What I Actually Wore #0069
Serial #: 0069
Date: 14/06/2012
Weather: forecast 15°C, cool day, rain in the evening
Time Allowed: 10 minutes
This winter I had determined to make more effort to wear my hats. I am usually in such a rush in the mornings that I don’t have time to go delving into different hatboxes – that’s my only excuse for sartorial laziness. Well, that and an antipathy towards mending, and a lamentable procrastination in ironing clothing. (Yes, I firmly believe in ironing garments that need it – I’m not one of those modern women who wear clothing straight from the clothesline.)
On the 14th of June, I made time to pick out a striking 1940s black wool felt hat, with a chartreuse feather cunningly tucked into the sharply angled peak. The architectural design of the hat is a marvel.
I matched the hat with a chartreuse pleated wool tank by Veronika Maine. I love the details in this top, but I loathe and abominate its babydoll shape, so I always belt it. I believe that is also how the top was shown in the brand’s season campaign. Under it I wear an old cherry-blossom print top and a wool skirt made from a suiting fabric. I choose the cloisonné earrings (a cheap souvenir from my last trip to Sydney) particularly because the floral design contrasts with the print on the top. I love the contrast of textures and patterns in this outfit. Over it all goes my white leather trench.
I brace myself for stares on the commute, but the daring hat is obviously a success …
I brace myself for stares on the commute, but the daring hat is obviously a success, for I garner two compliments from passers-by, and a chorus of delighted exclamations from the girls at work. (See it from other angles here.) The latter can’t believe I bought the hat on eBay for a relatively inexpensive price (around $80). I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, if you live in Australia and you love to shop vintage: go online. There is so much more available overseas, and a hat of this caliber would cost several hundred dollars if purchased from an Australian boutique (online or brick-and-mortar).
Sadly, the shoes have since been tossed in the trash, having been deemed too worn-out to keep for another winter. It’s a shame, for although they were not cutting-edge at all, they were truly comfortable to walk to work in.
One subtle detail I really love in this outfit is the zip on the skirt: the black teeth are interspersed with silver. The skirt is by now-defunct Melbourne designer label Ammo, and it really is a detail you just won’t see in high-street brands. Plus, the skirt is many seasons old, bought long before the recent craze for giant, exposed zippers, and it still seems contemporary. This skirt won’t get tossed aside like an old shoe – I’ll be holding onto it for yet awhile.
Items:
Blouse: Bracewell*
Tank: Veronika Maine
Skirt: Ammo
Hat: vintage, eBay
Belt: Alta Linea, from department store David Jones
Earrings: souvenir
Ring: souvenir
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Shoes: Naturalizer
*Unfortunately, Sydney label Bracewell may also be defunct as I am unable to find any live URLs.