Do the Hustle

 Polyester Jumpsuit, anyone?

The only really shocking thing is that it took more than a year stuck at home before deciding to try it on. Don't know what I was waiting for. The rhinestone details get a bit lost in the photos, but in person they're quite lovely. A polyester jumpsuit without rhinestones is like a bump without a grind. 

Obviously, the jumpsuit called for some platforms. I'm going to paint these in an op-art style because I never wear them, and I might if they weren't beige. Anyway, that's something to work on. 

At one point I think I had the jumpsuit in pink as well-or maybe an apricot colour, I can't remember. It was probably pre-blog as I can't find any photos of it. How did we survive before digital cameras and smart phones?! Clothes lovers of yore had to commission a painting. I'm not kidding-look at a John Singer Sargent and tell me it wasn't all about the clothes. Portraiture, sure, but while he lets some people get away with half painted hands, (which to be fair, painting hands is hard) the clothes are always perfectly depicted. 

Throw some giant safety pins at it, and you have Versace😁

Madame X (hand conveniently hidden behind table) might not be much to look at, but her dress is beautifully rendered. So yeah, technology is a great way to share what you've worn when there isn't a painter of society figures at your disposal. 

Still digging way back through the wardrobe for neglected items of clothing. I found some photos from the last time I wore it-in 2013! Now that's some neglect.

And a roller-set too!

I remember that shower curtain-it had the Rain Cycle on it. That's what you get when you let the child select the shower curtain. I'm going to make an effort to wear the blouse more often-a collar like that shouldn't stay hidden at the back of the wardrobe. 

Sometimes I cosplay a normal person. Vintage denim skirt though. 

This white cotton cardigan is falling apart, but it is good enough for being at home. I'm actively looking for a replacement, but don't want to buy something that'll need replacing again in a year. As much as I don't like the idea of Boden, I have to admit they do cotton cardigans better than anyone else. I guess there's Land's End too, but for the money I think Boden makes slightly better looking stuff-in a style sense. Who would have thought something as simple as a white cardigan would be so difficult to find? 

I will be keeping those buttons though. At least they're well made even if the knit isn't. 

This dress is well-made. Over 70 years old and still wearable! The just don't make things like they used to! No, they certainly don't. When I bought it in the early 80s it was merely "old", not vintage. 

Another selection from deep in the depths of the wardrobe are these culottes from French Connection. They're old. Like, 90s old. Surprisingly well made though, and still holding up, though that's possibly due to how little wear they get. 

I wouldn't be wearing wool culottes in April if it weren't currently snowing. Don't worry, I put the fleeces over the garden bed. 

Last wear for these culottes was 2014! 

That was a much nicer day weather-wise than current conditions. Oh, not to worry, it will melt, but I was hoping I'd be through running the furnace for a bit. No such luck as we're going well below freezing tonight. What I would give for a fireplace or stove. 

Mr. ETB has gone back into his office for the next three weeks. They're rotating the teams through the building in three week cycles so that they can keep the occupancy low, and everyone spread out. I think they are the only team on their floor, so it shouldn't be too bad. He's had his second vaccine, but will still be wearing a couple masks and eyewear. Danny is going back to school for the last month before summer break at the start of May. It will be eerily quiet in here alone. I'm already planning to do all my big projects like cleaning the carpets when no one is about. I'm a bit excited, if I'm honest. 

I have a friend getting married next year, so I'm starting an embroidered tablecloth for her. Most of my friends received a tablecloth when they married, and a quilt if and when a baby arrived. Sometimes the baby quilt without the tablecloth, because it is the modern era and such silly conventions are finally fading away. Anyway, I need to get started with that. I have an abundance of red embroidery floss for some reason, so redwork it shall be. I have a pretty tablecloth ready to be worked, and now it is just a matter of looking through my stencils and transfers for something I like. It won't be cross stitch, because I find it mind numbing to do. I'm glad I have new specs-threading a needle will be much easier. 

I'll leave you with this vintage Victor Costa crepe dress that drapes so beautifully. It came with a matching belt that is unfortunately too small. The dress is marked a 10 but the belt wouldn't fit a small child. I hate when that happens. Anyway, I would have preferred a wine coloured belt here but nothing I own was even close. The shoes are somewhere between oxblood and brown and do a good job of working with the dress. 

Hope you're having a good week. Take care.