What I actually wore #0031
Serial #: 0031
Date: 03/09/2009
Weather: forecast 22°; a lovely, mild early spring day
Time Allowed: 10 minutes
Now that is a real blouse. I say that because no-one uses the word ‘blouse’ any more; it’s too out-dated. This is an out-dated blouse though, because it’s vintage. I love that the dyed quartz earrings are exactly the same shade of blue.
I rarely wear strapless garments, but teaming this bright blouse with it turns this neutral dress into a Statement Dress. I wanted something a little exciting, as I was working at the art gallery for a few days.
As it’s only a 20 minute walk from home, I took a chance and wore heels to walk there (usually I don walking shoes of some sort – NOT runners, let me assure you!). These snakeskin heels are old favourites from Zomp, bought many years ago. On another occasion walking to work one of the heels snapped, to my horror. Fortunately the shop was near my office at the time, and I was able to drop past at lunchtime. The shoes had then been worn only a few times, and although I no longer had a receipt, the sales assistant looked up their records and immediately organised a replacement pair for me! I was truly impressed; what great customer service.
My other hero is this handbag. I really like how the buffalo-hide (or it could be cow-hide) clashes with the snakeskin shoes. I totally fell in love with this bag 3–4 years ago in Stanley Market in Hong Kong. I had gone to China on a business trip with a colleague, bookended by one and a half days of shopping in Hong Kong. What a fabulous whir that was!
On that trip, our shopping motto became: “Buy it! When are you next going to be in Hong Kong?”
On the last day of our trip, I dragged Aurora all over the city; Stanley Market was just one of our destinations. I spotted the bag early on, but as it was expensive, I decided to think about it while we explored the rest of the market. I found a lovely cream cashmere shawl trimmed with rabbit fur that I still use (it’s currently draped over an armchair, ready for chilly autumnal evenings), a diamanté belt, and some rare black onyx beads, among other things.
On that trip, our shopping motto became: “Buy it! When are you next going to be in Hong Kong?” (How many times have I heard people lament not buying souvenirs, because it wouldn’t fit in their bag, or they didn’t really need it? That, cough-cough, doesn’t happen to me.)
With that in mind, I returned to the handbag stall only to find some American woman eyeing it off. To my relief, she decided against the purchase, and I became the proud new owner. I am so glad I did buy it; I haven’t been back to Hong Kong since, and the bag has drawn so many compliments over the years from friends and strangers. My sister Star has even claimed the bag should I ‘ever get tired of it’. Sorry Star, that won’t happen!
Items:
Dress: Barkins
Blouse: Edith Hart, vintage from Shag
Earrings: Larama (boutique no longer open)
Rings: Roun
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Bag: Stanley Market, Hong Kong
Shoes: Zomp