I'm exhausted. Thank goodness the Canada Day long weekend just around the corner!
But, let's not get ahead of ourselves; this is what I wore to go see Neko Case, kd lang (all lowercase) and Laura Veirs, aka case/lang/veirs (linking again
here, 'cause I love!) at the Royal Theatre last night.
- Dress - Zac Posen for Lord & Taylor, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in July 2015
- Shoes - Half Truth Veda, Fluevog; last worn here (4th outfit) for brunch with Mom and my uncle
It was a hot evening, and I knew it would be warm in the theatre (which was built before air conditioning existed!).
Super comfy, easy to wear, and good for walking to and from the theatre downtown.
The stuff:
Pretty minimal.
Silver bling:
Again, minimal, but I was still one of the best-dressed people there. Man, people, dress up a little!
- Cuff - thrifted
- Earrings - Fossil, thrifted
L and I spotted two of the deer that live in our neighbourhood on the way to the theatre.
There they go, behind the fence. They're quite the pests, destroying gardens, eating trees, crashing through fences, lollygagging around on the road. Beautiful creatures, though.
We walked past Christchurch Cathedral.
My grandparents got married here way back in the 1930s.
Settled in our seats after a glass of wine.
The trimmings inside the Royal are gorgeous - all shiny gold leaf. This show was the headliner "big name" for the Victoria International Jazz Fest.
I have always wanted to sit in the loge seats.
I think I'd feel extra-swanky up there.
The opening act was, frankly, a snooze.
I'm sorry, Andy Shauf, but you put me to sleep. That's him on the left.
I woke up when the main act started.
From left: Laura Veirs, kd lang and Neko Case.
I was blown away by kd's voice, in particular.
She's a Canadian icon - you might remember her from her Opening Ceremony performance at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010 (YouTube link
here), or maybe like me, you remember her accepting her first Juno (a Canadian Grammy) in 1985 while wearing a wedding dress (a nice pictorial from the Globe & Mail
here of her career highlights). She really is just completely captivating. What a voice. All links 'cause I love!
Neko Case is also a fave in the house of L and I - we love her solo work and her stuff with The New Pornographers. Laura Veirs was new to us, but also very impressive.
The show was a little on the short side - we were home by 10:30, but we had that high you get after seeing greatness. L will have his review up soon (go
here!), so check in to read about both the concert and their album.
Today, I was hollered at on the way to our other office, "You should be in a magazine!"
Ya think? Melanie's on the CBC (
link!) and I should be in a magazine. They didn't say
what magazine, mind you. Maybe
Cat Fancy? Me and Vizzini?
- Top - Le Chateau, consignment; last seen here a year ago in June 2015 with all red
- Skirt - no label, handmade, thrifted; last worn here a couple of weeks ago with florals
- Shoes - Modern Vintage, thrifted; last seen here in April with chartreuse
I had a very physical day, which included smooshing the top of my foot with a table (I was trying to even out the legs so it wouldn't be tippy). I'm glad I had flats on.
I get a lot of compliments on this top - it's Chinese-inspired, based on cheongsam dresses,but it's a modern cut and make. Western culture has been appropriating this look since back in the 40s/50s? so I don't feel awkward wearing it.
I found out from one of my Indian coworkers that this skirt is made from handwoven fabric, and it's definitely from India. I often see saris, tunics and gorgeously elaborate Indian clothing in the thrift stores, but unlike my cheongsam-inspired top, I don't feel that it's appropriate for me - a super-white woman - to wear them. How do you feel about wearing clothing that's borrowed from other cultures?
The stuff:
I'm basically having a week of easy shoes and clothes.
Smiley bling:
I love vintage jewelry.
- Earrings - vintage fair
- Bracelet - Trifari, vintage 60s, vintage fair
One more outfit for tomorrow, and then I'm off until Sunday.
Yes, Sheila, I too often think about the appropriateness of wearing clothing with certain cultural significations, and am never quite convinced, I don't think, by the arguments that cast appropriation as "homage" ...
ReplyDeleteBoth your top and skirt are certainly very lovely!
Oh, and I also agree that kd's voice is pretty extraordinary — very cool that you got to hear her live!
your lovely purple hair enhances everything you wear!, particularly that fabulous dress!, such a perfect ensemble to go to listen to some music (and yes, people don't dress up very much, even when they're attending an event!)
ReplyDeleteLovely chinese-inspired top, such a beautiful print and color.
besos
If anyone deserves to be in a magazine, it's you. Your creative, eclectic fashion choices are mesmerizing.
ReplyDeleteI have not been to a concert in at least a year ! They keep getting more and more expensive. I refuse to pay 300.00 USD to see a concert in a terrible venue.
ReplyDeleteHow marvelous that you got to see a deer so close to home. Here, I use to see toucans often and now I have not seen one in months. However I got a good look at 6 huge parrots yesterday afternoon.
There was a picture of a church and then jazz fest signage - it made me think for a second that the church was a jazz venue. Hahaha!! Sounds like a fantastic show. I'm glad you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteYes, you SHOULD be in a magazine. Isn't it great to get affirmation?! Thanks for the shout-out too. Oh we are all such superschtars. Heh.
About the cultural aspect of clothing - it's tricky for me. If I wear something in a Westernized or Mel-ized way I usually feel comfortable with it. I've always felt that dress worn in public becomes part of our collective consciousness, to be shared. And I've seen Japanese people rock a square dance dress, for example. It goes in all directions.
That said, I'm starting to become more sensitive to this issue and things I once would have worn without a care, now give me pause.
Love your outfits!
Definitely you and Vizzini in a magazine for stylish cat owners and their cats!
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting question. I think as we become more of a global society it will become more and more common. More people are "part" this or "part" that. I have often been attracted to some of the cultural clothing of a few countries of Africa because they seem to transition to the fuller figured woman, i.e. me. But I haven't taken the plunge. I love the fabrics and colors of the clothing of India, but rarely find it in my size. I also like it because I'm always hot and it seems like it would be cooler to wear. I don't think it's inappropriate or needs to be a homage, if you like it - wear it.
ReplyDeleteDressing up to go to a concert ought to be compulsory - it's a compliment to those who perform. Your dress was a good compromise of style and personality and surely must have been comfortable too. Your ethnic outfit really works with your hair colour. Even though the top and skirt represent other cultures they blend together beautifully. I don't wear much in the way of ethnic clothing myself, but don't mind if others do. After all, Western clothing is worn worldwide now, so what's the difference?
ReplyDeleteAnna x