WIW - mid forties - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW - mid forties

Lantana

Veteran

I'm in the mid-forties today.
No, not me, the temperature.
That's roughly 110* Farenheit so it is rather cosy.
Not a day to be outside now but earlier on I went for a swim while The Bloke took the dogs for a kayak.

This volume on volume partnership feels extra comfy on a day like this because there's room for air to circulate and I can flop in it.
I was getting a little tired of the pants (ASOS 2011). Wearing them shortened to the knee like this owes much to fabbers from The Subcontinent. Thankyou! You have saved these pants for at least this summer.
I've included a version of them full length but I haven't worn them like this with this top.
The top is a remake of a summer's dress from two seasons back. I was sick of it so I chopped it up and made a matching slip to go under. It's more basse than haute couture but it was fun making it and i like the resultant outfit.
Do you?
If you have suggestions please express them because I can easily take the scissors to this top again!
Penny

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29 replies

Latest reply was from Lyn D.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love the pants shortened and the whole outfit in #1. Adding to the amazing Aussie summer style book!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Brava! You look amazing on a steamy hot day! Love the cheeky shortened trousers and the volume on volume. Your softly sleek hair and the structure and shine in your shoes add a lot, too.

Lantana

Veteran

Thanks Beth Ann. I've realised how important shoes are when your outfit is only two pieces of clothing.
Can you imagine a hot day that is not steamy? It's a real, dry heat, like oven heat when you're cooking scones.

NDMom

You look so beautiful....good job on your alterations! We are so cold in our state, it would be nice to meet in the middle....then we would both be comfortable. That said, your outfit is great and looks cool....both in style and temperature!

Deborah

Veteran

Oh Lantana, I can imagine the heat your are experiencing, it's the same here, even Master 10 is complaining and normally he doesn't even notice.

This outfit is beautiful! I am in awe of people who can successfully repurpose items of clothing. I would not have guessed that these pieces were not purchased as is. Lovely volume on volume look and very flattering. The sandals are a perfect choice. You look gorgeous.

Lantana

Veteran

Thank you NDMom. The extreme temps bring us indoors, just as they do you, so it's now that I get stuck into reading and sewing.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Talk about a gorgeous way to remake items - this outfit is lovely Lantana and you totally carry off the volume on volume look. Beautiful!

deb

Veteran

The pants look great shortened and you did a wonderful job on the top. Looks haute to me.

Lantana

Veteran

Thanks Deb. I didn't have to chop the pants, I've just hoicked the legs up to under my knees and the hems being tapered are stuck there. It's not uncomfortable, not like a tourniquet or anything like that.
Oh Deborah, I feel for you inlanders. At least we get a sea breeze at night.
Thank you for your lovely words. It is characteristic of me to fix and refix things and it is both a boon and a curse in my life.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, this is so lovely. I am with Shevia in thinking that the rest of us need to take summer style book notes from you beautiful Aussies. I love the freshness of the blue and white and the textural effects of the top. I like the pants both ways but prefer them cropped for your ridiculous heat!

lyn67

Veteran

I'm amazed! Love the blue pants both version, and the top AND the metallic sandals are of a great edge! Still, it doesn't matter what you throw on, your hair is the most gorgeousnesss in the world!

annaj

Veteran

Love the alterations! You look very cool and very stylish!

Neel

Veteran

Oh wow! We are still in our early 20s and not looking forward to mid 40 Summers ..... I am not over winter just yet!!

You look lovely! Nice work with those pants and top!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I adore this on you! The silver sandals, the blue, the drapey top -- all fab! Love your hair too.

It's in the mid-forties here too, but that's Fahrenheit. Stay cool!

Susie

Veteran

This is such a nice summer look! The colors are beautiful and cool looking and the pants work so well at that length. But I like them full length too so it's great to be able to wear them both ways.

Astrid

Veteran

This is lovely! It looks so breezy and the white is great with the blue pants and the silver sandals.

