6.18.2018

Pineapple Head


I was running to the subway last weekend, all dolled up for a concert, with my hair piled high on top of my noggin' in what I now know is called a "pineapple." A man with a smattering of salt and pepper stubble gave me a sideways glance as we waited for the light to change.


That's some hair... he tested the waters, in a weathered voice. Wouldja believe I usedta have hair like that? 


ABSOLUTELY. I crooned back. My dad said the very same thing to me for years before he started buzzing it!  Door opened, I waited for his next move.  


WELL YA GOTTA SEE IT! My new friend whipped out his phone and scrolled his numerous photos for evidence. Do ya have high hopes for this picture?! He cackled, as the lights changed, and changed again. YOU BET YOUR ASS I DO. I chirped back. believe this is going to be worth missing my train for.  


I was right. My man had some KILLER style. All the way from strawberry blonde shoulder length 'fro (and in a soccer uniform just like my dad, no less) to blown-out, thick glossy waves, '70s prom posing, complete with powder blue suit. Did I miss my train? Yes. Was it worth it? SO MUCH YES.


I find that the louder I get with my style, the happier people are around me. And by people, I mean all kinds of people. That mini-epiphany hit me this weekend. This technicolor armor I built up over the years was borne out of being different--a little bit of every race, and not enough of any race. Everyone told me I didn't fit in their box, so I made my own. Now the armor I put on is actually becoming an invitation, to all kinds of folk. Many of the barriers of the past, imagined and real (and in the present, that I deal with every day in the "business") are just not there in these random encounters. I love it.


Now, maybe those shout-outs on the street and smiles on the subway are because my rainbow jolt is more amusing than anything else, but if my mass of Sideshow Bob hair, or swath of neon, puts a smile on someone's face, I don't much care where that smile originates from. Smiles are a commodity these days.

I guess I should tell you about the dress, yes? She is the True Bias Ogden Cami, that glorious and beloved pattern, cut a bit shorter, and maxi-fied with two rectangular tiers of gathered fabric. Pineapple printed viscose, to be exact. To match the hair, naturally. Summer style, about as easy as you can get! 

(Though it will take you some time to gather those panels. I suggest a beverage with an umbrella in it to ease that li'l bit of pain. A Piña Colada, perhaps? It's summertime, y'all. Go full pineapple.)

fabric: mood, this took about 2.5 yards
pattern: true bias ogden cami, modified

60 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. thank you Rhonda! Maybe a pineapple dress for your summer list??

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  2. I love your style and honestly, I find the same thing. It's hard because as a stylist I'm expected to wear all black but the more colorful I am the more I inspire my clients to be happy and be themselves!

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    1. and what should a stylist do but inspire others to be their best selves?! rock that color!

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  3. Amusing? Maybe. I happen to think your verve and vibe are utterly joyful and that's what people are responding to. Maybe two sides of the same coin. But joy is so desperately needed now, and here comes you, beaming it out like a guerilla unicorn bent on paying it forward to all 7.5 billion of us every day. Thank you.

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    1. "like a guerilla unicorn..."

      Thank you for that--I have to admit, I put something like this out there and immediately feel, well, I don't know, frivolous in the middle of all this, but maybe this is what I can do. Hellbent on paying it forward. Here I come, I might be bringing glitter.

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  4. I know seeing your posts brings me joy. And, some hope. I love that you pineapple your hair too (I only know of this technique from watching many YouTube videos, lol).

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    1. I think I found it down the same rabbithole. And I hope you heard me joyfully slow clapping from here at your fancy dress + half pineapple 'do (I like to call that style a "topiary").

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  5. Everything about this is FABULOUS.

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  6. What a great story! And a great dress! I love the Ogden cami, it's incredibly versatile and really lends itself to being messed around with.

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  7. Some may think these delightful photos are orchestrated or accidental... :)

    But me...well I see a halo of light...the positive, sunshine-y aura that is You. I'm pretty sure others see it too and respond with joy!

    Lovely post Marcy.

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    1. That's beautiful, thank you so much, Sue!

      (and scientifically speaking...let's just say I took a happy backlit accident and bumped it up a notch ;)

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  8. Yes this. The public needs more people willing to be visual blessings. Thank you for being one of them.

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  9. Absolutely stunning! What a fab dress and I'm not surprised you are cheering New Yorkers up one hairstyle / dress at a time!

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  10. Yes! Your loud, colorful style makes me so happy every time I read one of your blog posts! Thank you for spreading joy in the world- that's a beautiful dress!

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    1. Thank you, Bea! I sometimes think I ought to do a few neutrals, then I come to my senses. I think we all love seeing each other in what makes us happiest!

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  11. I love your style and I love that you find it spreads happiness in your world! And that dress says everything fun about summer. Xox!

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    1. I wish my dress could catch some summer sun with your latest! I devoured your sundress on the subway today :)

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  12. Your blog makes me smile. I am positive if I saw you on the street I would be smiling too. Like Katrina said above its your verve and vibe that people are responding to. Yours is just so innate and natural.

