The challenge? To style this beige, oatmeal, tan, insert-other-blah-colour dress every single day.
Why? Because I have been notoriously anti-oatmeal for YEARS and this is a vintage 70s Halston, so why not see if I'm willing to change my mind about it over a really awesome oatmeal dress.
Accents of teal, based around my vintage cowboy boots.
I met up with my longtime bestie, Janet, after work for dinner, so I wanted to look nice.
We're a couple of classy broads who've been friends for 45 years.
I did a kerchief-style tie with my scarf, and I'm not thrilled with the look - it's too bulky up at the neck.
And I think a wider belt works better for the dress. I struggled to get the dress to sit properly this time.
Yawn. Back of oatmeal.
Incognito.
The stuff:
Halston does Weird Adidas! My goal was to wear my favourite highlighter yellow with the beige Halston.
I walked to work in my boots, so that I could carry my fancy vintage purse.
Bag:
Swoon! I love this look - I remember a craft kit that had pieces similar to the "gem" and cord fixtures on this purse. I glued them down and made framed pictures..? There might have been sequins?
- Wool/canvas/leather purse - Enid Collins "Road Runner", vintage 70s, consignment
I would do the "airline host" tie with the scarf next time, but I was trying to be different than Tuesday's outfit.
- Belt - Emmanuel, vintage 80s, thrifted
- Silk scarf - Banana Republic, consignment
Golden bling:
I layered the extra-long 70s necklace under the collar, which worked REALLY well to keep it from flying around - would recommend this for those ultra-long vintage pendants. A few colleagues thought it was a brooch.
- Gold/silver shark cuff - Tom Binns, 2012, consignment
- Gold/turquoise ring - consignment
- Wooden ring - Dots
- Eelskin bangle - fake Gucci, Italy, gift from Mom & Dad
- Enamel/goldtone necklace - D'Orlan, vintage 70s, consignment; purchased here for $32.00
- Stone ring - thrifted; purchased here for $7.95
- Crystal chain bracelet - thrifted
- Earrings - Mangos
While I enjoyed this outfit, it felt a little too blah overall. Not really me.
Not so with my Saturday outfit! I played around in my closet and let this grow organically. You can tell by my insane grin how I feel.
- T-shirt - Run the Jewels merch, 2023, not tracked
- Tulle skirt - Adidas, consignment; last worn here in April by Yvonne to Urbanite, and on me here (3rd outfit) in August 2024 with triple Adidas for a long weekend hangout
- Shoes - Vogettes Pina, Fluevog; last seen here in March with grey leopard and pink
- Ultrasuede dress - Halston, vintage 70s, consignment; last worn above on Friday
I started with a good base of black, then added the tulle skirt. Those are my recently-thrifted Simpli leggings underneath, along with a pair of 50 cent thrifted socks (both now washed and in rotation).
We ran a few errands after that, so I walked a few blocks like this, enjoying the bright hot sun and light breeze. We're finally getting some late spring warm weather, hooray!
With my purse and scarf.
I wore the dress like a coat on my walk to meet L.
Unlike real suede, you can put pins through Ultrasuede without damaging it!
This felt so very me. I LOVED this look.
Accoutrements:
It's taken me forever to land on the right outfit for this Fluevog scarf - it's tough to style!
I added a trio of pins on my dress' lapel.
- Art Gallery Pop Art Urbanite pin
- L's 52nd Day of Indolence Blue Oyster Cult pin
- A Fluevog "Walk the Talk" pin
The stuff:
I really liked how these ballet flats worked with the neon socks. Socks, who knew?
Bold bling:
$2.00 for a pair of sheer tights (as the youngs call pantyhose or nylons now). I noticed they're now $15 a pair in the drug store!
I much prefer this wooden beaded necklace as a bracelet, a happy discovery.
- Belt - thrifted
- Leather cuff - Guess, thrifted
- Wooden beads - thrifted, Sidney
- Steel/Lucite ring - Calvin Klein, thrifted
- Silver chain ring - Mexican, consignment
- Silver earrings - gift from Petra
I did my usual 5 Minute Shop while we waited for two booths to open up for our group.
I pulled out this gorgeous cotton hibiscus-print shirt immediately.
The dark background is indigo-purple, with blue, teal and olive leaves, plus bright red.
Made in Hawaii.
100% cotton.
I'll always buy a Hilo Hattie shirt! I remember our whole family getting kitted out in 1977 - Mom and I had matching dresses, and Dave and Dad had matching shirts.
$7.00 is a steal - new shirts are $84.00. L claimed this.
I spotted this maxi skirt on the long dress rack. MINE!
Long-time readers will know I love tulip/mermaid cut skirts. So sexy!
This is a thick premium denim, 100% cotton.
Every rivet is stamped. It's by Levi's.
I was surprised to see that this is a current piece, on their website for $118.00, on sale for $82.98.
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For me, a mere $15.00. I thought for sure it would be a vintage mid-00s style - just goes to show, everything comes around again.
Here's the final recap on all of our looks, with the two above added for ya. Do you have a favourite? How would you have styled up this dress?
