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Monday 5 March 2012

Call me Mr. Talbot

I have finally worn these pants again. They are lightweight but I reason that the extreme gathering pushes these babies into honorary wool. They are Talbots, which is a store I like but never shop at; these I picked up for a couple of bucks at a thrift store. Only about four sizes too big, I sewed two giant darts at the front, hike the pants above my waist, and belt the whole mess. Voila. Miraculously the pockets are still accessible. I'm never one to let size stand in the way of a great feeling.


Details of the outfit:
  • Talbots pants, perhaps in rayon, I didn't check, thrifted, gathered like mad
  • needlepoint-like vest (there's a proper word, brocade but not shiny), a hand-me-over. This vest was much too big as well so I took in the seams drastically on the sides and top of the shoulders. It's stiff feeling but satisfying
  • Zara tuxedo shirt with those weeny horizontal pleats on the top, thrifted (again, there must be a proper word - please teach me if you know!)
  • shoes, thrifted. OH MY, I LOVE THESE SHOES. They are an interesting vinyl and they sparkle like sequins but it's just the stamping they did in the texture that makes them reflect light. The heel is covered in off white leather. They feel very, very '30s. 
  • wool/cashmere coat, thrifted

Oh mum, look, I'm a man! It's like Coco Chanel had a wicked hangover and pulled on her friend's hideous vest instead of her pearls - at least I was thinking Coco at the time because I love the manly styles she threw together early on. 


And one goofy pose to show that I'm behind all these serious faces.

I am happy to put this outfit on Patti's Visible Monday. It's like a little tea party where everyone can get together and be fabulous. Thank you, Patti!







40 comments:

  1. Oh, HA! I LOVE you as a man! Almost "Thin White Duke" if he wanted to go patterny. Since I have "man hair" too, I might give that necktie thing a whirl... maybe I'll do "le smoking" for the TxSC blogger conf dress-up party on Saturday. You have given me some ideas!
    Anyhow, I love EVERYTHING about this look.
    Brava/o!

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    1. Ooo, yes, I recommend men's ties for even the most girlish of attire. There nothing that a stripy bit of colour down the front can't fix, especially if jangly, shiny things are overwhelming. Glad I could help in the idea department! Thank you and I hope you post "le smoking"!

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  2. Yes - I do feel some Bowie in your fabulous get-up! And I love Bowie's looks with all my heart. Awesome pants, Melanie, and I adore the tie plus vest. Thanks for bringing it over to Visible Monday.

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    1. The Bowie thing never even came to mind until Anne mentioned it. I think it's the stern expression and severe hair. But I love Bowie. Thanks, Patti.

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  3. Oh, how I do love those trousers! I could never get away with them (too much me in the midst of the gathers!) However, I'm 100% behind you when you say you never let size stand in the way of a great style. You bet! Unless of course, it's too small, which is not a good look. Like an overstuffed sofa that's a bit lumpy.

    Anyway, good on ya girl! Love the look. Reminds me of Woody Allen's movie, Annie Hall. LOVED that movie.

    Much love from England,
    Rosemary www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com

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    1. Ha! Your lumpy couch description is too funny. Yes, you're right, too small is a no-go.

      AND...I LOVE Woody Allen and Annie Hall. Diane Keaton is one of my favourite female actors. I felt like her in the goofy pic but didn't think anyone else would see it, so I'm giggling that you did!

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  4. Like Rosemary, I was thinking Diane Keaton in Annie Hall. It's a great look on you, you're slim enough that extra fabric/gathers doesn't make you look bulky. Very androgynous chic, I love it! xxx

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    1. The bulk was reduced considerably by the thinness of the fabric, so that worked to my advantage here. Otherwise I could never do this!

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  5. You are amazingly creative. I love every detail of this outfit. I have a vintage tie collection and I admire how you pulled this look together! And the shoes!

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    1. Oh men's ties, they are the greatest. They are one of the few places that men can get wild. I would love to see your vintage collection! I'll keep my eyes open.

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  6. Yep, there is definitely a more funky version of Annie Hall being channelled here. Those are some damned fine trousers!

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    1. Funky Annie Hall, yes, I like that - merci!

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  7. You are KILLING the game, too too fabulous. I played around with a vest and necktie the other day, but your take on it all is impeccable. Will you be my in absentia stylist??? I'll trade you, I'll voice your outgoing message or your next art installation, anything you want, please?!!!

