3 Looks Inspired by The Pretty Reckless EP
Taylor Momsen has come a long way from pearls and plaid. In the past three years she ditched the golden curls for long platinum locks and traded her Constance Billard uniform for some heavy black eyeliner and lace stockings. Looks like Little J. is all grown up and ready to rock.
Not only is Taylor Momsen the face of Madonna’s new clothing line, Material Girl, but the brooding teenager is also the front woman of alt-rock band The Pretty Reckless. The Pretty Reckless released their EP on June 22nd to favorable reviews, and their full debut album, “Light Me Up,” is scheduled for a August 31 release. Currently, Momsen and her band are on the road with the 2010 Vans Warped Tour.
While I may not be Little J’s number one fan, I do love The Pretty Reckless’ alt-rock sound and Momsen’s throaty cries. I think The Pretty Reckless is going to be fall’s breakout band, so here are some outfits inspired by their angsty EP.
Look 1: “Make Me Want to Die”
Product Information: Jacket – Miss Sixty; Tank – Hurley; Jeans – Criminal Damage; Shoes – N.Y.L.A.; Bag – Modcloth
Between its heavy guitar riffs and dark melodies, “Make Me Want to Die” is the perfect lead single to showcase the sixteen-year-old’s rocker image. So for this look I mixed studs, stripes and chains for the perfect Warped Tour ensemble. While the striped tank is loose-fitting and casual, the studded chain handbag and ultra-high heels really turn this outfit from grungy to glam.
Also, the motorcycle jacket is a great way to add an edge to your look. You can wear it with everything – from feminine dresses to jeans and t-shirts. It’s a must-have closet staple.
Look 2: “Going Down”
Product Information: Dress – Modcloth; Denim Vest – Roxy; Boots – Dr. Martens; Bag – TopShop; Sunglasses – Forever21; Necklace – 1928
“Going Down” is my favorite song off the EP: It’s catchy, bratty and slightly dangerous. So I wanted to come up with the perfect ‘good girl gone bad’ look to match the vibe of the track – part feminine, part goth and part punk.
First off, I absolutely love this dress! It’s so feminine and flirty, but paired with these awesome floral-patterned Doc Martens and denim vest, it has a bit of an edge, too. And who doesn’t own a million pairs of these Ray Ban inspired sunglasses? I own practically every color! They are the perfect summer accessory. This outfit – like the song – narrowly balances on the line between harmless little girl and risk-taking punk.
Look 3: “My Medicine”
Product Information: T-Shirt – Vanessa Bruno; Shorts – Delia’s; Booties – Dune Saint; Sheer Ankle Socks – Urban Outfitters; Sunglasses – ASOS; Skull Ring – Girl Props; Triple Finger Ring – Urban Outfitters
For this angsty rock anthem, the perfect outfit is a little tough. You can never go wrong with a sheer gray t-shirt and black cuffed denim shorts, but the studded cage booties really send this outfit over the edge. By pairing them with the sheer ankle socks, it creates the perfect steam-punk look to go along with the provocative track. Add some cute sheer ankle socks and a little bling, and you’re ready for anything.
If you really want to imitate Taylor Momsen’s rocker style, rev it up with some black eyeliner and red lipstick for a daring, rock look.
Want more?
- Listen to the above tracks and more on the band’s official MySpace.
- To purchase their self-titled EP or for touring information, check out The Pretty Reckless’ official site.
What do you think?
Have you heard The Pretty Reckless EP? What do you think? What’s your favorite song? What about Taylor Momsen’s lingerie-grunge style? Is it a hit or miss? Tell me what you guys think and how music inspires your fashion choices. Leave me a comment!
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Posted on on July 24, 2010 / Filed Under: Inspiration / Tags: Featured, Gossip Girl, music, music-inspired fashion, Taylor Momsen, The Pretty Reckless
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Mika
I think you hit this spot on! And those are great rockeryish (haha) outfits, I have to admit I miss the old Little J, though.
emily
i dont think steam punk means what you think it means…
that being said, i love these looks!
