An ’80s Fashion Shoot: Glass Block at Sunset

Happy Monday, Everyone! Yesterday my hubby and I hit another amazing office park for installment 2 of Mirror80’s monthly fashion shoot series. Can you tell I’m a little bit obsessed with office parks, especially when this much glass block is involved?! The weather was a picture-perfect 80-something degrees, and the sun began to set while we were shooting. After we were done snapping pics, we celebrated with a trip to our favorite neighborhood pub (that serves amazing pizza). But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s have a look at those photos…

My fashion strategy here: a geo dress in dark hues + colorful tights + ’80s accessories = the perfect retro-meets-modern outfit for fall. And a great bet for going out on Halloween–if you don’t want to dress up!

For those of you who are newbies to this series (we still kind of are too), it was inspired by the difficulty I have shopping for clothes. I’ve made no secret of my love for interior design, and when I hit a speed bump in the clothing realm, I tend to spend any extra money I may have on items for my home, rather than items for the closet. A case in point: the amazing ’80s artwork in the photo below, which I ordered from Etsy shop I Luv Belle Arte.

Plus, I like being silly more than I like posing for fashion photos! Why else would I have brought a pumpkin along to yesterday’s shoot?!

But this series has been really good for me. In fact, I suggest that everyone take a camera (and a willing family member/photographer) out to a favorite location and pose for some pics. It’s sort of a wake-up call. For example, I don’t have the best posture, and I can’t tell you how many photos I’ve taken where I’m slouched over or looking generally un-confident. Seeing those tendencies on camera has made me realize it’s kind of important to stand up a little straighter!

Not to mention, why should fashion models get to have all the fun?! Anyone can take a good photo with some effort. I truly believe that. And what a great excuse to visit some of my favorite locations–at sunset! I love the way the sun was reflected in the glass of the windows in the building above. And the way it cast light and shadows onto the hills below.

Ready for a closer look at the clothes?! I “shopped my closet” for all of these items. That’s right–none of them are new. I dug this dress out of a box of forgotten clothing. As it turns out, it was easily revived with a pair of opaque tights. Do you ever take a second look at clothes that you’ve dismissed months (or years) ago? This strategy is a money-saver, and it forces you to be creative!

Let’s talk fashion…

• Dress: Forever 21 (from 2011)!
• Tights: Dillard’s (identical or similar to these)
• Shoes: Blowfish (several years old, but these are similar)
• Bracelet: An ’80s find from Etsy
• Necklace: I made it
• Purse: Forever 21

As mentioned, all of the items in today’s shoot are from at least a few years ago. I featured the dress back in this 2011 post (please excuse the less-than-quality photos). I made the necklace last week, but the “pendant” is actually a bead from an ’80s bracelet that fell apart right after I ordered it. Another bead from the bracelet was used to make the DIY geo necklace from last month’s shoot.

I couldn’t help but snap a pic of this angular office building. Not entirely sure when it was built, but I do know that many of my favorite ’80s buildings feature railing like you see below. One of my current faves is lined in teal railing. And slate grey tile on the staircase. Perfection!

Enough talk! Let’s have a look at the final photos, which celebrate office park style. At the end of the shoot, I stopped at a little seating area filled with lush plants. And umbrellas over the tables! Let’s drift off into the sunset for the rest of the post…

Thanks for joining me for another office park adventure. Next month’s shoot location is still being debated. But you can bet it will feature clothing for cooler weather. Have a great week, Everyone!