Convict Couture

Well, well, here I achieve a P.B. with stripes in the form of jailbird P.J’s. But I didn’t do it on purpose, which makes it even funnier. I never wear anything girlish or prissy to bed – my usual pyjamas consist of a pair of cotton knit boxer shorts paired with either a singlet, or a long-sleeved tee (depending on the season). I have lots of them, and none were ever bought as a set.

One evening, when my sister Serena was staying the night, I sauntered out of the bathroom ready for bed … she beheld me in all my striped glory and immediately fell into giggles. ‘You look like you’re wearing prison pyjamas!’ she gasped with laughter.

Indeed I do. However, this particular pairing was entirely inadvertent, resulting from my grabbing whatever was at the top of the pile in my pyjama drawer – but don’t you think they are the height of convict couture?

Striped prison uniforms were commonly used in the nineteenth century before they were abolished in the early twentieth century. I read on Wikipedia that they are coming back into fashion however, one reason being that jumpsuit-clad workers and doctors in scrubs were being mistaken for jail breakers.

I’ll remember to keep this outfit strictly indoors only.  

Neck and Neck

Last December I went shopping for a farewell present for my cousin Amelia-Jane, with whom I worked at the theatre. Eventually I decided to buy her a piece of fun costume jewellery – we both have a fondness for humorous and bold pieces.

I ventured into the city and made a beeline for the jewellery store Lovisa. Immediately a necklace of golden galloping horses caught my delighted eye. How delicious! How priceless! Amelia-Jane would surely appreciate its whimsy. But there was only one hitch: I wanted it for myself. Perhaps I could find her something else?

And then I spotted another, equally enchanting gold chain necklace with a zebra head pendant suspending from it. The zebra was cast in gold and enamelled in white and black – with eyelashes, no less! Perfect. An equine-themed necklace for each of us. It was a win/win. 

Picture note: the zebra necklace appears on a Google image search, but does not link back to an active page on the Lovisa website. 

Style Inspiration: Clara Bow

Celebrating the Roaring Twenties in a Special Series

It’s no secret I love the style of the 1920s, although Louise Brooks is usually more my speed than Clara Bow. However, last year I saw the 1927 WWI film Wings, starring Clara Bow, and take a fashion cue from her. Most of the film was set on the battlefields of France, but there is a scene at the beginning where the actress is wearing a scarf tucked into her belt, on top of a sweater and pleated knit skirt outfit. ‘I like that!’ I thought when I saw it, ‘I must try it at home.’

It’s great watching period films and seeing how clothes were really worn – I especially like to check out what the extras are wearing, because they usually will be dressed in more ordinary clothes than the glamorous star of the film.

The Outfit

I am wearing a mix of modern and 70s items. The outfit was a deliberate combination of quiet beige and tan tones paired with robins egg blue. Of the latter, the skirt is a linen/poly mix, and I bought it in a charity store for just a few dollars. I was particularly pleased with that find because it was almost exactly the same as a vintage 40s skirt I’d been eyeing on Etsy, which was much more expensive. I would love to own a vintage 20s cardigan – my modern version features beautiful detailing and is a very warm merino wool, by Nanette Lepore.

The Accessories

Also 70s, the leather handbag came from a Melbourne vintage boutique. The mint green silk scarf and perforated leather belt are recent charity store finds – the latter immediately became a favourite accessory. The cream wool beret has been part of my wardrobe for nearly twenty years, while the cashmere/silk blend socks by Phillip Matignon, the patent leather Mary Janes by John Lewis Women (both bought from an online sale site) and the sunglasses by MinkPink have never been worn by anyone else. The blue chalcedony earrings I made myself, and the turquoise ring is a souvenir from Barcelona.

It tickles me that this Twenties daytime look is entirely made up from garments from other eras! But that marches perfectly well with my creed of never looking like I’ve stepped off a period film set. Even if this time I’ve deliberately paid homage to a film star. 

Picture Note
The background images were taken last year at my cousins’ farm on the outskirts of Melbourne. 

Princess Tatiana is On the Case

Homeward Bound :: Doris // Sussex // No flashLast week I visited family in the country for a few days. I managed to come back with more luggage than I left with!

I’ve been searching high and low (or should I say north and south) for a vintage hatbox or suitcase to use for storage, and while I was in northern Victoria, my niece and I jaunted about browsing in the various charity stores there. We even ventured over state lines in pursuit of my mission.

Bluebelle knew I was looking in particular for a suitcase of some sort, but in every op shop we drew a blank. It was at the last Salvos in Wodonga that we visited that I hit the jackpot. I had my pick from a stack of vintage luggage! (I was extremely excited but I had the presence of mind to take a photograph.) Although the grey-blue suitcase trimmed in brown looked better on the exterior, the inside of the brown case was in much better trim. (Also it is striped, and I can never resist a stripe.) And how awesome is that doctor’s bag? I should have bought that too!

Which Case Suits? :: Doris // Sussex // No flashThese days it’s not so easy to find a case like this (at least in Victoria) – there are slim pickings in charity stores and vintage bazaars, and what can be found is either deteriorated (ie, decomposed) beyond usefulness, or very expensive. Bluebelle later told me she was certain she had seen one somewhere, but she couldn’t recall where, and she didn’t want to get my hopes up by mentioning it.

Of course I found a few other little things to purchase as well, so when it came time to pack for home, I found myself actually utilising the new suitcase as luggage. Bluebelle took some snaps of my ridiculous quantity of baggage at the station, but to quote her: ‘at least it all matches!’

Case solved. 

Bag and Baggage :: Doris // Sussex // No flash

What I Actually Wore #0098

Serial #: 0098
Date: 11/10/2012
Weather: freezing and 15°C / 59°F
Time Allowed: 8 minutes 

It’s a really cold day despite it being spring, which is typical of Melbourne at this time of year. So disappointing when one is simply longing to ditch the winter knits and spring the fluttery chiffons free from storage. I compensate for the dreary weather by wearing something bright.

I love to mix patterns, and it can be done as long as one keeps to the same colour family. The striped red and purple knit is a favourite (I love the differing widths of the stripes), and I wear it with a deep plum and teal taffeta skirt. When I am chilly in the office, I throw on my striped cashmere shawl that I always keep in my tote bag for emergencies – it has saved me from frostbite many times.

I compensate for the dreary weather by wearing something bright.

Taffeta always reminded me too much of horrible prom dresses in the 80s, and so I used to hate it, but in the last few years I have started to feel friendly towards the fabric again, especially in plaid, of all things! Taffeta is fun and rustle-y and shiny. Its stiffness makes it somewhat sculptural too, which I like.

To keep the cold at bay I also wore my suede and fur Dr Zhivago coat and my vintage beaver fur and velvet cap, and was consequently told I looked very Russian. But in fact, I think it is the mix of patterns that is most Russian-esque – it reminds me of their colourful interior décor, for they do love mixing their textiles in a not too precious manner. 

Items:

Top: Sonia Rykiel
Skirt: Cue
Shawl: souvenir (Sharjah, UAE)
Stockings: Columbine
Earrings: handmade
Bangle: souvenir (Spain)
Rings: onyx – souvenir (Vietnam), silver – Roun
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Shoes: Wittner