Links

Home     About     Contact     Press     Yellow Skirt     SKETCHES

Thursday 8 March 2012

Trousers, jacket, hat. Go!

I keep telling myself, it's just trousers and a jacket, but I had a hard time keeping this outfit in its proper place! The trousers are heavy linen with two big pleats (supposed to be there) but there is so much fabric (we're talking living-room drapes!) that they waffle wildly in the wind making walking a challenge. Add to that my 4.5-inch platform shoes and it takes all my biped skills not to fall over. The trousers are long so I need the heel but I also like the long line.


I had no idea of the impact this outfit until I saw the photos. The glasses really make this into something else entirely. I like it, but I think in a perfect world I would wear this jacket with a patterned pink circle skirt and a red crinoline. I have worn this piece once before with vintage ultra-wide-leg jeans and flats and it looked very different. When I am actually moving I think this outfit looks more real.


Details of the outfit:
  • thrifted silk brocade Oriental-style jacket with wide obi-type belt (you can see the strings hanging down), $15
  • linen ultra-wide-leg trousers, Totem, sample sale, $10
  • D&G leather and wood shoes, thrifted at Value Village, $10
  • felt "acorn" hat, Kyoto, Japan, new about 20 years ago, I've also had this hat called a Hersey's kiss, nice name


And a fun shot. The wall is keeping me up. This ensemble was really a challenge to wear but fun too. Hope you're all having fun in your closets today!


A bit spooky.

 

55 comments:

  1. I like to try and have fun with my clothes, as you know!
    That outfit is amazing, Melanie. The gold brocade fabric is so beautiful, and the jacket works perfectly with the wide leg trousers. The second photo where you have your arms out really shows off the beautiful shapes in this look - those sleeves are heavenly!
    Well done for staying upright today!
    PS. Love the cute little hat. I am laughing to myself trying to imagine what it would look like on me - I have a head the size of a pumpkin so it would probably perch on the top like... well, like an acorn on a drum, hahaha! xxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I'm very pleased with that outing but was thankful there were not wheels on my shoes! You are fortunate to have a big head - you would probably be very good on TV because you would command more square inches of screen space! We should get photos of us switching hats. I like your visual of an acorn on a drum beside your pumpkin hats on my acorn head.

      Delete
  2. Fabulous. I love it! You look Russian in the second photo-- like one of those Russian dancers. The pants look amazing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the Russian reference - I always saw this look as more Chinese. But Mongolia seems to be a recurring theme in my choices. The jacket, although thrifted, is contemporary, not vintage, and at one time I'm guessing it was sold in an ordinary women's retail shop.

      Delete
  3. Oooh, this is good. Flowy and dramatic. I love the last pic since it looks vintage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jean. I did all kinds of filters on that last shot to get the grainy old feel. I feel like that photo was slipped into a letter written with a fountain pen and then sent by sailing ship to the New World.

      Delete
  4. Hi Mélanie

    Great outfit you look like a wise scholar!
    Very special pieces Mélanie only you could wear this
    It would make a definite impact in your favorite coffee shop

    Love

    Ariane xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ariane,
      When I saw that first shot I immediately thought of scribes working in the Forbidden City in Beijing. In that case, I'd have to have been a eunuch... It's the glasses. People in my coffee shop don't blink too much at my outfits - they're used to me. Funny because I'm not used to me!

      Delete
  5. The hat is the perfect crown for your outfit. I love its shape. Timeless!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, we all know that you are the keeper of the crown jewels! Thanks for the compliment.

      Delete
  6. Outstanding outfit! I love love love that top.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Words fail me! That jacket is full of the promise of endless possibilities, dressed up, dressed down, the main focus of an outfit, another component...I could play for hours.
    I have a black and white photograph of my great-aunt wearing a kimono in 1915 and the last grainy image reminds me so much of it. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To know that you could play for hours with this piece is great. I think I'd get lost for years in your closet and emerge as Rippa Van Winkle!

      Delete
  8. Oh, how dramatic and wonderful! Love it. You raise a good point about how clothes lose the element of movement when we photograph them. I believe this does make outfits and clothes "read" differently to the viewer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the personality seems to fill up the cloth. I think you can really see the difference between movement and static in my Call me Mr. Talbot post where I'm fixed in the first couple shots and then "goofy" in the last one. Thanks for that comment.

      Delete
  9. Dear Melanie,
    I've just found your blog and browsed some time through it and have to say: I love, love, love it. Your outfits are beautiful, fancy, extraordinary and every time different. It was so much fun! Also I admire your street style blog. Am I right? Do you live and take photos in Vancouver? Is ist easy to persuade the people in the street to let you take a photo of them? Congrats for your fabulous blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I trawl the streets of Vancouver looking for twinkling lights of style. I always ask for permission for a photo and usually people are very obliging, about 80% say yes. Overall it's a very positive exchange. Thanks for your compliments!

