Chic vs Cheap

I was just a little amused to find this striped pink scarf in a charity shop a while ago. It has ‘Paris’ literally stamped all over it – in lots of different fonts!

Metaphorically, however, it is not so chic, for it is printed polyester rather than woven silk. The artificial fibre also made it very difficult to tie into a ‘French twist’ (as this particular knot is called), as the disobedient fabric was so slippery and yet unpliable. Silk, the thinnest of natural fibres, is far more flexible and drapes beautifully. And in silk, the print would seem chic and quirky rather than cheap and nasty.

Alas, this scarf is just Not Quite Right. I’m sure Ines would veto it.

Pinked and Punctured

There was a sad dearth of flat summer shoes in my wardrobe (there still is of winter ones). But right at the end of the season I managed to snaffle up a few bargains.

I rather like these wholesome looking tan sandals from Wittner: they are a bit like a summer version of brogues, all pinked, punctured and trimmed with leather braid.

They were very comfortable when I first tried them on in the store, but they didn’t have my size. I then nearly bought them online (and would have had to pay an extra $15 for postage), but decided to wait and go back to the warehouse store on the following weekend. And there I found the size I needed! Bargain bonus.

A cobbler … once told me rub new leather with a bar of pure soap – that would soften it up.

Unfortunately, they rather pinked and punctured the backs of my heels on their first outing, so they need a little wearing in. A cobbler (what a lovely old-fashioned description) once told me to rub new leather with a bar of pure soap – that would soften it up. I’d forgotten that handy little trick.

Barberstripes

French evening dress from 1865 Straw Hat with Striped Bow, c. 1914I adore stripes with a passion. I find them so cheerful they instantly put me in a good mood. These days though they seem to go in and out of style, and are most often related to the nautical look – hence the yo-yoing of fashion.

In centuries past they have been very popular too. Obviously the weavers threw subtlety out the window – who wanted pinstripes when barberstripes* were possible?

And the dressmakers weren’t shy to put them to good use either. In the late 18th and 19th centuries big dresses were all the rage, and stripes weren’t used just for trim: the entire gown was boldly striped. You couldn’t possibly make a bigger sartorial statement (literally and metaphorically). These pink and red numbers in particular made me gasp. Amazing.

*My own term, signifying stripes wide enough to put a barber’s pole to shame.

Bustled gown, c. 1885Robe retroussée dans les poches, c. 1780 FranceRobe à la Française, 1778–1785

Sparkly Shoes Make Everyone Happy

Dorothy Shoes On Sale! :: Watts // Big Up // No flashEeeeek! Look what I received in my inbox the day before yesterday! Wittner has introduced ‘Heel Steals’ – short-term sales on particular styles. Although I did not pay FULL price (club members receive discounts), I was quite chagrined to see my self-styled Dorothy ‘Jittery’ shoes slashed to $39.

However, as Cupcake, a work colleague, pointed out wisely, I have had them since December, and have many cherished moments of wear already. Hmm, I wore them on Christmas Day in the wrong size and had to take them off after an hour or two; they gave me such blisters on my toes on my birthday so I couldn’t dance a teensy bit … On the other hand, they give such delight to everyone else who sees them on my feet that pinched toes are consigned to the periphery.

…  they give such delight to everyone else who sees them on my feet that pinched toes are consigned to the periphery.

Plus, my friend Amy was so excited to hear of the discount she immediately joined the club expressly to purchase the silver pair. Now, sparkly shoes that bring so much happiness can’t be bad, right? Especially on sale.

Silver Heels for Amy :: Watts // Big Up // No flash

Stop, In the Name of Summer!

Stop the world, I want to get off while it’s still summertime. I most emphatically reject thee, Autumn, get thee gone!

I feel really bad about that, because after all, autumn is my favourite season, but let’s be reasonable, could anyone agree that Melbourne has had quite enough of summer this year? I haven’t even had a chance to wear all my summer clothes yet! Nor have I been to the beach, shockingly. Thank goodness I have a week in Noosa to look forward to at the end of the month.

Of course, we all know that blithe spirit of summer drags her feet all March, so if the evil meteorologists can be disbelieved as usual, and we all – in a fairdinkum spirit of solidarity – get together and defy this miserable forecast for the week ahead, summer will come back for an encore. Just keep cheering and stamping your feet folks.