Things I'm Loving (4)
Part A: Reflections on Spring
So… this is very very late. Sorry again. BUT, I’m sure you’re all wondering why I’m even posting a Things I’m Loving (April) at the BEGINNING OF JUNE (yikes). Well, the first reason is I had this list written already at the end of April, but I didn’t have the time to actually craft a post so it sat in my drafts till now. And the second reason is I really like this list! A lot of the things I loved in April were things I also loved in May, so I didn’t want this list to go to waste.
As a result, Things I’m Loving this week is going to be a TWO PARTER (cheers and applause)! This is obviously part one, and in a couple days (TBD) I’ll be posting the May Edit which is part two! The two lists actually heavily informed each other, and I think that’s in part because April and May were so busy that the things I loved just all blended together.
So I hope you enjoy this double-feature, I’m very excited for y’all to read it, because I’m kinda loving the way they’ve turned out so far. This part (one) is all about April but it also ended up being about the spring and coming back to life. Part two is subsequently about May and the summer and going out to enjoy the sun. Quite poetic methinks.
Anyways, I’ll get straight into it. Please enjoy: Things I’m Loving 4 — The April Spring Edit.
April was busy. Very busy. And jam-packed with school, work, and a load of personal problems that have left me drained. As a result, it’s been difficult to find a lot of new things to specifically enjoy. So a lot of the “fashion” section for this edition is going to be thing’s I’ve actually loved before, but also found a lot of comfort in this April.
So, firstly, coastal beatnik — What is coastal beatnik? I hear you asking. Well the style (aesthetic? subculture?) can be divided into two terms: “coastal” and “beatnik”. Coastal seems to primarily define the feeling and function of the clothes in this variety. Blue, white, and beige fabrics in flowy or relaxed styles (the occasional nautical element here and there). These clothes are thus reflective of the lifestyles of the average coastal inhabitant. As a bi-coastal girlie, this is something I’ve been missing these last wintery months.
But now onto “beatnik.” Beatnik defines the time period, and also separates this category of coastal fashion from the “coastal grandmother” and “coastal granddaughter” varieties. The Beatnik subculture emerged in the 1950s and 60s and was subsequently defined by those coming of age during the time. Specifically, Beatnik style is defined by those who were in more bohemian, artsy circles. They rejected conformity and engaged with artistic and intellectual subjects, making them the precursor for the Hippie movement of the 60s and 70s. However the beatnik style couldn’t be more different from the hippies. The Beatniks were defined by dark colors, sleek silhouettes, and minimalism. Very interesting dichotomy if you ask me.
So put “coastal” and “beatnik” together and what do you get? In my opinion (unfortunately informed by tiktok and pinterest) you get the something much more sleek and chic than a “coastal grandmother/daughter” (sorry to them). The coastal beatnik style is less preppy, more minimal than other styles. Loose, flowy silhouettes are traded in for more structured ones, but with the same breezy fabrics. And feminine patterns and nautical motifs are a toned down significantly, while accessories that evoke a sense of mystery (dark sunnies, hats, headscarves) are instead thrown in.
I don’t really know what it is about this specific style, but I like it. I think it speaks to my own fashion interests more (coastal vibes and minimalism) while simultaneously being aspirational. In other words, I need to be at the beach this summer. Clearly I’ve been missing the coasts.
Similarly, something else I’ve specifically been loving this month has been my DARK vintage sunglasses I got in Paris. Yes, I’m still talking about Paris months after I’ve left. But these glasses really take me back to sitting on park benches in the frigid weather, being all pensive and dramatic. BUT they also just look really good. I’ve been calling them my Audrey Hepburn glasses, because they just feel so chic and sleek. Funnily enough, they fit into the coastal beatnik vibe I’ve been loving. Probably because Audrey Hepburn’s off-duty style is exemplary of beatnik fashion. Ergo, my vintage sunglasses fit right in.
