Sans Onion Strings
I hate to admit it, but I was lucky that the fashion police didn't arrest me here.
In the early days of dating my now husband, I went to meet him for a date. I pulled up on my Dutch bike wearing my beret, only to hear him say, — "Baby, you look like an Onion Seller"
Hubby then explained a significant part of the British and French history of The Onion Johnny, and how much I looked the part, sans plaited strings of onions on my handlebar.
I was fond of berets, and I had a black one and a cream one, which I thought were elegant, and c'mon, we all know how head over heels Prince was for the woman wearing a raspberry beret, right?
Well, I continued to wear my beret because when it comes to fashion I wear what I like despite what anyone else thinks.
Saying that, I was a student back then, and living on a student budget, Berets were significantly cheaper than the special Afro-textured hair products that I needed to maintain my hair, and I was transitioning to living in a cold climate and getting accustomed to never leaving home without a jacket.
I had a part-time job as a babysitter for a little boy with Down syndrome. He was a lovely little kid, who spoke very little English, but he liked me because of my hats. One day I turned up and when I knocked on the door, at my usual time, he was expecting me. Before his mum came to open the door, he peeked through the mailbox and greeted me. However, when I got inside, he was disappointed, and he said something to his mum in Dutch. I realised that something was wrong so I asked his mum, and she explained that he was disappointed that I was not wearing a hat. So from that day on, I never turned up to see him without a hat, which was most times my beret.
Funnily, a few years later when I came to live in the UK, I met a French lady who is now my best friend. Once I met up with her wearing my beret, and she explained to me that berets were never popular in France, she also teased me that I needed to walk with a baguette under my arm.
After much relocation, I eventually lost track of my berets.
Isn't culture and the association that people make with fashion fascinating?
When it comes to fashion, my style is broad and individual, and it would be difficult to guess what I might look like from one day to the next. I'm quirky, so, naturally, I like quirky things, and I'm not caught up with fad fashion. Maybe I'm a bit of an old soul and I prefer vintage, one-off garments that I know I'd never see someone else wearing. I'm keen on good natural fabrics, and clean cuts that fit well.
... Statement pieces are not so appealing, and I like to dress complimentary, without something standing out and looking out of place, or like the clothes are wearing me, instead of me wearing the clothes.
Generally, I try to spend reasonably when buying clothes and I try not to contribute to the wasteful fashion industry, so clothing racks in thrift shops and vintage stores are where I diligently scour for unique items at reduced prices.
What about you peeps? Do you have any embarrassing fashion photos or stories? I'd love to hear them;)
All images are mine, and I hope that you dance or sing along to this song, or perhaps just appreciate or see the now humorous fashion of that time:)
The cover photo was taken in 2007 at Da Costastraat 66, 2321 AR Leiden, The Netherlands😍
You look really gorgeous on that beret.😘
Funny how I never really liked wearing berets because I was forced to. That feeling when you do not do something out of freewill. This was in highschool. I had to wear beret every single hour and the sun was always very scorching. It was terrible.
A few years after graduating, I found myself wearing berets and admiring myself in the mirror. It didn't take me long to realize that I indeed loved wearing berets as the looked really elegant and stylish. Also, they come in very handy on bad hair days. I recently made a crochet beret and I can't get enough of it. Berets are a big yes for me but not under coercion.
Thank you 😊
I get that! I guess that's the same way my older generation used to wear straw hats with their tunics to school. Berets must have been nice, except for the heat, indeed 😆
I was excited about wearing a beret, just as I was about wearing a turban, until I got some exposure and realised that it's mainly Sikhs who wear them:)
I've never been a beret person, but I also don't get the onion seller reference. I don't think that's a thing in the States. Definitely not in the west here.
Hehe! Check out Onion Johnnies in Britain, or see the image in the link 😂 The Good Life France: Onion Johnny from Brittany... you'll see that my hubby was spot on 🤣
I just want to tell you that you look really beautiful in both pictures 😍 and you look really happy, so from my point of view, your outfits couldn't be more perfect.
