What I Actually Wore #124

Serial #: 0124
Date: 05/06/2013
Weather: 14°C / 57°F
Time Allowed: 10 minutes

This is an outfit I would still wear! Except that I have got rid of the ponyhair slippers as they were a bit too narrow for my feet and cut in the sides. Pity about that, as they were very nice shoes, with a zigzag pattern created from ponyhair and suede.

I remember I bought these kitten-heeled mules at an end-of-season sale for the extremely low price of about $20 – low for anywhere, but especially for the shoe boutique Zomp. I think I may have been wearing them on this occasion because I had badly hurt my left heel; I couldn’t wear closed shoes for over a month.

The vintage 50s bandeau is faux fur with two rabbit fur pompoms attached on one side; I bought that on Etsy years ago. I also wore a vintage 60s velvet coat and a white leather tote.

While I don’t like to wear too much black, I still like it when it’s paired with white or cream, or another neutral. I’ve worn a lot of these kinds of outfits especially in the past year in a vintage x minimalist style. The only thing I’d change here is to remove the necklace and let those spectacular woven hoops make a statement on their own.

Items:

Jumper: Kookaï
Pants: Ming
Hat: vintage 50s
Scarf: souvenir from Hong Kong
Earrings: vintage
Necklace: souvenir charms
Ring: souvenir from Vietnam
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Shoes: Zomp

Photos: October 2013

What I Actually Wore #123

Serial #: 0123
Date: 04/06/2013
Weather: 17°C / 62°F
Time Allowed: 15 minutes

Some people love to wear all black; I love to wear all grey. And multiple shades of grey are much more interesting than various tones of black. It’s always a bit dubious with the latter – you wonder if some of the lighter blacks are actually faded, or the warmer blacks look wrong with the cooler variations.  

All these items except for the skirt (a Danish label formerly called Staff, now Nü, it seems), socks and jewellery were bought second hand: the silk blouse, the wool cardigan and the black patent T-bar heels I rhapsodised about recently all came from op shops, or thrift stores.

The vintage 1940s hat I bought on Etsy, from America. This is one of my favourites of that era, because of the wool felt flowers trimming the back. Veils are always fun too: they add a little femme fatale mystery.

Ice grey, smoke and a hint of mauve in the skirt and hat. The skirt was a rather expensive purchase years ago when I was holidaying in Dubai, but I wore it many times, so the cost per wear equation makes it come out cheap. I loved the quilted effect.

I’d definitely still wear these colour combinations, but perhaps not those particular items together; I’d wear a plainer blouse. I’ve never been very keen on ruffle fronts like that – they remind me of men’s 70s dress shirts! But I did love the icy colour of the chiffon. I am still very fond of that haircut too, so this outfit is still mostly a winner.

Photos: September 2013

Items:

Blouse: Very Very
Skirt: Staff (now Nü)
Cardigan: Satch (now defunct)
Hat: vintage 1940s
Socks: ASOS
Earrings: Portobello Lane (now defunct)
Ring: National Gallery of Victoria gift shop
Watch: Kenneth Cole

What I Actually Wore #122

Serial #: 0122
Date: 19/05/2013
Weather: 17°C / 62°F
Time Allowed: 10 minutes

Surprisingly, this is the outfit I chose to wear to Ikea! That makes me laugh. I must have been shopping for trivial items in the marketplace only. However, I do like it, mainly because the colours are so harmonious and soothing, with the different shades of grey. (The asymmetrical skirt is a blue-grey denim too.)

I’m pleased to see that linen long-sleeved tee – it is still in my closet, holding up well. I didn’t realise that it was this old! I bought two linen tops from Seed on one occasion; this dove grey one and another the same in a French blue. They were quite expensive investments, but it goes to show the value in buying good quality basics because they really do stand the test of time, both in appeal, and in the washing machine. I am also still wearing that grey wool cardigan because it’s so soft and cosy (sadly the label went into liquidation in 2011), but the skirt has had its day.

This is also still one of my favourite 1940s berets, or platter hats, one I bought on Etsy. The red is picked up in my lipstick and the ceramic jewellery, souvenirs from Barcelona.

