What I Actually Wore #0036

Serial #: 0036
Date: 25/12/2009
Weather: forecast 31°, it reaches 26° at lunchtime
Time Allowed: days of forethought!

We like to dress up in my family for Christmas Day lunch. Actually, I should amend that to: the women in my family like to dress up for Christmas Day lunch. We tend to plan our outfit days or weeks ahead.

In the lead up to the big day, along with the standard questions of “Who’s hosting this year?” and “What dishes are you bringing?” is “What are you wearing?” Sometimes my sisters, nieces and I may have more than one option, depending on Melbourne’s unpredictable weather (it often storms on Christmas Day).

Invariably, the men merely turn up in shorts and t-shirts, ready for any eventuality such as tending barbecues, playing cricket in the backyard, and dealing with pet poop. (One dog got sent home in disgrace last Christmas.)

…I don’t think I have ever specifically gone shopping for a Christmas outfit:
I like to let serendipity decide.

However, I don’t think I have ever specifically gone shopping for a Christmas outfit: I like to let serendipity decide. Last November or December whilst browsing in the Salvos (a common pastime), I saw this lovely mint chiffon dress hanging up high on the wall. I immediately requested the salesgirl to retrieve it for me, and was in ecstasies when I discovered it fit me perfectly.

The salesgirl and another shopper (a stylist or costumier or the like) oohed and aahed in equal reverence. The stylist offered to fight me for it, but upon a casual reference to my taekwondo training, he laughed nervously and instantly backed away. Another shopping foe vanquished.

The shoes I found in an equally fluke-ish way in another charity shop. Normally I shy away from synthetics, but red satin peeptoes for $12! How could I resist them? And the vintage pearl shoeclips were found on another op-shop counter for $10. They were perfect for the red shoes. The red grosgrain headband is from Alannah Hill.

I do love mint and bright red together; it’s a classic combination, and a subtler take on the traditional Christmas theme.

Items:

Dress: vintage, Collette After 5
Headband: Alannah Hill
Rings: Roun
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Shoes: Barkins
Shoeclips: vintage; check out Emmersen