Yes, gorgeous and ornate Navajo inspired prints were all over the runways and will soon find their way to your best knock off spot. But our re-found love for all things Southwest slouch comes from a little lady named Marilyn Whirlwind (anyone remember “Northern Exposure“?). Marilyn was a woman of few words, who said everything with one mellifluous twirl of her knitting needle, and had Dr. Fleischman (that early 90’s fox) wrapped around her not-so-little finger. Marilyn was a plus sized diva with a certain magic about her; she crafted, knitted, baked, won dance contests, and made the flying man from the circus fall devastatingly in love with her. Plus, her style was so hot! Remember those thigh length, chunky, bright knits paired with leggings and fringed boots? The long, shoulder-dusting earrings, and natural make up! She so overshadowed the shows starlet Janine Turner (a visit to her site is SO in order – she models fur, practices “Jesus Yoga,” and breeds cows) with her Daria-esque disinterest and comfort in her own skin.
Courtesy of NATIVE AMERICAN ACTORS.Back to fashion: think beading, fringe, bright colored patterns, dream-catcher earrings, skinny headbands, and long sweaters. And remember, DO NOT wear more than two of these trends at once unless you are Native American. You will look ridiculous, and be photographed as a “Fashion Don’t” where you will be scandalized by embarrassment for the next 20 years of your life in blogs Nationwide. Of course, Marilyn wouldn’t care. She’d toss her braid and keep on truckin’.
Make like Marilyn with these laissez-faire sexy looks;
Disclaimer: neither Elaine Miles (the actor who played Marilyn), nor her character on show were Navajo Indian, it’s just the way everyone seems to be referring to the trend. Elaine Miles is a member of the Umatilla tribe, one of three tribes on her reservation.