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    1. Thank you! It took awhile to get to the vibe that feels like me :)) And ps, one of my childhood nicknames was Moosie. Love seeing your handle!

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  13. I love your hair and your style! And, you blog always uplifts me!

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  14. You know I love your (hair and dress)style. It all spells freedom to me!

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  16. love love love! we have mixed race children and i wonder what they'll experience as they navigate the world. also: the dress is FAB! i'm gonna need more details on the size of the rectangles because that is summer in textile form!

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    1. I sure do hope that as the world goes on we all become mixed--I think more of us are than we even know. I read an NYT article that showed CGI images of what we'll look like in 20 years (mixed)...and I was like, um? I think that's happening now.

      I'll measure my dress for those rectangles! It usually depends on how much fabric I have.

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    2. it really is! and it's a beautiful thing. some times, people will ask right off the cuff what the kids are... and i'm like, "um... they are people? specifically, children?" and yes to more smiles! NYC is lucky to have yours to sunshine it up!

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  17. You radiate happiness and joy. People of all walks of life and all ages are attracted to joy. You simply have an aura of pure happiness and it draws people in like a moth to light. That dress is awesome, too! Some of my friends from other parts of the country have expressed how odd they find it that in the Deep South we strike up a conversation with strangers everywhere. You would be chatting nonstop ‘round these parts! ��

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    1. well thank you!!

      You know, Rob's from Arkansas, and I just LOVE going to visit. And you're absolutely right, conversations everywhere, nonstop, and genuine.

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  18. LOVE! You belong in the islands, strolling on the beach, sipping a pina colada .. for sure. Such a happy, perfect, breezy summer dress.

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    1. oh if a dress could be used as transportation! I'd be swinging in a hammock right now!!

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  19. yasssssss queen! Colour, all the way, all the time. You're right, it does make other people happy, and I'm always mindful to compliment other folk rocking the rainbow. Mind you, even after the hair [stunning] and the pineapples..it's your SMILE.

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    1. yes, I always let people know I appreciate the rainbow! Thank you for those beautiful words :)))

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  20. great dress - and great to meet fun people. life is awful short and if all of it is lived keeping quiet and to your own circle its rather boring..... i do enjoy those random meets - good and otherwise as the diverson will always be interesting. sounds like you made that guys day too!

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    1. We made each other's day for sure! He was a hoot. Always uplifting to be able to share a smile with others.

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  21. loved this story so much! and i'm totally stealing your dress idea, and making one for myself (will use my favorite burda cami pattern instead of ogden though).. wish i can rock a pinapple hair too :D

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  22. I love your style. You are right, you make the people around you happy.

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  23. Wow! I love those colors. And I love your story.

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  24. You always look amazing - and loved the story

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  25. This is so beautiful! I will copycat your idea for sure. Love, love, love!

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    1. Copy away! It's top notch for wandering in the summer sun!

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  26. Who would NOT want to stop and chat with you, and exchange life stories?

    Your colorful garb inspires me to live up to my professed philosophy that, if you cannot be bright, you can at least dress brightly.

    And you are correct that persons with exuberant hair seem to invite conversations with strangers on the street. Until DH shaved his long white beard for a charity event, he was regularly hailed as Santa Claus when we took our weekly stumble down main street on date night. Now, with a bared face, he mourns that he is "just another old white guy who might be a dangerous creepy racist. No one wants to talk to me anymore." He's growing the beard back.

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    1. Man do I love your stories. You are a raconteur. And your philosophies! I'm putting that on a wall.

      Maybe DH needs jaunty hats of some sort, to revive the encounters until his beard returns?

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    2. He does like a hat ... for our toddler, best discipline tool was to make her wear the Hat of Shame. It was hideous. Very effective practice, for a tractable child. A stubborn baby would have worn it defiantly.

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  27. Agree with all of the above: Your posts are always uplifting and your fashions incredibly uplifting. Keep 'em coming, gawjus lady!
    del from curlsnskirls

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  28. What a great encounter! Some ways of making yourself stand out definitely encourage people to initiate contact - if I get my knitting out in public, or travel on a bus with my cello, as you say *all kinds* of people suddenly want to chat (in famously silent London). Once a gigantic basket bag had the same effect. I admired someone's sparkly tights on the tube last week and she said "THANK YOU" like she'd been waiting all day for someone to notice them!

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  29. LOVE THIS! Looks so breezy and comfortable.

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  30. I love your style and vitality and also admire your sewing skills. Your blog always makes me smile...the world needs more positivity. Thank you!

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  31. I've discovered your blog and I love it! Haven't sewn in years but you inspire me. At my age (late 50s), I find I can get away with more "risky" stuff, like my floral Chuck Taylors a few years back. Anyway, I'm jumping back in, feet first, thanks to you!!!

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i thankya truly for taking the time to comment, i love a good conversation-- and hope you know my thanks are always implied, if not always written!