poppies, ribby tights and platform sandals, borrowed cardigans (and dumplings)


Somewhere between the massive wardrobe culls I've been doing this year, the realisation, when travelling, that there is only so many clothes I am especially attached to, and a very conscious decision to get as far away from last winter's style rut as possible, I've decided on two things. One: to finally wear those things that survived my brutal sheddings – if they are still here, it's because they are still loved and should not be so cold from no use, and two: to put the things I want to wear on the one rail and make a sort of capsule wardrobe, so everything is visible and nothing is forgotten.

And so far it is going pretty well. Not to mention how much fun it has been.

It has forced me to be a bit more creative, too, and to put new combinations together, and actually add all the things (scarves and so on) that I dreamed about doing all summer and can now finally do. It has also been a bit of a trip down memory lane in some cases, with certain things reminding me of how I might have worn them back when I got them, which can change over the years – sometimes that's good, of course (slouchy knitted beanies, anyone?) and sometimes they still feel right.

Case in point: this floral, sheer black floral dress. I bought it from an independent op shop on my local high street, the kind staffed by dear old ladies who want to halve the price tag for you, with loads of goodies hidden among the usual dross. (It moved a few doors down after a year or two of me living here, and I think now it might have actually gone altogether). I even remember seeing it, leaving it behind, and then turning around on the street about 100m down the road to go back and get it.

I love everything about it: that 1970s-does-1930s style, with the sheer, calf-length skirt, the poppy print, and the knotted sleeve detail, which of course is completely hidden here. (That means I'll have even more reason to wear it again soon and show them off!) But for some reason, partially due to habits and restrictive ideas (mine) about vintage, I hadn't worn it for ages.

Tights, preferably thick and ribby ones, under peep-toe platform sandals has always been a favourite of mine, especially with a floral dress. The shoes are still new, in my mind, bought last spring and worn all through the summer and diligently put away (as in, on one side of my shoe shelf) not to be touched until next spring, but I like them too much to not wear them now. And now, after years of effort, all my cardis are cropped vintage ones, and this called for a longer line. This green one, pilfered from John's wardrobe, did the job.
I even remembered to wear a bracelet. This one is (again) from a few years ago, and matches the dress perfectly. It also made my hand feel cold where the metal touched it, which could be why I "forget" to wear these things in the first place.
These were all snapped in a hurry before going to the Urban Kitchen event at Melbourne's Emporium, with John and two friends (who were also on the list). I think a dark antique gold necklace would have been good with this as the neckline is very plain – plus necklaces won't make my hands cold! Wearing dark colours turned out to be a very good thing when eating dumplings, wielded on unsteady chopsticks and first dunked in little bowls of soy sauce, after a few glasses of champagne..! *Splash*

Of course, it all went under my dark green vintage coat with the little cape over the shoulders and the black trim, which was happily worn for the first time this winter as it is now fuh-reezing cold at night. And, full confession: I forgot to wear the planned-on hat. It was a wonderful night, even sans hat, the kind where you see lots of friends in the crowd, and even bump into familiar faces on the tram home – the kind of night that reminds me how fun Melbourne really can be. A bit of reminding is good for more than just old dresses!

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