Going to Every Length

I must admit, when I choose a necklace to wear I first consider what will complement my outfit and the occasion, and second, what I am in the mood for wearing. Except for how a particular item suits the neckline of the garment, I rarely take the length of a necklace into account.

Yet you may have heard various terms bandied about in fashion circles that describe the lengths of necklaces and seem to indicate something more than mere length. ‘Collar’ and ‘choker’ seem self-explanatory. But was a ‘princess’ necklace something royal princesses traditionally wore?

… was a ‘princess’ necklace something royal princesses traditionally wore?

More likely, it was the length considered appropriate for a dress featuring a princess neckline. (I like this description of a princess neckline found on WikiAnswers: ‘… a style characterised by a cut that comes more or less straight down just inside the shoulders for a short run, then continues in a V cut, often bowing slightly inward. It can be very flattering with a push up bra. Of course, this is a guy's point of view.’) And was a matinee necklace worn only to matinee theatre, while an opera length necklace was strictly worn to the opera, and nowhere else? So many questions!

Some Tips

Long necklaces will be flattering to shorter women as they create long vertical lines, creating the illusion of height. Extra long necklaces are really designed to be looped back twice or more to create a layered look. My ‘ridiculous’ length necklace is of course meant to be worn this way.

Before donning a collar or choker necklace consider whether it frames your face and neckline in a flattering manner. Do not purchase one that is too tight lest you look like you really are being choked!

A feature collar or choker necklace should not be worn with too-high necklines, especially if they are touching – not only does this create an untidy neckline, but the necklace will constantly disappear from view (and possibly even cause uncomfortable chafing).

Anne Hathaway in Prada pale pink silk gown and Tiffany & Co flower necklace (worn backwards), Oscars 2013Who remembers Anne Hathaway’s Oscars 2013 outfit? She ‘daringly’ wore the necklace backward with her high-necked apron-style Prada gown, but this does no justice to the cut of the gown at all – both garment and jewellery interfere with one another. The interesting back of the gown in particular would have looked so much more elegant on its own, and the front view just looks too crowded. Adventurous styling gone wrong, SNAP says.

Finally, a plunging neckline on its own will inevitably draw the eye. But if you are going to wear a necklace with a deep vee, consider where it finishes: up higher just below your collarbone to distract a little from the plunge, or some twinkling pendant nestling between your breasts just to make sure the gaze lingers!

What I Actually Wore #0103

Serial #: 0103
Date: 26/11/2012
Weather: warm and 22°C / 71.6°F
Time Allowed: 20 minutes

It’s a warm day for my cousin Robert’s wedding, and since I had planned this outfit a long time ago, it’s just as well. I purchased this 60s silk dress on Etsy some time ago, specifically for the occasion. Although the 60s is my least favourite fashion era, I was attracted to this dress because of the candy-coloured stripes, and because of its rather free trapeze shape with the inverted pleat in the back. I also really love silk dupion fabric.

The rather outré pink trapunto-stitched toque/turban is also original 60s; I bought that in a vintage bazaar in Melbourne. There are long tassels dangling from the top (you can see the hat in more detail here). My clip-on earrings are from the same era – they are amusingly huge and, made from cheap plastic, they bobble about lightly. (In fact, I recall January Jones wore a very similar pair in a Mad Men episode.)

This dress is also virtually impossible to do up completely on one’s own however: the straps fasten with large buttons at the back, just below the shoulder blades, which requires the skills of a contortionist to reach. This is why I have not photographed the back.

Lamentably, I had a little wardrobe malfunction in the car …  and one of the buttons tore off!

On the day, I had to wait for my cousin Amelia Jane and her husband to pick me up so she could fasten the buttons for me. Lamentably, I had a little wardrobe malfunction in the car reaching for something on the back seat, and one of the buttons tore off! One of my aunts came to my rescue with a safety pin, but it meant I was unable to remove my linen coat (handmade for me by my sister Blossom, from a Claude Montana Vogue pattern) in the church throughout the ceremony, and I suffered in the heat. I was able to mend the button at home before the reception in the evening however.

I was bemused to receive so many compliments all day from other guests, especially for such an unusual hat. A couple of my aunts were both astounded to hear I was wearing such ‘old clothing’ – one of them assumed it was because I ‘want to get noticed’! I assured her dryly that it most assuredly was not. I choose vintage clothes for their beautiful fabrics, unique designs and because I believe in recycling. It was a fun family wedding all in all.

Items:

Dress: vintage
Coat: Montana (handmade)
Hat: vintage
Bag: vintage
Earrings: vintage
Ring: Autore
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Shoes: Escapade

Wish Upon a Star

Star light, star bright,
The first star I see tonight;
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.

It’s thought that the superstitions of wishing upon shooting or falling stars originate in the ancient world. Either be inspired by a comet’s tail or a shooting star, this pretty rhinestone brooch, however, is not quite that old: I believe it is 1940s.

I remember once travelling between Melbourne and Sydney by train, and seeing six or seven shooting stars one after the other – perhaps rather it was a meteor shower. I was absolutely entranced. I don’t recall whether I was particularly lucky subsequently – perhaps I wasn’t quick enough with my wishing! 

A Famous Little White Dress

One of the most iconic dresses of the twentieth century must surely be Marilyn Monroe’s halter neck that she wore in Billy Wilder’s film The Seven Year Itch. Those famous photos show the dress blowing up in the air as Marilyn stood over a sidewalk grating, revealing her legs and her double-strength white knickers. (One pair was too see-through apparently.) The shooting of this scene was the catalyst of her separation from her jealous husband ballplayer Joe DiMaggio. The dress was auctioned for $4.6 million in June 2011. That white dress cost a few people a lot.

Tom Ewell and Marilyn Monroe in that famous scene from The Seven Year Itch

My white chiffon dress, on the other hand, cost only $30 from a charity store. While it is also pleated, it’s not quite the same as Marilyn’s dress, I like the shape more – it’s cut on elegant Grecian lines rather than Bombshell. It also has a waist-tie (hidden at the back), though it is black. I wore it to my family’s Christmas lunch last year.

Read more about the shooting of this famous scene of The Seven Year Itch at Arts-Stew.

Just Dotty for Spots

Is there any more beautiful fibre than natural silk? I am such a sucker for silk scarves wherever I come across them. They are so delicate and floaty, and remind me of a summer breeze.

When I spotted (excuse the pun) this scarf by Australian designer Leona Edmiston in a charity store for just a few dollars, I could not resist purchasing it – even though I already own several polka dot scarves. It is such a lovely candy pink too – classic 50s-style in combination with black polka dots.

If only there were enough summer days to wear all my light-as-air scarves!