Post-Christmas Stock-take

No, I’m not referring to Boxing Day sales with that headline, but rather the third spirit to visit poor old Ebenezer Scrooge, which is the most terrifying, for it resembles the Grim Reaper. This is the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come, and he serves Scrooge a warning of what is in store for him if he continues in his wicked ways.

This ghost wears a cloak of black that conceals his entire form, except for one pointing hand; he has no need to speak, and fills Scrooge with horror. “It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand.”

Quite miraculously, I again delved into my archives and found a picture of me wearing a 1930s black lace gown (awaiting repair for years, alas) and a velvet black and cream satin hooded cape of the same era. I am proffering kid gloves with my hand, rather than pointing, which is rather funny in the context of Dickens’ character.

This phantom turns out to be kind in the end, for he does allow the chastened Scrooge the chance to wipe the slate clean. And thus we come to the moral of the tale, ripe enough for the end of the year when we all naturally evaluate the year that has passed, and look forward to a new one.

At least one resolution is clear for me: I must mend my ways and mend that dress at last, for I took that photo four years ago!

Photo: April 2012

Christmas Cheers

The Ghost of Christmas Present is a jolly giant with dark brown curls. He wears a fur-trimmed green coat, a wreath of holly and icicles on his head, and carries a torch that looks like a cornucopia. He sprinkles warmth and good cheer from it in his travels to and from all the festivities. A feast appears also wherever he goes. (Today I managed to do that too!)

It was a scorching day in Melbourne, with a temperature of 36°C, so I certainly wasn’t going to wear a fur-trimmed cloak. Instead I have a skirt and top that both tie with big bows at the back, and my wreath is of velvet leaves. I also carried a vintage green umbrella as my sunscreen – it’s sort of the antithesis of the Ghost of Christmas Present’s torch! But everything is a bit upside down in the Antipodes.

My family and I – all 27 of us – had a lovely day; I hope you do (or have done) too. Cheers!

Photo: Today

The Christmas Spirit

I’ve been so busy in the last few weeks I left it to the very last minute to dream up a seasonal story for you. I thought about cheating and showing you pictures of outfits from Christmases past, and that of course got me thinking of Charles Dickens’ story of A Christmas Carol (1843).

Ebenezer Scrooge, a nasty, mean old man, is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come. They all show him various visions and give him some nasty shocks, which prompt him to change his ways.

The Ghost of Christmas Past is an androgynous figure of indeterminate age, robed in white. On his head is a blazing light, reminiscent of a candle flame, and the spirit also carries a metal cap, made to look like a candlesnuffer.

Whatever you are doing this Christmas Eve … take a moment to lift a cup of cheer (a wine, an eggnog, or a spirit) …

I delved into my archives to find a picture of me wearing a Moroccan jalabiya, bought in the seaside town of Essaouira when I was travelling there many years ago – it was perfect for this story! The fabric is a beautiful cream satin crepe, with a narrow brown and cream striped trim along the edges of the seams. (Incidentally, the backdrop is a medieval palace in Sintra, so there is plenty of reminiscing of travels past to be had here.)

For those of us who celebrate Christmas, it is, if not a religious observance, a time to spend with family or other loved ones. Some we cannot be with on the day, and some are forever lost to us, so there are remembrances as well. Whatever you are doing this Christmas Eve, whether rushing around or relaxing, take a moment to lift a cup of cheer (a wine, an eggnog, or a spirit) to them.

Here’s to a wonderful Christmas Eve!

Photo: May 2012

What I Actually Wore #125

Serial #: 0125
Date: 07/06/2013
Weather: 17°C / 62°F
Time Allowed: 8 minutes

In my notes for this outfit, I have recorded the fact that a colleague, upon seeing me, called me an ‘apricot disco’, to the great glee of everyone in the department. Fortunately, all the women in my department had already admired my copper knit, so I was not discomposed – and I had also received a compliment on my outfit that morning from a perfect stranger. She was an American, and exclaimed, “Now I'm loving your whole look!”

The open weave of the knit is coated in copper paint, and it is not warm at all. I layer it over a long-sleeved linen tee, but it is still not warm enough when I go to the theatre after work that evening. The scallop-hemmed suede skirt was a real favourite of mine, and I am a little sorry that I have since got rid of it, donating it to a charity store. I had suddenly decided I no longer liked the broderie anglaise decoration along the bottom.

Those taupe-and-tan wedges were an extremely expensive purchase for me, and I was quite distraught when early on they were utterly ruined in the rain. I noted that they were made from glove leather, and while this meant they were very soft, they really were not hardy enough for Melbourne’s flighty weather. Who expects leather shoes to be badly watermarked by rain?!

All the other items are still in my current wardrobe, although the tote is rather more worn now. The coat and hat are both vintage velvet with fur trim; the coat is 1960s, but the hat is possibly older. All in all, I still approve of this outfit.

Items:

Tee: Seed
Jumper/Sweater: Blesse'd Are the Meek
Skirt: Chine (label now defunct)
Hat: vintage
Coat: vintage
Tights: Columbine
Scarf: souvenir from Hong Kong
Earrings: boutique
Ring: souvenir from Hong Kong
Tote: Elise Carrel (label now defunct)
Wedges: Habbot

At Long Last, Summer

Summer is here at long last – hurrah! Months of gloriously languid days lie ahead, and months of skimpy outfits too. How wonderful it is to go outside with bare arms and legs, without carrying a heavy coat and hat and scarf and gloves … Although, living in Melbourne, one takes a risk going out without an umbrella!

One of my favourite colour combinations for summer is white and green like a striped peppermint sweet. But I also adore Kelly green. I particularly love this 1970s dress because it has a 1930s look: two of my favourite fashion eras combined.

It is made from 100% cotton, which is a rare find for this era, at least in thrift stores in this country. I came across it a couple of summers ago in a St Vincent de Paul Society op shop, and bought it for about $15, which was an amazing bargain. The label is ‘Acorn’, which is completely unfamiliar. I love that the extravagant lapels and tie belt are in contrasting stripes to the main polka dot pattern. Admittedly the dress is a size too large, but as it is a wrap that does not signify too much.

I like it worn with this vintage 30s, slightly battered straw hat. The patent leather kitten-heeled slingbacks, virtually new, are by Aussie label Top End, and also came from an op shop.

Such swishy skirts and joyful pattern put me exactly in the mood for sipping cocktails on a sunny rooftop somewhere – one of the other joys of summer.

~

P.S. Apologies for my long absence – I was on a staycation for all of November, but I was far too disinclined to turn my computer on at all!

Photos: April 2016