For someone who adores learning about getting dressed in different eras, and finds a lot of inspiration from vintage styles, it was a mild tragedy to not be able to participate in Angie's Favourite Fashion Era Challenge. That week, I was preparing my apartment for getting a cat, getting ready for a two week trip that started that Thursday, and then I came down with a soul-destroying head cold. I didn't even have the time or energy to check in on what all of the Fabbers were doing with such a wonderful challenge. I consoled myself that I could always catch up on the posts later, and that I can dress according to different eras whenever I wish.

Ahem. So here are two outfits, inspired by the 1940s and 1920s, that I wish I could have done during the actual challenge week! (Of course, the weather was quite different, so who knows if that would have worked.)

For the first one, I opted for a 40s trousers look: I found this pair while thrifting during my trip home for Christmas, when I was looking for some wide legged trousers for my warmer weather wardrobe. They're a tropical wool/polyester blend with an acetate lining that should be very comfortable during the transition months. And I couldn't resist that high sailor waist, although it was missing a button, so I had to replace all six. Anyway, I think I've accidentally lost a bit of weight since December, so the waist doesn't fit me quite as well, but I think it still works.

I looked at some Google images of women in trousers in the 40s, and they seemed to usually pair them with a woven blouse. So I added a fun polka dot cotton/silk blend top. Knitwear was quite popular during the era, so in the morning I added my handknit cropped cardigan, but the day warmed up so much that I ended up bare armed for the vast majority of the time!

Rather than do an elaborate 40s hairstyle, I just added a little pincurl to my usual bobby pin approach and left it at that. For accessories I used a brooch to replace the top button of the blouse and added a bangle and ring to my arms.

Sadly, you can't tell in these photos (taken after dark), but I also wore my new red shoes, a Christmas present. I love combining shades of pink & red, and these shoes were a similar burgundy shade to the cardigan, so let me mix the colours even when it was too warm for wool. I'll try to get a photo of them next time!

I wore this outfit to a group gathering I attended, and felt perfectly at home in it, even if it's a touch more literal than I might usually dress. And you get an action shot, to see how suitable the outfit is for such important daily tasks as cat petting.

I wore the 20s look on Thursday, when it was also in the 50s to low 60s, and the sun was out. From my Google image searching, it seems most women in the 20s wore dresses, but I don't have any drop waisted dresses, so I opted for separates. I wanted a casual day look instead of the glamorous flapper evening looks we see most often! This blush lace top is one of my spring/summer wardrobe additions (I spent yesterday reorganising my closet to make warm weather clothes front & center so I'll be doing a post about all of that soon!), and I love how the drop shoulders and slightly boxy fit help balance the extreme femininity of a light pink floral lace. I popped on a cream silk camisole underneath for modesty and paired it with a pleated skirt, pulled as low on my hips as I could manage (not very low, since I buy skirts to fit my waist, and my hips are significantly larger!) to try to extend the hemline. Untucked, it created a 20s-esque proportion.

For accessories, I started with my lightest pair of cotton tights; stockings were such a big part of the era & I like how the cotton texture helps to make the outfit casual. I don't have any little heeled oxfords or t-straps, and I didn't feel like walking my heeled mary janes anyway, so I pulled on my new flat oxfords instead, and was delighted to discover the shade of brown exactly matches the brown buttons on the skirt! Luckily even untucked the shirt left one button showing.

Of course, for accessories I added a long pendant necklace and a cloche. For inside, I added a barrette to my hair to make up for the lack of hat. My bob's getting too long for a real 20s look. If I'd had enough foresight I could have put it in pincurls the night before to shorten it, but oh well! I considered a sash or wide belt around my hips but decided that would make me feel too costume-y. As it is, I wore this for a couple walks around the neighbourhood, and didn't seem to get many more looks than usual. It was very relaxing being in an outfit that didn't require any kind of waist and wasn't fitted anywhere on my body! Those flappers were on to something. hehe

And there you have it! More words & photos than usual, so my apologies. Any comments & feedback are more than welcome! As I got the photos off my camera this morning I realised both outfits were pink & grey; that wasn't intentional but I do love both colours. And now I'm off to read a few more of those old posts: I'm spacing them out so the treat lasts longer.