What I actually wore #0008

Serial #: 0008
Date: 27/10/2008
Weather: 20°
Time Allowed: 5 minutes

Victorian-inspired yet modernised in silk jersey, this dress is very soft and comfortable to wear. It is by Louche, a Western Australian label. (I can’t find proof of their existence online, but Scarlet, one of my Bright Young Things is from WA and can vouch for them.)

Back to the dress: I love its detail: the silk contrast at the neckline that bubbles out; the ruching on the wrists; the sash, another hint of Victoriana.

It is completely transparent however, which makes a full slip imperative. I managed to find a vintage one that is pretty enough by itself to wear as a dress. I suspect it is from the 70s or early 80s, when Victoriana was in fashion. Made from cotton, it is embroidered and features scalloped edges. You can just see the hem where I've lifted up the dress.

The only drawback of the dress is the fabric-covered buttons at the back of the neck, which are hard to slip through the holes. I am always cursing in the mornings since I am always in a hurry.

Embroidered all over, these big clunky mules have a certain bohemian 70s flower-child feel, but they out of all my shoes seem to work best with this dress, as a counterpoint to its daintiness.

Items:

Dress: Louche
Slip: vintage
Shoes: Zoe Wittner
Camellias: fallen by the wayside

What I Actually Wore #0007

Serial #: 0007
Date: 20/10/2008
Weather: A deceptively sunny 17°
Time Allowed: 0 minutes – I dressed on the fly

Japanese-inspired and printed in the most demure shades of blue, this pretty vintage scarf demanded something equally soft in colour.

My eye immediately went to the liquid silver of this satin shirt. I like its soft floppiness.

As the scarf is the hero of this outfit, I wore basic grey trousers. A cobalt blue patent belt was added from necessity, and cobalt suede kitten heels were selected at lightning speed. The sterling silver hoops with the dangling grey pearls match my ring, although I bought them from different places.

I purchased the scarf recently as part of a lot on eBay that included a perplexing tulle bonnet/veil; this scarf is the prettiest of the lot. It, and the mysterious tulle accessory, determined my bid. This scarf is also the best quality of them all as I believe it is made of rayon, a natural fibre (although the manufacturing process is not particularly environmentally friendly).

I know I've said it before, but I normally try not to match my accessories too closely; however this is so pretty I even matched my book for the photo!

Items:
Scarf: vintage
Shirt: Equipment
Trousers: Miss Shop
Belt: Alta Linea
Shoes: Paolo Bondini
Earrings: Baku
Ring: NGV Gallery Shop
Watch: Kenneth Cole

What I Actually Wore #0006

Serial #: 0006
Date: 18/10/2008
Weather: 30°
Time Allowed: mental planning completed during previous week

I had a month’s notice of a friend’s cocktail party, so I was able to mentally plan my outfit ahead of time. It didn’t take that long of course: in all of two seconds I decided to wear my 50s LBD. Although it is vintage, it has an interesting cut and details that make it look very modern. And it's made of 100% Arnel!

I’ve owned it forever, and have forgotten where I bought it; possibly from Chapel Street Bazaar. I love the horizontal pleats on the bodice, and the draping on the front is very flattering. It originally had cream guipure lace appliqués on the shoulders. I remember soon after I bought it my cousin commenting the dress would be more modern without them; it took me a few years before I agreed with her and lopped them off. Sadly, I have lost them.

Unfortunately, the dress is very fragile, and I have stuck my foot through the lining more than once. I wince every time.

The eye for the hook above the zip is also torn, and the hem is pinned up in one place. (Mending is obviously not a favourite pastime of mine.)

On the night of the party, I accessorised with new silver sandals; a vintage Glomesh bag (bought from a lovely lady at the Camberwell Market for $12); my favourite vintage pearl earrings, and of course a beehive.

My chauffeur (we’ll call him … Paul) and I discovered the perils of torn hook and eye closures when my hostess discreetly zipped me back up. “Did your hands leave the wheel at all, Paul?” she quizzed him archly.

Sadly the night did not end at dawn with breakfast at Tiffany’s, but I did go home to my cat, who does have a name.

 

Items:

Dress: vintage 50s, Baker of Melbourne
Shoes: Zoe Wittner Design
Bag: vintage Glomesh
Earrings: vintage
Chocolate croissant: Brioche
Coffee: the Market Café

What I Actually Wore #0005

Serial #: 0005
Date: 20/10/2008
Weather: Sunny, but there was chilly breeze blowing, 17°
Time Allowed: 5 mins

I was tired of wearing trousers – it’s supposed to be spring after all – and decided on this pencil skirt with the easy-access zip down the front. The beige required a shot of colour, so on went this watermelon pink top, a favourite standby. The best things about this top are its sleeves, which you can’t see – because the best things about the jacket are its sleeves!

You will see them in another post no doubt, but the sleeves of the top are big and puffy, and multi-pleated. It does make it difficult to wear a jacket over it however. And the problem this morning was that although it was sunny, I knew I’d be cold without an additional layer. Then I remembered the crazy vintage bolero I’d bought a long time ago and never actually worn.

Black velvet, the jacket is pleated, puckered and shirred to within an inch of its life, but its sleeves are bouffy enough to allow room for the top.

The little puffs on the shoulder seams are quaint, giving the jacket a forties look, and I really like the sleeve length. I am guessing it was spawned by the Decade That Style Forgot (And For Some Strange Reason Has Been Revived Of Late): the eighties.

I was reminded of Cameron Diaz when I threw on the contrasting blue chalcedony beads and earrings. That light turquoise – more blue than green – is my favourite colour. As I’m off tights at the moment, the boots were a practical addition, and I thought they’d keep me warm; their fierceness also offsets the sweet pink. But despite my best efforts, I still felt the wind whistling up my skirt. Sigh.

Items:

Top: Veronika Maine
Skirt: Chelsea Design
Jacket: vintage
Boots: Nine West
Jewellery: Temple St Night Market, Hong Kong
Sunglasses: from Bimbo (now defunct boutique)
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Ring: NGV Gallery Shop

What I Actually Wore #0004

Serial #: 0004
Date: 01/10/2008
Weather: Fine and mostly sunny, 24°
Time Allowed: 5 mins

All day everyone was exclaiming how they liked my 1950s look. It began with the skirt, an easy pencil style with asymmetrical stitching in rust brown on a beige background. It was the bright spring weather that dictated once more I must wear some colour, and this sky-blue top seemed particularly appropriate. It’s also a nice combination with beige.

The geometric-print, silk scarf seemed far more interesting than a necklace, and the faux pearl earrings, also vintage, look like a bunch of grapes. I bought those at the Salvos for $4 and have loved them since the instant I saw them. A classic pump style, the shoes are made interesting by their strange colour: a purplish-brown that is really only obvious outdoors. Another vintage accessory: the purple 70s sunglasses with gold arms were bought on eBay.

This outfit is patently all about the accessories, so here’s a close-up below:

Now, back to the scarf. I know these pretty young things today like to be practically strangled by their enormous scarves. The former are simply and loosely wrapped around the neck, but if you are going to wear a thin silk scarf, you need to know how to tie it properly. I wore mine in a basic square knot, but there are dozens of other styles if you want to experiment.

Just don’t get strangled like Isadora Duncan…

Items

Top: Portmans
Skirt: Veronika Maine
Shoes: Zoe Wittner
Scarf: vintage
Sunglasses: vintage
Hair clip: Paris Mode
Earrings: vintage
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Ring: NGV Gallery Shop