What I Actually Wore #116

Serial #: 0116
Date: 17/04/2013
Weather: 19°C / 66°F
Time Allowed: 10 minutes

Well I will say this for myself: I certainly made some bold sartorial choices a few years ago! I look like a doll. This is not a compliment; however, it is fun? In hindsight, I think what I most disapprove of now is that velvet headband by Australian designer Alannah Hill. It’s plastered in multiple grosgrain bows, and that is what, in combination with my hairstyle, makes me look like a china doll.  

The silk blouse and pleated skirt are both vintage, and the polka dot combination is quite a fun mix of prints. You can’t see the lilac silk camisole underneath; it had some pretty gathers at the back, but sadly the silk shattered in one place and it became unwearable. Both the blouse and skirt have been retired from active duty since.

I was rather cold that day in this flimsy outfit, despite the lightweight blue vintage 50s coat I wore on top – but at least I looked cute. One must suffer for fashion after all!

Items:

Blouse: Milo’s
Skirt: Clio, vintage 80s
Camisole: Country Road
Coat: vintage 50s
Headband: Alannah Hill
Belt: Mango
Ring: ceramic, souvenir from Barcelona
Earrings: ceramic, souvenirs from Barcelona
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Shoes: Gorgeous

Photos: January 2014

Winter Solace

Take solace Melburnians! Even though it’s still chilly chilly chilly, things are looking up: it’s Winter Solstice today, the shortest day of the year. From tomorrow the days will be lengthening little by little, and that can only mean one thing: SUMMER IS COMING.

In the meantime, tuck your head into a woollen cap, and wrap a cosy scarf like this mohair plaid number round your neck. And hey, at least we can be thankful it doesn’t get freezing enough in our hometown to snow – although that would certainly be pretty, wouldn’t it!

Photo: July 2015

Sweet Confections

Vanilla, raspberry, peach, lilac, and dove grey – shades so delicious they’re almost mouth-watering. I call it my gelati outfit. They are several tones deeper than pastels, which I don’t wear as they are too wishy-washy for my complexion. On the other hand, icy colours (almost bright white, but with just a tinge of colour) do suit me.

This is one of my favourite summer outfits, a silk crepe top with slashed sleeves by the high street store Forever New, and a pleated floor-grazing skirt by Country Road. I bought them both from thrift shops on separate occasions, but I was very pleased when I saw how well they complemented one another – quite a few people have assumed I was wearing a dress in fact.

I am anticipating summer already: tomorrow is Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year! That, plus the fact I recently purchased an ice cream maker (yes I know that’s weird in the middle of winter, but I took advantage of an online sale).

Excuse me – I’m going to go and make some ice cream now. The only question is: what flavour?

Photo: February 2016

Scroll down for some gelati-coloured inspirations

Eeeeek! I want one! Hat from the SS14 Colori Gelato Collection by Awon Golding MillineryHat from the SS14 Colori Gelato Collection by Awon Golding MillineryPink pops inspiring bridal fashion at Oregon Bride magazineVintage lavender blouse from Standard Edition on EtsyLollipops colour block midi skirt available from ChicwishIce cream's On Me sandals from ModclothPaloma Faith for Boxx MagazineThe best gelato in Rome

Shoes that Give, and Give

A couple of years ago I had decided to embark on a major cull of my wardrobe. I must have been feeling particularly ruthless that day, for at least seven pairs of shoes were cast aside, but not before I photographed them for posterity. Here are four of them.

In the front, a pair of kitten heel pony-hair mules in a lovely shade of deep green that were surprisingly uncomfortable because the edge of the vamp cut into the top of my foot. These shoes didn’t give! Consequently, I wore them very little, and they were still in very good condition when I gave them away. I bought these on sale from the shoe boutique Zomp, and I wonder if they were one of the last pairs, for probably I should have gone up a half size at least.

Second from the bottom is a pair of vintage 80s Alice-blue pumps that I bought on Etsy. (Here they are in action.) I quite liked these shoes, but they had three disadvantages: they were a tiny bit tight, the exterior leather was quite creased from my Cinderella’s sister feet squashing into them, and the inner soles were disintegrating. Out they went!

The green suede peep-toes I bought from the shoe store Mollini on sale for $50 about 10–15 years ago. The heel and platform sole were green snakeskin – see them here. They were every comfortable to wear, but they were old and I decided they’d had their day. Gone, but not forgotten.

At the back, a pair of natural snakeskin heels I bought also from Zomp around the same time as the peep-toes. I adored these shoes and wore them often (check ’em out here). Zomp have an amazing range of shoes from around the world; this makes them quite expensive, but usually worth it; these cost around $200 new.

… I was walking to work one day when one black plastic heel snapped in half.

Six months or so after I bought them, I was walking to work one day when one black plastic heel snapped in half. I took them back to the store (which happened to be very close by), and they agreed this should not have occurred. To my delighted surprise, they replaced them as they still happened to have some in stock in my size! I had no receipt, but they found the transaction in their records using my card number. I thought that was pretty darned good service. And those shoes did me good service too, for I continued to wear them for many years afterward.

All the shoes were donated to a charity store. I wonder if one or two of the pairs at least were considered great finds by someone? I hope so: as a dyed-in-the-wool thrift shopper, I believe firmly in receiving and giving!

Lost Soles

On this chilly winter day, let’s sigh over summer and reminisce on these pretty, flimsy sandals that have since passed to Shoe Heaven (aka, the trash): a pair of tan perforated leather sandals that I loved to death (literally – the soles disintegrated); a pair of plaited black leather flip-flops that also wore out; and silver leather sandals, one of which sadly broke beyond repair.

… these pretty, flimsy sandals that have since passed to Shoe Heaven (aka, the trash)

As you can see I’m often admiring my own footwear as I walk along! But it seems like I’m going to have to go shopping for new sandals for next summer! Damn shame about that.