7.02.2010

Inspired by Dad in the 70's: Military Woman

Vintage Hat: Thrift $1
Shirt: Thrift $3
Harmonica Necklace: Modcloth $16
Vintage WWII Riding Pants: Estate Sale $2
Espadrilles: Salvation Army $6

I finally found the time to take those daddy-inspired photos I casually spoke about on father's day. I figured since I did a post for mama I had to do one for papa too! I'm sure dad had some better looks to get inspired by in the 70's, but I've been hanging on to these pants for months now and thought this would be a very appropriate time to wear them. I wanted to see if I could turn dad's tough military look into something wearable for a lady.


I wish I knew more about dad's time in the military, but unfortunately I don't know much. I know he was a dog trainer in the Air Force for a while and that he lived in Thailand and Guam while he was in the service, but that's about it. I'm not exactly sure what he did or what he saw while he was living in either of these places.

We always liked to say that dad had nine lives because of all the careers he's had. The military history came before I was born, and by the time I got here, he was a motorcycle cop in Mobile, Alabama. When I turned a year old we moved from Alabama to Ft. Worth, Texas so he could get his masters in religion at the baptist seminary, and after that he went back to school to become a social worker. He's been a therapist ever since, but I do remember times when he thought about going back to law school. I think all in all he spent twelve years in college. He liked his studies I guess!

Inspired by Dad in the 70's: Military Days


I rounded up all the things I could find for a military inspired outfit, and this is what I came up with. The WWII riding pants were an extraordinary estate sale find marked at 90% off. The man was so desperate to get rid of his stuff that he only wanted $2 for them.  You don't come across those everyday (and in such great shape), so I snatched them up without even thinking twice. The military shirt pin is from a camo hat I purchased at Urban Outfitters back in 2006, and the aviators were leftover from a party I threw back in my early days of college. The National Geographic magazine might seem a little out of place, but it's such a great reference for all the great sights and cultures of the world that I decided to include it (since dad did get to travel). I've never actually gotten to leave the country, so instead I rely on my National Geographics to show me the sights. This one is from 1969, and although the cover photo is just an eagle attacking a lady, I'm sure there's something about the war in there too.

30 comments:

Away with the fairy's said...

Wow i really love this look! ive been so fascinated with all the military styling around this season!

http://illustratemypillowcase.blogspot.com/

Eli said...

these two photos are awesome! Your dad sounds like an amazing person that accomplished many things!

Annie, The Friendly Fox said...

A milatary dog trainer!? That is so cool.
You did a great job taking inspiration from you dad and looking like yourself in the end!

Unknown said...

This is such a cool look! I love how you interpreted your inspiration of your dad's military career :)

Nac Cole said...

thanks so much for that sentimental post! and I love your apartment photos because it is so cute!

Carys said...

This post is so lovely! Those trousers were an absolutely amazing find, what a bargain, and they look great!! Also your hair looks so nice!!
From Carys of La Ville Inconnue

Anonymous said...

My goodness, I can't believe those pants are military riding pants. I would be intimidated to even put them on! Your dad sounds like an amazing person, it's no wonder you turned out so wonderful having been raised by such an extraordinary family.

I also love that you can bounce between so many different styles--soft and romantic one day and tomboyish and tough the next (but with a fabulous hat to soften things up.) In other news, I just got the dress I bought from you shortened. Now to wait for non 99 degree weather so I can actually wear things without looking like I just stepped out a sauna.

love, Jenny

Kelley Anne said...

You look amazing. I love the proportions of this outfit, the colors, and the inspiration.

Kelley Anne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Megan said...

what a sensational outfit!
on a completely different note: i adore your green couch and your new blog layout! how classy!
t.g.i.f. and happy 4th
xoxoxxo

Harlow Darling said...

Wow, what an amazing find, it's not every day that I see someone wearing a piece of history, I can't believe those pants survived so long and still look so great!

Hope you have a wonderful 4th of july weekend sweetheart :)

Lots of love
Harlow
xxx

Jenni said...

What a great post! So sweet. And great find on the pants!

kathy said...

Great Outfit!

I find it kind of strange thinking about the different lives our parents lived before they had us- my parents lived on a boat and once sailed the whole way round the UK...but now they live in a tiny semi detached house in the countyside! xx

tess said...

lovely espadrilles! Your dad does sound quite versitale

C said...

I honestly love everything about it. The pants, the hat, the decor, the theme, the connection to your dad. Such a lovely photoshoot and post that really pulls everything together!

Danielle @ Story of Style said...

This is a fantastic modern interpretation of your dad's 1970s photograph!

April said...

Love this! Your dad seems like a really interesting guy!

moonshinejunkyard said...

hmmm, very mysteriously shrouded past, dad! just kidding, he sounds amazing and i adore your tribute to him. his military photos are effing rad and he was quite dashing. most of all i'm in awe that you can make even MILITARY style look feminine, cute and somehow romantic. you can be my lietenant anyday!

Avalonne Hall said...

Yay new layout! Did you get bored of the old layout? Change is always fun! I love this military inspired outfit! I love military green, I need more of that color in my closet!

It is kinda cold in San Francisco, it's chilly and windy sometimes, so I can wear tights under my pants and not sweat like crazy! It doesn't get warm/hot until September and ends early November. Crazy huh? I envy the hot weather other places are enjoying! I have yet to visit Alameda, but I hear it's really expensive, there's also an entrance fee too... crazy. You will not find low prices like you do in Arkansas... jealous!

camerafilmroll said...

Love those Espadrilles!

Miss Claire said...

Your outfit looks great! I posted an old photo from my papas photo album just yesterday!

Xx Claire

www.jemimaandgeraldine.blogspot.com

Shelby said...

i love those pants. they look brand new!

Rebecca said...

This is such a great idea for an outfit. The WW2 trousers- what an amazing find! Your Dad sounds like he's had an interesting life.

Bea said...

The pants are pretty cool find! I'd want a military jacket of some kind. The big green oversized ones that would toughen up any pretty dress :)

I just love that your dad was a dog trainer. All his experiences sound so cool!

B from A plus B

archives vintage said...

love. especially with the espadrilles!

Amanda said...

Your dad sounds just like my dad. I wonder if they knew each other, since my dad was also in the Air Force and was stationed in Guam (where I was born!). Hehe, that would be silly.

Unknown said...

One of my favorite hobbies is to try to create an outfit from one of my grandmas or great aunt's photos on Polyvore! This is an even greater idea! Thanks for sharing :)

Victoria / Justice Pirate said...

I really love this outfit of yours! I can't believe you got those shoes for that price! That's incredible. The necklace is swseet. That's really cool that you posted some military shots of your dad from the Air Force. My dad was in the military too but I ask him loads of questions about it all the time and lately I've been asking him about what the prostitutes were like since I am very against the forced slavery of prostitution around the world and Vietnam is my heart and he lived there for a year. Anyway it is nice that you posted about your dad since we've seen your mom and learned a little about her. ;)

Paige P said...

kind of unrelated,
but I would try and buy that couch out from under you if I saw in irl.

You look great, and make me wish I had a vintage sized head, vintage hats are always too small for me!

Midwest Darling

Rosalie said...

I love the outfit and I just love the photos of your dad. he's handsome! love the dog carrying one! xxx