Monday, April 26, 2021

Lace, Floral and Dropped Waist

Today's outfit was built around this new-to-me fancy designer dress, and I have to say, it was a challenge to style. 
The colours are tricky, and the top part of the dress has a deep V in front, and very wide arm-holes, so I knew I'd need to layer it. 

  • Lace top - Tangerine Jill, thrifted; last seen here in December 2020 with sequins and green velvet
  • Dress - Bottega Veneta, thrifted; purchased here for $26.25 (tagged at $79.95, but bought 4 items for $105 on BOGO deal)
  • Shoes - Effortless Vivian, Fluevog; last worn (and Flashbacked) here in August 2020 with toile ruffles
  • Loomed Lady coat (below) - vintage 60s, thrifted; last seen here in March

If we'd been in the heat-wave of last week (was that last week? was it the week before? what day IS this, anyway?) I might have skipped the lace top, but I required it due to the AC in the office. 
I don't do a dropped waist too often, but something about this one appealed to me. Of course, Vizzini gnawed on the ties (that cat!). 

Don't get me wrong - I love this dress. But the shiny silver thread that gives it its lustre also causes the floral pattern to look a bit dingy in pictures. 
I assure you, it is very shiny and colourful in person! 

The skirt is very swingy and swooshy - it's cut on the bias for extra movement. 
I loved wearing it (it didn't crease at all!) but I think it might be one of those "depths of summer" pieces where it only looks good worn on its own. How would you style it? 

Masked up. 
Still waiting for my first vaccine appointment. Sigh. 

Outerwear - we're back to spring temps, so a coat is needed. 
The scarf and gloves were a bit overkill by the time my day was done. 
I didn't need the scarf on the way home, but I did keep my gloves on. 

Outerwear stuff: 
It's still chilly in the mornings - I was glad of the gloves and scarf then. 

  • Gloves - Parkhurst
  • Scarf - thrifted
  • Mask - Lazy Susan's

The stuff: 
I only wore these shoes once last year (!), but they are usually workhorses in the spring months. Must wear them more frequently this year! 

Gobs of bling: 
I layered up three vintage necklaces to help fill in the neckline of the dress. 

  • Green glass necklace - vintage 70s, Mom's
  • Gold pendant necklace - Trifari, vintage 60s, thrifted
  • Leaf necklace - Lisner, vintage 60s, Grandma J's
  • Bangles - thrifted
  • Amber ring - c. 1996
  • Jade/brass ring - vintage 70s, Mom's
  • Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
  • Earrings - Stella & Dot, consignment, Vancouver
  • Leaf bracelet - thrifted, Sidney

I hope you're all having a good start to your week...and YOU know what day it is! 

28 comments:

  1. Helloooooo! What a perfect time to return to your blog when you've got those beautiful blue cinderella shoes on. I totally love those and am so surprised that you didn't wear them often last year. Last year was an odd one though...
    The dress is very pretty, styled well with lace underneath - a clever ploy and yes, it's gonna look good on its own too. A great finish with that elegant coat my dear. Super!

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    1. Aw, thanks so much, Anna! I love them too, but in reality, I have to remember that I worked 1/3 less all of last year, so that's 1/3 fewer outfits. Many of my favourites only got worn once, shoes and clothes.

      Thank you! I felt very proud of myself for figuring that out. I think it will be lovely in the heat - it stands away from the body. The coat is everything.

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  2. I love the 1920s vibe of that dress. The lace top and the coat (is it Loomed Lady?) are the perfect Springtime accessories. Both you and Ann look really good in dropped waist dresses.
    C'mon vacinne people, sort yourselves out! x

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    1. Me too, Vix - that's an era I've always been fond of. Yes, that is the Loomed Lady, good recall!

      I've heard we should be booked within the next few weeks. Fingers crossed!

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  3. I think the dress will look quite nice on its own though the neckline appears to be quite low and likely something (camisole?) will be needed. I'd likely style it with a solid short-sleeve tee shirt underneath and something like gladiator sandals (never had a pair but always liked the look). I very much like the 3 necklaces, they play well with each other and the dress. :)

    LOL about knowing what day it is...we’ve had that numerous times partially because of the pandemic and partially because we are now both retired. If it weren’t for my leading yoga on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays we would be quite kerfluffled by the lack of a “day delineator”!

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    1. Thanks, Laurie - yes, I had to put a safety pin in the neckline because even with two layers under it, it wanted to open up on me. I like your styling ideas, thank you!

      Oh gosh, my weird work schedule totally messes with my mind. All the weeks have started to blur, and just fly by. Having scheduled things really helps, you're right!

