Maybe it's the long vertical stripes like noodles. Or it could be the shirt's "o" print in dirty orange which reminds me of the American canned spaghetti called Spaghetti-O's (wretched). This 100 percent genuine polyester shirt is so vintage that the synthetic pleasure is ramped up exponentially (it almost crunches).
The skirt is a couple of sizes too big but I like how it hangs on the hip. I tucked the top in and I was going to wear a belt at my natural waistline, which had the excellent effect of making the ensemble look like a one-piece dress (who knew?), but opted for the tie at the last minute because I couldn't resist those polka dots, and why waste a perfectly tie-worthy shirt collar? I employed the ever-handy gargantuan Quintuple Windsor knot, otherwise known as the King's Throat knot. (see this site for a how-to)
- black cord jacket by Current, a local label I think, thrifted at Value Village
- thrifted 100% polyester button shirt, almost free from vintage shop close-out sale
- Pierre Cardin polyester tie, hand-me-over
- thrifted skirt shaped like an upside-down tulip (there must be a proper name for this), purchased last week and highly twirl-worthy, made from very silky fabric that flutters when I walk
- Miu Miu thrifted boots, $6 I think
- Tissot mechanical wristwatch, new old stock from the '70s, eBay
- beetle stick pin handcrafted by a friend who has a shop on Etsy, Little Lamp
Finally, here is my impression of the outfit which I sketched during my inspiration outing.
It's called "the Unspeakable joy of communing with my Jungle companions." That's a polar bear/hippo I'm riding on. I like the fish on my toe.
Have a great weekend everyone!
I'm quite in love with that skirt. Excellent find.
ReplyDeleteThe shop where I found it has such great treasures from time to time.
DeleteI like the fish on your toe too and the wings on the collar. I have my first attempt at a tie know to be published come Monday--not as neat as yours. As for the spaghetti, the stuff that comes out of the cans...happens to be my grandson's favorite! He eats entire cases of the stuff. Meatballs might be in order.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing your tie! When I was a kid Spaghetti-O's was a dream food that only kids with nice parents got to eat, so when I grew up I tried it. Less than one can destroyed that fantasy. I completely understand your grandson's love of it!
DeleteYou know what I really like about you, Melanie? There are many things, but in particular, I appreciate your introductions and assessments of your look/pieces. A skirt like tinned spaghetti and a shirt like spaghetti hoops? It doesn't sound promising, does it? But look at how well it all works together, and the spaghetti references are just hilarious! (Actually, if our metaphors are drawn from food, I'm seeing fried eggs on your shirt.)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, you look great, of course, the skirt and shirt work brilliantly together, and you are delightfully framed (to keep the chaos in) in your beret, black top and Miu Miu boots - for HOW much? Bargain!
Unspeakable joy indeed. Though how on earth you aren't falling off that hippo/polar bear is a mystery. That's the magic of the cartoon! xxxx
I see the fried eggs!
DeleteGreat description of your ensemble. I love this "rich vintage traveler" look on you. And you're so right about the wretched "O's." I can even smell them when I look at you here. haha!
ReplyDeleteI was going to write about the small as well but I thought it might be sensory overload. Ha! The traveller description is great!
DeleteAbsolutely LOVE your shirt! What a great find. I don't know who is cuter...the actual you or the drawing of you, fishy toe and all.
ReplyDeleteMy cutest leetle fishy. Thanks.
DeleteLoving the skirt and the top layering, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh . Brilliant.
ReplyDeletehave a lovely weekend, dear Melanie.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I hope you have a truly wonderful weekend as well!
DeleteSpectacular! I love the tie and am impressed that you can tie it. I will check out the tutorial so that I can start practicing. You do pattern mixing with perfection and I am in love with your boots.
ReplyDeleteThe trick to this tie knot is you just keep looping over and over and over again!