Jennifer
I like the last two, but I feel as though the first outfit is too heavy.
Maybe it’s just because i’m still in summer clothing mode.
thisizkim
cute looks. I’m not much of a fan of Taylor Momsen and her skunk eye makeup. =P
Ashley - Flagler College
I’m in love with the Pretty Reckless EP and “Going Down” is my fave too! You did an awesome job translating the songs into outfits. Welcome to CF, Crystal :)
thisizkim
^ i mean “raccoon eye makeup”
Kirsten
I saw them at Warped Tour this year. She looked super skanky.
http://celebslam.celebuzz.com/2010/06/taylor-momsen-warped-tour-skan.php
That’s essentially what she was wearing, but had skin colored garters and thigh highs instead. It was St. Louis, her hometown, and she was getting no love from the crowd. A lot of people just kept shouting out “skank”.
I LOVE the outfits you put together, though! They’re super cute and definitely not skanky. Maybe Taylor should try some of these looks instead. lol
Rin from College Survival 118
While I’m not a fan of Taylor Momsen, and I’m never heard her music, I do like the looks you created. They’re not my style but I actually like them. I love the motorcycle jacket and the pink dress
Cristina
Personally, I think Taylor’s style is way too derivative of those who came before her. Maybe you should focus on those who clearly inspired her.
Rin
Oh, and thank you for showing shorts that are not Daisy Dukes!
Chelsea - University of Oklahoma
I LOVE these looks even though I absolutely LOATHE Taylor Momsen!!!
Suzi
Love the outfits! Also yeah steampunk refers to something different then this, but very interesting and worth checking out! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk
Cass
I second Chelsea’s thought!
-Cass
Sarah
I love the second look and am totally brainstorming how I could do something similar! I actually recently did a post on an outifit that I thought looked Taylor Momsen-y but still me.
http://washandrepeat.com/2010/07/daily-fash-braves-y-boots-y/
audrey
love the EP and love the looks…especially those heels in look #3
Lola
I HATE TAYLOR MOMSEN AND HER MUSIC..just saying
but that girl can dress like nobodys business
please, PLEASE PLEASE do some more punk rock looks…..i beg of you
Charlotte - University of Birmingham
i love this- especially the second outfit!!
i used to love Taylor but now she majorly tries too hard and her style is so too old for her age, but I like that these are punky but wearable. I doubt many of us would go out in t-shirt and suspenders like her!!
great inspiration :]]]
Charlotte xxx
kara
taylor is so smug and unlikable
Jaymee
Love the music a lot — her voice is so good! I just wish that she wore pants more often.
I also get reeeeeally skeeved out that she’s writhing around onstage while her band is made up of hairy dudes that look old enough to be her dad. It’s uncomfortable to watch.
Anyway.
These outfits are great! I could see myself wearing all three, especially the middle one. :)
laura
the grunge style is awesome, the lingerie style, not so much. and taylor’s a bit snotty tbh. the outfits shown are pretty awesome though, especially the tank top in 1 and the heels in 3:)
Jess Tavesjnhasky
I know people say it’s too young for her age but i LOVE the way she wears lingerie as outerwear !!! who cares if she’s 16? i agree with what she says, she didn’t ask to be a role model, i don’t get everyone being so annoying about it she should do whatever she wants.
great post!!!
aish
love the looks
i wonder wat u would hav done fr the song ‘miss nothing’!!!
Papillon Vintage
…eh, unsure of her…but there are rumors that she may model for Jean Paul Gaultier??!?!
Crystal - NYU
I have to agree with most of you – I think Taylor Momsen’s “I’m a rock star” attitude is so unattractive, but I actually like her music (something that I totally wasn’t expecting!) And in my opinion, it’s the music that matters most.
As with her outfit choices, she’s a hit or a miss. While I don’t like most of her looks, there are some that I think are pretty cute – especially when she had her short, choppy cut.
