Style Over Stub Stance

While we are on the subject of ballet flats, let’s take a moment to assess this Miu Miu shoe in this month’s issue of Australian Vogue.

Firstly, the styling of the shot is very eye-catching, so kudos to Vogue’s team for that.

Secondly, while the actual design of the shoe at first seems cute with its charming soft-core punk influence (except for the twee unicorn or whatever it is dangling off the gingham tie), at second and at third thought one realises that:

a) this shoe is excessively trendy and the look of it will wear out long before the soles do – if it really is ‘the flat of the season’ as stated, it will become utterly ubiquitous and be thereby rendered common;

b) they are made from satin, and satin ballet flats – necessarily lined for protection of the foot against stubs and such – are notoriously hard and unforgiving*, while the fabric also stains extremely easily, and tears;

this shoe is excessively trendy and the look of it will wear out long before the soles do …

c) there are very unsavoury connotations of foot-binding in the design; and

d) taking into account points a, b, and c, the $1,200 designer price tag is ludicrous. (It makes my $165 Sambag flats seem cheap – and the actual $30 I paid for them a mere pittance.)

In fact already, the longer I look at this shoe, the uglier it seems. The image’s styling is deceptive. Is it in fact a case of style over substance?

*I will concede that as I have not walked in these particular satin flats, I cannot state with utmost veracity that they are uncomfortable. Perhaps that’s where that extra $1000 comes in?

The Ballet Slipper Miracle

I have never owned a pair of ballet flats that have not done a grievous violence to my feet. That is, until now.

I had heard of the brand Sambag, known for their ballet flats, but I had not tried them on before. Ballet flats, a classic shoe shape, by rights ought to be comfortable enough to walk around in all day. However, with my past experience in mind – ballet flats that pinched excruciatingly and had me hobbling rather than dancing on air – I would have been extremely reluctant to part with the $165 retail price tag that was attached to this pair.

Ballet flats … by rights ought to be comfortable enough to walk around in all day.

But when I stumbled across these pretty patent slippers in a charity store, I was willing to give them a chance. They were still in their original box, barely worn, and when I tried them on, remarkably they felt immediately comfortable. The leather was quite soft, and I had room for my toes. It was a footwear miracle. I also loved the colour, ballerina pink, although on my feet they could legitimately be called ‘nude’ – they make me look like I am traipsing about in bare feet, which is amusing.

When I took them to the counter, the staff informed me they were charging the comparatively high price of $30 ‘because the soles are leather’. I refrained from replying that simply meant they would wear out quicker, and also it would make them dangerously slippery. (Slippery slippers!) I merely smiled acquiescence and bought them.

These shoes turned out to be a brilliant purchase, for I’ve worn them so many times in the last month or so since I bought them. My only regret since is that they have become a little scuffed because I have worn them so much!

Photo: April 2016

What I Actually Wore #113

Serial #: 0113
Date: 02/04/2013
Weather: 19°C / 61°F
Time Allowed: 10 minutes

Still inspired by the costumes of the Ballet Russes, prints were a big part of my wardrobe back in winter 2013. I used to pair prints with neutral items and colourful and quirky accessories.

I adored this silk blouse that I bought second hand in a Red Cross op shop, especially for its dramatic lantern sleeves with the gathered cuffs. I did love the print and colour too. For most of my life I hated purple (because my dear mother, whose favourite colour it is, foisted it on me at too early an age), and only started wearing in the last few years. Lilac with red is a particularly lovely and startling combination to wear.

The only sad thing is that the blouse has torn away from the back seam – I put too much strain on it one day stretching perhaps. It is repairable, but it will make the blouse a little narrower.

Interestingly, this vintage 1920s velvet cap that I bought on eBay from an English seller a few years ago is actually supposed to be worn sticking straight up, like a garden gnome. When I first received it, I was doubtful, assuming surely it wasn’t worn that way, but I have since found contemporary photographic references of hats in similar styles indicating that indeed they were! Not a hat for a wallflower …

Apart from the blouse tragedy, all the items are still in my closet – shoes, bag, jewellery – all have been stayers. The earrings have remained particular favourites. The vintage 60s coat I still like, though I have not worn for one or two winters (I own so many coats they all go in and out of regular wear). This one is a velvet designed to imitate sealskin, but the fur collar is real.

As fun as it is, I am unlikely to wear this ensemble in its entirety these days however; my outfits are a little more minimal. If I thought about it, I’d probably split this outfit into three different ones, which would be an interesting exercise in itself – perhaps for another time.

Items:

Coat: vintage 1960s
Skirt: Veronika Maine
Blouse: Target Limited Edition
Hat: vintage 1920s
Bag: vintage 1960s
Earrings: vintage
Bracelet & Ring: souvenirs (Barcelona and Vietnam)
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Shoes: Wittner

Photos: April 2013

Neat Knit

At the height of summer, I was doing a spot of op shop browsing with a friend during my lunch break. I don’t recall if I was keeping an eye out for anything in particular at the time, but I did find something I was not at all looking for: this fantastic grey wool jumper (sweater) by Australian label Country Road.

It was cosy and soft, featured a great cable criss-cross texture on the front, and was in excellent condition (apart from a few pills that I removed easily). I could not fathom what nitwit turfed this knit out! It was a classic neutral grey, the cable-with-a-twist not too outlandish or faddish – and so it ought to stand the test of time.

And of course the Irrefutable Laws of Op (or Thrift) Shopping decree that in summer one will find winter clothes, and vice versa, so one must make hay grow sheep buy wool when the sun shines!

I could not fathom what nitwit turfed this knit out!

A one hundred per cent wool jumper priced at a few dollars was nothing to sneeze at either; a decent quality knit will cost between one and two hundred dollars retail. In fact today I scrolled through Country Road’s current sale, and one cable knit jumper I admired was reduced to $172.

I have worn the jumper here with a denim skirt by Gerard Darel and a vintage black angora beret. Melbourne is fighting off yet another few tiresome days of Indian summer, but as soon as it is cool enough again, I’m looking forward to adding a pair of over-the-knee socks and heels and wearing this neat knit outfit!

Photo: Yesterday

Berets Two Ways

Berets are the easiest hats in the world to wear! Let me qualify that by adding ‘the easiest and most flattering’, because anyone can wear a beanie, but let’s face it they do ruin your do!  

I love berets, and I have numerous styles in my collection. You can wear them various ways, but here are two on a red theme worn on the back of the head: a vintage 40s soft woven fabric hat in a dramatic platter style, and a modern wool felt. The former is worn with a silk Guess blouse (I love gingham!), and the latter with a striped Sonia Rykiel knit.