Craving colour... and a bit of glam, too!
I awoke at dawn thinking of a post by materfamilias, who has a wonderful eye for colour and design, which shows her photos of a Vancouver exhibition. I thought, Madonna, women dressed then! She photographed this '60s "hostess outfit" by Gino Paoli:
Everything about this tickled me... pink: the unusual sea green and fuchsia palette, the pompoms; I mean, who could have a bad day shaking those? I thought, Can you even find clothes that say I-just-stepped-out-of-my-Alfa anymore?
Yes! Luxe, imaginative sportswear is as eternal as a dry martini. For that 'hostess' look, today's version is a jumpsuit, like Zimmermann's "Edie" in paisley cotton voile (hand washable, how practical!) From Netaporter; price $US 850.
Or, a maxi dress, in hammered-silk satin (by F.R. S; price, $1, 540). There, all dressed to receive your friends. Obviously someone is still passing the hors d'oeuvres on the patio!
In reality, my attire for entertaining does not get more exotic than a long black asymmetrical skirt and a cashmere tee; the usual is jeans.
Overall, the world has dressed down; a recent outing to the Van Gogh exhibition at Montréal's Arsenal Gallery was a sea of denim (blue), parkas (black), puffers (black, grey), turtlenecks.
But if one is prepared to spend for it, there is some gorgeous casual wear around, especially knits. My eye lingered on this striped cashmere cardigan from The Elder Statesman; price, $US 1, 795; but my wallet said, Scoot— my usual sentiment on Netaporter.
When do we get out of the dark?
materfamilias' photo, the fourth straight month of dark, dreary weather, and being very abstemious lately re shopping is creating some longing. For spring, I'm thinking of trousers in an unusual colour: something not so generic, yet wearable.
Left: Cameron "bright spearmint" pant with tuxedo stripe; J. Crew
Centre: Poppy print Riverside pant, Lafayette 148
Right: Boden Richmond trouser in "lupin"
Really, I need a breakout outfit; pom-poms optional!
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| Photo: materfamilias writes |
Yes! Luxe, imaginative sportswear is as eternal as a dry martini. For that 'hostess' look, today's version is a jumpsuit, like Zimmermann's "Edie" in paisley cotton voile (hand washable, how practical!) From Netaporter; price $US 850.
Or, a maxi dress, in hammered-silk satin (by F.R. S; price, $1, 540). There, all dressed to receive your friends. Obviously someone is still passing the hors d'oeuvres on the patio!
In reality, my attire for entertaining does not get more exotic than a long black asymmetrical skirt and a cashmere tee; the usual is jeans.
Overall, the world has dressed down; a recent outing to the Van Gogh exhibition at Montréal's Arsenal Gallery was a sea of denim (blue), parkas (black), puffers (black, grey), turtlenecks.
But if one is prepared to spend for it, there is some gorgeous casual wear around, especially knits. My eye lingered on this striped cashmere cardigan from The Elder Statesman; price, $US 1, 795; but my wallet said, Scoot— my usual sentiment on Netaporter.
When do we get out of the dark?
materfamilias' photo, the fourth straight month of dark, dreary weather, and being very abstemious lately re shopping is creating some longing. For spring, I'm thinking of trousers in an unusual colour: something not so generic, yet wearable.
Left: Cameron "bright spearmint" pant with tuxedo stripe; J. Crew
Centre: Poppy print Riverside pant, Lafayette 148
Right: Boden Richmond trouser in "lupin"
Really, I need a breakout outfit; pom-poms optional!
Comments
When I look at expert sewer's blogs, I especially admire how they can think in three dimensions and essay intricate patterns (or make alterations) with equanimity. Some of them do end up with the look you call "former art teacher" and I call "walking craft show",and others make very beautiful, quiet pieces.
Laura J: A French girlfriend once advised me to buy coloured sweaters at the beginning of the season, when the supply was best, because by February you'd be longing for the one you passed up and stock is picked over. I have taken her advice for decades. I think I have winter fatigue, and when everyone around here is bundled into black and navy, flowers seem like a great idea.
Ball fringe on old jeans: send us a photo!
Yes, tailor (tailleur) comes from a Latin word for stonecutter or stonemason. That kind of sewing is related to sculpture.
And indeed, I bought a burgundy angora béret a couple of years ago; it is a good (not muddy) burgundy; however I would have preferred bright red and the shops were out of it in a size to fit my head and hair. I do have a bright-red béret but it is a cotton one for warmer weather.
As a fellow Northerner, I am also craving color. What harm in a couple of cheery, thrifted sweaters? After trying a bright orchid and another bright aqua, I was reminded of why I don't own those colors.
I will settle for my windowsill of geraniums, I guess.
I do think my malaise is what a doctor once called "winter fatigue" when a friend dragged herself to his office, and also the barrage of bad news in the media.
For Brits, the term 'hostess outfit' is forever associated with the character of Margo Leadbetter from the 70s sitcom The Good Life, who really knew how to rock a kaftan-and-chandelier-earrings combo... :)
Jane in London