In high school its an unspoken contest to see who can reach perfection, when in reality those stuck up preps will never brush perfection with their finger tips. And you know why? Because they are just as scared as me of “messing up” in the world of fashion. The funny thing about this is that fashion should not be scary at all. Fashion is a way of expressing how you feel inside. Fashion can also be a form of therapy because it forces you to look inside yourself and interpret who you are through what you wear.

Now that I think about it that is kind of intimidating! And I’m sure that most people don’t think of fashion as something that goes that deep. But as the author and Harvard Professor Cornel West stated, “It’s the person who wears the clothes. The soul. The spirit. The body inside the attire. That’s where style comes from.”

What if every person in the world dressed like themselves? Do you know what I mean? What if every person felt comfortable enough to express all of themselves in the open by how they dressed? What a wonderfully interesting world we would live in! I know for a fact I would just want to sit out on the sidewalk for hours and watch people pass me by.

So after two ho hum years in high school I finally cracked, broke down my junior year and decided to take a risk. I was so tired of not becoming myself. At first it was difficult because my school has a dress code but I took it as a challenge. So after reading the school dress code word for word online I set off to become a distinct person not at all concerned about making myself appealing. All I wanted was to say something real, be noticed. So slowly but surely I started breaking every fashion rule I knew. I wore different patterns together. I wore high-waisted long skirts (not commonly appealing to the opposite sex). I wore pink neon fishnet tights. I wore socks that didn’t match. And all sorts of other fashion no nos. You might be thinking “but didn’t people make fun of you?” Of course they did! But I knew the secret to surviving high school: Project confidence and don’t give a flying flip!

After a month or so of my craziness I started having random people come up to me in the hallways and tell me how much they loved and admired my sense of style. Wow! Who knew that people would actually admire originality! This has been one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. All of a sudden I realized my deep passion to become an artist and I started painting my soul out in addition to creating one of a kind window displays for Reruns. I felt a growing feeling that I was doing what I was meant to do, which is by far the most incredible feeling that one can feel. Who knew that my life could completely change just by changing what I put on in the morning.

Now I’m not saying that you should go home and throw out all your clothes and take a walk on the wild side. All I’m trying to do is encourage you to take a small risk. Throw caution to the wind for a day. Whether it be wearing black and brown together or wearing those sexy red heels you’ve been hiding in your closet. I promise you, it will feel incredible. Bon voyage!”

The Best Style is Your Own Style

Instead of a guest blog this week, we have some words from one of our very own employees.  We introduce you to 22-year old Kristin, the lady behind all the Reruns Boutique social media.  In her stylist biography, Kristin tells us that she loves to mix masculine and feminine textures as a way to create a dynamic and interesting ensemble.  She’s got a little more to say about her style philosophy, so read on people, read on!

Fashion is something that I have always loved and enjoyed.  I’ve gone through many phases (some better than others) like wearing way too many bracelets, layering everything, wearing obnoxiously bright colors, and wearing only neutrals to name a few.

Working in a restaurant for years, I generally dressed extremely casual and not particularly feminine or masculine, just basic.  Now working at Reruns, I have learned to implement more formal, feminine features into my more causal look to create a nice blend of masculine shapes with feminine accents .  Recently, I visited Charleston and purchased a pair of ivory high-top sneakers with lace cut-out on the side.  It seems frivilous, I know, but it truly felt like I had found my shoe soulmate (!!!) because it’s the perfect combination of a casual, masculine shape with that perfect feminine twist. Love it!  I can pair them with the perfect pair of skinny jeans, a chiffon top, and some great coral lipstick OR I can just pair them with a cute little dress.  Either way, this serves as a perfect example of how I love pushing the envelope but in a very subtle manner; it adds just the perfect amount of intrigue to my personal style.

I feel strongly that one of the ways a woman can feel empowered and confident is through creating a style all her own that rebels against any and all fashion rules or constrictions.  If you want to wear navy and black, more power to you.  If you want to wear things from the 90’s, go for it.  If you want to wear stripes every single day, who cares?!

Fashion should be fun and, more importantly, fashion should be creative and liberating.  Don’t waste your time memorizing the various arbitrary rules of fasion–spend your time contemplating ways you can uniquely challenge those rules and look great while doing it!  Go get ’em, y’all!

Guest Blogger: Kate Spears

It’s time for the next guest blog, y’all!  We’ve got another of our fabulous consignors and customers in line.  World, meet Kate Spears, a sweet southern gal who knows how to shop til she drops.  Take a look-see and get the scoop on her style inspiration and fashion rules; who knows, maybe you’ll learn something new.  And seriously, take a look at her blog–it’s awesome! Okay, without further ado, here are some fantastic words from the magnificent Kate Spears:

I was so honored when the lovely ladies at Reruns asked me to do a guest-post for their blog. Reruns is one of my all-time favorite places to shop and most of the time when someone compliments me on something I’m wearing, I say, “I got it at Reruns!”

My style inspiration comes from many different sources, from art and architecture to periods in history and fashionable folks I’ve seen and known. One thing I’m learning more recently (and something shaping my style) is less really can be more. I’ve always been something of a collector and this applied to my closet and accessories too (aka I had a ton of stuff). I’m learning that one or two carefully selected pieces can make an outfit vs. piling on a ton of items just to have them compete with each other and ruin the statement.

I’m even on something of a style transformation, weeding out items in my wardrobe that don’t quite express who I want to be, and simplifying my options so it’s easier to get dressed in the mornings. My best style advice is this: never underestimate the power of fashion, good or bad. Dress the part you want to play…even if it feels like a costume. If you are dressing the part, you will eventually become the character. And don’t be afraid to have fun. If today’s outfit isn’t what you hoped it would be, there’s always tomorrow.

For more of my thoughts on style as well as a slice of my southern life, please feel free to visit my personal blog at [www.southernbellesimple.com]. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you at Reruns!