A Sashbuckling Romance

Merchant Ivory’s 1985 film A Room With a View always makes me smile in goofish romance whenever I watch it. It is so light and frothy and sweet, yet filled with cheeky moments (excuse the pun) that make one chuckle. I do enjoy my swoon laced with a little sauce.

Helena Bonham-Carter’s wardrobe is so pretty, particularly her summer blouses and long white or cream skirts that are cinched in at the waist with delicate belts or ribbons. Her silk evening skirts make such a lovely rustle as she swishes away from Cecil after giving him his congé.

The costumes for A Room With a View were designed by Jenny Beaven and John Bright, who won both an Oscar and a BAFTA for Best Costume Design. This polka-dotted bodice and skirt (above) are particular favourites of mine – I love the Wedgwood blue colour. The bodice is of machine-embroidered voile with appliquéd sprigs, and Broderie Anglaise collar, yoke and cuffs. The waistband is of silk and the skirt of linen. Just delicious! 

I had long hankered after an original Edwardian white blouse, and found one last year in Barcelona (read about that fashionable adventure here). To really complete this fin de siècle picture of romance however, a sash was required. Sashes are so storybookish and quaint, especially when tied in a giant bow and worn with soulful looks.

I searched high and low for a vintage or antique sash or ribbon. I wanted it to be silk, wide, and preferably blue (inspired by Bonham-Carter’s costumes). If it was striped that would be an additional bonus. I saw a beautiful blue and white striped Victorian ribbon on Etsy, but it wasn’t nearly long enough, and it was very expensive. I kept looking and finally found striped 1940s purple and white taffeta ribbon on eBay – in rayon, which is almost as good as silk. I purchased three yards for less than $40. Then, while rummaging around in my props suitcase, I came across a large rhinestone buckle I had forgotten about. It was threaded onto a black velvet ribbon that I had never finished sewing into a choker. This would look rather nice on the striped ribbon as an alternative to a simple sashed bow, I decided.

My own room with a view from Casa Miradouro, in Sintra, Portugal last year

Vintage 1940s striped rayon ribbon, found on eBayAntique-style oxidised sterling silver, marcasite and amythest necklace, poison ring of sterling silver, rose gold and amethyst, sterling silver and amethyst ring all from Palm Beads, a jewellery boutique in MelbourneTo complete the picture I unearthed from the bottom of my jewellery box an oxidised silver, marcasite and amethyst necklace designed in an antique style, and two matching rings – one of which is a poison ring and actually flips open! The onyx earrings are my own make, and the skirt is modern, from Australian label Witchery. The perfect finishing touch is a book of the era, entitled Helen With the High Hand, which my sister Star thought would be an amusing book to gift me.

Well, I have the outfit, now I just need to get me to a barley field in Italy. 

The infamous kiss

Background of main images are of the gardens in the National Palace of Sintra, Portugal.

No More Clicking

There comes a time, in the life of every shoe, when it must be tossed aside like … an old shoe. When they’re scuffed and torn, and bits are falling off, it’s no time to be sentimental: into the trash they go.

The red bredges – I called them that because they were a charming mix of brogue and wedge – were so comfortable to wear, so jaunty with their little tasselled bows. They carried me through summers and winters, for more than two years. It is a shame to let them go, but I am ruthless.

I have composed a little ditty in their honour:

The ruby red bredges served me well,
but now they are old and worn,
their little tassel ties broken and torn,
never again trip lightly home to where I dwell
it’s long past time to bid them farewell.

I was going to end the last rhyme with ‘smell’, but that seemed a harsh reward for their service, especially since they didn’t! Poor little things – they look so forlorn. I’ll never click my heels in these little ruby slippers again, how sad.

Hmm … time to go shopping!

Icecreamelicious!

Icecreamalicious! :: Bettie XL // Dylan // No flashHow very cute are these tasty hairpins that arrived today? They’ll be perfect little accessories to wear when strolling along the boardwalk come summer. They’re from the Alice in Wonderland range by Japonicas. They’re making me think of dessert, and I haven’t even had dinner yet!

Bits and Bobs …

A little tongue-in-cheek, but that’s my modernised version of the old adage.

Blame my retro on the wig box. That funny little cardboard box once held tresses by Tovar. Not a whole wig, mind you; it wouldn’t fit. This box was for a switch.

The H&O Covabob – It hides the bob (from Jazz, Gin & the Cat’s Meow)I remember first hearing that term in a vintage Archie comic, a long time ago. Veronica had a long switch of black hair and bewitched Archie and Reggie with it, much to Betty’s annoyance. Or was it Betty who got hers first? Yes, and then Ronnie went one better. I guess it was called a switch because you could switch it back into your short hair – much like the vintage illustration of the flapper switch (right) – ‘The Covabob hides the bob’. Don’t you love that slogan?

I don’t own any switches (my own hair is more than long enough), although I do own several cheap bobs, in black, blonde and blue – naturally. I next want one in cotton-candy pink.

It’s just bits and bobs I keep in this box these days. 

Spring Greens

Inspired by my story on Kelly green, I hunted out this favourite old fashion editorial tucked away in one of my tearsheet books. It’s vintage Australian Vogue, September 1989, and the photographer, Martyn Thompson, is also an old favourite.

The fashion editor here advocates tossing all shades of green together like a garden salad: parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme and pale honeydew. Khaki, chartreuse, watercress, lime and lemon, olive and moss – it’s a veritable vegetable patch! I don’t particularly like most of the clothes – although the sequinned dress by old label Peter Morrissey & Leona Edmiston is cute.

I do love the jungle atmosphere however. I’ve always been attracted to conservatories and hothouses – who remembers that old movie, Greencard? I could totally understand Andie McDowell’s desperate desire to have the house with that beautiful conservatory attached. That luscious heat makes one feel so languorous. Probably that’s why I keep hankering to holiday in the tropics. At least spring is almost here – the perfect time to wear green.