I did the first part of the challenge today! Listening to the music, aside from its beauty and soulfulness, the characteristics I noticed most were: fluidity, delicacy, and prettiness. I think if the song were a painting, it’d be a watercolour. So I knew I wanted to wear silks, and that everything should be on the draper side, and that I could let me inner romantic girly self have full reign. For colours, I took my inspiration from the lyrics and my own sunset walks: the summer dusks here are full of pale blue sky and pink clouds.
I began with my only pair of summer weight wide leg trousers: these 100% linen grey ones. Then I added a silk blue top with a higher waist, to help elongate my line. Luckily, last month ago I came across a silk pink cardigan while thrifting, and its drapey fabric and sinuous cables, vaguely river-like, seemed the perfect finishing touch. It’s a bit long (I plan to hem it) and when I tried it with the top button done and the rest hanging, its hemline was even with the blue shirt, and it looked a bit awkward. So to shorten it up, I wore it as a wrap style.
Finally, I added gold accessories for sunset & wanted to keep the movement going, so I opted for a long, delicate necklace and drop earrings that swing when I move my head. I had planned to put my hair in a swingy high ponytail (to add a touch of youthfulness in reference to the lyrics), but my hair had dried funny and looked weird, so instead it got hidden in a bun. When I left the house, I opted for my ‘nude’ flat sandals so as not to have an abrupt line at my feet.
I loved the final result, and wore it today, both around the house sans cardigan and with cardigan on my oh-so exciting expeditions to the post office and library. But I also felt as if it reflected more of dawn’s rosy fingers than a golden afternoon. I wear cooler colours more than warmer ones, but since I enjoy photography and thus adore the golden hours, I decided to put together an alternative, warmer version.
The coral pink dress is the warmest pink I own, and at first I wasn’t sure what to put with it. But then I saw this beautiful cream vintage lace piece that SarahtheWhite had sent me, and it just seemed perfect! I added a necklace full of gold and a gold bangle to finish it off (I’d probably do my hair differently if I was wearing this outfit for real, but for dress up I didn’t bother). I really love these two together, but if I were leaving the house, I’d want something with sleeves for sun protection. I don’t think I had any really good options for toppers, as none of my summer toppers are warm colours, so I finally went with this taupe jacket because of its shape, wooden buttons, and pinkish embroidery. I also buttoned the lace layer and hid the dress belt to make it a bit more intentional looking and finished off with cognac sandals whose faux wooden sole echoes the jacket buttons. I’m not sure if I’d wear this out of the house or not: the dress and lace topper alone I definitely would, but I’ll have to do some more experimenting to figure out a better sleeve option. Anyway, while these layers aren’t as fluid as my first outfit, the skirt does twirl!
Now that I’ve written a novel, let me just say I’ll be back tomorrow to fulfill part two of the challenge. Thank you so much Beth Ann for creating such an inspiring challenge for me, and for introducing me to Dubussy. I’ve been listening to him all day.
(I attempted to take some ‘action’ shots to convey the motion in the clothes, which is why the photos look a bit weird. It’s surprisingly awkward to walk towards a camera while waiting for the timer to go off. hehe Also, my new spot is right next to a giant west-facing window, so afternoon photos=imbalanced lighting no matter what. Sorry! At least it’s appropriate for the lyrics.)
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