Diane: Personal style defined

Purple hair, on the bus, in December.



That's what Willimantic style is all about.

The parade

Whither Uggs, right?



It's understandable that everyone on campus wants a pair--they do a good job of keeping your feet warm and dry when they have to carry you through the disgusting December rains. But let's not forget the myriad other options available!


boots & erin by fawnlust

Faux Fur, No Problem

Need one more reason to thrift shop, eh?



"I got this coat from the Salvation Army. I was looking for something functional and fabulous... this Bebe coat was originally $300!" says cozily warm and still stylish UConn student Stephanie Wilkie.

Golden shoes and the Salvation Armani

On left: Daniel Barnum-Swett, UConn alum, seen here with Nick Peruzzi. Below, his blinding shoes:



These pictures are from just around Thanksgiving, but style is forever, which I hope eases a little of the blame from not posting them until now.

Those shoes might be a once in a lifetime purchase, but in the know shoppers can swipe a bit of this look for themselves. During his time in the area, Dan says, "The Willi Salvation Army was always pretty good."

Thrift store rummaging has come up before now on this blog. You know what that means... field trip!



The Salvation Army in Willimantic is home to garments and accessories spanning the gamut from trashy to genius. At first it might seem strange to want to shop for pre-worn sweaters at an Evangelical Christian depository. But consider the savings!



Why not try... a jumpsuit? Simultaneously kind of retro and kind of futuristic, they have a kind of no holds barred, take no prisoners fashionista appeal. The jumpsuit is a perennial option, as this feature from British Vogue and this post on incredible style blog jackandjil go to show. And for under $10 with a yellow tag discount? Done.


jumpsuits by fawnlust

As for accessories, I'm not sure about the duck tote, but a chain-handled bag is always classic.



Finally, channel model Erin Wasson in an incredibly '80s bandage dress:

Night out, with Pandas

So when did high school students become fabulous? At both UConn and ECSU, the kids at E. O. Smith and Windham High Schools respectively are stationed pretty much right next door. And weirdly, sometimes they totally out-class their older counterparts.



These boots belong to Emma, a Windham High student spotted while she and her friend Tori were taking in a Red Pandas show at the Wrench. Naturally enough, they were found at the Salvation Army, and Emma's mother customized them. "She added the laces and things--they're made out of deer antlers!" Oh, okay then.



As you might've guessed, the Wrench is a pretty all-inclusive, all-ages venue. Tori (on the left) says her father comes here a lot. "I figured it would be a good idea to know what his hobbies are."

Tails

So... why the tail? "I just enjoy it waving behind me," says Business major Justin Fletchall.

He's getting used to the paparazzi attention, though.

"People take pictures of it all the time," he says. "They sneak up behind me."

All business

Second semester computer science major Alex Fogerty on his Nirvana t-shirt: "I'm not really much of a fan--I'm more of a Black Sabbath fan. I originally bought a Sabbath t-shirt, but it was too small.
I like earth tones."

Flannelling

Central Connecticut State University student Bonnie R. Sullivan has a good and serendipitous way to stay warm: "My coat zipper broke, so I'm flannelling."



Plaids, flannels and beards seem to be the common threads running through this blog, if you will. Seriously, though, plaids are to be embraced. Style.com's Fall trend report trumpeted laid as one of its cardinal virtues for the season... And it's a Country Life out here in Thread City, all right.


(image from style.com)

Top it off with a shrunken leather jacket, and you're good to go.


shrunken leather by fawnlust

Grad Student Style

When I asked 7th semester Italian Literature student Josh King about his well-loved corduroy jacket, he hastened to correct me--"It's ruined, you mean."



What to do if you're a penniless graduate student? First of all, embrace the holes. They are inevitable. Wear them as a mark of pride--yes, I study so hard, I don't have time to fuss over gaping tears in my outerwear! I'm too busy reading Boccaccio in the original.

Second, make sure you've got a kicky scarf and a little knit hat to top off your ensemble. It's cold outside! Not to mention, a good scarf makes everything look like it's being worn on purpose.


grad holes by fawnlust

Florida=Death & One Hundred Year Ocean at the Wrench

Another night of music at the Wrench in Willimantic brought out the townies in droves.

First up, Florida=Death, melting my camera with their intense bass licks...



Describing themselves as "Psychedelic / Live Electronics / Acousmatic / Tape music," Florida=Death almost set fire to the house amps last night. True story: I was at a rap show at the Wrench this past spring where one of the amps got so overworked and excited it fell right on top of some reveler's head. Near fatal musical extravaganzas, that's what you can exect from an evening out in Willimantic! Note to all comers: bring a helmet next time.

"People have reviewed us... they say we sound like something out of a Miles Davis session," said Florida=Death bassist Greg when asked about their violent musical tendencies. I wouldn't go that far...



This picture, taken from the band's Myspace, reveals the existence of actual non-blurs jamming out on man-made instruments. Whoever took it must have had a titanium camera on hand, to capture their image without succumbing to the force of metal-dissolving psych as experienced at the Wrench.

Next to take the stage was one-man powerhouse One Hundred Year Ocean, aka Derrick Shanholtzer.



"I'm overweight, I went to jail once, but I'm more important than all of you because I'm up here," he said, humbly.

One Hundred Year Ocean is a mainstay of Wrench shows, and it's easy to see why. Although he sometimes plays with a live backing band, Shanholtzer mostly does all the musical wizardry himself, putting together tape loops on the spot and rocking out on electric guitar over them.

Consider this short sample of Hundred Year Ocean song "Smells Like Ohyo" and draw your own conclusions.

Kurt Cobain, Derelicte Style...

"I'm bringing back grunge," says UConn Classics & Ancient Mediterranean Studies major Devin Reece.

If, however, you prefer a more plaid-based, slightly less derelicte look, you might try something like this...


Grunge by fawnlust

Old Hannah, Vikesh Kapoor, One Hundred Year Ocean at the Wrench

(image from wrenchintheworks.org)

First, about the Wrench... if you live in Willimantic or the vicinity and have an affinity (ooh, that almost rhymes!) for tasty music of the punk, indie, or folk variety, you probably already know about this indispensable local venue. But if youre not from around here, and you're wondering what all the college kids do on their evenings off from hardcore studying, look no further. Check out the Wrench in the Works schedule of events, and take your seat on the rug. You're in for good times.

Last night was a triple header! Old Hannah, One Hundred Year Ocean, and the talented Mr. Vikesh Kapoor all came out to play.

Here's a sample of "Black Stars" by Old Hannah to give you a taste... check out the full length song on their Myspace.



Tyler of Old Hannah says he's been growing out that beard since May. Nice work! Everybody is undergoing preparations for the winter, I think. Growing out their winter coats and suchlike.

Check out these amazing boots!


They are the footwear of Mr. Kapoor, who got them for $3 from a Pennsylvania thrift store. They really add to his Bob Dylan, Jr. overall look, in my opinion.



And not just look, but also sound... check out this track and hear for yourself.

All in all, rather a jingle jangle evening...

Welcome to Thread City Style!

Hey! I don't know how you found this blog, but welcome. If you're from Willimantic or UCONN, or the surrounding area, so much the better... because this site is all about stylish and unusual people, music, and events here in the quiet corner.

My name is Dora! Nice to meetcha.