Catnip

Veteran

What a beautiful outfit for a hot summer day. The shorts and the top look great together, and I agree that the shoes are an important addition.

I have a pair of somewhat baggy black cotton pants that are either too short or too long. I cannot decide which, but the length does nothing for me. You've inspired me, and I think I'm going to shorten them to the length of yours. Thanks for the useful tip.

You look terrific!

Lantana

Veteran

Thanks one and all for the affirmations.
@ Shannon, thank you for chiming in especially while you are in disaster mode. I have the edge on age but otherwise you and I are working with several of the same 'raw materials' so I always find your comments particularly pertinent.
@ Suz, thanks for praising Aussie style. I am of a generation that suffered from 'cultural cringe', meaning we felt the epicentre of style was Europe. The AngloAussie generation before me still called England Home! So it is delightful to see that you perceive a distinct Australian style.
@ Lyn, thanks for the hair love. Your comments are always so sweet, not just for me but for everyone.
@ Anna, fellow seamstress, I bet you get this: if I've made something and it has become boring I'm perfectly happy to rip it apart and make something fresh, especially if the fabric is special in some way.
@ Neel, IKWYM, I started dreading this summer way back in September. Amazing how the body adjusts and copes though.
@ Janet, Susie and Astrid, thank you for the colour appreciation. I love the combo too.
@ Catnip, the hems on these pants are tight enough to grip just under my knees, allowing the fabric to balloon out and down. It doesn't achieve a long line but it does accentuate the volume and gives a breezy look that suits the weather.
Thanks again everyone, Penny

rachylou

Veteran

The shortened pants + blue with silver is brilliant!

Anonymous

Penny, what a treat to see! I love your outfit in 1. This is how I want to dress this summer.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Killer look both short and long to my eye.

You rock my style world, Penny. Thanks for being a brilliant inspiration and wise soul. Sorry I missed this thread over the weekend and am only commenting today. xo

Sarah A

Veteran

I am sad I missed this earlier and quite glad it has resurfaced today as well. The dress re-make into top is fantastic and the scrunched pants are perfect with it. You have done fantastically styling (and cutting!) your pieces to work for you here and the look is of great inspiration to me personally

kellygirl

Veteran

You look amazing in both iterations. I love the white top and the asymmetric hem. So pretty. This is how I want to dress for summer!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I missed this too. This is fab Penny; you look so cool

Lantana

Veteran

Thanks everone. (gurgling as I resurface)
Sarah, it sounds like you have a project in mind yourself for this kind of remake. I'd like to hear what you have in mind.
Rachylou, Kelly and Ceit I can visualise you clearly in this silhouette, in fact I probably did during your last summer. I know I would not have tried this preYLF so the iinspiration has definitely come from the forum.
And from you Angie -you are a generous soul, thankyou. Penny

Lantana

Veteran

Thanks Caro, we cross posted.
Good to see you virtually if not IRL.
I'm looking forward to a day in the city.
I'm off this morning to DK fabrics on Port Road to look for linen knits and silk. I want to try my hand at some EF/Amalthee type pieces.

Sarah A

Veteran

Hi Penny, I have some longer dresses (well, 4 colors of the same dress actually!) and to add a little more variety i was thinking i might adjust the hemlines of the different colors so that they arent all duplicates any longer. Diagonal on one, handkerchief on another etc. The linen knit and silk shopping trip sounds scrumptious

Anonymous

Lantana, I would go out and pay full price for an outfit like this for hot weather. We have those over 100F days of oven dry heat for usually a week or so, but sometimes much longer. I hope you aren't also having fire danger. You look beautiful. I will face my summer wardrobe with a scissors in hand and gleam in my eye.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Fantastic Penny!
It is getting to the point that we just say 'Ho-Hum' another day over 40 and just get on with it .
You are doing this so stylishly, with the perfect outfit and hair for hot weather