Friday, April 26, 2019

Sweeping

I just love a skirt with a wide sweep, don't you?
 It is unlikely that I'll ever wear this with a crinoline, but oh my goodness, wouldn't that be impressive?! I drive a compact car-there's no way I would fit with puffy undergarments.-this sort of voluminous fabric just barely makes it alone. Still, I wonder what this skirt would have looked like worn properly in the 50s.
 It does look ordinary enough when I'm not holding it out and twirling about.




Outfit Particulars:
1950s patio skirt (part of a set)-Hand-Me-Ups
1970s polyester top-Goodwill
1950s handbag-New Life Thrift
Bakelite and Lucite bangles-all over
1950s earrings-Thrift World
Fragrance-Amouage Bracken Woman (yeah, I'm hooked. Considering stockpiling in case they discontinue it).

In other news, as the kids say, "I did a thing." I won't tell you how many hours it took (several), but it is safe to say my fat, arthritic ass won't be qualifying for any major marathons, but that's fine. I'm not competitive (just as well because the stories I hear from other fat runners about the hostility directed at them would be enough to keep me away. I guess having fat people running marathons somehow "cheapens" it for some runners. Yeah, I don't get that either, but I also know for some people running is a performative/style/image thing. Having a fatty finishing a marathon would probably be upsetting to those sorts of people.), but I am pleased that I can do it. Bad joints, but excellent cardio endurance. Now watch me fall over from a coronary😢

For the record, I hated track and field when I was at school, but I was forced onto the junior high team anyway once the gym teacher discovered I had a skill for shot put. I could manage my part of a relay, but I hated it. Truth be told, I still hate it. I do it, but all that talk of endorphin rushes from taking exercise...not me. I think I must be endorphin-proof (that should be the title of my memoir). I could find better ways to spend my evenings, I'm certain. But here I am. Anyway, I did that thing, so might as well celebrate it. I am on day 232 of my Goal Streak (5 miles a day) so I am also pleased with that.


 Back to swinging/sweeping skirts...this square dancing skirt is a firm favourite. I have a similar one with gingham insets, bit it is shorter and fuller making it even less practical to wear than this.


 Outfit Particulars:
Vintage square dancing skirt-Salvation Army Store, Lincoln, Nebraska (I find the best stuff there)
Vintage blouse-Hand-Me-Ups
Telephone cord handbag-eBay
Bakelite bangle (large brown marbled-Hand-Me-Ups)
Cinnabar bangle-Hand-Me-Ups
Bakelite earrings-New Life Thrift
Vintage cowboy brooch-antique mall
Vintage Naturalizer shoes-Thrift World
Fragrance-Burberry Classic (I adore that peach note in it)



 You may remember this wide-sweeping skirt from Christmas. 
 Trojan War, created by Victor Malta for Associated Artists of America, 1953


 Outfit Particulars:
1950s quilted skirt-eBay
Poloneck-Gordmans, years ago
Shoes-K Mart, also old
Vintage R. J. Granziano belt-Hand-Me-Ups (for a buck!!!)
1950s charm bracelet-Goodwill
Brooch-Goodwill
Fragrance-80s formulation Shalimar



 This skirt is modern, as is the blouse, but they both do a terrific job playing the part of vintage. The skirt has ribbon embroidery across it that sadly doesn't show well in photos.

 I suspect you already know what perfume I went for.


 I'd make a terrible Flamenco dancer.

Outfit Particulars:
Skirt and top, both Goodwill
Earrings-Sears, about 10 years ago
Bangles-all over
Shoes-K Mart, about 12 years ago
Hair Flower-Tiff and Tam
Belt-Thrift World
Macrame handbag-Goodwill
Did you guess my fragrance was Maja? You probably did!



Sometimes, you want to wear a patio dress on a day that is too cold for sitting on a patio! Vintage cardigan to the rescue.

 The pink and grey crepe material is unusual-don't think I've ever run across a patio dress in such muted colours.

 Outfit Particulars:
1950s patio dress-Hand-Me-Ups
1950s beaded cardigan-Hand-Me-Ups
Handbag-Goodwill (I think)
Vintage shoes-Goodwill
Fragrance-Gres Fleur de Cabotine (it has a cactus note-see my logic? Possibly one of the strangest perfumes in my collection)

 My Easter look. Complete with a Cubs "Win" flag on the door.

Outfit Particulars:
Vintage square dancing dress-Thrift World
Vintage shoes-Hand-Me-Ups
Basket Purse-I made it
Belt-Gordman's years ago
Napier lucite beads-Can't remember
Milk glass earrings-Goodwill
Fragrance-Laura Ashley No. 1

Finally, a skirt with only a modest swing, but all the feeling of something worn on holiday in the 50s. The skirt is modern, but vintage in spirit.