      Delete
  10. What a total look! I love your cap and the shirt! From Kyoto... Wao... That memories of Japan!! I love the oriental culture, these wonderful, as alwais! Thank for your visit, the traslation is difficult.THANKS.
    www.clubmujeresreales.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In many ways I like the translated version - your words become poetry, even though I'm sure the original was beautiful. What matters is the essence shines through. Thanks for your comment.

      Delete
  11. I just found your blog and I have to say I LOVE IT!!!! The last look is very 1920's opium den!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I hadn't thought of the opium den angle, but yes, now you point it out... Thanks for that image! I like it!

      Delete
  12. Okay Melanie, I stepped up to your challenge and posted a couple of photos of me wearing the tie I bought. Not near as creative of photos as yours but they'll do. ;-)
    Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I saw your photo and you look smashing! I love that tie on you. And thanks, too, for the mention on your post. What I like about your look is how you maintained the femininity with the scoop neck.

      Delete
  13. Melanie, it was VERY windy here today and I would have loved to have seen you out walking with your dramatic trousers blowing around. I think this is one of my favourite outfits of yours--all the individual pieces have incredible personality and elegance on their own, and together they make an outfit that speaks volumes about your creativity and eye for proportion, shape and design.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would have needed a fog horn because I would have lost total control! You have some awesome palazzo pants that stuck in my mind and inspired me to haul out this pair. But yours have fantastic big buttons on the front.

      Delete
  14. I love this jacket--the color, the fullness of the sleeve, and the fittedness of the torso. I have a short kimono...and now you have me wondering if I could make it look like this. I like palazzo pants, but the fabric they're made of may make all the difference.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for throwing that lovely word palazzo my way!! When I say wide-legged pants, it's so inadequate. I hope you read this (I have been remiss in replying lately). I would really like to see your kimono. You can have so much fun with it, for example with jeans or a pencil skirt with heels. I'll look for it.

      Delete
  15. Regardless of the unpracticality, it looks amazing on photos!
    the fabrics look so yummy...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, yes. The fabric IS dreamy...practicality took a holiday.

      Delete
  16. your clothes are always lovely ;)


    kisses A.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a wonderful outfit. Love the silouette!

    Love from England,
    Rosemary www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Had trouble commenting earlier, so just did a quick version previously. What I wanted to say was I love the way the pants move like a ship in full sail. Where are you finding these fabulous clothes???!

    Rosemary www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. These babies were like spinnakers! I have a couple of favourite thrift shops, and Value Village is always good for a Big Dig. Sadly a lot of the thrift shops are moving out of downtown because they can't afford the lease rates.

      Delete
  19. We feel an travel inspiration in your clothes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always imagine travelling in my clothes, different destinations based on what I'm wearing. Thanks for dropping by!

      Delete
  20. You are an artist who transports us in the time, your looks atemporales give illusion, make think, the glasses and the hat can go with any set, ideally, kisses ana.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's such a nice thing to say! Thank you!

      Delete
  21. LOve this jacket, can't believe you found it just for $15!!! And I had to do a double take on the last photo, I though this pic belongs to someone in your family from past generation..the vintage effect is great! And thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words on my blog! Hope you are having a wonderful day!
    -Jyoti
    Style-Delights Blog
    Let's Twitter Together
    Friend and Fan on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the vintage photo is spooky too, but I like it. Thanks for your feedback!

      Delete
  22. So amazing! I've never seen anything like that. I'm glad you found my blog!

    xx

    Luis

    www.ChicOverload.com (my blog!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. Thanks for dropping by, Luis. I love your blog.

      Delete
  23. Hi Mélanie,

    I just got a look at your abstract paintings
    I do abstract as well but have no training at all
    Your paintings are amazing
    I would love ld to go back to painting abstract, i have an unfinished piece in my atelier

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think you need training to paint if what you do comes from the heart. Everything evolves so magically on its own. I am not surprised that you paint abstracts, your spirit is so free in your style.

      I would love to see your work!... Maybe you will get back into it?

      Delete
  24. fab outfit! there is something alien in it and also asian. adore this!

    Lyosha
    Inside and Outside Blog
    P.S. very happy I found your blog! following

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you found me too because now I found you! I like that you think this outfit is also alien!

      Delete
  25. jajaja love the totality of this outfit, looks like a combination of hippie, oriental and Jewish.... love iiiiitttt

    ReplyDelete
  26. I never thought hippie and Jewish before, but, yeah, those are all great vibes. Thanks for expanding my view.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Doubletake! I thought the bottom photo was Emily Carr.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, that's a cool comparison. I never saw that, but, yes!

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...