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    1. Jean, you gorgeous creature, the last thing you need is a stylist! I just wish I had your sewing skills. I alter things but you RE-CREATE.

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  8. Total! I love your blog! I invite to you to visit mine, you have a gift! You are my inspiration… Ksssss
    www.clubmujeresreales.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi. Yes, I DO follow you. Your blog is great!

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  9. Oh wow, this is an awesome outfit! I love the striped pants and the overall menswear look. You really have pulled it off beautifully.

    Your home-sewing transformation of the pants reminds me that I did the same thing in 1984 to a pair of my dad's trousers - I loved them so much. I think I tapered the leg dramatically on them as well.

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    1. Thanks, Sheila. I like hearing how you refashioned your dad's pants! I would have liked to see them.

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  10. It's a fantastic outfit and reminds me of Diane Keaton...one of my favorite style ladies.
    You are rockin' this look!
    Which reminds me of a coat at a local consignment shop I saw. I need to go get it. Bye bye! Time to buy!

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    1. I hope you bought that coat!

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    2. Went back there today and it was still there but the shoulders were way too big. On another note though, today I bought my first men's tie! It's skinny and dark and has a 50's design in it. Only 1 dollar! Then I bought a men's shirt at the same thrift store, a big one. Can't wait to wear them together with a vest. Such a great idea. I need to get the hubby to teach me how to tie one.

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    3. I'm happy about your first tie! I hope you love it with your shirt and vest. As Vix said, masculine brings out the feminine. Chanel knew this. Patti also had a post where she knotted a man's tie around her waist and it looked great. I'll look for your look on your blog!

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    4. haha, I don't think I'll be posting a photo of it. But maybe I can get the dog to snap a pic! ;-)

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  11. Oh, oh, I love the contrast of the shoes with the trousers. And the tie, and the lil' specs. Are those every day spectacles? I have a tie I'm still screwing up the courage to wear. I love your blog because it gives me that courage.

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    1. Terri, I am so amazingly happy that you can find courage here - go, go, go!! Those are reading specs and I need them to read my camera settings! I find I'm wearing them more and more... I will try to get something like them made into everyday specs.

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  12. wow beautiful post! very inspirational :)
    would you maybe like to follow each other? this would be awesome :)
    xx

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    1. Hi, thanks for the invite. I'll check your site.

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  13. I adore this outfit on you, I love how masculine tailoring makes a woman look so feminine. Those shoes are a brilliant contrast to the tie and beret. Gorgeous. x

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    1. Well, this outfit may be a bit conservative despite all the clashing patterns, but later this week I may do an Edie Sedgwick... As you say, a day without dressing up is a day wasted.

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  14. I love, love your bigger photos, and your fabulous combination.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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    1. Thanks sacramento. I never am sure how big to make the photos, but I'll be sure to include some big ones, and my goal is to make it outdoors at some point.

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  15. Love the androgyne look on you
    I did that as well in a previous post, so much fun to do the masculine look -

    Take care dearest Mélanie

    Ariane xxxx

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    1. Hi Ariane, I was just going through your posts looking for your androgyny look and found one, Nov 13. You are fantastic! That photo has a bowtie, also a great men's tie, but sadly I don't have any yet. And I saw a wonderful fedora. I was reminded again of your great styling.

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  16. I love this!! I always shop for things that are too big for me at thrift stores because there's so much you can do with them. As you know, I'm a fan of the high waist, belted trouser.

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    1. Yes, I saw your fantastic red trousers. Sheila from Ephemera commented on how she had altered her fathers's trousers, and your trousers are from your father. I used to transform my father's trousers too. I agree - there's so much you can do.

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  17. Great pants! I love the menswear vibe.

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  18. Well 'Mr Talbot', I just love this look. Waistcoats are one of my favourite items of clothing, I used to borrow my father's waistcoats when I was a student, but now I've got my own - a better fit!
    Serious envy of your specs.

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    1. Alas, the boy cuts still fit me. But I agree, waistcoats are wonderful. The specs are reading glasses that I bought at the local art gallery, necessary for reading the camera settings! Thanks for your feedback!

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  19. Ah I see that you really like wide leg pants (and you're definitely working it). NICE.

    xx

    Luis

    www.ChicOverload.com (my blog!)

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