 Oh look, my upstairs hallway! That basket on the floor is filled with metal bangles.
 The vintage bag has seen better days, but I rescued it from the bottom of a bin for pocket change.
 Fragrance? Something sweet and holiday-like. Honestly, it isn't my kind of thing, but in the right mood on a warm day, I can understand why people are so devoted to it, and were so gutted when it was discontinued.
Outfit Particulars:
Skirt-Goodwill
Linen blouse-K Mart, years ago
Tooled belt-Goodwill
Wooden beads-Goodwill
Brooches-gift
Vintage earrings-Hand-Me-Ups
Hair flower-Tiff and Tam


 I'll leave you with this photo from a few summers ago wearing the wildest patio outfit in my collection.
Hopefully, Omaha will warm up soon, and I can wear it again. At the moment, we still need our coats. 

Have a great weekend!














































14 comments:

Bibi Maizoon said...

Loving this 1950's inspired post!
The mustard patio skirt is gorgeous and those shoes you have paired it with are divine!
The second favorite would be the black Trojan war skirt then the pink patio dress - AMAZING!
I did not know that Cabotine Fleurs had a cactus flower note- not sure I know what a cactus flower smells like but all Gres Paris fragrances are beautifully bizarre.
Kudos & congratulations on your athletic feat! Yes, I have noticed in the US that anyone with even a tiny bit of extra poundage gets bitched at for being fat and belittled if they make any effort to get rid of the fat. never experienced an endorphin rush myself either- actually rather the opposite.

bahnwärterin said...

i´m swooning over your sweeping skirts outfits!!!!
not only the beautiful skirts - your styling & accessories are perfect - always. you know - i wear full skirts most of the time - love the swish while i move & the nice things they do for my proportions - and yes, wearing them & climbing into a VW bully is not easy either :-D
congrats to your running success - how do you run with bad joints? i sometimes struggle to walk....
happy weekend! xxxxx

Vix said...

That last one is just spectacular although you've got an amazing collection...and to think that before I read American blogs I thought a patio set was a set of chairs and a table!
How on earth do you run five miles with arthritic joints? I can't even walk in heels higher than two inches these days unless I want to live on painkillers. Kudos to you! xxx

Vronni's Style Meanderings said...

Congratulations on your Marathon, Goody, what an achievement! Sod the haters, not even worth wasting thoughts on them...I wish I walked 5 miles a day!

What amazing skirts! What the heck is a patio dress? Can you only wear it on a patio?

I absolutely loved it all. Such swinginess and swooshiness! The Bakelite and Lucite bangles are just fabulous and I loved the 1950s charm bracelet. For those skirts that are a bit short; how about a pair of three quarter leggings under them?

You look fabulous in all the outfits and although I didn't know half of the perfumes I bet you smelt fab, too! I also loved how you colour matched your shoes.

Hope you're having a great weekend.xx

Goody said...

@Bibi
Thank you. I find the Cabotine fragrances interesting. I like the rose, although it is more cherry blossom than rose. Hey, is someone giving you a hard time on your blog? I'm locked out until you send me an invite. So invite me in-I'll bring baked goods ;)

@Beate
You look great in full skirts.
I am in constant pain-that's the short answer. I take daily medications, but there's only so much it can do. I tend to get worse if I don't move, but some days, it can be like bone grinding bone. My upper body seems to get the worst of the arthritis, but having my hands frozen into fists doesn't keep me from moving, though I might need help buttoning a shirt or carrying a mug of tea. My arms are pretty useless-I can't carry a gallon of milk.

@Vix
A patio set can also be furniture! Those outfits were previously called, "Squaw Dresses" which is a derogatory word for native American women. Some people still use it claiming it is just a historical term.I think this is wrong. If someone is offended by a term, then I don't use it. I don't think the colonisers get to decide what is offensive or not! As for the level of activity-yep, it is misery. I mentioned in response to Beate's comment, I take daily medications for my autoimmune stuff, which helps but also most of my issues are in my upper body. Bodies are funny-I can run UP a hill but walking DOWN a flight of stairs kills me.

@Veronica
Thank you!
Patio dresses are really holiday wear, or something you'd wear at home-in the 50s anyway. If it has a wide skirt and rick rack it is probably a patio skirt/dress.

I could try bike shorts! I've seen it look great on Instagrammers. Mabye I just need a pair of frilly bloomers!Hope you're having a great weekend as well.

Polyester Princess said...

What a fabulous round-up of sweeping skirts! I was scrolling through your post, telling myself, wow, that's my favourite, no wait, that one is! But I'm going for the first, yellow, 1950s one. Did I read correctly and is this part of a set? I'd love to see its matching top! And I did guess the perfume you wore with your "flamenco" outfit! To my utter shame, I have to admit that I'm rather lacking in sweeping skirts. But if getting into a car wearing them could present a problem, try to picture me getting on a bus in one! xxx

Emily from Etsy said...

