Quickie: That is some SERIOUS devotion to Sun King Brewery!

A new level of "personal branding": Seth shows off his ink, which seems to prominently feature Egyptian deities' symbols.

Photo taken by Jared at IDADA First Friday

High-fashion in the style of Gemma Teller

Gemma Teller-Morrow is a total badass. If you've ever caught an episode of Sons of Anarchy, you know what I'm talking about. If you don't you're missing one of the best and highest-rated shows currently on television.

Portrayed by the multitalented Katey Sagal, Gemma is the wife of the leader of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original charter. Set in the fictional town of Charming, California, SOA is a grim, gritty, beautiful, dramatic, and often darkly funny drama centering on the hard-knock lives of the biker gang members.

As Sons of Anarchy finished its third season recently, I found myself again admiring Gemma's wardrobe. Sure, it's a bit trashy. They're bikers. They're going to be a little white-trash. But there is something in her rough, yet feminine wardrobe choices that demands a second look. She's partial to silver pendants, leather, studs, fringe, perfectly fitting jeans in both darkwash and distressed styles, feathers, black lace, uber-cleavage, lace-up detailing, crosses, big silver earrings with intricate detailing, and boots that are high-style, but sensibly made for maximum butt-whoopin' ability when necessary.

I've put together a few style collages inspired by the attitude and appearance of Gemma. I added some skull accessories here and there to go with the official Sons of Anarchy logo. Also, any biker babe worth her salt is going to be sporting some ink. If you shy from the needle, and think temporary tats are cheesy, there are plenty of camis, purses, and shoes with tattoo-style detailing. (Just try to steer clear of Ed Hardy. Friends don't let friends wear douche brands, and ol' Ed is right out there with Tapout Clothing on the douchery scale.) Click any of the collages to embiggen.

The Pricey Version:

If you've got the cash, these are some great items to work into your wardrobe for a little high-end biker flair. These items' prices range from about $100 for the Fossil belt to over $2,000 for the Cavalli jacket.

Jacket and skull necklace: Roberto Cavalli
Boots: Louboutin
Skull bracelet: Alexander McQueen
Belt: Fossil
Bag: Jimmy Choo
Lace Tank: John Paul Gaultier
Jeans: Joe's Jeans
Studded Bangle: Juicy Couture
Belt: Fossil
Earrings: Alexis Bittar

 The Affordable Version:

If high-end designer prices make you hyperventilate, try out something more midrange in price.

Jacket: Cripple Creek
Cross Necklace: Guess
Filigree Earrings: Target
Studded Bracelet: Hot Topic
Rhinestone Skull Bracelet: The Pyramid Collection
Boots: Journee at Target
Jeans: Mossimo at Target
Belt: JC Penney
Clutch: Loungefly
Tank: Arden B.
Feather Necklace: Charlotte Russe

Saving the Best for Last:

Hey! What's a Circle City Style blog without a heaping helping of locally-sourced style finds?

Bag: Greenwood-based Handbag Heaven
Earrings: Sage Boutique, Mass Ave
Leather Jacket: Rag-o-Rama, Broad Ripple
Spike Ring: Studio AMF
Cross Pendant: Silver in the City, Mass Ave
Turquoise and Silver Bracelet: Eye Candy, Mass Ave
Black Lace Tank: Pitaya, Broad Ripple
Feather Necklace: Pitaya, Broad Ripple
Belt: Sage Boutique, Mass Ave
Jeans: Sage Boutique, Mass Ave
Boots: Pitaya, Broad Ripple

What do you think? How would you translate a little Gemma-style badassery into your own looks?

Links To Love

Oops, I've been scooped! It's bound to happen from time to time. Here's what nearby style-mavens are going on about. I love it; I must share it!

Via Haute in the Heartland: Be the first Dressed Her Days Vintage Diva! (read: Model their AWESOME clothes as the official "face" of DHD Vintage for 2011!)

How do I become this diva?
Simply "like" the Dressed her Days Facebook page by Dec. 23 and tell them in 50 words or less why you'd make the ideal vintage diva. If you're uncomfortable using Facebook as your method of correspondance (i.e. if you only communicate in pink comic sans, which is not available on Facebook) then email your submission to crystal@dressedherdaysvintage.com.