That favourite 1960s bag is still in circulation, but both the socks and patent shoes wore out from regular wear. Those leather shoes I found in an op shop for around $12 (the label is now defunct). They were hardly worn and I was so chuffed to find them, so I was disappointed when eventually the patent began to become quite distressed. But then, in a thrifting miracle, last year I found another very similar pair, also barely worn, in an another op shop for about $20! The only difference is the leather on those is punched in a brogue style.

In this outfit, the cardigan, hat, bag and shoes were bought used. All my friends always marvel at the things I manage to find in second hand stores. They seem to think I have some extraordinary knack or magic trick, but the only trick is that I go often to browse in op shops. I rarely find what I’m looking for exactly when I want it. I simply go regularly – once or twice a week at lunchtime, and perhaps once a month on a Saturday. It’s not a huge investment in time, but it accumulates enormous dividends – in savings and bargains.

Items:

Cardigan: Satch
Top: Seed
Skirt: Obi
Hat: vintage
Socks: ASOS
Earrings: souvenir
Necklace: souvenir
Ring: NGV gallery shop
Bag: vintage
Shoes: Scooter

Photos: September 2013

What I Actually Wore #121

Serial #: 0121
Date: 18/05/2013
Weather: 15°C / 59°F
Time Allowed: 15 minutes

The silk kimono dress! My Puss in Boots outfit! Yes, this is how I dress up to go to dinner and the theatre. As you can imagine, the cat ears attract a lot of attention from other patrons – two of whom I work with (at a different theatre) who exclaimed over them.

I remember it was actually a very chilly evening, the kind when you breathe out you see your breath in a puff. I managed to find a pale grey wool top to wear under the dress; it was low-cut enough that it didn’t ruin the neckline of the dress; the black tights are wool too. On top I wore a vintage 60s velvet coat with a warm fur collar, and also vintage eggshell blue leather gloves that I bought on Etsy.

The cat ear headband came from a costume jewellery store that sells cheap, cheerful and very trendy pieces, some of which are simply playful like this headband. Matching perfectly, the little round rhinestone earrings are vintage 40s, and also came from Etsy.

Those tan over the knee lace-up boots were a fantastic bargain I made a few years ago; the original price was around $400, but I managed to snag them for only $75! The other items are usual suspects from closet that I use often and have featured on the pages of this journal many times – testament to the need for good and trusty basics: my black 60s patent handbag, the silver oval shell ring, the round bead silver bracelet, and of course the coat.

Items:

Dress: Luella
Knit: Kookaï
Tights: Columbine
Headband: Diva
Coat: vintage 60s
Gloves: vintage 50s
Earrings: vintage 40s
Bracelet: eBay
Ring: NGV gallery shop
Bag: vintage 60s
Boots: Wittner

Photos: September 2013

What I Actually Wore #120

Serial #: 0120
Date: 15/05/2013
Weather: 15°C / 59°F
Time Allowed: 10 minutes

Oh, this jumper! Why did I throw it out? That is the first and most important question I must demand of myself. I cannot offer any sensible answer. Unless perhaps it had become a little worn and pilly. But the colour! Heaven. Literally. It’s sunshine personified.

I actually still like this outfit, although the white toes of my socks make me laugh. I find them a little disruptive, but that is nitpicking. I still own and wear the skirt, and the shoes (I love my Finsk shoes!). The Melbourne designer, Ammo, sadly closed its doors a few years ago, and this is one of the items I still own; I also have a blue silk dress. I always liked Ammo for its interesting and asymmetrical cuts.

The enamel (I have a fondness for enamel) cat earrings are souvenirs from Vietnam, and the pearl ring is a souvenir from a past relationship. I also wore, as it was a cool day, my vintage 60s black velvet coat and a matching hat. I’d still wear this outfit now – abeit with plain black socks or tights – it’s my take on minimalism with a vintage twist.

Items:

Jumper: vintage
Skirt: Ammo
Socks: ASOS
Earrings: souvenir
Ring: Autore
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Shoes: Finsk

Photos: September 2013