Halston Dress Challenge - Day 6
Halston Dress Challenge - Day 5
Halston Dress Challenge - Day 4
Halston Dress Challenge - Day 3
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Halston Dress Challenge - Day 2
Halston Dress Challenge - Day 1
And yes, I will be keeping this Halston vintage dress - it's just too awesome to pass along. I enjoyed playing with it, but I admit I was running out of gas after a couple of days. Learning that I prefer it as either as the classic 70s "9 to 5" office look, or as a coat/topper with a sporty look has been valuable! I think I might have taken longer to experiment with it if I'd just worn it once and then hung it back up.
How am I feeling about oatmeal? I am laughing at myself as I opt for Vix's solution - call it something else! Biscuit! Cookie! Cafe au Lait (kudos to ReaderRita, Ann and Laurie for their ideas and support too!).
The biggest lesson? Never say never!
A little bonus for you cat-lovers out there (I really miss Vizzini's presence, not only in my life, but on my blog). I ran into one of our neighbours out on the stairs that morning. Blog-world, meet Gouda. She's a chonky girl!
"I heard that."
Also camera-shy! Thanks to neighbour Terry for letting me take her picture and enjoy some feline affection.
Well done on the challenge! First one is my favourite. Aah, Gouda. I had two cats over the years named after cheese; Mozzarella (Mozzy) and Cheddar. Vizzini lives on in all our minds and hearts, sweet Boy. Take care, Lise.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Lise! Ha, I know someone with a cat named Cheddar too! Must be a popular name.
DeleteHello Gouda, you chunky monkey!!
ReplyDeleteI think you've done brilliantly with the styling challenge, I've really enjoyed seeing the outfits you've come up with.
I do prefer it worn as a coat - which was what I thought it was when you first showed it n your blog. It adds real interest and vintage cool to the Weird Adidas.
Would you have bought it if it didn't have the Haston tag?
Great shopping! I knew it wouldn't be long before you found a replacement for the not right denim skirt you bought recently! xxx
Thanks so much, Vix, me too - I'll likely wear it as an outerwear duster going forward. Ooh, that is a GOOD QUESTION! Y'know, NO, I probably would NOT have bought it due to the colour.
DeleteThis denim skirt is lovely!
Although I'm hearing you on the belt and the scarf, I do think your boots and purse make up for this in our first outfit. I've got to admit that I thought the pendant was a brooch as well ...
ReplyDeleteYour Halston meets Weird Adidas outfit is indeed very you!
All in all, I think you did really well with your challenge. I definitely wouldn't have been able to come up with all these different outfits featuring the Halston dress!
That new-to-you denim skirt is a fabulous shape, I can't wait to see it on you. I've got a feeling that it won't be long :-)
Gouda might be chonky, but she's gorgeous. It's a pity she was too shy to show us her face! xxx
Yes, the accessories are doing all the heavy lifting in that outfit, Ann! I loved the Weird Adidas look, though. It was fun to challenge myself on this particular garment (I wouldn't do this with everything, too much!).
DeleteNo, it won't be long till I wear that skirt!
She is a lovely old thing, if a little camera-shy. :)
These are beautiful outfits. You managed to style beige very well. I understand your 'no oatmeal' philosophy, because like you I love colour.
ReplyDeleteGouda is a lovely cat. Nice of your neighbour to let you enjoy a moment with her.
Thanks so much, Ivana! I love colour too - and as Vix questioned me, I really would not have bought this dress it were not for the Halston label.
DeleteShe is so sweet. It was lovely to pet a cat again.
You really brought that oatmeal dress to life in ways I never expected—especially with the teal cowgirl boots. The scarf tie struggles are so real, but your layering tricks with that long necklace are clever. And that Saturday outfit? You nailed the fun vibe perfectly. Love how you mixed vintage and sporty with that Adidas skirt. Makes me want to raid my closet all over again.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your lovely comment, Melody! The Saturday outfit is my favourite! Glad to provide some inspiration!
DeleteFor your Friday outfit it's definitely all about the bag, boots and scarf! The neutral dress is simply the backdrop. :-) I like the large necklace, it's a beauty though confess it seemed muted against the dress. Agreed with your saying the overall outfit felt a 'little too blah'.
ReplyDeleteSaturday's outfit to the rescue with those glorious pops of lime green in the socks, belt, bag, scarf and cap coupled with the funky tee! Also am loving your long earrings. The ultrasuede dress simply becomes an accoutrement and does make an interesting positive difference in both views – tied around your waist or worn as a coat. Yay for fun pins on the lapel and all of your accessories!
And if L didn't claim that vibrant Hawaiian shirt I would have said please send it to me! ;-)
Hello Gouda, yes, she is definitely on the larger looking side!
Am now off to read your next post.
Cheers, Laurie
Yup, the accessories were the focus, and revealed to me that I find the dress itself rather boring, but a backdrop, as you say, for cool shoes, scarves, etc. That necklace did get lost a bit.
DeleteI loved that outfit, I felt so ME in it! The dress changed up the outfit's vibe whichever way I wore it.
Ha! Are you looking for a Hawaiian shirt? I'd be happy to ship one to you (and/or Fred). :)
Chonky kitties are cute, but I worry about Gouda's health.
Yes, agreed about Gouda, cute yet questionable for long term health. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteWell done on the Halston challenge! I think I too, prefer it worn as a coat - which was what I thought it was when you first showed it in your purchases on here. I liked it worn open on day 1!
ReplyDeleteThe sports lux look is really funky though!
The tropical blouse is nice and I'm glad you found a better denim skirt!
Hello Gouda!!!