Judges (I don't know who they are) will select 5 finalists and publish them on the DHD Facebook page on Jan. 3, whereupon all Facebook and Twitter followers of DHD will vote for the diva. The leading lady will be announced Jan. 15.

Indianapolis Fashion Collective

There aren't words. It's just AWESOME. Via the site, here is their mission:

Indianapolis Fashion Collective came into existence to Unite, Empower, Showcase, and Grow the Indianapolis area fashion industry through collaboration, education, and awareness.

IFC will do this through a combination of:
a web presence; exploring Indy as a fashion destination; marketing and events; mentoring and funding new talent; procuring manufacturing and sourcing for our members and Indianapolis as a whole; and partnerships with the community and other fashion-related businesses.

Via Planet Awesome Kid: Total Eclipse of the Heart.

Look at this sweet, beautiful kid. If he doesn't melt your heart, it's because you don't have one.

Also via Haute in the Heartland: Trashion Refashion Bloomington still looking for entries!

Creative types have til Feb. 1 to submit entries for this juried show. Proceeds from admission will benefit the benefit the Center for Sustainable Living in Bloomington. I REALLY wanted to make an entry into this one, but with the move and starting school and all, I just do not have the time to commit to creating an item up to my standards for myself. Please do go. I'll do my best to be there, and I'm sure it will be a blast.

The show, which starts at 7pm, will cost $15 in advance, $20 at the door and $10 under 18. There will be two runway shows, a silent auction, community art project, live music, cash bar and information about the Center for Sustainable Living. It is free to submit a design.

Via Aesthetic Design Style: Indianapolis named # 5 Top Shopping City!

That's right, according to Forbes Magazine, we're # 5! Top 5 out of 25 selected top-shopping cities. I'll take it. Shop local, y'all. If you don't know where to start, go with the sampling of local boutiques featured in the Aesthetic Design blog.

Via Chicago Streetstyle Scene: fun pics from Midwest Holiday Fashion Blogger Brunch

Stay tuned, Hoosier fashionistas -- I'm planning a similar gathering for us, for January. More detail forthcoming VERY SOON!

Via Glamour: Topless sunbathers in France demand equality. Male supporters don "man-kini" tops in a solidarity protest.

...police say that exposing one's breasts is sexual exhibition, and it's punishable by up to a year in prison or a fine of 15,000 euros. One feminist group in France called Les Tumultueuses is so put off by this notion that they've been staging protests at local pools, showing up with bikini tops and asking the male swimmers to wear them to create a deeper feeling of equality. Their point? "If women have to cover their breasts in a pool, then so too should guys."

Quickie: In the window at Niche

Niche Boutique, 916 Broad Ripple Ave.

Click pics for most excellent detail.

A little pre-Black Friday link love.

The ever-gracious Maggie at The Haute Hoosier has put together a list of local stores running Black Friday specials. Check it out, take copious notes, and avoid the ridiculous crush of crowds at the mall and the big-box stores. Better, you're supporting the LOCAL economy. Employment issues are on everyone's mind these days. Try giving one of the best gifts you could: an effort to keep money circulating locally, protecting and creating Indianapolis jobs.

Another multitude of opportunities awaits at Indy's many local winter gift bazaars. Check out Jenny Elig's writeup. She knows what it's about. Nothing adds a special touch to your holiday gift like being able to meet its creator.

Of course, I'd be remiss without adding a few of my own local gift-shopping ideas. Check out Eye Candy and Arts A-Poppin on Massachusetts Avenue. IndySwank is a fab shop in Fountain Square. The foodie in your life would appreciate a gift card from a local eatery like Yats, Scotty's Brewhouse, Machu Picchu, Aesop's Tables, Bosphorous Istanbul Cafe, or maybe Sawasdee.

And finally, for your loved ones' skincare and fragrance needs, nobody's got more grassroots-local good scents than Jessie Walton's Body Eclectic Skin Care line. Mall-brand shower and lotion sets are a staple gift, but they're loaded with bad chemicals, and your hard-earned dollars end up who-knows-where. Jessie truly geeks out on quality natural ingredients, and all her products smell divine.