I just love them so much, and to be honest, they make me, and any outfit I put on, look ten times cooler. I mean, how fun (and annoying) is it to say, “Yeah, these shades are vintage… from Paris.” It’s both obnoxious and hilarious at the same time, and I will be dropping that all summer long. I also just feel so mysterious with these shades on because they are really dark. I can stare and glare at whoever I want while also looking chic. In conclusion, my accessory of the season is definitely going to be these glasses, and I highly encourage everyone to find a classy pair like these that goes with any outfit.
Okay now to pivot into something non-fashion related I’ve been loving this spring: pink. Not a shock at all, especially since I was surrounded by pink blossoms all spring, but still noteworthy. Yes, I’ve finally matured out of hating pink and have come to fully embrace the color. It’s shown up a lot more in my clothes and inspiration photos in the last year, but in this season I’ve enjoyed it through makeup specifically.
I’ve slowly been ditching the darker, smokier makeup of winter for a bright, fresh-faced look for spring. Looking all pink and glowy after coming out of a (sort of) restful winter just feels like the right move to be honest. The growing presence of the sun has given me less of a reason to put on a moody look (which I still love) and opt for something more natural and fun instead.
So I’ve been loving more pink, natural makeup looks this month (of April), not just because it’s practical and fit into my increasingly busy schedule, but because it feels like a representation of my spirit coming back to life.
Onto the art section of this post, because it will never be a post from me without a little art history babble. In the month of April, I specifically loved the work of my anarchist king: Camille Pissarro. We (should) all know by now that I love Impressionist painting, and it doesn’t get more Impressionist than this guy. Arguably also a founding father of Impressionist painting, Pissarro was dedicated to studying and understanding the complex effects of light on landscapes. This guy, along with Monet, pioneered all the techniques of optical mixing and thick brushstrokes; and as a result produced scenes that really make you feel like you’re in the moment. My personal favorite is Place du Théâtre Français (1897), as Pissarro captures the feeling of a cool, misty morning by understanding how fog affects light.
He was also, an anarchist! Like, a well-documented anarchist. I was doing a project on Pissarro in April and came upon this discovery while researching his artistic influences. And I just think this is so cool, because Impressionism is often argued as being uncomplicated and apolitical, but documentation of Pissarro’s political leanings proves otherwise. According to art historian Linda Nochlin,
“[For Pissarro] Impressionism was the natural concomitant of social progress, political radicalism, belief in science rather than superstition, individualism, and rugged straightforwardness in personal behavior.” (Camille Pissarro: The Unassuming Eye, 2008)
This means that the Impressionist artists understood the revolutionary nature of their practice, and their art was not just to be pleasing, but to intentionally disrupt established systems. Truly inspiring.
And finally, a little lifestyle thing I’ve been loving (from spring into summer) is being busy. If you saw my last vlog, then you’ll know that I’m always around doing things. From studying in my kitchen to working back to back shifts to gallery hopping in a completely different state, I love being busy. And this was especially true in April as college life started to pick back up, but it still stands true in June. Having a packed schedule has just made me feel fulfilled and also snapped me out of the winter funk. I especially enjoy doing things by myself as having a busy solo schedule reaffirms my sense of purpose and allows me to really lock in and focus on myself. So, I’m going to carry that same energy into the summer: surrounding myself with people I love, but not without focusing on myself.
Honorable Mentions:
New York City - I love you New York City (see the vlog)
19th-century American Painting (very very excited to Singer-Sargent Exhibit at the Met, hopefully soon)
PROFESSORS - I LOVE PROFESSORS, SPECIFICALLY MY PROFESSORS — I DON’T WANT TO LEAVE UNIVERSITY :(
In conclusion, this past spring I loved myself. I revisited a lot of the things I’ve loved before in a time which was turbulent (these crazy times weren’t all bad though). Knowing all these seemingly trivial things I loved helped me stay grounded during all the joy and drama of April. I saw myself through it all, because I knew myself so well.
Thank you for being here, and keep an eye out for part two! I’m excited to write it for you all and to hopefully get back on a regular writing schedule soon. Stay tuned :)
Sincerely,
Amelia.