A Face For Hats

Vintage Georges Melbourne dusky apricot velvet newsboy :: Tejas // Blanko Noir // No flash + a little Tilt Shift Generator and a dash of iDarkroomI had a little spare time today after visiting the dentist, so I popped into some opshops, looking for a bud vase for my mum. I didn’t find any of those that I liked, but I did find a cute little vintage velvet newsboy cap at the Prahran Mission charity shop. The brim is designed so that the hat looks like it is tilted on a saucy angle even when it’s sitting straight on the head. Now that’s considered design!

It is a strange dusky apricot colour – not a hue I wear usually, and the salesboy kindly held up a large mirror in the front window so I could see how it suited my complexion by daylight. An elderly gentleman had already complimented me, saying the cap looked good, and I had a face for hats. How kind!

The label reads Georges, Melbourne. Georges is a venerable old, up-market department store in the ‘Paris End’ of Collins St, Melbourne, and was established in 1880. Since then it has closed and re-opened more than once. I am quite chuffed to have found one of their very own vintage caps.

Oh la la! How very genteel! Ladies take tea in GeorgesThe fine art of window shopping: ladies inspect the latest in lingerie and lace

A Mermaid’s Treasure

Pearls and moonstones are prettily intertwined together with black thread in this amazing necklace woven for a mermaid. She wears it on the rare occasions when she puts on her legs and a cute frock to go dancing.

I bought this years ago from a jewellery boutique in Melbourne called Larama. I dithered for weeks over its price, but, with my sister’s encouragement, I snapped it up finally for fear someone might beat me to it.

Once I paired it with some giant chandelier earrings also made of pearl. After eyeing me judiciously for a few moments Mum informed me that it was over-the-top. Thanks Mum. Mermaids like to go all out when they get their legs on.

Love Under the Sea, by Kenvin Pinardy

What I Actually Wore #0049

Serial #: 0049
Date: 06/10/2010
Weather: 24° and mild, until down came the rain and washed us out
Time Allowed: 5 minutes

I’m off to see the Tim Burton retrospective at ACMI, an exhibition that calls for something at least a little colourful. I make this outfit up as I go along, starting with the raspberry-coloured top by Veronika Maine. The top is made from nylon, cotton and metal, the last of which gives it volume and structure. It does mean it’s a little foofy with the grey skirt: I add one of my favourite belts so my waist is visible again.

I carry a vintage silk paisley handbag for the first time; pin a dusky rose into my hair; slip on some cloisonné pussycat earrings, and buckle up a pair of ponyhair and suede heels.

After the exhibition (which was fantastic), I buy a pair of coral taffeta shorts at Kinki Gerlinki, and then Rapunzel and I have coffee in Centre Place. That’s when the downpour begins, and I must dash to the train station under the awnings, for fear that my shoes would be ruined. But I make it safely home. All in all, a lovely afternoon!

Items:

Top: Veronica Maine
Skirt: Staff
Belt: David Lawrence
Flower pin: Salvos
Earrings: souvenir from Vietnam
Ring: Autore
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Handbag: vintage, from Etsy
Shoes: Diana Ferrari

One of my favourite belts, by David Lawrence. I love the colour.

Hearts and Ladders

Hearts, as a motif in fashion, is something that I am generally very much disinterested in. Although I suspected they were not very high-quality and would snag easily, these flocked stockings by Sportsgirl were somehow just too cute to pass by. If they had been opaque stockings, that would have given them the instant kibosh. But the hearts were so little, the effect would create tiny-polka-dotty legs.

The store had a whole range of these tattoo stockings: the classic pair of swallows was another design I liked. Instead I purchased a pair of Belle-Époque style net stockings.

Just as well I photographed the polka-dotted hearts before I wore them out: they didn’t last an hour! By the time I was sitting down at work I discovered a ladder travelling down my left leg. By lunchtime three more had sprouted. I was very cross – heart-broken, even. And by the time I entered the change rooms at my tae kwon do club that evening, my legs were riddled with ladders. My chic French friend took some delight in pointing out this lamentable fact.

I haven’t dared to open the other packet yet. 

BYO Reindeers

The real deal in BanffI was amused last night to find these shoes on Facebook, on the page Your Next Shoes. They often post fascinating creations by Jeffrey Campbell. Some of his shoes are quirky and amusing, some downright hideous and ankle-breaking, and public opinion is always polarised.

At first sight of these Skate Shoes, I laughed. They are the perfect footwear for a Christmas in July party. Anyone up for it? BYO reindeers.

Thanks to Anna Wolniak for the use of her winter background landscape, found on Stock.Xchng.