Inspired By Frida Kahlo – July’s Thrifty Six

July 17, 2023
Inspired By Frida Kahlo - July's Thrifty Six collage

As I’ve long been fascinated with the colourful Mexican painter, I chose “Inspired by Frida Kahlo” for this month’s Thrifty six theme. I was first introduced to the works and life story of Frida Kahlo during my degree course. We studied several modules on art and feminism, and my lecturer was clearly a fan of Frida Kahlo. It definitely rubbed off on me and now I have prints, jewellery, clothing and ornaments featuring her famous face. Despite all of that, I’ve never actually put together an outfit inspired by Frida Kahlo.

Inspired By Frida Kahlo - July's Thrifty Six, Mexican top, handmade flower headband, Vivaia pink mules

I’ve styled outfits inspired by Iris Apfel (another of my style icons) not once, but twice! So it was time for some Frida inspo. But of course it has to be thrifty! I’d had long been planning to upcycle some of Isobel’s old headbands that she no longer wanted for ages. As Frida often wore a flower crown I decided to try a DIY project. I bought some cheap artificial flowers from B&M and watched a few YouTube tutorials. It involved a bit of trial and error as to which headband to use and how to fix the flowers.

A flower crown inspired by Frida Kahlo

Eventually I decided the easiest way was to cut the stems to around an inch long and bend them at a right angle, then glue them. As this was not secure enough I also used some electrical tape for stability. To finish, I wrapped some ribbon around the headband and secured it with glue. Luckily. the ribbon (saved from packaging from The Bias Cut) is almost the same colour as my hair so the band is well camouflaged. I was really pleased with how it turned out.

Inspired By Frida Kahlo - July's Thrifty Six, Mexican top, handmade flower headband, Vivaia pink mules

The rest of the outfit

I bought this top on Vinted but gave very little thought as to what I’d wear it with. I’ve packed most of my skirts away because I haven’t been wearing them. At first I thought this vintage pink and purple maxi would look odd with the blue top. But the more I looked at them together the more I liked the combination. The pink edging on the top helps to make the outfit look more cohesive.

I added a very Mexican-inspired necklace that I’ve had for ages, and woollen fringed earrings. I really went to town with the bracelets, picking up on the colours in the top and skirt. The silver and turquoise bracelet and ring are pieces I made years ago for my mum. She doesn’t wear much jewellery now so she said I may as well have them. I couldn’t resist adding the flower embellished sunglasses too – you can never have too many flowers!

Inspired By Frida Kahlo - July's Thrifty Six, Mexican top, handmade flo, Vivaia pink mules
Inspired By Frida Kahlo - July's Thrifty Six, Mexican top, handmade flower headband, Vivaia pink mules
Yaa Yaa London mega ultra fuchsia ring
Inspired By Frida Kahlo - July's Thrifty Six, Mexican top, handmade flower headband, Vivaia pink mules
Inspired By Frida Kahlo - July's Thrifty Six, Mexican top, handmade flower headband, Jeepers Peepers flower embellished sunglasses
Inspired By Frida Kahlo - July's Thrifty Six, Mexican top, handmade flower headband, Vivaia pink mules, Jeepers Peepers flower embellished sunglasses
Mexican top, handmade flower headband, Vivaia pink mules, Jeepers Peepers flower embellished sunglasses

Top from Vinted | skirt from eBay | Jeepers Peepers sunglasses | Vivaia mules (PR product) | DIY upcycled headband (similar, similar) | stretch bead bracelet from a charity shop | silver ring and bracelet | Yaa Yaa London Ultra Mega Fuchsia Gemstone ring |

Let’s see how my stylish friends have been inspired by Frida Kahlo…

Grace of Graceful Rags

“I really struggled with this fun theme! I put together a few very Frida-esque outfits before realizing that none of the pieces were thrifted. And as much as I love costumes, I didn’t want to put together a look that I wouldn’t wear in real life. So I decided on this beautiful beaded crochet top that was a hand-me-down from my mom’s cousin. I noticed Frida actually wore a lot of black, and I thought the little beaded flowers fit the theme (plus, she loved showing her boobies, so the sheerness seemed on point!). I paired the outfit with gold face earrings, layered necklaces, and a braided updo complete with little hair rings. Modern Frida!”

Jodie of Jodie’s Touch of Style

“I’m not very knowledgeable about artists, but I knew a little about Frida because we have one of her pieces in our Phoenix art museum. I searched high and low for some colorful embroidered clothing that was second-hand, but instead, I found this colorful flower dress. 
My headband was created with a scarf and a flower pin (that my mom had made years ago) and I finished off the look with 2 layered necklaces. 
The funny thing is we went to the museum this day and checked out the Frida Kahlo piece since I was channeling her.”

Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge

“I wore this same secondhand skirt for our Thrifty Six post, Inspired by Travel, back in September. The style and bold print remind me of something that Frida would have worn. I paired the skirt with this preloved teal kaftan style tunic which I tucked in and then used a gold scarf as a belt. Because Frida was well known for her large drapey scarves, I added this gorgeous thrifted green paisley pashmina.

My boots were also a secondhand purchase…$7.50 with my birthday coupon in May for these amazing L’Artiste ankle boots which have very little signs of wear. I’ve been wanting a pair of boots by L’Artiste for a really long time but have not wanted to spend the money (they retail for about $150-200). I think they are perfect for an outfit inspired by an artist! I also added a black floral headband because any fan of Frida’s knows of her love for floral headpieces.”

Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style

“I must admit that I made it a bit of a costume party from this theme, inspired by Frida Kahlo. I don’t have anything in my closet that would even remotely resemble Frida Kahlo, so getting inspired was pretty hard. Of course she almost always had her iconic flowers on her head, that’s a no brainer. And in several pictures I saw that she often wore pink with red and green. Hence the color combination. She also often had a scarf draped over her shoulders. So I made a true color palette of it.

While when I think of Frida Kahlo I would actually find a black outfit more inspired. Because of her hard life and traumatic events and also often the morbid paintings. But black would be too easy! And apparently she wasn’t put together that way either!”

Jane of preloved_vintage_handmade

“I’m the person I know best…

…that’s why I paint self-portraits”.

A quote from Frida Kahlo, the inspiration behind this month’s T6 post.

She paints herself because she’s alone, I wholeheartedly identify with that…

…solitude is a drug to me; I crave it like primal desire.

Frida and I are alike, creativity blossoms when solitude prevails.

I’m capturing her essence in colour and form, the unmistakable pallet of jewel and primary…

…dominant floral crowning glory and distant, melancholy gaze*…

…her image in perpetual suspension…

*I don’t do melancholy gaze; wide mouth smile or sultry pout are my only settings I’m afraid.”

I hope you enjoyed our outfits inspired by Frida Kahlo! We’ll be back with our next thrifty theme in August…summer is flying by!

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20 responses to “Inspired By Frida Kahlo – July’s Thrifty Six”

  1. Nancy says:

    I knew you would come up with a fantastic outfit and with a flowercrown of course. You made all the pieces you wear work very well together.

  2. SUZI GRANT says:

    Fabulous! You al look fabulous. I’ve just started shopping at Vinted too. Amazing for pre-loved! x

  3. Emma, what a fabulous Frida-inspired outfit! That Mexican style top and necklace are totally on point. I absolutely love them both. The pattern mix is super fun and your jewelry game is totally winning! Super fun prompt and super amazing outfits from all!

    Shelbee

  4. You look fantastic! i like your flower crown! Super idea!

  5. Allie Mackin says:

    Oh this is so fun!! Love it. Last fall I went to an exhibit in Paris it was a display of Frida Kahlo’s clothing. It was great.

    Allie of
    http://www.allienyc.com

  6. Ashley says:

    I’m loving your take, Emma- the flower crown is so perfect!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

  7. Mr Malik says:

    You look fantastic! i like your flower crown! Super idea!
    https://www.intellectfolks.com/login-guide-penn-foster/

  8. jodie filogomo says:

    You made the headband? And it looks amazing. You sound like me with the DIy projects in that something always goes a little wonky, but no one is the wiser.
    And your print mixing is spot on. Great theme Emma
    Xoox
    Jodie

    • Emma Peach says:

      Thanks Jodie! I enjoyed making the flower crown once I’d figured out how to actually get the flowers to stick! Thank goodness for the hot glue gun!

  9. Marsha Banks says:

    This is a glorious Frida Kahlo look! I think everything about it is perfect! I’ve never thought to add flowers to a headband, but I really don’t wear them. Now, that I’ve seen yours, I may have to change my mind!

    I love the combination of prints here and think they work together really well. Love those flowered sunglasses, too!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    • Emma Peach says:

      Thanks so much Marsha! I’ve got the urge to make more now! Isobel had a clear out in her bedroom, which included lots of headbands so I’m going to try doing more in different colours.

  10. Mica Away From Blue says:

    You’re so talented to have made that flower crown! I think the mixed prints of the top and skirt work so well together too! You really nailed this theme! 🙂

    Thanks for joining the Weekday Wear Link up 🙂

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