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  4. I think you layered this dress so well, and I like the drop waist! :) The blue shoes are so nice with it!

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    1. Thanks, Mica! I love the shoes - this style really works for me.

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  5. I amazed that you always have the right shoes for the dress-even if hard as you say, to style. I love your coat collection.

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    1. Well, I do have a BIG shoe collection, Sam! And sometimes I pick the shoe first and build around it. One of the first things I do when I see a pretty dress when shopping, is to think of what shoes I have that will go with it.

      Thanks, I do too - I have so many cool ones.

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  6. I actually love this dress on you - and that Vix has given us her blessing on wearing dropped waist dresses :-) I also love how you layered it with the lace top. I would have layered it too, perhaps with a top in one of the colours of the pattern. I'll have to see how it looks worn on its own in high Summer. The Loomed Lady is always a joy to behold. I'm longing for my Spring weight coats, but haven't taken them out yet, as the temperature is yet again set to drop in the next days. It's still so chilly first thing in the morning, that I carry a pair of gloves just in case. It's almost May, for heaven's sake!
    I'm also swooning over your jewellery here, especially that amazing Trifari pendant!
    Oh, and you're not the only one losing track of the days. The on/off schedule is doing my head in, but it's still preferable to working full time! I hope the rest of your week goes well, Sheila xxx

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    1. We have been praised by Vix, Ann! Thank you - I could also have layered one of my blue blouses, but I'm mostly looking forward to wearing it bare with just a camisole. I adore the Loomed Lady, and am so glad I bought her. Yikes, your temps are erratic...but that is the nature of spring, right? I am always glad I've kept a bunch of coats and warm layering pieces out!

      That Trifari pendant is actually missing a huge bottom section, likely broken off - I found a pic of the original back when I bought this one.

      Nope, it's not just you! The on/off schedule is really confusing, isn't it? I also like being part-time, but L and I have missed my 1/3 income!

      Thanks, Ann, big hug. You too. :)

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  7. I'm loving that coat, it's gorgeous. And the green glass necklace! I love colored glass. Always looking for it in antique shops, well... once that is. Have a great evening Sheila!

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    1. Thank you, Nancy - I love that coat too, she is a treasure. My mom will love that her necklace is so admired.

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  8. Yay, it's that lovely coat again! Love to see it (with mustard gloves!)
    . I like your new dress but indeed, I can see it is challenging to wear though I think you did really well with the layering- I'd like to see it alone in Summer too!
    The pale blue shoes are such beauties! All the stuff is beautiful too!
    I hope you get your jab soon!x

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    1. I liked it with mustard too, Kezzie - the background cream has a strong yellow tone to it.

      It is a tricky dress, for sure, but I could not resist the designer allure. It will be cute in summer with no sleeves, I think. Thank you so much!

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  9. You know, I really love that summer dress with that coat. Paired together, this combo looks so good and gives a fab vintage vibe.

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    1. Thank you so much, Ivana! I love mixing my new and vintage and the resultant overall vibe.

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  10. Fabulous look, especially with those shoes.

    Rena
    www.finewhateverblog.com

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  11. I really like the floaty vibe of your new dress and of course your shoes are perfect. That coat is stunning.

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    1. It's very floaty, Nana - the fabric is amazing and light, but with a ton of movement. I adore the coat, thank you!

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  12. I think you look adorable in drop waist dresses, and this one has some amazing print, shiny and floral and totally springlike!. I'd pick a short sleeved black top to layer under it, but this is my personal taste!.
    And I'm in love with your coat and shoes, they enhance the 20's vibe and look so fabulous!
    besos

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    1. Thanks so much, Monica! It's a lovely dress, and I will likely try black under it at some point. I thought the coat was the best part!

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  13. You did a marvelous job of styling this dress. I can easily understand and see the challenges you described. Opting to lean on the blue via your choice of shoe colour was a great move. Blue was my "blink" partner when I thought of what to couple it with. Perhaps, I can't help but wonder, it could be made to work with the right shade(s) of blue denim? Maybe in jacket form or tucked in, top/blouse style, to a denim skirt or pair of jeans (I'm envisioning a wider legged style)?

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Thanks so much, Autumn! I really don't own any blue denim, as it's just not me (too casual). I do have an acid-wash vest, though, that could work. I think wide-legged pants under it would be too overwhelming on me, but great suggestions.

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  14. That print looks really jazz age - I can just imagine it gleaming with a silver sheen in real life. Maybe ramp up the space-age feel with a closefitting lamé top under it?

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    1. Ooh, good call, Mim, it does! I think I will have to do it with bare arms and really accentuate the "jazz baby" look. Thank you!

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