Yesterday I wanted to wear my red embroidery skirt again, so I took inspiration from the 'fairy tale inspired' outfit I posted in November that got such positive feedback! As the skirt was patterned, I chose a plain knit top, and it was too warm for wool, so my grey cotton long sleeve tee won out. I wanted to bring some of the lightness from the embroidery into the top, so I pulled out this peter pan collar I bought online back in 2012. I thought it would be a great purchase, as this is my favourite collar but I almost never find it in thrift stores, so I pictured myself turning all of my tops into peter pan tops whenever I felt like it. In truth the detachable nature of it means I can only wear it over the 'top' layer (if I try to put a jacket on over it, it bunches up). And obviously it only works with true crewnecks, otherwise it has a bit of a Chippendale vibe. lol Not quite as useful as I expected, but I still enjoy it! Finally, where the skirt met the shirt things looked a little off (the skirt doesn't have a very wide waistband and I have a long torso), so I added my grey silk sash. I really liked how it almost blended into the shirt (more in real life than the photos) but gave a better shape. Between the collar and the sash, I knew I was teetering on the brink of twee, so I didn't add any other accessories. It was too hot for tights (it hit 81F/27C! I live in the Northern hemisphere! It's January! hmph), but my feet are always cold, so I wore grey socks around the house. I didn't make it out for my walk so no shoes, but I would've gone with lace ups of some sort (low boots or oxfords).

The finished look reminded me a bit more of Narnia than traditional fairy tales. The colour scheme is fairly wintry/Christmasy in my mind, and I'm pretty sure Lucy had a wardrobe full of peter pan collars. I felt really good in this, it made me smile whenever I passed a mirror, but I can't believe how much my tee grew during the day! When I put it on, it fit perfectly (with mildly too long sleeves that went to the base of my thumb), but by the time I took these pics it looks sloppy, especially in the shoulders and sleeves and neckline. I clearly need to keep my eye out for a replacement. (Since the forum's been discussing reliable brands, the incredible growing tee is thrifted J Crew. I've had very good luck with their wool sweaters though. They're thrifted too, so they might be older, I'm not sure.)

Feedback welcome.

I promise, one of my goals is not to dress childishly. I'm happy to be an adult. It's just that my body and face are most flattered by shapes that are associated with little girls. I look far better in a rounded collar than a pointy one, in a full skirt than a pencil or even moderate a-line. I'm fortunate not to work in a business environment, in which case I'd have to sacrifice figure flattery in order to look more serious and powerful. But it's something I've been thinking about! I might play around in my closet and see how to combine shapes that flatter me into more and less serious looks. Fortunately, there are a variety of round necklines out there, and not all of them evoke childhood so strongly as the peter pan collar. But I love it too much to give it up for casual days!

ETA: if you're wondering why there's a sad looking chipmunk in my photos lately, it's my dog's favourite toy that I just pulled out again (I rotate her toys), so she's been happily strewing them across my room. hehe (There are three of them, and them come stuffed in a log so that she has to dig them out.)

Edited again to clarify: I'm perfectly comfortable having a cute style, and I would feel good running errands, etc. in this outfit. I just feel like it's bad luck sometimes that so many of my favourite things have a bit of a childish association. And I'm really coming to hate the word 'twee,' used in a pejorative sense (in my internet travels of late I've read several articles/comments with less than flattering views of full skirts, bows, etc. and women who wear them, which has made me mildly cranky.). But we all have personal style challenges! That was just me venting a bit during a rough day (for non style related reasons).