Fashion? What is that? I don't know 🤭🤭
Thank you!😊
I like that. I think that fashion or the way we dress is an expression of self, and I don't keep up with trends, but I like to experiment and trust what I see in the mirror 😉😁
If you like the way you look in the mirror, why else? 😁
I think the most important thing is to first like ourselves and feel good about the way we show ourselves to the world and I totally agree that the way we dress is a way of expressing ourselves.
Wear whatever makes you happy is the best policy. Impossible to please everyone 😄
That's very true, indeed 😁💯
You're pretty in that hat doubt the kid likes you wearing a hat hehe...
I like wearing a hat like that in winter.
!LADY
Thank you 😊
Yeah, his reaction to me without the hat was funny. He just could not understand why or how I wasn't wearing one.
I used to wear elegant hats in the winter, and I saw one in a shop that caught my eye yesterday. However, I kind of stick to beanies right now:)))
I like beanies too.. Autumn is coming, and winter will follow hehe
Oh, yes! Autumn is in the air and the days are getting shorter, indeed!
I quite like the first week of autumn, and then everything turns to misery after that.
I'll try to spend a lot of time out in nature this winter though, cos it's less depressing that being indoors:)))
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Hey, those barrets were never popular in France? I always thought they come from France 🙈
I had some in the 80s but now you mention it, Hmmm dont know where they have gone.
Yes, they originated in Spain, but I think my friend was trying to explain that berets are not worn by many French people in everyday wear, as the rest of the world is led to believe.
Yeah, I think they were most popular in the 80's and turbans were a (brief) thing in the 90's.
Hehe, yeah I'm not sure where my berets ended up either. 😆
I wouldn't say your outfit looks weird as I love how beautiful you look in that picture, I think fashion is what one is comfortable with irrespective of what others think of you.
As for me, I remember wearing a canvas on African print fabrics when I was younger and I couldn't help but laugh myself now that I am older, I mean who does that? Wear a laced shoe on an Ankara dress🤣🤣, I was so embarrassed when I saw the picture. Thank God for growth now, I will never try that shit.🤣
Thank you 😊
Berets add that subtle elegance to an outfit. I like wearing blue jeans, black boots, a red winter jacket and my black beret... that's a no-no for my husband.
Ankara dresses are so elegant. I've never worn one or the head wrap. Maybe someday 😁
And when you wear one, please tag me on the post, would love to see you on it. 🤗
Ok, I'll remember to do that for sure 😊🤗
I wish I have that mentality.
Haha! I guess my husband realised that the possibility of me decorating my bike with onions was higher than for me stop wearing my beret 😂
Berets! 🫠
Over here in Nigeria, it is associated a lot with the cult part of it. But then, growing up (apart from having a horrible sense of fashion), I used to wear berets. To church. No more. I always felt they made me look like a clown but fact is, I always looked like a clown in my over sized skirts, baggy tops and weird slipper shoes 😂.
I don’t have fond memories of my beret days. Lol. And I don’t even know anything outside jeans, sweatpants, and really big shirts. I like wholesome gowns.
I didn't realise that berets were/are a popular part of Nigerian culture. I guess somewhere in the 90s they were popular in American pop culture because I even spotted both Alicia Keys and Beyonce wearing berets in 2 videos.
Now I laugh whenever I see berets, but I still like them:)))
I can't help but that at that shiny head in the video...😂Really crisp!
How do you mean - embarrassing fashion story? You look so pretty with that beret!!
When I was in high school I used to wear a black biker leather jacket in combination with loose shirts 😂
I had those photos recently, if I find it now I will edit the comment and put the photo haha
Edit:
THIS is embarrassing 😂😂😂
I would never wear a combination like this again!
And we have a random bike and a man in the background too, what a great photo lol 🤦🏻♀️😂
Hehe, thank you 😊
Berets suit my personality, but I understand that there are many piss-takes to them.
I think you were fashion-forward there! 😆
I would love to see the photo:)))
Sure I was 😂
Don't ever doubt that 😁
Hehe! That's a great photo. The entire tone of it is lovely, and it's a great memory for you to look back at.
The good thing is that you look confident and owned the look, even if you would never wear something like that again 😆
These are nice memories, indeed.
