Gucci Geek Chic Style Over 40
What is Gucci Geek Chic Style?
It looks like an eccentric hippie granny hooked up with a nerdy artist hoarder.
A Gucci Geek is the kind of person that catches your eye on the subway and you find yourself secretly wondering if they are as interesting as their clothes.
Check you streamlined minimalist views at the door, they won’t be needed here.
This is about lavish excess, clashing colours, patterns and textures.
A tickle trunk full of funky mismatched clothes.
More is more.
This collection reminds me of the documentary Grey Gardens.
“I’m a lover of beautiful things, I walk down the street and I fall in love with everything.” – Alessandro Michele, Creative Director Gucci
Yes it is pattern overload and a shock to the senses.
Yes it is colour crazy.
Yes it is extreme but in the best sense.
Most importantly it is about being creative and having fun with fashion.
I’m delighted that the temperatures have warmed up enough that I was finally able to wear this without covering it up with another coat. Hooray for lazy-ass spring finally showing up in almost May.
As a personal challenge I put together a couple of Gucci Geek Chic inspired outfits on Polyvore.
I truly adore that skirt with the Eiffel Tower on it and that floral trench coat. In fact, a very big birthday is just around the corner for me and I wouldn’t be one bit disappointed if that entire first outfit just magically showed up on my doorstep one day.
Hint, hint, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
In the meantime I’m happy to wear this vintage skirt yet one more time which cost me $15. Cost per wear must be down to $1 I think. The colour of the skirt is surprisingly versatile and the small pattern reads almost as texture visually.
7 Tips To Create Your Own Version of Gucci Geek Chic
- Consider the size of each of the patterns. It isn’t as overwhelming for the eyes if you have only one very large focal pattern. The other patterns should be smaller and will begin to read more like texture to the eyes. In each outfit I’ve chosen one large focal pattern, a medium sized pattern and other smaller patterns.
- Incorporate different types of patterns, polkadot, floral, stripes.
- Use the large focal pattern’s colours to choose the other items in the ensemble. This ensures the outfit will look cohesive. In outfit #2 there is a tiny bit of yellow on the skirt, which is why I chose yellow for the top. There is black on the top, which allowed me to introduce black in the handbag. The green on the skirt matches the green on the cardigan.
- If you feel brave enough to choose a new colour that doesn’t exist in your focal pattern consider adding it with accessories or shoes, I added blue boots and blue ribbon to my outfit.
- More is more. Add some funky glasses or a hat. It will make a huge difference to the overall look.
- Mix your textures as well as your patterns. It creates another layer of visual interest.
- Try to stay within the same colour value and saturation for all your pieces. Everything I’m wearing is in jewel tones.
Do any of these outfits appeal to you?
Or is the Gucci Geek Chic just a bit too eclectic and over-the-top for you?
Linking up with Visible Monday, I Will Wear What I Like, Turning Heads Tuesday, Throw Back Thursday
Oh yes, it appeals! It’s a treat for the eyes and the soul. You wear it beautifully, and where has that bag been hiding?? Loving the Eiffel Tower skirt and the emerald block heels. xox
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I adore that bag but find it very hard to wear with anything. It clashes with everything, which of course worked out perfectly for this look : )
Anything that looks like stuff I’ve already got and requires no spending or much effort appeals to me.
You look fab in those specs and that skirt was definitely a tremendous find, it goes with everything you own and looks stupendous.
Love Grey Gardens even though it was scarily like me and my Mum (everyone we knew said so). I could totally see us living in squalor surrounded by cats and sniping at each other.
Jon and I are sharing our big birthday present so it’s travel rather than clothes – we don’t take the same size. You should definitely hold out for that coat, though! xxx
We were supposed to be heading out for a trip this year as well for the big B day…it has been postponed. I’m hoping to still manage something later in the year.
Girl—you sure know how to break all the rules!! But you’re right—it’s about having fun, and this is way more fun than all black!!
I suspect we’ll be seeing that Eiffel Tower skirt sometime soon—it’s so you!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Jodi don’t encourage me! LOL You are like my husband…an enabler.
I confess—I have been to Enabler’s Anonymous…but it’s only because I’m very good at it!!
Besides—I always say it’s for the sake of the blog (does that help??)
Suzanne, I love this! I am not a fan of how so many women embody the idea that as a woman gets older, she’s supposed to start wearing frumpy, boring clothes-and so I think it’s awesome that you turn this idea on it’s head and kick it out the door! I still have a ways to go before I can be an colorful 40-year-old (I’m currently 23), but I’m excited to see what kinds of fashion styles I’ll embody as my life goes on. I’m much more of a minimalist when it comes to fashion, but I still absolutely love what you’ve done here. And I really, really love the idea of mixing patterns. I’ve never really understood some of the fashion “rules” that say you can’t wear 2 certain colors together or mix patterns; I think it looks really good! And the whole outfit is still very balanced and quite interesting.
Oh my! Yes…23…I think I remember back that far! LOL I was living in France. {sigh} Oh to be 23 again…
Thanks for popping by Anne Marie. It is encouraging when age barriers are broken down.
Hi, Suzanne!
Wow, living in France must have been quite the experience! And my pleasure! I love getting to glean the wisdom and insights across all age groups and cultures-it’s really such an enriching experience, and I love (LOVE!) your creative posts! 🙂
Oh, oh, I didn’t know you did things like this, Suzanne. Just loverly. Although, really, do you think people need to be told “how to” do it?! heehee.
