Traditions: Texan Homecoming Mums

When I read a blog, I usually read for the long term. Jezebel is a prime example, as I've been a faithful reader going on seven years. It's an interesting mix of political posts, women's issues, along with fashion and other pop culture tidbits. The past year or so the quality has been going downhill but many of the stories featured are still well worth the read. Today I was reading about a tradition native to Texas: the Homecoming Mum.

What started off as a simple corsage to wear to your school's Homecoming dance, mums as they're known are made of either fresh or fake flowers and are personalized. Ribbons cascade to the floor in your school's colors, while various paraphernalia of your activities (megaphones for cheerleaders, music notes for the choir members, etc.) are affixed in various ways. 

Different schools have different rules and traditions surrounding their mums. The large decorative mums may only be worn to the pep rally and Homecoming game while smaller ones are worn to the dance. Some schools limit the colors that certain classes may wear, i.e. freshman are only limited to the school colors while seniors can use whatever shade they choose.

Even the gentlemen wear mums, usually as garters on their arms. 

Mums date back several decades, and many people still have theirs from the high school days. 

Texas and other parts of the South have introduced a number of trends, and I think the Homecoming Mum would do well here. Other interesting trends introduced from the South? May I present to you the painted cooler:

 

Beautiful Plaid Skirts from Tuckernuck

Plaid Silk Floor Length Skirt, $198  |  Social Ball Skirt, $378 

I'm still thinking about the plaid skirts I posted not too long ago. While I love the fullness of the skirt on the right, I adore the colors of the tartan on the Just Madras skirt on the left.While the skirt lives on the dressier side of your closet, the right shirt or sweater with appropriate accessories will look wonderful to even a more casual affair.

If you're like me and are tall enough to play center for the Cleveland Cavaliers, I recommend wearing flats with either of these skirts. A floor length skirt should reach your instep if you're wearing heels or otherwise your look won't pull together.

Ashland, KY: Paramount Festival of Trees

Thanksgiving with my family is a wondrously simple affair. We watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and then the Purina Dog Show. By the time the dog show is over, dinner is ready. We barely take half an hour to eat, and are usually in our PJs. We nap, and then we head over to Ashland, Kentucky's Paramount Theater for their annual Festival of Trees.

Please excuse the quality of the pictures, I took them on my iPhone because I can't remember to charge the battery in my camera.

 A tree inspired by the movie Miracle on 34th Street.

 The Paramount Theatre is nationally known for the murals in the building.
This is a close-up of some detailing around an exit.

 One of the murals on the walls. I've been enchanted by them ever since I was a child.

 A recent but very welcomed newcomer to the Festival is the massive and elaborate model train exhibit. You can see more of the murals on the wall in the background.

 The coal industry is always kept in mind. Even the ceiling has a mural.

 A close-up of the school in the train display. The swing set to the right of the school was actually moving, a nice touch.

 It was hard to get a good shot of the trees due to amount of people walking around.

 My mother's favorite tree. She's been collecting nutcrackers for over 40 years.

 Trees in all shapes, sizes, colors, and themes.

 There are wreathes and other decorative displays in the entrance to the theatre.
I really loved this idea as a wreath!

Unfortunately, the event has already ended for this year and I'm just now getting around to posting because I only had it saved as a draft. Oops.  However, Ashland, KY, has always had myriad of Christmas events, with the most notable being the light display in downtown's Central Park. I consider Ashland to be one of the prettiest towns in Appalachia, with a beautiful and active downtown area that's well worth the visit. The Kentucky Highlands Museum is hardly two blocks from the Paramount, and right across the street is the Pendleton Arts Center with a wide array of artisans.

A Look at Tattersall, 1974

I came across (and shamelessly stole) this photo on The Wide Wale. This is what a true prep wears:

Then again, I lived in and remember the '80s.

There are a few details that do date the outfit, such as the wide lapel on the button down, the acrylic jewelry, and the high-waisted pant. The camera equipment can obviously date this picture, but for all we know she could be a hipster sitting in Brooklyn somewhere. 

But she's too well-dressed for that. 

I also now miss my days in the darkroom during college. 

John says this ad is from 1974. What makes this an actual honest-to-goodness preppy outfit is because this outfit would have worked in 1984, 1994, 2004, and would still look great in 2014. 

Here's an idea of what this outfit would look like today:

A tattersall shirt, bright blue shirt underneath. A good midrise pant, braided leather belt, and classic tortoiseshell frames. The chunky cutout heels add some fun to an otherwise somewhat serious outfit.

I didn't add a turtleneck because the neckline on the button down is too narrow to accommodate a turtleneck and no one likes to feel like their being choked. The pant could have been khaki but I love the style in the picture too much and I find the brownish-grey color elegant. 

Another aspect that adds preppiness to this outfit is that it would appropriate for so many occasions. Going to a PTA meeting, grabbing a casual lunch with a friend, browsing the farmer's market on the weekend.

A good casual outfit, both 40 years ago and today.