WIW November 12th (and hemming question)

The weather turned chilly again! Hurray! Most of the day was in the high 50s/low 60s (14-17ish C) so I celebrated by wearing one of my wool skirts. It's a vintage taupe tweed that makes me very happy, because it reminds me of forests. Sadly it's a bit big in the waist so I had to belt it. I paired it with a (thrifted) cotton/silk pink polka dot blouse with quite short sleeves, which I find much easier to layer. Most of the day, I wore a merino wool cardigan (also thrifted) over the blouse, but when I was cooking I got overheated and so wore the blouse alone. I thought I'd show you both iterations, although in reality I don't wear shoes in the house so I suppose next time I'll have to make sure I'm wearing slippers! For dog walking this evening, it had cooled off into the lows 50s (11ish C) so I put on a peacoat I've had since college and a hat I just finished knitting last week. The boots are Timberland, gotten from ebay: I hope they have more of a Victorian vibe than combat one! Since the belt has such a fancy buckle, and there were quite a few buttons going on, I thought a lot of jewelry would be overkill but couldn't resist matching the mother of pearl with bangles that were a gift ages ago.

When I put the skirt on I realised it hits a little lower than most of my skirts. Should I hem it? I like my skirts to hit mid knee cap, so I wouldn't hem it quite as high as in the pic (it's difficult to tell when you're wearing the skirt!), but hopefully it gives you an idea. It's a large amount of fabric, and lined, so hemming would be quite a bit of effort (I'd do it by hand), but if it seems dramatically better I will. On the other hand, I'll be moving north next year, so maybe the extra length will keep me better insulated? I don't particularly care about making my legs look longer (I'm 5'3" and have a long torso and rise so they're short no matter what, hehe), but I do like to look well balanced. Yay=hem, nay=don't hem.

This silhouette, full skirt & blouse & cardigan is as girly as I get. I love all of the elements, and wearing them together, but I'm hoping I have more of a old-fashioned/fairy tale vibe than 1950s retro. The latter is a bit perky for my personality, although I love seeing people pull it off! I don't know if that makes sense, but if you understand my point and have any suggestions for avoiding a Betty Draper vibe, I'd love to hear them.

And of course all other comments and suggestions are welcome! Sorry I wrote so much again. I'm very verbal but working on condensing things.

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12 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

The muted palette is very flattering on you and balances out the fifties silhouette; makes it more - hmm, not as costumey and more like a lifestyle choice, if that makes any sense. I don't mind the length of the skirt, but I think you could go up a bit and it might be more versatile.

Thnx Laura! That does make sense and is reassuring. I definitely don't mind looking different from the mainstream, since I don't have to adhere to a dress code, but I also don't want to look like I'm on my way to a costume party.

Word Lily

I don't think it's Betty Draper. The palette, and the tucked cardigan, and maybe even the mother of pearl(? I'm not a researcher, this is intuition here, so possibly inaccurate on that last one.) make it more Stardust than Mad Men to my eye. Also, you're not wearing pumps.

ETA: You look great! I'm not sure I have an opinion on the skirt length at the moment.

EATA: (Sheesh, I'm tired, sorry for all the edits.) Love the hat, too; where's the closeup of that? :p

Asingh

Can I just say that you look from another fashion era, E?!
And I mean it in the most positive way. Love how you have put together this outfit. It has definitely got a vintage vibe to it- looks like one of the pins you see on Pinterest. Also, that belt is beautiful, and I think the skirt length looks fine.

Gigi

I think this outfit is too cute! The retro style doesn't look costumish to me but just like an expression of your personality.

I think the length of the skirt looks OK as is, but proper fit and length are not my strong suit.

I like the retro vibe of this outfit in the soft color palette. Luv that the belt matched the skirt, which allowed the pretty buckle to be the star. The length of the skirt looks fine since the boots are similar color, so still leg lengthening. Lovely outfit!

Grey Rainbow

Active Member

Great outfit! Love the harmonious blend of color and texture. Not at all Betty Draper -- I vote keep the length, it looks fresh and modern, and is flattering on your frame. With well fitted booties and tights, shows a great shape and length to your leg. I think it helps that skirt and boots echo your hair color and the whole works so well with your coloring.

Anonymous

Nice outfit! You definitely look vintage-y in a very approachable way and I love the mix of textures and that great belt. I think you also mentioned English countryside as in inspiration in one of your other posts, and I can definitely see that influence here as well, especially in the pic with the hat and coat.

I think the skirt could be hemmed a little, but also looks good the way it is.

I also hear you on feeling like the "perkiness" of 1950s retro doesn't suit you. I sort of have the same issue sometimes, since I love the shapes and feel like they work well on my body, but the look in large doses just seems dissonant with my personality. No great suggestions for avoiding that, but I do think the color palette you've chosen and the fact that you're wearing lace-up boots as opposed to, say, kitten heels make the look a little earthier and less potentially costumey.

donnat

I think you look cute and cool. You have put this style together with flair. I think you pull this look off beautifully.

Jaime

I like the length as is!

Really cute look. Is the cardi tucked into the skirt too, or is it cropped and just falls into the waistband?

Suz

Well, I think it is terrific as is! Fab mix of textures, beautiful muted palette that is so flattering to you, and a real arty retro prairie girl feel to it! Not sure where you are from, but you would look right at home in parts of Toronto.

Emily

This made me smile! It has a Victorian Street Urchin vibe in the coolest possible way. I think the muted palette and paper bag waist of the skirt keep it from being 50s housewife prissy. I think I would prefer the skirt hemmed a touch below the knee, but it also looks good as is - it drapes beautifully!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

You are so, so adorable. I can't help but smile when I look at your outfit. Anthropologie should hire you to model. I vote you nailed casual modern retro - your way. Well done.

Wow, thanks so, so much everyone! It feels quite reassuring to know I'm not accidentally giving off a perky 1950s vibe when I'm really bookish, nature loving, and too opinionated for my own good. Although I suppose 1950s college co-ed wouldn't be as opposite my own personality. Something to think about! I think I'll leave the skirt as is too: give my knees a bit of extra warmth.

Ceit, the cardigan is tucked in. I only have one cardigan cropped enough to hit my skirts: it's vintage and so convenient. I actually took up knitting this year in part so I could eventually knit myself a few more cropped ones. I think I'm comfortable enough now with knitting to give it a go, just trying to find the perfect yarn.

Suz, I grew up moving between Texas and England (military family), went to college in the Midwest countryside (true praire that! hehe), have lived in Colorado and for just a little bit in northern California, and am currently planning a move to upstate NY, to not far from Toronto actually! I visited a friend there last year who lives near High Park and loved her neighbourhood; if it weren't for citizenship stuff I'd be scheming to move in right next to her.

I'm with Angie, your outfit made me smile. I love it! Gorgeous colours, interesting textures, great belt. I like the skirt as is, but If you feel so inclined I would just go to your knee.

Well, if you are ever in Toronto, we shall have to plan a meetup!

Alexandra

Very cute outfit and definitely not Betty Draper-ish! Very refreshingly vintage vibe.

If you are going to study at Cornell maybe you can take over Academichic?

Beth Ann

This is pretty without being twee. Interesting without being too cluttered. A distinct personal style without being a costume. I Love it! Angie dubbed me "Queen Midi," but I do think a little shortening and a little more leg showing would be great on petite you.

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