Sunday, June 26, 2011

INSPIRATION: Clarissa Darling

If you were a child of the '90s who took breaks from your busy days of playing with pogs and rollerblading to watch TV, you probably had your first "OMG ROOM DECOR!" moment with Clarissa Darling's boudoir. Clarissa Explains It All was the perfect Nickelodeon sitcom about a sassy preteen girl, her dorky and annoying brother and the sweet, seductive boy-next-door Sam. (I, for one, wanted a ladder going up to my bedroom window and my own multicolored phone before I realized that's just one big illegal booty call waiting to happen.) Clarissa's kaleidoscope room, with its wacky found objects as wall art and iguana named Elvis, was reflected perfectly in Ms. Darling's closet. Her outfits were wild, unpredictable, but still totally cohesive and wearable. She was the anti-Clueless, bringing a chainsaw to Cher's closet and constructing some of the most admirable '90s fashion to date.


A vest OVER an oversized denim shirt? What a '90s staple. The combat boots are killer, as are the '60s retro scarf and bracelet. I'm not sure if printed bike shorts will ever make a comeback, but Clarissa pulls it off by pairing the skin-tight leggings with a long top that will cover any unmentionables.



I love when Clarissa wears these big, thick black headbands. They recall the 1990s' fascination with the 1960s (I remember owning a pretty groovy pair of flared jeans with smiley faces and peace signs all over them). The black turtleneck is very chic, as is the red vest (Perhaps it's a dress? Either way, I dig it.) But the DINOSAUR EARRINGS are what really sell this look. Perfect.


I adore Clarissa's DIY wallpaper pattern: Painting a checkerboard over her mother's handpicked matronly floral print. Clarissa's baking outfit parallels this wall pattern: A striped, jumbled plaid tie-dye button down with checkerboard suspenders and a floral apron. I like to imagine Clarissa used her room as outfit inspiration. Also, let's take a moment to admire Sam's oversized mint hoodie and, of course, the sexy chef's hat. He looks like American Apparel's dream muse.


This may be my favorite look of the bunch. It's so classic Clarissa. The polka dot swing babydoll top, earrings and hat are a matchy-matchy glimpse of perfection. The combat boots add a touch edge, and the rolled jeans and hot pink tights are a shock of originality.


Like many of today's hipsters, Clarissa tries on a pair of black-rimmed glasses in order to appear "smart." I think this lady's pretty intelligent on her own (she explains it ALL, remember?), but the spex suit her. Her '70s peasant top, giant watch and awesome earrings are what I like best. Below, she pairs the top with a floral skirt and black leggings. I hope she topped it off with combat boots.


Cher may have had a computer program that picks out her daily outfit, but Clarissa had software to help her solve everyday dilemmas. She had the creative edge to come up with these genius ensembles herself. And for that, she is my favorite '90s style icon.

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