How could I forget a paisley, Shantung silk blouse from Talbot's?!
I don't wear many blouses as our weather goes from tee-shirts to sweaters (jumpers) without much seasonal change between. There's probably two weeks a year in Omaha where wearing a silk blouse makes sense. That hasn't stopped me buying them, but I tend to forget what I have the other fifty weeks of the year when I can't wear them. This year has been an exception where we're having a proper autumn. I found the blouse in a box looking for a jacket, and I thought it best to hurry up and wear it before we have a foot of snow.
This is the jacket I went looking for when I found the blouse. Being patchwork it should go with nearly everything-it doesn't. I like the velvet and silk fabrics, but I'm afraid it has to go. Space is limited, and I can't keep clothes that don't play well with others unless they are exceptional. I've been ruthless in my clear-outs of late, but it must be done. Being able to bring home quality clothing for .49 to .99 cents does lead to over-doing it.
Outfit Particulars:
Satin skirt-Hand-Me-Ups
Talbot's silk blouse-Salvation Army
Coldwater Creek jacket-Goodwill
Boots-Hand-Me-Ups
Valdrome purse-Hand-Me-Ups
Earrings-gift
Vintage chain belt-Hand-Me-Ups
Fragrance-Venezia Pastello (hell, it feels like spring, might as well wear a light perfume)
Today's drink is from the sixties when it would still be acceptable to order a drink called a
"Naked Lady."
1 oz. rum
1 oz. sweet vermouth
4 dashes apricot brandy
2 dashes grenadine
4 dashes lemon juice
Shake well with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.
I unpacked my winter China today, and it finally feels like the holidays even if the weather is a balmy 60 degrees and raining. I still have borage and nasturtiums in the garden! If you've been around this blog for a while you know that Birthday Cake Mania is about to begin. I've made some strange ones over the years, but Danny's request for his 12th Birthday might be the oddest yet. I have three weeks to pull this off. I'm going to need a cocktail (or three).
"Satin makes you look fat!" - another of my mom's dire fashion warnings. Anyway, that skirt doesn't make you look fat but finding something to pair it with (which you've done commendably!) is dire.
ReplyDeleteThat paisley blouse is gorgeous!
I'm with you, although the fabric of that patchwork jacket looks gorgeous the shape and length of the jacket difficult to put with anything too. Back to the chazzas it goes!
I'm getting hypothermia just looking at you - we're in the depths of a particularly cold snap and the very thought of leaving the house without a coat, gloves and a massive hat are unbearable.
ReplyDeleteLove that blouse and skirt combo. It is really easy to buy too much stuff when you can find quality vintage so cheaply - it almost seems a crime to leave it behind. xxx
@Bibi
ReplyDeleteMy mother would say stuff like that too-I guess to their generation being fat was the worst thing you could be. I can think of much worse things than being fat.
@Vix
Just think of the beach in Goa (and layer your clothes until then)!
I hope you get past the cold snap soon-it sounds awful.
I was going to say, how could you forget about a blouse like that? Then I remembered that I'm exactly the same. And I too keep buying blouses but hardly ever wear them. Like Vix, we are having a cold snap, so I can't avoid the winter woollies for much longer ... xxx
ReplyDeleteOh boy - we are freezing our nuts off here!
ReplyDeleteThe idea of silk and satin in unthinkable at the moment but I absolutely love your paisley blouse and skirt. It's a shame about the jacket. I think everyone has at least one difficult to wear anything with item; you are so right to get rid of it.
There's some guidance somewhere that I read and it can apply to thrifting too; make sure you have at least three items of clothing that go with the item you're buying and in many ways it makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, it doesn't take into account the emotion involved in seeing an item and simply just having to have it regardless of whether you have anything that goes with it!
Hope your good weather is still with you
Veronica
@Ann
ReplyDeleteSooner or later winter happens...but I'm hoping ours holds off a bit longer. You do have a great collection of wool jackets though!
@Veronica
I am the WORST when it comes to purchasing clothes that don't go with anything. If it catches my eye, I hand over money. I'm getting better about parting with things that don't work, but I really shouldn't be buying them in the first place.
The boots make the skirt wearable in everyday life, and the shirt would be a keeper in my closet. However, that jacket bears a family resemblance to items I've bought en lieu of a denim jacket that didn't work as I'd hoped. (Keep going back to a 60-year-old German leather jacket that needs special care.)
ReplyDeleteMore hints about the birthday cake, please!
@Beth
ReplyDeleteFunny how the things you've had forever seem to work better than anything you try new.
Hint about the cake? OK
"When the going gets weird, the weird get going."
That cocktail sounds particularly good - I'm a sucker for apricot brandy.
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely being able to shop secondhand for so much less than new. Though .49 sounds ridiculously cheap. I got a green chenille skirt suit at the weekend for £2 and was very pleased with that bargain.
@Mim
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see it-you look so great in green. That is a great price for a suit.