I kind of like, feel the way about My So-Called Life that I feel about The Catcher In the Rye: if you love, really love it, then it grows with you in the most unexpected ways.
This past week I’ve taken to re-watching this legendary show. Watching it in middle school, then high school, and as a young adult now, all resulted in it resonating in the most differing and varying ways, but all heartfelt and beloved. My So-Called Life remains one of the most powerful shows I’ve ever seen about the trials and tribulations of our teen years, and one of the greatest losses on popular culture and television history is that it only lasted a season.
It candidly showed things like the how our relationships with our parents changes when we no longer see them on a pedestal; the struggles we face with meeting adult issues like bisexuality, alcoholism, love, adultery, and sex; how we react (or don’t) to violence in our classrooms. In many ways, My So-Called Life was advance beyond its years, and I would argue there are few shows that capture our teen years with the accuracy it does…
In high school, Angela’s signature red hair was iconic for me, and led me down my own path of being a redhead for 7 years.
Admittedly, when I watch the show, its keen fashion sense doesn’t partcularly move me (though I appreciate the fact that it’s one show where the costumers aren’t particularly looking to flatter the actors, but to strive for realism). So I opted to take the major themes of the grunge movement (and Angela’s wardrobe) to make up something a bit more modern, a bit less grunge, and, well, a bit more Ashe Mischievous.
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You did the Angela look and not the Rayanne look? If I can find the pictures tonight of me from 8th grade I will so send them to you. I was reffered to as “That Rayanne girl”. Hey all I can say is Look Achieved!
I was absolutely obsessed with My So Called Life when it was on TV, and I was so glad when they finally brought it out on DVD! My mother hated it, she thought it had far too many “adult themes” but I used to watch it when she wasn’t there and I think I was channelling Angela a little when I first dyed my hair red all those years later!
Oooh, this is a great show. But you know I’m more partial to Freaks and Geeks. Have you ever watched that?
Fabulous post, my dear! I love the look you put together. I definitely believe that this is what Angela Chase would be wearing today. If she were still 15, that is.
ooh, i’ve always heard about it, but never watched it, even though i heard a lot of jokes about corky in high school.
i’ll totally put this in my que, maybe my teen years will make more sense.
I love, “The Catcher in the Rye”! I vaguely remember having heard of the show, but I have never seen it, though you have me a little intrigued about it.
I really like like the look you have put together for the character, it is hard to put a look on her when I haven’t seen the show, but I am definitely intrigued.
And you have a lovely blog, si. :)
I would marry those beautiful boots, but my husband would be jealous.
@Vixel – The adult themes are what make it so powerful! I’m not sure if my parents really knew I watched it when it first came out, but I definitely remember watching it when Mtv would re-air it during the late 90s… the boxed set was the best thing for this show!
@The Clothes Horse – Freaks & Geeks is my other fav! Both of them were just these beautiful, poignant clips of high school life (F&G more “funny & awkward” than I think MSCL is), but I love them both! It breaks my hear they were both only a season.
@Beka – If Angela were 15 (and had $$$), I think she’d definitely rock it! Or we’d have to replace the boots with good old Docs ;)
@jennine – Definitely put it on your Netflix queue, Jennine! It’s so fantastic– wonderful, heartbreaking, honest, sincere… I love it so much.
@Medine – Do check out the show! I really love it, for all it is. And thank you!
@WendyB – If marrying meant bringing them home, sign me up!
@Samantha Darko – Rayanne’s look never bothered me so much, because it was so gypsy-esque. But Angela’s look often reminds me why I hated grunge ;)
OMG, I loved this show. I really related to Claire Dane’s character, haha Awesome polyvore choices
Great polyvore it is a very so-called-life ! Great !
Thanks for the ’90s nostalgia. :)
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