Sunday, July 20, 2008

Holland 1945

I hope you all enjoyed reading my last post as much as I enjoyed writing it. Now I have decided to stretch my imagination a bit further.
If you are not yet familiar with the music of Neutral Milk Hotel. You should be, like, now. Seriously, go, click! I first discovered them when I was twelve years old, at the insistance of a much older crush of mine. At first, I was very much put off by Jeff Mangum's reedy, nasal voice. But once those lyrics hit you, there's no going back. One of the great tragedies of this band however, is how little music we have of it. Not long after his star began rising, frontman Jeff Mangum had something of a nervous breakdown and left the music scene, for good. And while their previous album On Avery Island is quite good, nothing quite compared to 1998's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, which was, according to Mangum, his way of dealing with the very intense manner in which he connected with the death of Anne Frank after reading her diary.

You can tell by Neutral Milk Hotel's album artwork, and certainly their archaically-rooted lyrics that Jeff Mangum is/was fixated with not only the aesthetic of an earlier period of history, but with that era in its entirety. Looking at these album covers, and listening to Aeroplane, led me to an odd musing: "What would the girl living inside Mangum's head look like?" Or, more specifically, "What would the girl living inside this album look like, what would she be wearing?" Not in her era, then I could just be posting a bunch of links for vintage clothing and call it a day. What would she wear now, if Mangum indeed made his time machine?

I have to admit, this one is trickier. Since the subjects of Magnum's songs are so very grave, I want to give them some levity and grounding in fashion, without cheapening it, or making some sort of ridiculous, magazine-like musing of how to dress like some kind of movie character. Once again, nothing too flashy or too modern, but she'd want to blend in and appreciate the freedom of modern fashion.

Given the seaside themes of the album art, I think she would appreciate slight nautical motifs. Old Navy sweater, Alloy shorts, Marc Jabobs bag.



What she would wear knocking about her latter day highschool. I think she would spend most of her time in the music room, don't you?

14 comments:

Wendy said...

I'm coveting that first pair of shoes you posted.

STYLE AND THE CITY . COM - PARIS said...

my dear stylish Hanna

before i go to bed, i wanted to warn my friends : be aware ! my last photos could give you the desire to fall in love with Paris and move in ! lol.

cheers from Paris

Let's keep in touch !

Kamel
STYLE AND THE CITY . COM
PARIS

Tavi said...

THIS IS AMAZING, YOU'RE AMAZING. I LOVE THIS, I LOVE YOU. Best post ever (I find myself saying that on every one of your posts...), and not only because Neutral Milk is fantastic but because you depicted what this mystery girl would wear so well. Haha, I discovered Neutral Milk recently and I'm 12 too :) Aeroplane is one of my 3 favorite albums ever and I swear there is not a song from it that I wouldn't be able to listen to over and over again. I could easily picture this girl wearing these items! These kinds of posts you do are always so inspiring.
P.S. My sister got me into Neutral Milk, and when she walked by and saw the album cover on the screen she goes "Ooh, one of your blogger friends has good taste in music!"

Tavi said...

Ok, Lily Allen can wait-I'm turning on Neutral Milk now. Two Headed Boy Part 2 to be precise.
Completely agreed, I've seen music differently since then.
And I hope this isn't too creeptastic but if you have an AIM we must talk because we just might be long lost twins xD

Tavi said...

Lily Allen is fun but her music doesn't mean that much. To me, at least. And seriously-her, Amy...? I think they got a voice box transplant with Aretha and Tina.

Ana said...

I have not listened to them but the artwork makes me want to.

stop by my blog.

yiqin; said...

The alloy shorts look pretty good!!

FASHION CHALET said...

Great shoes above the Marc bag (who are the by??) Oh and I love Neutral Milk Hotel too, one of my top favorites!! Thanks for your wonderful comment in my blog. :)

FASHION CHALET said...

Thanks for the info!!

Anyhow, can't wait to see what other musical choices and clothing pieces you share with us next. :)

Anonymous said...

I love the striped sweater and the gray dress. I can really see the timelessness in these pieces.

Human Racing said...

I am in love with the shoes from the first set. Nice post!

emily said...

i love the first pair of shoes and the mj bag!

Anonymous said...

I found out about Neutral Milk Hotel when I was 12 as well and it's currently an obsession of mine.
His voice is very unappealing at first but it's sooo ugly that it's amazing (or cute like Paul Dano)
but Jim Magnum's fleeing of the music scene after going crazy reminds me a lot of Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd (who, by the way, did some amazing solo work)

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