Monday?

 

When asked why I was, "Dressed like that?" I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, which was the truth-today is Monday! I get asked that sort of question enough that I ought to have a response, but somehow saying, "Because this is how I like to dress" sounds defensive, or with a certain tone, confrontational. Most people are just curious when they ask, so I don't feel the need to cut them down with a snarky response. I keep thinking I'll get used to it, but I'm still caught off guard by questions about my appearance. I don't really know why I dress this way, but I know I'm happier when I do and if that isn't enough of a reason, then I don't know what is.

Tell me you can wear a hat like this, and be unhappy. Impossible. I dare you. The minute this thing hit my head, I started channeling my great auntie and started calling everyone I met, "Dollface", except it came out sounding like, "Dollfus" on account of the regional dialect. I didn't peek in anyone's cupboard though. My great auntie was known to sneak off to the powder room and go through your room on the way back. It drove my mother mad, not that she had anything terrible to hide, just the nosiness of the act. All she would have found were my mother's linens folded like a Benneton, and arranged by colour. But no Dollfus, I didn't peek into your things. Well I might have had a glance at your medicine cabinet, but that's all-I swear. I had a headache and I couldn't find the Bufferin so I borrowed a couple Valium. You don't mind, do you Dollface? *

This dress was another .98 cent prize from Thrift World, and it still had the original tags. I thought that was pretty great so I washed it, and didn't really look it over too closely as it was unworn. It was only as I lifted my arms to put up my hair that I noticed both sleeves were unfinished along part of the seam. Upon taking the dress off and examining it, it was clear there never was any stitching. Someone must have been slacking at the dress factory. I was able to fix it in a few minutes, but it does remind me that even unworn and deadstock items can have issues.

I've never seen the appeal of a peplum as it reminds me a bit of an apron, but this one isn't terribly noticeable, and seems to work well in this lightweight polyester fabric. I feel a little like I have a napkin tucked into my neckline, but careful placement of a large brooch helps to minimise the effect. This is a surprisingly difficult dress to wear. When in doubt, I add a hat and more polyester-this time in the form of a great jacket.

It has matching pull-on elastic waist pants with wicked flares. I like contrast stitching, it reminds me of the golden sunshine days of my youth. OK fine, it reminds me of being young in the 70's. I made up the golden sunshine bit. Happy now, are we?

"Dollfus, what are these funny tablets in the round plastic container with numbers on them for? Will they help a headache?"

Outfit Particulars:

Early 80's polyester dress-Thrift World
Red polyester 70's jacket-Thrift World
Belt-Sears, long ago
Brooch-Hand-Me-Ups
Bracelet-Hand-Me-Ups
Handbag-Goodwill
Shoes-Goodwill
Hat-Thrifted
Earrings-Thrift World


In other news...

I bought a dress form today for photographing clothing, etc. I find so much stuff that is too good to leave, but not useful personally, so I'm setting up shop. Nothing large scale, but a place to pass along the wonderful things that I couldn't squeeze my bottom into if my life depended on it. I haven't taken it live yet, but I bought the dot.com domain, and have started a blog to showcase vintage specific items. I suppose that means I'll have to put a bit more effort into learning some photography hacks, but that's OK. There isn't much to see yet, but the vintage blog is here:
http://thepolyesterwilderness.blogspot.com/

I thought it would be good to have a photo-heavy place where people don't have to struggle through my poorly punctuated blathering when they just want to see the polyester bell bottoms. We'll see how it goes.

"Oh Dollface, I couldn't help noticing your green suit hanging there...you don't mind if I wear the jacket, do you? I get so cold..."

*In fairness to my Great Aunt, she was a bit of a nosy-nose, but as far as I know she never helped herself to my mother's tranquilisers. We might have all been better off if she had.