And Sarah – I love your personal style! Those boots are adorable. I am definitely a fan of ankle boots. Do you own a motorcycle jacket? I found mine last year at a jumble sale for $20, and I LOVE it! I can wear it with anything.
India
I really like the 2nd and 3rd looks.
The elements in the 1st look, with the torn up black jeans, the motorcycle jacket, and the chunky heels… I like them separately, but together I feel like it looks like you’re trying a little hard.
Or maybe it’s just because I’ve never liked those clunky, black, strappy heels. They make your legs look shorter. ):
2/3 isn’t bad though!
Shmee
For those calling her a skank, and are “shocked, just SHOCKED” that a 16 year old would wear such a thing, come off it. She’s a kid and part of being a kid is pushing the envelope in terms of her style, yet still being derivative of those she looks up to. It’s just a phase, have some compassion.
I dress more conservatively than most now, but when I was 15, I would dress provocatively, just because. I still was a good kid otherwise, never partied, drank, did drugs or had sex/fooled around, and I had a high GPA and got along with my parents. But I liked dressing like a ho every once in a while and it didn’t really register in my mind that I looked like a skank at the time. I thought I just looked cool.
My mother still has my old mini skirts and plans to embarrass me when I have kids. “Look what your mother used to wear!”
Moriah
I absolutely *love* edgy fashion like this and would love to see it featured more on the site!
I love Taylor’s style, but it seems to be more appropriate for someone a few years older than she is. I’ll definitely try these looks out, though!
Kate
I am incredibly disappointed that my favorite fashion website would include an article about such a poor role model. While I must say that the looks you have put together are far more appropriate than anything Taylor Momsen could even dream of, I am still very unhappy. Holding up a 16 year old child who is already poisoning her lungs with cigarette and pot smoke, walks around practically in her underwear, uses the most foul language, has admitted to sleeping with men who are, under New York law, raping her, and tells all and sundry that her “best friend” is her vibrator as a style icon is simply appalling. As much as I love College Fashion, I must say I’m going to have to think twice about being a regular reader if this is the sort of behavior you are, however inadvertently, advertising.
Laura
wait…she’s 16? um, she looks a bit…tarty. Not to be harsh, but pics like those can come back to haunt you.
@Kristen, thanks for posting the photos from Warped Tour, they kind of drive home that point.
I am not familiar with Taylor Momsen (perhaps I am not as “with it” as I thought…) but if she wants to dress like that, go for it. Maybe it’s a gimmick? Like Lady Gaga’s costumes? Except less well-executed? I just dunno.
Crystal - NYU
I just want you guys to know that the inspiration for these posts come from the music, not the artists themselves. And while I don’t condone Taylor Momsen’s behavior, I do like her music. And I think the same can be said for a lot of the music and artists I listen to. For me, I draw inspiration from music and the stories that albums and songs tell, which is my goal for this bi-weekly column.
I’m sorry if any of you felt offended by the choice, but it’s really only about the music. And I think The Pretty Reckless is going to do well this fall after their album release in August.
Wilberthe
The music is kinda catchy, and her voice sounds way more mature than I thought a 16 year old’s would, so that’s pretty impressive. Something about it sounds a little inauthentic and forced though, I don’t know…maybe it’s my subconscious elitist hard rock fan thinking that…
As for the looks, the second one is definitely my favorite, but I’d swap out the pink dress for a black one, personally.
Raffy
i love this! especially the first and third outfit. the second one’s a little vanilla for me… and i love the EP as well, particularly Make Me Wana Die. (:
abbyll
These looks are all awsome, but
the boots she is wearing on the photo are OMG!!!
They are hot. I really want to know where i can get such boots….
sarah
this is great and i love the band, but dont u think that for a 16yr old she dresses rather skanky?
Maxine
I love the song, Make Me Wanna Die and I also like the song Miss Nothing. You should do an oufit for Miss Nothing:)