Let’s face it, any gal who can flawlessly channel Judy Garland, as she did in the recent Broadway hit Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me; mirandarize scum as bible-thumping DeputyCheresa Kimball in Comedy Central’s Reno 911!; and rock out as hot chick singer Ninety-nine Cent Whore (who also happens to be assistant night manager of the Ninety-nine Cent store), must have a bedazzling amount of pizzazz to match her tremendous talent—that’s why we adore the delicious Mary Birdsong!
Barbara Herel: Describe your personal style.
Mary Birdsong: Girly/tough with a side of vintage. And a retro chaser.
BH: All-time favorite pieces in your wardrobe?
MB: I have a crazy canary yellow knee-length dress (cotton) from the late 70’s that looks like an old bank teller’s uniform or maybe a stewardess’ uniform, with a super-wide collar that buttons up the front. For some reason, I’m a whole new woman whenever I put it on. The color is so bright, I’m like a walking alarm clock. I also have a pretty vintage navy blue satin slip I wear as a dress, which looks elegant with heels and pearls or casual with sandals and a jean jacket. This winter in New York City, I was rockin’ a pair of industrial strength knee-high army green rubber rain boots. At first, they were merely functional to keep all the rain and snow out. They were like SUV’s for my feet. But soon I was wearing them even when I didn’t NEED to. I was like a little kid who likes to wear their Spider-Man Halloween costume to school every day for a month. But those boots were fun to pair with a really feminine skirt and a kitschy t-shirt to give myself a sort of salty/sweet look.
BH: Where do you love to shop?
MB: Vintage shops and thrift shops. I also adore Anthropologie. It’s like porn to me. I can get so overwhelmed with excitement in the Anthropologie store at The Grove in L.A. that I have to pace myself and practically whip out a paper bag to breathe into. I actually believe the people at The Grove very cleverly put a FOREVER 21 directly across from Anthropologie as a sort of methadone to the heroine of Anthropologie. I use Forever 21 as my cool down. After getting all riled up with all the adorable dresses across the street, I’ll make a beeline for Forever 21 and get myself a pair of ten-dollar shoes that look oh so 1983 and all is well.
