What I Actually Wore #120

Serial #: 0120
Date: 15/05/2013
Weather: 15°C / 59°F
Time Allowed: 10 minutes

Oh, this jumper! Why did I throw it out? That is the first and most important question I must demand of myself. I cannot offer any sensible answer. Unless perhaps it had become a little worn and pilly. But the colour! Heaven. Literally. It’s sunshine personified.

I actually still like this outfit, although the white toes of my socks make me laugh. I find them a little disruptive, but that is nitpicking. I still own and wear the skirt, and the shoes (I love my Finsk shoes!). The Melbourne designer, Ammo, sadly closed its doors a few years ago, and this is one of the items I still own; I also have a blue silk dress. I always liked Ammo for its interesting and asymmetrical cuts.

The enamel (I have a fondness for enamel) cat earrings are souvenirs from Vietnam, and the pearl ring is a souvenir from a past relationship. I also wore, as it was a cool day, my vintage 60s black velvet coat and a matching hat. I’d still wear this outfit now – abeit with plain black socks or tights – it’s my take on minimalism with a vintage twist.

Items:

Jumper: vintage
Skirt: Ammo
Socks: ASOS
Earrings: souvenir
Ring: Autore
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Shoes: Finsk

Photos: September 2013

Floral Pleasantries

A little while ago I wrote a story on the history of boho, or bohemian style. It’s not a look I naturally gravitate to and I actually found it challenging to style an outfit, so much so that I had to make two attempts! The modern interpretation involves a mish-mash of hippy garments or motifs of various ethnic groups, but most notably a fanciful take on the Eastern European gypsy of folklore.

One such garment espoused by fashion magazines whenever the boho look comes back into style is the ‘peasant blouse’. More often than not it is made from cheesecloth, or other gauzy, open-weave cotton, and can be embroidered or trimmed with lace or tiny bells. It is often styled off-the shoulder for that saucy, just-tumbled-in-the-hay look.

Croatian costume from Moslavina (click through for a slideshow of garments from different regions)I have a strong fondness for embroidery of all sorts, but especially for Croatian-Ukrainian styles as they make up my heritage. I wish I had conceived an interest in embroidery before my grandmother on my mother’s side (the Croatian half) had passed away, for it would have been wonderful to have been taught by her. Traditional Ukrainian garments have even made an appearance in the pages of Vogue magazine last year (see last photo).

Ukrainian costume (click through to read all about the symbols hidden within Ukrainian embroidery patterns)This cream embroidered blouse is another modern interpretation, and I like it not only for the decoration, but the pin tucking on the bodice, and the warm colours. I have worn it with floral cloisonné jewellery – a perfect match for this blouse.

Here is a picture of my great-grandmother in her traditional costume, and below that my aunt with two of her friends. (You can read the full story behind these here.) And at the bottom are some pictures of me out of the archives having some irreverent fun with tradition.

Photo: July 2016

My great-grandmother MaryMy aunt (centre) with two of her friendsI am wearing a modern tunic by Country Road (February, 2009) I am wearing a modern tunic by Country Road (February, 2009)Ukrainian folk costume had an influence on high fashion last year (click through to read the story in Vogue)

When Time Stood Still

It’s no surprise to anyone that we in the Western world live in a throwaway culture – it’s much easier to replace broken or torn things than repair them. It’s especially convenient because it gives us the excuse to buy something new, something more up to the minute, because we were bored with that old thing anyway.

Of course, treasure-hunters and thrift shop thrill seekers are very grateful for this rampant consumerism! I was very pleased to find this Anne Klein watch in a Salvos Store. It wasn’t working, but the sales staff assured me that if it wasn’t easily fixable with the replacement of a battery, then I could bring it back. It was only $10, so I took the risk. Fortunately, a new battery (which cost $15) had it going like clockwork.

I do wonder why someone donated it to charity. Were they really just too lazy to visit a jeweller? I think it’s quite pretty, with its bracelet band and the row of diamantes around the rectangular dial – it’s a nice watch to wear when I’m going out in the evening. Still, their loss is my gain.

Photo: August 2016

Shed that Winter Coat!

Hey, hey, it’s the second day of spring! (This was supposed to publish yesterday but had an auto-queue fail.) Spring into action and shed that winter coat, why don’t you? Actually, I won’t be doing that because the weather is rubbish today, but it’s the thought that counts, right? I am pretty excited however, as you can see – this balmy time of year positively makes me want to kick my heels and skip all the way home under the mock-orange trees. (I’m not waxing lyrical – there actually are mock-orange trees lining my route home.)

… this balmy time of year positively makes me want to kick my heels and skip all the way home under the mock-orange trees

Under my lovely camel coat I’m casting off, I am wearing a vintage 1970s polka-dot dress I bought recently at a vintage warehouse sale. The clothes at the sale all came from America, and this dress arrived without a belt, but luckily I have a black leather belt already that does the trick. I love the dress though, and I’m looking forward to wearing it when the weather actually warms up. Happy days ahead!

Photo: three days ago

A Gift Camel

Hip-hip-hurrah! It’s the last day of winter! Officially, at least – I’m sure dear old Melbourne will throw us a few curve balls still. But we can sniff spring in the air – there have been a few practically balmy days already.

This camel wool coat has been my mainstay for most of this winter. It’s quite long, and very warm and cosy. It’s also a little big, so there’s plenty of room underneath for fat jumpers. (I hate feeling like a polar bear, stuffed into a too-small coat when one wears a heavy knit underneath.)

The Journey

Earlier in the year, a camel coat had been on my wishlist for a while, and I had been scouring the world for a new winter coat. I saw many lovely ones on Etsy – all kinds. I have a particular fondness for plaid and blanket-like fabric. However, the truth be told, I do not at all need yet another coat, so I balked at paying several hundred dollars plus another fifty on top for postage.

And then one day I came across this vintage coat in a thrift store for the beautiful sum of $30. Admittedly the coat was a size or two too large, with which, upon enquiry, another older lady shopping in the store reluctantly agreed. She also agreed that it was a lovely coat, and I decided to buy it. It was exactly the shade of honey camel I had had in mind. The only thing it lacked was a belt tie, but budget shoppers can’t look a gift camel in the mouth.

… budget shoppers can’t look a gift camel in the mouth.

Later, I showed my three sisters, and they all admired it. One of them, Blossom, has been a seamstress since her teens, and she advised me that I wouldn’t even need to move the buttons over too much. In the end, I was too lazy and too eager to make such alterations, and have worn it as is – oversize is still in right?

A Holy Grail Garment

Recently my sister Star texted me to say she had found a wool and cashmere Italian coat in an op shop; it was only $20, and very fine quality, but the only problem was that it was brown, and she didn’t think brown suited her. “What kind of brown?” I demanded. She sent me a photo of herself in a change room. It was my Holy Grail camel coat with a belt tie! (Except it was only knee-length.) “BUY IT. BUY IT IMMEDIATELY!” I commanded her in capital letters. She obeyed.

A camel winter coat is a classic item, and will never go out of style, and the colour is a neutral – it will go with anything. And if you fear, as my sister did, that the colour does not suit your complexion, wear another flattering colour near your face, and a strong red lip. You will always look great.

That is my final word on the matter … except: GOODBYE WINTER!

~

Want to get a head start for next winter? Or maybe you live in the north, and WINTER IS COMING? For lots more inspiration, head here.

Photo: Yesterday