Congratulations on doing a marathon! The best thing about these local events is that they tend to draw a fairly diverse crowd of participants-- different ages, races, and body types-- all having fun. I say the more, the merrier. I'd want to be among real people running at their own pace in a spirit of non-competitive fun.

I totally guessed that you'd be wearing either Maja or Nueva Maja with your lovely Spanish-looking outfit! And I enjoyed all your beautiful, sweeping skirts. My favorite outfit of the day was the one featuring the unusual shirt with black, white, AND yellow stripes. That's a color combination you don't often see, and you still managed to pair it with the perfect skirt. And then you found some accessories to bring out the green color introduced by said skirt. Brilliant idea!

Your photo of Cristobal was lovely. I like how you took the burnt orange flower from your hair and used it as a photo prop. It adds such a cheerful splash of color.

Goody said...

@Ann
But I'm willing to wager that on a bus people would be leaping up to make room for you and a fab skirt!

@Emily
Thank you, but it was just me-a one woman marathon! I'm just too uncomfortable to run with others. I had to quit the gym and start working out at home because the assumption was I was there trying to lose weight-and I just got tired to explaining I wasn't. I really don't think anyone should have to defend their level of activity-or non activity!
My photography studio is a well lit corner of the bedroom where I have the top of a storage box against the wall. I keep an array of hair flowers nearby, so it just started making sense to use them as props.

Emily from Etsy said...

I totally relate to the idea of wanting to exercise in private, rather than at a gym. I'm an introvert, and I cringe at the thought of doing certain things in public or in groups when they can just as easily be done alone.

Plus, whether one is an extrovert or an introvert, it just makes sense to do certain things solo and on the spur of the moment, wherever and whenever the mood strikes. That way, you don't have to deal with the complications of scheduling a time and place with someone whose schedule might not mesh very conveniently with yours.

As for weight loss, it irks me that our society has such rigid ideas of what a woman's ideal weight ought to be. Some people are naturally slender, and others aren't. And some people's bodies have a tendency to fluctuate in weight quite a bit, while other people have a fairly stable weight, no matter what.

Without a doubt, a great number of people who consider joining a gym are indeed hoping to lose a significant amount of weight, but obviously, not every one is, nor should they feel they have to. Unless a person is morbidly obese and at risk for serious health problems, his or her weight is really NOT that important in the grand scheme of things. There are so many other excellent reasons to join a gym: to gain muscle mass and bone strength, to rehabilitate an old injury, to improve cardio endurance, or to become more flexible.

If you have it in you to say to yourself, "Gee, I wonder what it would be like to walk, run, or crawl 26 miles, as if there were no automobiles, horses, bikes, trains, or buses for me to rely on," and then get out there and do it, you are a success! It doesn't matter how long it took for you to run those 26 miles. What matters is, you achieved a very lofty goal that the vast majority of people don't even attempt, and you have the number on your pedometer to prove it. And the fact that you did it despite some health issues is even more amazing! I'd give you a gold medal if I could.

Beth Waltz said...

Brava! Quite right about "move it, or lose it", Goody. An elderly professor of geology assured me he continued leading field trips because, "...if I don't move these knees, gal, they'll seize up."

Right, too, to consider the logistics of wearing crinolines under full skirts. Once upon a time I wore a Princess Margaret-style ballerina gown to a formal dance. When the occasion arose to visit the facilities, I was horrified to discover the skirt literally filled the cubicle. How to...? The attendant sweetly called out,"...turn around and face the wall, missy. That's how ladies manage in gowns."

Note: Mother had told me to tip the attendant, but failed to include detailed loo instructions because her youthful evening wear had been short, sleek and beaded.

SeĂąora Allnut said...

woww, love this post and all those fab skirts (I can imagine them with a crinoline and this makes my heart beat faster!). I love particularly the yellow&black ensemble, the matchiness is magnificent and so are you!! love all those bangles!
Obviously, I love the flamenco dancer vibe!, embroidered blouses are so fab!
And I totally agree on endorphines being totally absent when I do some exercise. I hate every f*ck*n' moment but keep doing it for my health. Also hate when people stare at me in the gym!!
besos

Miss Magpie said...

That's quite a collection and I love the telephone cord bag! One of those things that is on my wish list...

I am in awe of your marathon run oh and please, you are NOT fat!

Mrs Rat said...

Your Easter dress is my favorite, but all of your sweeping skirts are enviable and look so great on you! I hope warmer weather is heading your way soon.

Cee said...

You just can't go wrong with a black poloneck and skirt :)