The Velvety Vintage Sailorette Dress

 

Digging through my closet this morning I found this dress smashed between a couple of older vintage finds. I had been waiting all summer to wear this dress out, but because I bought it when it was just a bit too unseasonal for that kind of weather, it had made it's way out of sight and I had somehow forgotten all about it! Well the weather is cool now, and aside froem the spurts of rain, it's pretty much ideal for this velvety dress. It isn't actually real velvet, but a navy, poly-cotton-stiff-but-velvet-like fabric. I couldn't decide what shoes to wear, so I tried on a couple of pairs. The vintage pair were quite a spectacular find because I seem to have a hard time finding vintage shoes that aren't naaarrow (did you like that pun, 'n-aaa-row' shoes?) in anything over a modern size 8. What gives?

 

This dress has a terribly cute babydoll cut, and is sweet as can be. Every time I put it on, however, I wonder if this was a piece from a mother/daughter companion set. Maybe somewhere, there's a toddler running around in the same dress as me!

 

My cat, who is an indoor cat, often follows me outside when I take outfit posts. He tries to impress me with his hunting prowess and pretends to chase after birds, but I've never seen him catch anything except for his stuffed catnip toys, which are of course inanimate.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Vintage 1980's Babydoll Sailor Dress from Etsy Shop theVintageSideShow
Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs
Gilded Sparrow Ring: BCBG
Purse: Vintage 1980's Dooney and Bourke
Tassel Shoes: Michael Kors
Black Pumps: Vintage 1970's Socialite
Tights: HUE 

The Powder Blue 1950's Day Dress

I have been feeling inclined to wear full-skirted dresses lately. Perhaps it's that I've been spending a lot of time photographing fancy 50's party dresses for the shop, but from the moment my head leaves the pillow, I can only think of which dress I will put on. I launder or dry clean almost everything that goes into the shop, especially if it is cotton; This dress, which I borrowed from the shop (may be a keeper, should have never tried it on!), felt especially nice today as it had a freshly laundered smell and a crisp cotton feel. The dress has a welcomed amount of pouf on its own, but I added a crinoline because here's the truth: I love the swish and sway of it, plus getting in the car and tucking in all that extra fabric feels kind of special. In fact, I should have been photographing these outfits more...in the past week, the crinoline (and some full skirt, or another) and I have gone everywhere in public. I know some ladies are too shy to do so, but I really do suggest stepping out once in a while with a crini. I got compliments on my dress today from the ladies at the post office and the bake shop.

Well, here's a weird location! A building by the post office I frequent has been completely abandoned, and while looking for a secluded place to take photos, I decided to have a little inspection. The green glass windows were just calling to me.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Vintage 1950's from the shop
Purse: Vintage 1960's
Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs
Shoes: Cole Haan
Bracelet: Vintage Bangle
Necklace: Elizabeth Gillette

New Sunglasses and Boots

 

First off, Happy Groundhog Day!
I have been wanting a new pair of shades for a while, but since they have to be prescription, it's an accessory that I just don't switch up very often. I just adore the cat eye look that has been popular over the past few seasons, and being drawn to sunnies that have a retro or unusual look I was ecstatic when I got these for Christmas. Out of sheer coincidence, I found this strange, nineteen-seventies-esque building with a rock shingled wall that in an odd way had veins of color that seemed to match my outfit. What I wore was simple and casual enough for a post office run and some grocery shopping, but since I had my camera with me I thought I should snap a photo or two and share it.

   
Marc Jacobs Sunglasses

Also, these are my very first pair of Frye boots, and boy are they comfortable. No break in time whatsoever- it's wonderful!

 

Outfit Details:
Top: Forever 21
Denim: H&M
Handbag: L.A.M.B
Boots: Frye
Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs
Larimar Jewelry: Gift

Western Edge: Pacific Coast Highway Through Big Sur

Outfit Details
Mouse Shoes: Marc Jacobs
Denim Pants: Banana Republic
Black Cardigan: H&M
Bracelet: Brighton
Cuff Bracelet: Gift

90's Nostalgia and the "Goes With Everything" Tie-Waist Coat

I've been listening to a grunge mix that I came up with for my best girlfriend's road-trip, and it has been influencing everything from my wardrobe choices, to Etsy shop updates (if you don't believe me, check out the Moschino Dress, the Adrienne Vittadini Dress, and of course the Floral mini-dress, which someone may have just bought!). Something about this velvety, brown, Marc Jacobs dress reminds me of the 90's. Maybe it's the cut, the fabric, and the slip-showing hemline. I've only ever worn the dress with heels, which I think I like more, but when I pulled it out of the closet today, I wondered if I could wear it with some tall boots. After all, babydoll mini-dresses, combat boots, and fishnet tights were the quintessential 90's grunge look, right?
P.S. Remember that perfect, tie-waist, wrap coat that I was searching for? Here it is in action!