DeleteI think you're subconsciously influencing me because I bought a tie from today's jumble sale! I love your description of the polyester and I much prefer a skirt to hang from the hip. Wearing them on the waist feels too covered up and matronly to me. Those boots make me weep with joy, maybe that little fish in your illustration is trying to wrench them off your feet so I can have them. xxx
ReplyDeleteOh, I can't wait to see you in a tie! At-waist skirts are so, um, waisty. Hip-slung is more cowgirl, holster-like, much cooler.
DeleteO,EEEEK!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness you commented,because I kept forgetting (dreadful memory,me)that you had been recommended to me several times as someone rather fabulous whom I would love!
Fancy being scared,anyways!!!
I think that scared me a bit anyway....I love so many fabulous blogging wenches,how could I possibly find room for another?!
And here you are,being divine and spaghetti like and you're all clever and witty and arty! Yes indeed,I can most certainly find room for YOU!
BLISS!
XXX
Helga, I am so happy you are here!! Truly, I am thrilled to have you at my home. I shall whip up some nasty outfit business to keep you entertained on your visits.
DeleteWow, you never cease to amaze me Melanie!! Love the way you mixed the patterns and prints here...and colors are super gorgeous! I could have never thought to put the necktie on this shirt, but you make it work beautifully!! And I need tips for thrifting! You seem to find all the treasure! Hope you are having a perfect Sunday!
ReplyDelete-Jyoti
Thanks for dropping by - I know your life must be crazy busy with the exploding popularity of your blog! You keep finding great pieces without having to thrift, and at bargain prices!
DeleteIt is reminiscent of spaghetti! In a fabulous way!
ReplyDeleteI love fabulous spaghetti!!
DeleteI love your sketches. Yep, I see the Spaghetti-O's reference here. Spaghetti-O's are one of those things are that really gross but really delicious at the same time, especially if you grew up in the US eating them as a kid and so have that nostalgic factor. I love your mix of prints here.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about Spaghetti-O's. Why is it that we love certain foods as kids and then when we try them again years later we can't figure out what the fuss was about (except for Cap'n Crunch - that super-sweet cereal is in a whole category of its own).
DeleteThat sketch is so pretty! I really like it a lot! And I do get that whole spaghetti vibe - it`s the skirt stripes!
ReplyDelete>'.'<
I'm glad you like my sketch, this is the only place I can show them.
DeleteYour style is so different and amazing at the same time. That skirt instantly reminded me of Marc by Marc Jacobs FW 2011.
ReplyDeletexox
Luis
www.ChicOverload.com (my blog!)
Luis - thanks for that! I like your reference. (How is life going for you now as a style celebrity?!)
DeleteThere are so many elements to comment on that I can't concentrate! Stream of consciousness: INEEDTHOSEBOOTS, polyester?, the pattern mixing is perfection, you look adorable and sophisticated at the same time!!, do you sketch your outfit as/after you wear it on your inspiration jaunts?, I really,really wish I lived in a cooler climate, and like you I never had spaghettio's until I tried them as an adult, yuck.
ReplyDeleteHi Jean! I only sketch what I'm wearing while I'm wearing it - if I take it off I lose my connection completely, like superheroes and their costumes (!). I often wonder what it would be like to live in a warmer place where I wouldn't be able to wear tights so often, but I could experiment with a whole different range of clothing instead.
DeleteI don't see spaghetti here, although I do see rather spectacular pattern-mixing and incredible chic.
ReplyDeleteI do like the toe-fish, tho' :D
Thanks, Lynne!
DeleteI have missed this outfit!
ReplyDeleteI think the skirt is actually called a tulip skirt but i might be wrong, i am sure someone can tell you the right term for that skirt
Gee! Girl! MiuMiu boots, Pierre Cardin tie! I want hour MiuMiu boots, they are lace up right, so fabulous!
Great mix Mélanie, you are so brilliant at mixing!
Ariane xxxx
I found out from Sheila at Ephemera that it is a tulip skirt. And the boots look lace-up but they have a side zipper - very convenient!
DeleteThe skirt is absolutely amazing... I love all the combinations of prints that you made..
ReplyDeleteI think I have just found you through Sacramento. I love the colours in your layered pieces. the skirt is very cool. Excellent to pair the boots! :)
ReplyDelete