'Ugly Pretty' is probably something that most people are familiar with especially when you scroll through my Susie Styles section and find looks that are never entirely pretty and to some are just downright ugly.  It's my natural tendancy to want to ruin things a little, mush things up a bit and play with an item's prettiness level.  A darling pink ruffly dress cannot be left alone in its pretty pink glory because the saccharine levels would quite literaly suffocate me. 

With all the 'prettiness' about for this season (does it seem like we're sick of SS08 already.... I hope not....)...ruffles, florals, fairies and lace (well a sign of next season really...thanks Prada...), these play right into my 'ugly pretty' mentality and instead of looking at them in isolation, I end up tacking words onto them that make sense to me and get a partially oxymoronic thing going on....

Floral Rage - Pile on as many florals as possible, thus playing up a florals' frump factor and doing the Hyacinth Bucket from Keeping up Appearances [1] thing to the max. 

[2]

Vintage blue floral puff sleeve dress, vintage 'WTF' fabric skirt shortened to make a dress, vintage tropical floral skirt stiched up, vintage blue straw belt, American Apparel blue tights, Topshop black patent multi-strapped platform shoes

Slicked Ruffles - Liquid, shiny, melted black plastic oozing in and trying to fight with the ruffles.

[3]

White felt ruffle attachment made for a jacket but worn as a scarf here, Collection Privee cream leather ruffled skirt, Topshop Boutique grey 'mille feuille' tutu, Topshop black PVC trousers, black patent ankle boots from Paris (forgotten the store!) 

Neon Fairy - Layering sheers over neon as if a dusting of sherbet had blanketed the neons.

[4]

Vintage orange and black cheerleader skater dress worn inside out, vintage slip skirt pulled up over dress, Urban Outfitters black patent belt, vintage pleated gown worn underneath, vintage pink leggings, neon tights cut up as sleeves and as headband, Poste Mistress silver flats   

Lace Robot - Bacofoil and lace is a good combination.  Definitely.

[5]

Vintage pale blue lace dress, vintage silver strapless lame dress, vintage silver gloves, American Apparel silver leggings, Jenne O silver lace-up shoes, boyf's vintage black sunglasses