In an effort to deal with this, I am remixing a difficult to wear piece. I bought this very beautiful, but too short in the arm length (and general length) vintage silk dress from La Fille d'Or last year. Because of the fit issues, I offered it to my more petite sister, but she didn't want it. But now that it's cold, I am trying wear it as a blouse. Plus, the skirt of the dress doubles as a slip, as this skirt is unlined. I think the colors of this outfit, and Edwardian style of the dress/blouse, has a 1970s (my favorite decade) feeling.
(I am actually smiling because Blokey was making faces at me in the corner.)
In addition to my earthy hued, 70s-ish outfit, I have celebrating my favorite decade lately by also enjoying 1970s artists (I'm crushing on Towns Van Zandt, although I can spend all day listening to John Prine), and reading Jefferson Cowie's Stayin' Alive: The 1970s and the Last Days of the Working Class. Who knew an academic book could grip me with interest? (I'm not a historian, but I know well written and compelling research. Class history, U.S. unions, and the music, movies, and social movements of the 1970s? Score. Bonus points for quoting the Lester Bangs' essay on Elvis' death)
In addition to culture, pet therapy is keeping me happy. (This is for A-Dubs!) Buster is now a big boy. But they're not BFF yet. He and Lula are more like Frenemies.
They can look really cute near each other.
But this soon disintegrates into chaos. I didn't mean to capture conflict. This just happened so fast.
Happy Thursday, Style Nation!
Dress/blouse: from La Fille d'Or
Skirt: thrifted, Jacob
Belt: thrifted
Tights: Daffy's
Cardigan: Banana Republic, thrifted
Shoes: Tahari, via eBay
Yay for color. That's a great outfit! Could you get the sleeves altered in some way to make it more comfortable? It looks great with the sweater, too.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't think the cats harming each other requires a disclaimer...that's just what they do. Cute!
the color of that dress is absolutely amazing, and wearing as a blouse is perfect. I think this is my favorite outfit of yours ever!
ReplyDelete(So keep wearing color!)
This blouse/dress is so lovely. I love it with and without the cardigan. What a great idea to wear the dress as a blouse + slip!
ReplyDeleteAww, look at you laughing at Blokey :) I LOVE what you've done with this dress, and the color looks so warm and rich, and overall wonderful on you.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of class history and other fun socioeconomic stuff too. It really makes me wish I were in grad school taking lots and lots of Sociology classes. Sigh.
That dress/blouse looks great on you. I really like the style of the sleeves.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful blouse! Extra convenient that it's actaually a dress doubling as a top and slip! I love these warm earthy colors.
ReplyDeletethat dress is gorgeous! i have a soft spot for higher collars and that kind of sleeve. and the color looks amazing in you! You should totally just lop the skirt part off and make it into a shirt so you can wear them with wide legged trousers!
ReplyDeleteThat dress is amazing! What a fab colour on you, Rad! (that necklace would go with this maybe?) I like it better without the cardi, just because the colour is so glorious.
ReplyDeleteI adore Townes Van Zandt (my hubby and I are both big fans of him, Steve Earle, Emmylou, that whole gang). Can't get enough of him.
Yay! You're wearing a color! Seriously, this looks fantastic on you. I love the Edwardian look to the top of this dress.
ReplyDeleteThe kitties are looking adorbs.
I love this outfit on you. That is all. No, wait, that's not all. The cats are very cute!
ReplyDeleteI love this dress -- the color, the style -- and would not have thought of wearing it as a blouse and slip combo. Brilliant. You look great in this, especially when you're giving Blokey that little grin.
ReplyDeleteThe 70s are a favorite of mine as well, though my music tastes from that decade lean more towards rock (Neil Young, Led Zeppelin) and soul (Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone). The book sounds intriguing, so thanks for the recommendation!
This is easily my favorite outfit of yours. And how clever to wear that fantastic dress as a blouse/slip. That's genius. Definitely a 70s feeling.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on the book too - I'll have to take a look.
The top photo is possibly my favourite photo of you, ever. And I'm with Bean, above: I would never have thought to wear the dress as a blouse/slip. That is brilliant. Plus the colour looks wicked on you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the hilarious kitty photos. It's nice they can be near one another, at least.
Thanks, too, for the recommended readings. 'Just what I needed. (Not.)
The dress is wonderful, it works really well as a blouse.
ReplyDeleteKitty pictures are always a plus.
Holy snikes! I am completely head over heels in love with this outfit! And I also appreciate the kitty pictures.
ReplyDeleteEep! This is excellent on you! The coppery color, the shape, it's so effortless cool! The cardigan is good for a cover-up but I hope you wore it without!!!!! It's amazing!!
ReplyDeleteRad--the blouse is beautiful. And we are BIG Townes van Zandt fans here. I'm wanting a review of the book...as we're still working class at our house. I often muse that many academics come from such backgrounds.
ReplyDelete@Cynthia: That's a great suggestion. I just need to find a really repuatable tailor.
ReplyDelete@LyddieGal: Thanks! I don't have a lot but I'm willing to experiment.
@Julia: It worked pretty well as a slip, too! If I weren't sweaty in the classroom, I'd wear it without the cardigan.
@Anne: Thanks. I like warm colors, even though I have more "cool" and "brights" (in the limited colors I own).
@Rebecca: Yes, aren't they great? I like the dramatic blousing and the buttons.
@Gina: Thanks! That's what drew me to the dress too.
@Laura: I love a good high collar, too. That's an excellent suggestion. It would look great with pants.
@Sheila: Another TVZ fan. I knew you were a kindred spirit.
@E-Jo: Edwardian is my favorite 70s look!
@Allison: Thanks! The cats know they are adorable.
@K.Bean: Thanks. I have liked Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, and Neil Young for awhile, but marrying into Steven's music collection has got me liking country, too (outlaw, of course). Folks who knew me in college would be surprised.
@Grace: Thanks! Let me know what you think of the book. It was really well-written, which is rare for most academic books.
@A-Dubs: I can't believe it's a real smile. If I try to smile for the camera, it looks funny and forced, but when he started making faces, that was it. Unfortunately, I'm the kinda girl who piles on extracurricular reading even when I have deadlines. Bad focus!
@The Waves: Thanks! It stayed put during the day, too.
@LaHdM: Thanks. I felt really stylish all day. No one noticed, though.
@FL: I sadly didn't wear it without because the coppery silk showed sweat (eek) but it still looked cool.
@Terri: I hope that you get a chance to read the book. I liked it so much, I plan to buy it after our tax returns come in (I know, I'm cheap). Steven's family is pretty working class, and intellectual (but not academics). I like the writing of Richard Russo, as his books are full of academics and working class small towns.
Aww - Kittties! Good to see they are tolerating each other! I'm also really 'digging' the dress as a top!
ReplyDeleteCute! And I heart that beautiful blouse.
ReplyDeleteCute! And I heart that beautiful blouse.
ReplyDeleteRad--the blouse is beautiful. And we are BIG Townes van Zandt fans here. I'm wanting a review of the book...as we're still working class at our house. I often muse that many academics come from such backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteYay! You're wearing a color! Seriously, this looks fantastic on you. I love the Edwardian look to the top of this dress.
ReplyDeleteThe kitties are looking adorbs.
That dress is amazing! What a fab colour on you, Rad! (that necklace would go with this maybe?) I like it better without the cardi, just because the colour is so glorious.
ReplyDeleteI adore Townes Van Zandt (my hubby and I are both big fans of him, Steve Earle, Emmylou, that whole gang). Can't get enough of him.