What I Actually Wore #0087

Serial #: 0087
Date: 21/08/2012
Weather: 16°
Time Allowed: 8 minutes

Sometimes it’s the smallest thing that inspires an outfit. In this case it was the boots. I had already chosen my sleeveless cable knit dress to wear; it is somewhat bulky, but I still love it. The skinny cardigan helps to create shape, and the trim is reminiscent of eighteenth century military uniforms too.

My accessories are rather more twentieth century however. The vintage peaked toque is very much like the cap of several military uniforms of the past century, while the vintage silk knit scarf is just like the flying scarves pilots wore in the 1920s. I don’t know how old this scarf is, but I once had an even nicer one just the same except that it was longer and softer. I gave it to an ex-boyfriend, which was a stupid thing to do, especially since I never appropriated any of his clothes! The boots were a recent purchase from an online sale site, and are made of soft suede. They’re very comfortable to walk in with those low heels too.

Khaki is a colour I never wear normally – this outfit must be the singular exception I have evidence of. I generally find it a dull colour, not only akin to military uniforms of the past century and their depressing associations with world wars, but also my high school uniform, which was made up of tones of predominately olive, with touches of grey and white. But the khaki tones of the hat and boots are much closer to grey, which immediately makes them more acceptable. And of course the bright tomato red of the dress and my lipstick livens everything up.

(On a side note: the one thing I miss about having long hair is being able to twist it up into chignons or French rolls – but my hairstylist tells me he’s not ready for me to grow my hair yet!)

Items:

Dress: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Sunny Girl
Hat: vintage (Belgrave boutique)
Scarf: vintage (Salvos)
Earrings: handmade
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Boots: Roc