I was maybe confident but thinking about it now... 😁 I don't know how my parents allowed me to pick the jackets, the boots, shirts, and sweaters and didn't complain a lot about the ways I dressed. {After so many years I just hope I was not embarrassing them 😅}
Hehe! It's great that your parents allowed you to be yourself and discover what works.🤗
Good morning dear friend @millycf1976 how are you
I love the way you look in that beret, and to be honest, I was unaware of the whole history of berets and their association with onion sellers.
The only fashion I remember was as a child, my grandparents loved to see me dressed in both clothes, imagine a three-year-old boy dressed in a label
I take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful day
Hello @jlufer
Yes, I did not know that history before my husband told me. However, when I looked up the photos I had to admit that he was right. I continued to boldly wear it though 😆
I think those things still happen in some cultures.
For example: I'm used to dressing in formal attire (a jacket with skirt or trousers) for a job interview, which I would never turn up casual for... Even if it was for a job in the gym, I would look smart with a polo shirt and slacks. Yet, here in the UK, I had to get used to people turning up for interviews for Front of House jobs wearing leggings/tights with short tops. I think an effort in grooming is important, especially in such cases.
Wishing you a lovely weekend too:)))
The beret really does suit you, Milly, and I've seen and known very few people who can pull it off.
From the many people I know, only my uncle was the one who could carry out that look. He would mostly go for the original Rocky or Che Guevara look, and it would just fit; berets, fedoras, you name it. Long hair with a bit of facial hair, all black or camo clothing, such a classic look!
His style was one of a kind, especially for a Bangladeshi.
I really don't have any embarrassing photos of mine, being a total fashion blunder, but most of my life I used to rock a bowl cut though; thanks to my father. That haircut was the most embarrassing thing in my "lookbook". 😂
The only statement piece I have now is my new Swiss watch, along with a few others. My clothes may or may not stand out, but my watches have always been one of a kind. I'm working on building quite an unique collection, slow and steady. And hopefully when I get there, I'll share it here on the chain.
I'll end my comment with this. Nuff said! It's Prince after all haha. 🔥
Thank you 😊
I've had fedora hats too and this is one of the last hats of that kind that I had, which I liked to wear in the autumn.
Haha! I used to too 🤣😂. In the year 1999, I was wearing a bowl-cut hairstyle with my hair chemically straightened. I'm not sure if I have any photos of it here, but my best friend does because she hated it 🤣
Gosh, I remember that Prince song well. There was a girl who won a medal for singing it at a National competition in my high school schools. I used to watch her practice daily with my music teacher... so it was stuck in my head for a long time... and many thought it was an inappropriate song for a teenager to sing...😓
Hats just don't suit me for some reason, I always wanted to rock a beret or fedora, but they're just not for me I guess. And Bangladesh is not the place either, people just keep staring. 😂
My hair was already quite straight, luscious locks fit for a Disney princess haha. Sadly, the bowl cut kept ruining it. I've rocked this cut till my late teens. My father would always take me with him for a haircut, and that's where all the damage was done. 😬
A song is a song, some feel it, some don't. Just because the lyrics seem "inappropriate" doesn't mean you shouldn't listen or sing. I grew up listening to a lot of hip-hop, Eminem, D12, 50 Cent, and many more, but hey, I didn't turn into a thug or gangster though lol.
Sounds like Jamaica, but in Jamaica, strangers openly give ratings on one's outfit. So, if you leave home wearing something that's not quite right, you could expect to have some stranger walk up to you to tell you.
"Tek it afff, y no luk good" is a common thing to be told. English: "Take it off, that's not a good look." Or, "That hat does not suit you." or glasses, shoes, bags or anything really.
Yeah, I guess the music teacher was more interested in her showing off the variety of notes in the song, which suited her voice more than the lyrics itself.
But you're right - the lyrics of songs does not define people.
A bit of honesty is sometimes appreciated, that's how I see it haha.
There's this cover of the song, sometimes I love it even more than the original. This guy, Dominique is a real talent. First time I heard him sing was on American Idol. Check these out, I bet you'll like his style of singing.
Wow! That's a beautiful version of the song, and gosh, his voice is smooth and soulful 🙌
I never heard of him before, but I'll check out some of his other performances:)))
He doesn't sing or post that much, but whatever he does have on YT is quite enjoyable.
