Wardrobe Remix: 2 Looks Inspired by Musical Mash-Ups
Music and fashion have always been intrinsically linked. From Elvis’s rock n’ roll jumpsuits to Lady Gaga’s avant-garde get-ups, musicians have always been proponents of new and groundbreaking trends. Their fans have followed suit, and many a ridiculous fashion trend has been started by a celebrity: M.C. Hammer pants anyone?
So it’s only fitting that today, when we love to mix up our wardrobes (flowy tops with a boyfriend blazers, yess), that the musical mash-up phenomenon is sweeping college campuses across the country. If you aren’t familiar with the genre, a mash-up is basically two or more unrelated songs mixed up into one awesome track. I love that in one fell swoop I can hear a current Top 40 Hit, a song reminiscent of middle school dances, and a classic rock song.
Below, I’ve picked two of my favorite mash-ups and created outfits inspired by each of them. Check out the YouTube videos, take a listen, and get ready to get a great idea for the next time you need a quirky outfit to spice up your look.
Mash-up Look #1: Inspired by “Still Bleeding” (Super Mash Bros.)
Still Bleeding has everything I need to get pumped for a night out: it has a Jock Jams flashback mixed with Pitbull, Fergie, Madonna, and Katy Perry. Kind of amazing!
Inspired by the Jock Jams theme, I pulled a classic varsity letter jacket, while of course the crazy yellow tulle skirt is straight-up Madonna circa the 1980′s. I’m sure Pitbull would approve of the sky-high heels, while the zip-up corset top looks like it’s right out of a Fergie music video. The look gets its finishing touches with an adorable bright blue headband that totally embodies the coquette persona of Katy Perry.
Product Information: Headband – Forever 21, LUXIRIE Varsity Women’s Jacket – Tilly’s, Apple Bottom Cropped Vest – GetTheLabel, SUPER LOVERS Tulle Tutu – Maruione.jp, Jessica Simpson Lizza Pump – Heels.com
Mash-up Look #2: Inspired by “What It’s All About” (Girl Talk)
Putting together a look inspired by What It’s All About was a bit more difficult since Gregg Gillis, the mastermind behind Girl Talk, uses an absurdly high number of clips in his mash-ups. In fact, this particular selection has 36 different songs mixed in!
Clearly there was no way I could make an outfit using one piece inspired by each song. So instead I channeled the overall vibe of the song: street rap meets classic rock with an old school twist. The magenta high-top Nikes really make this outfit, but the studded blazer, colorful bangles, and fedora will guarantee that just like the artists featured in this mash-up, you’ll never get lost in the crowd.
Product Information: Fedora – Forever 21, Bangles – Monsoon, Turquoise Top – Forever 21, Pyramid Lapel Jacket – Forever 21, Frayed Denim Shorts – Queen’s Look, NIKE Hijack Mid Brilliant Magenta – Ssense
What are your thoughts?
Are you a mash-up fan? If so, do you prefer Chiddy Bang or Milkman? Do you like the fashion challenge of basing an outfit around a mash-up? Leave a comment!
Also, if you want more music-inspired fashion, you must check out Megan’s post on Vampire Weekend-Inspired fashion!
Posted on on January 31, 2010 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: musi -inspired fashion
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Luinae
This is a super creative idea! I actually (and kind of strangely) like the music on the first clip. The outfit would require someone a lot more daring then me to pull it off.
LC
DJ Earworm is my favorite mash up artist, you can download his songs for free on his website, and he’s the guy that makes the United States of Pop each year. What a fun article!!! I’d love to see more like this
Natalie
I am sooo inspired by the first outfit. I’ll go see if I can borrow my friend’s letterman jacket and wear it with a frilly skirt I got at Charlotte Russe last month. (I’m going to get a lot of stares…and maybe some criticism…but hey! It’ll be something fun/adventurous to do)
Maddie
What a great idea for an article! Girl Talk is so inspiring in every way, they’re my favorite!
Paula
I think this is the most creative article I’ve seen on this site!! I love it sooo much!!!
Evan Gonzalez
Letterman jackets are the epitome of college Americana, and if it is a slightly slim fit it goes perfect with the current 80s trend!
Nicole
This is a FANTASTIC idea. I adore mashups and the idea of music inspired fashion. Keep on pumping those beats and looks out for me! I dig it as much as I adore Girl Talk. You should do a piece on ‘Play Your Part,’ if you feel inspired by GT. If not Milkman is always a safe mashup bet! Hahaha. Much fashion//music love! <3
Evan Gonzalez
I’m looking at the first outfit again and I think that although nice you could replace the pumps with a pair of All-Stars and pair it with leggings to create a more electro look of the 80′s. I just got back from Europe and it was all the rage over there, everyone seems to be pushing that style right now. I jussssssssst finished blogging about the All-Stars actually!
The great thing about those shoes is that it’s unisex. So you and your boyfriend can rock them! What do you girls about the substitution?
Christina
I really enjoyed this post. I truly believe that music and fashion both inspire one another. Mash-ups are the best because you can combine two or more completely different styles of music and get one awesome piece. It’s exactly like fashion in that sense. It’s all about being creative and expressing who you are. It’s important that we don’t lose who we are to some fad. Music will always be a comfort zone, and our clothing should be as well.
Evan Gonzalez
I agree Christina! Music and fashion are a form of self expression, and that is why they fuse so well together. People are often inspired to dress like members of their favourite bands because the lines for the two arts (fashion and music) are often blured.
Megan - West Virginia University
I love Girl Talk too, and think you did an awesome job at incorporating the vibe of their music into your outfit! I really like the fun outfits too; fashion is all about having fun and a concert is a great place to show off your style!
Maddy
look number 1 kinda reminds me of the DSquared collection from spring 2010 =P
Kath
I love incorporating different styles in outfits, and am obsessed with musical mash-ups. Never thought of combining the two concepts! Great article idea, really love the second outfit.
Charlotte
At first i was a bit “wut?” when I saw this post, but I love that you’ve drawn fashion inspiration for music!!
I love the first outfit- I would definitely wear that!!
xxx
Renee
Oh its a great idea mixing up fashion and music! although I don’t know those songs and the outfits are a bit crazy its still a fabulous idea! keep up!