It’s Style Imitating Art time again, and this week’s piece was chosen by Salazar. The artwork is Tying Her Shoe by Walter Westley Russell, and I honestly had so much fun with this one! Our last SIA challenge was for Earth and Sky by Paul Meltsner.
Rather than just pulling together an outfit inspired by the colours, I wanted to actually step into the painting. So, there I was in my office, sitting on my sofa, one foot perched on my little footstool—just like the young woman in the artwork. It felt like play-acting in the best possible way, and it made me appreciate the painting even more. If you’re intrigued about my fabulously witchy office, you can check out my reveal video on YouTube!
Now, let’s talk outfit. The first thing that struck me in the painting was those gorgeous blue and white stripes. I rummaged through my wardrobe and the closest I could find was a floaty blouse I’ve had for years. It has midi sleeves with ties at the cuffs and a scoop neckline with another little tie at the front—so soft and flowy, perfect for layering.
But then I thought of my floral-and-striped dress from Vinted, which I’ve worn to death since last year. It’s girly, comfortable, and has this effortless vintage feel that I adore. In winter and spring I styled it with cowboy boots, but for this look I wanted a nod to the shoes in the painting. So I reached for my brown vintage-style brogues (another Vinted gem).
At first I tried the blouse over the dress, but it wasn’t working. Then I remembered a video I’d just watched from Alexa Sunshine, one of my favourite style YouTubers. She’d challenged herself to wear her clothes in unusual, unexpected ways. Inspired, I thought—why not wear the blouse under the dress? And it worked! The blouse’s sleeves puffed out slightly, giving a gathered effect that looked almost painterly, and very much in keeping with the romantic feel of the artwork.
Here’s where the comparison gets fun. Looking at the original painting and my version side by side, there are so many little echoes:
- The pose — the woman in the painting perches gracefully on her floral sofa, one foot resting on a cushioned stool. I mimicked her posture in my own quirky setting—my dark green office with its magical artwork, a striped sofa, and my trusty footstool. It’s the same scene, but filtered through my world.
- The dress details — her striped gown is all puffed sleeves and gathered fabric. My layered blouse and floaty dress mimic that sense of volume and flow, while bringing it into a modern context.
- The shoes — she wears shiny black lace-ups; mine are brown brogues, but still vintage-inspired and perfectly suited to the vibe.
- The mood — her expression is soft and thoughtful, almost meditative. I found myself slipping into that same quiet concentration while tying my laces for the photo.
Would I wear this outfit out and about? Absolutely! It was comfortable, breezy, and had just enough vintage flair to feel special without being over the top.
That’s what I love about Style Imitating Art—it’s not about “dressing up in costume.” It’s about playing with inspiration, looking at art in a new way, and letting it spark creativity in how we see ourselves and our clothes.
Don’t forget to check out the other fabulous hosts of SIA:
I can’t wait to see how everyone else has reimagined this lovely painting!
And I just had to share this image, because I know it was a mistake but I just love how ghostly it is lol!