Ok, cool! I love watching these programs in between working online.
It's great to see people work hard and go after their dreams:)
Absolutely! We'd live in a better world if more people started shooting their shot. ✨
If you don't even try then surely the chances are non-existent, it's 0%, but the moment you aim for it, your chances of succeeding and living the dream goes up by 1% to 5%. 🔥
I concur with all of that 💯%
Cheers to that. ☕️
😊🤗
Fedora's look much more appealing to me, as they hint at the beginning of XX century, at the 30-ties... etc.
Yeah! Fedora's are my favourite. I saw one in a Thrift Shop yesterday and I almost stopped to try it on, but I was discipline and applied self control. 😆
Its definitely a stylish dress element. (Tho, personally I am not too much in love with berets).
!PIZZA
oh, and you are absolutely correct wi th this; me too, we are in same boat here:
👍👍
😍✅
Hehe! I was the stylish onion seller 😅
... I used to rock my beret with red lipstick and not care what anyone had to say 😆
Happy Weekend:)))
thanki!! viva la style, lol 😁
Exactly 😁
$PIZZA slices delivered:
@qwerrie(3/5) tipped @millycf1976
I always wear what I like and most importantly what is comfortable. If it's not fashion approved I don't care, lol.
Story time :) I was in grade 11 and went out on a school night and stayed at a friend's house. Teenage trouble days as I was drinking that night. Short story was drinking and got sick. The clothes I was wearing couldn't be worn again. The next morning hung over and no new clothes to wear. I slipped on a borrowed yellow shirt and a pair of grey jogging pants. My friend was a good 6 inches shorter. So everything was tight and to small. Jogging pants were maybe 8 inches past my knees and shirt barely touched my waste lines.. I think I had a red hat can't remember the subject matter. None of the attire matched and was very uncomfortable. It was one of the longest days of school I attended. Teased? Not really just asked a lot what did you do last night with a laugh, haha
✅💯
Haha! I got a vivid imagination of what you looked like, and I bet it was hard to live that down.
These stories are nice to reflect on for good laughter. 😆
For sure 😁
😆🤗
Everything in fashion goes out eventually and then inevitably comes back in again at some point. I think it looks good on you.
I generally don't follow trends anymore but I remember that I used to wear really baggy pants when I was a kid. They would be ridiculously silly to wear now. I was quite young though at the time maybe 13-14. A strange trend that I'm glad I was never a part of is the one where guys wear their pants down passed their butt and walk ridiculous to keep them from falling. I'm glad I wasn't a part of that.
Thank you 😊
😆 I can imagine a very skinny version of you in baggy jeans. I bet your parents loved seeing you in them and thought it was hilarious 😂
I'm happy to hear that. That's just the worst thing to look at when walking behind a guy dressed like that. What amazes me though is where they say that style evolved from prisons, where guys wore their trousers like that to attract other guys.
Something similar to that that I don't like to see, is a woman wearing tights with her underwear in plain sight, with a wobbly ass pushing a baby's pram. That's not a good look, and I will cross the street to avoid seeing that in my face.
I recently heard that about the trend as well
I'm not sure if I know what that other trend is but it doesn't sound good
It happens a lot here in the UK.🙄
Thank you Ewkaw and the @qurator team.
Happy Weekend:)))
I think you do the beret much justice! It looks so stylish and cute on you! 😊
Thank you 😊
Hubby's reaction was shocking, but I do see the association, and it was great to read about that part of history that I more than likely would not have known about.
Happy Weekend:)))
Thank you so much @thekittygirl and the @innerblocks team:)))
Well the berets look fabulous on you, I love people with a defined style, with their own timeless fashion.
PS: I didn't know that kind of job of babysitting children with Down's, it must be special and you must certainly have a lot of sensitivity to do it with love.
Thank you 😊
It's important to be open and clear when communicating with them, and yes, being sensitive to their frequent changes in behaviour is important for your safety as a carer. I only had one behavioural outburst, which was pretty scary, but I had to be firm yet loving for him to calm down.