And I luv grey gardens. I had that poster hanging up in my apartment until it fell apart. In fact, part of it shows up in one of my large interior paintings…
Of course you are right, no one needs to be told how to clash. Some people are born with this skill : )
Whoa! I could never do this. Way too over the top. My personality isn’t big enough. You, however…
I bet you’d love dressing up like this. Heck your inner cheerleader/batonner isn’t exactly shy! ; P
I am in love with your outfit (so many great textures) and the sets you’ve created. I love last outfit, I am so drawn to the colors and pattern.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
You are brilliant at mixing patterns and colours Alice. A true natural.
You will always rock this look Suzanne – it’s so fun and refreshing to know one who can totally pull off this look! Come check out my latest collab with Express and let me know what you think – Have a lovely week!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
I’m ready to embrace that Gucci Geek Chic Style with joy!!, love everything about it, mixed prints and textures and all those rich deep colors and shades!, and accessories obviously!!!. I love that grannie-hippie-eccentric-steampunk-sixties-whatever look!
And you look gorgeous posing on your sofá, delightfully decadent!!!
besos
I’m glad I fought off those other estate sale buyers to snag that couch. I couldn’t imagine my office without it.
Wow what a stunning outfit! You’ve mixed those patterns and textures to perfection!
Emma xxx
style-splash.com
Thanks for popping by Emma : )
Fabulous!
A feast for the eyes…loving those textures and all of the interesting patterns.
Your tips were spot on (in my mind).
This look is SO hard to get right, it can so easily just look like a mess. You have pulled your jewel tones together perfectly and your accessorising is on point!
More is indeed more.
XXX
Samantha
fakefabulous.com
I agree…it is a fine line between cray-cray and hittin’ it.
What a great look! I love the red velvet blazer with the blue velvet booties. It definitely makes one wonder about the secrets of the wearer.
I need to start mixing patterns – won’t look quite as cool as you, but it doesn’t hurt to try.
Experimenting is 90% of the fun!
You do the “Gucci Geek” look so very well, and your pattern-mixing skills are brilliant. I love how this looks on you, but it’s not a look I would do myself. Oddly enough, it may have something to do with my hair (or lack of it). I think the rich colours look marvelous with your hair, and while I do like mixing some patterns like stripes and polka dots, but generally in the same colours like black and white.
LOVE. But Dries Van Noten has been doing it luxe for years 🙂
http://www.driesvannoten.be/video.php?collection=aw20152016women
…. the neck posies, the long pinnies worn back-to-front, the glorious textiles, the batshit!!
p.s. I have found his stuff once in a posh-o charity shop – it is my precious LMAO
That red jacket with satin lapels is killer and the green granny shoes are aces!
Oooh lucky you!
Did you see my version of a Dries Van Noten neck posie I made a while back?
http://suzannecarillo.com/how-to-wear-a-statement-belt/
It was too massive for me to wear so close to my neck so I wore it as a belt. I must trim the feathers.
The boots are in fact a gorgeous blue…such a shame there is always an issue with colours when I take the photos indoors.
oooh – the blue boots are drop dead gorg – I meant the polyvore ones in Look 1 – very Queen Elizabeth 2 lol – I couldn’t believe my luck with the charity shop Dries.
Yes, I recall your neck posy/belt piece – very dramatic – love!
I think neck posies would probably work in ‘real’ life with a nosegay of tiny flowers or a floppy, velvety single bloom. I’m still experimenting – I have a silk poppy that I’m going to take a meat tenderising hammer to.
Oooh…you must share the photo of the silk poppy once tenderized!
Never knew this term “Gucci Geek Chic” in any case, you’ve done a great job mismatching an outfit. Guess I’m not quite eccentric enough, but it sure looks great on you Suzanne. I would buy the Eiffel Tower skirt immediately if I ever see one. Just hope we’re not in the same store when we find one and it’s the only one left.
❤️carmen
https://fashionableover50.wordpress.com
Totally love this look and it’s not that easy to get all those colors/textures and prints to work together. But you’ve carried it off beautifully. The vintage floral print purse is gorgeous. And wherever did you find those amazing blue velvet boots? You certainly have one of the best boot collections I’ve ever seen.
Just shared your Gucci Geek Chic definition over the phone with my 23 year old son and he said he’s never heard anyone describe his mother so closely as you just did, haha. Se,, two great mind . . . Oh, we could do so much damamge if we lived near one another.
I’m loving your polyvore combo’s you put together but not nearly as much as the one you’re modeling for us.
So, did Robert get the hint or do we need to give him a call?
OMG, you’ve done it perfectly! You look almost like taken from Gucci shows. And I was thinking that I’m peacocking with my DIY flower necktie (I mean: flower and ribbon attached fo collar shirt) … poor little child….
greets!
http://fashavable.blogspot.com/
Gosh you look darn amazing. This look so works on you!
I love the eclectic look. I’m not sure I’d go as far as you do (brilliantly by the way!) on me personally, as I’d be worried that on me, it would turn out to be just visual noise whereas on you, it’s a beautiful, complex, rich symphony! But I love the individual elements and the whole feel of the look. I gravitate towards it – I’m not a minimalist by any stretch of the imagination so maybe I just need to grow more sartorial balls!
http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/
This outfit is EVERYTHING and you look amazing! I am TOTALLY going to give this concept a try. Thanks for the inspiration!
You’re totally rocking Gucci Geek Chic Suzanne! I lurve everything about your outfit, but most of all those boots. The pattern and colour clashing could overwhelm the uninatiated, so it’s great that you’ve given out some styling advice for the novice or timid amongst your readership. I’m happy to throw these kind of clothes together, but wouldn’t know where to start when it comes to giving out useful advice. This may just seem like a very colourful jumble of clothes to some, but on you its an artform. Love it x
Anna
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
You look gorgeous – it’s like looking at a piece of art. Not sure I could pull it off though. We need to do some kind of collaboration where you dress me. A blogger style swap?