- cassette tape top: thrifted at Dolly Python, a vintage shop in Dallas
- vintage blazer: hand-me down from my grandmother
- sneakers: Puma
- track pants: Gift from a friend
- earrings: Sam Moon
Name: Chelsea Upton
Location: Dallas, TX
Occupation: I’m the Music Director at Radio UTD, the student-run radio station at the University of Texas at Dallas, and a blogger/mixtape maker at Not A Neophyte, a blog that focuses on women and queer musicians. Other than that, I do a lot of things, including eating canned soup and setting my kitchen on fire. I like writing, but I mostly like writing fiction. I would like to write a fantasy book someday. That’s my fantasy. (Also I just really like dragons.)
What informs/inspires your style? Most of my clothes are hand-me-downs from my grandmother, who was a very flashy lady back in the 1960s. So when people ask about my clothes I would just usually say that it’s a combination of grandma/aunt style. Outside of that I’m really into Robyn and the things she wears.
All time number one favorite thing to wear: I have this pair of overalls that I probably won’t ever stop wearing. There is something very, very satisfying about hearing people say “I like your overalls,” as if they’re admitting to a fetish.
Current non-fashion obsession: I have a thing for Jeff Goldblum. I had business cards made (And by that I mean, I made business cards with Microsoft Paint) with his face on it. Someday I would like to have an impressive amount of Jeff Goldblum memorabilia that I can show off during parties. Probably not my own parties, but I would bring that memorabilia to other peoples parties just to one-up them for throwing a party.
What’s something you’ve been thinking about a lot lately? I’m about to graduate from college, and I’ve been thinking a lot about where to move on from here. It’s scary and I’m terrified, mostly because I worry that I’ll end up somewhere with people that I can’t identify with. Being a weird girl in Dallas has been kind of tough, because you have to look that much harder to find those special people that also feel alienated. When you do, though, it means the world.
What helps you feel confidence about your body, style, and general sense of self? To be candid, my predilection for outlandish clothing alienated me from a lot of people when I was younger, because in small town Oklahoma and Texas I was perceived as being absurd (to put it kindly). Growing up was really the best thing I could do (it’s the best thing anyone can do!), not just because I stopped caring if someone was snickering at my patterned cut-off shorts, but because I was able to create friendships with other women that were very validating for me.
What’s it mean to be a Broad? Being someone that you like! It sounds way more simple than it is. You need to like yourself and set that example for other women. You need to get rid of that idea that you can’t make mistakes, or that you’re worthwhile only when other girls are not.
End note: I know Chelsea because we both work in college radio. Today she wrote a great piece about the brodeo that is the entire music industry. Read it. Actually, her whole blog has a focus on women and queer musicians, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
![Kate Nash Girl Talk crop top: c/o Kate Nash friendz
black mini dress (whoops, I shrunk it): Urban Outfitters
black oxfords: thrifted at Crossroads Trading Co
HUE tights: gift from Mom
neon shades: c/o Quay Eyewear / Bollare
This morning I awoke early to glorious sunshine and Rae (former roommate) at my door, so we went on an adventure to Williamsburg (ie: take her dog [Olive] to the groomer). Nothing really opens before 11am in Williamsburg, so we just got bagels and took silly photos. The above result is what I like to refer to as a “hurray, Brooklyn” pic. Hope you’re in similar spirits today. Go outside!](http://24.media.tumblr.com/e094b20b3a3a233e7f2a0ce97ba5eb6f/tumblr_ml74tzFh8a1qzn1zqo1_500.jpg)