Keen observation was needed to stay ahead or anticipate changes. It's not easy on a parent, but his mum dedicates time to caring for him, and I've seen recent photos of how much (which is relative, of course) he has developed 🤗
Oh gosh, I just remembered back in the late 90's I had the great idea of going to my office job wearing black leather boots, dark blue jeans, a leather belt with a huge silver buckle, and a AC/DC flannel with the sleeves almost rolled up to the shoulders... I was in the middle of the "mid-life crisis" and I had enrolled in a gym and bought a motorcycle!... Haaa haaa haaa :))... After several times of doing that, My boss called me into his office and in a friendly tone said: Linares, have you been watching "Grease Vaseline movie" too often?... :))
Unfortunately (or rather "fortunately" I don't have photos in that outfit)... But I think those huge black leather boots are still somewhere in my storage drawer! :))
Very entertaining and fun post friend @millycf1976... Thanks for sharing!
Have a great Sunday!!!
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🤣 Hi @jlinaresp
I was hysterical from just reading the description, then I realised that you actually did it. 🤣
These stories are fond ones to look back at, heh? I wish I had photographs of many of my hairstyles for a good laugh.
I think your boss had a great sense of humour and took it with a light heart.
How nice it must be that you can reflect on that stage of your life and laugh.
Happy Sunday to you too, thanks for this awesome comment, and your support, as always:)))
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What do you say, looks great that beret. With clothes I'm like you, I don't spend much, only on comfortable and durable shoes. Most of my clothes are second hand and since I know how to sew I modify them as I please, my friends spend their lives giving me clothes as gifts.😉
Thank you 😊
Now, that's important to me too.
It's great when you can sew and alter your own clothes. I do miss having a sewing machine, and I'm like you too, my friends are always giving me clothes.
Thanks for stopping by, have a great Sunday 🤗
Is that an embarrassing fashion photo for you? I didn't find it embarrassing. You look good on it and that little boy can say so missing you to wear it.
Thank you 😊
Yeah, it was strange to find out that he identified me with hats and how different he felt when there was an absence 🙏
<3 <3 <3
I think the beret suits you, honestly! You definitely have the balls to pull it off! Honestly, I don't think it's so much about what you wear, as how you wear it, you know? If you're confident and loving the way you look, I think you can pull off pretty much anything.
You seem so happy in both pictures, I love it <3
I agree with all that you said there.
We finally got sunshine, so I've been out all day. Indian summer I guess. I hope it continues for the entire month.
I noticed that you were gone for a few days and I figured it was due to your book releasing and your house move. I just saw that you wrote a post, so I'm gonna read it now :)))
I hope so too! Indian summer is just the best, isn't it? A bit of magic.
It was. Been running around with boxes and paint and things. Heading on holiday for a week tomorrow, then hopefully will have the house done in another week or so :)
Ok, cool! Enjoy your holiday and I trust you'll have lovely weather 🤗 ... and yes, magic is a good way to describe Indian summers:)
You made me laugh at the beginning of the write up
I'm just imagine how you felt when your hubby said that to you😂😂
Berets give a very stylish and unusual look
In the part of the world where I stay females don't wear the often only in religious occasions.
The berets are always beaded or decorated with other beautiful ornaments
Hello there!
Thanks for your lovely comment 😊
Yes, I was shocked when he said it, and thought that it was not true until I realised that it was many centuries ago, and Yes, he was right. 😆
I'm only just realising how popular berets are in West Africa for special occasions:)))
The beret looks good on you, I think seeing it on you will make someone want to have one for themselves.
Yes I do have an embarrassing fashion story. I do love gowns but then I don't like gowns that are straight and not stretchy but I ended up wearing one for an occasion one day a d before I got to the occasion it was already torn at the back and ever since then I always avoided wearing straight tight gowns, I prefer them free.
Something like this will do 🥰.
You look very prim and pretty here. I do prefer dresses like that more than long straight gowns. Your entire look is very nice, and it's interesting to see how you incorporate headpieces to match your outfit.
Thanks for sharing this 😘
Awwn, thank you so much for the compliment, I'm glad you think so 🥰.
It's my pleasure Sharing it with you 🤗.
!LADY
😍🤗
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