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.
I like to try and have fun with my clothes, as you know!
ReplyDeleteThat 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
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.
DeleteFabulous. I love it! You look Russian in the second photo-- like one of those Russian dancers. The pants look amazing.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
DeleteOooh, this is good. Flowy and dramatic. I love the last pic since it looks vintage.
ReplyDeleteThanks, 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.
DeleteHi Mélanie
ReplyDeleteGreat 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
Hi Ariane,
DeleteWhen 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!
The hat is the perfect crown for your outfit. I love its shape. Timeless!
ReplyDeleteWell, we all know that you are the keeper of the crown jewels! Thanks for the compliment.
DeleteOutstanding outfit! I love love love that top.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sheila!
DeleteWords 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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
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!
DeleteOh, 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.
ReplyDeleteYes, 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.
DeleteDear Melanie,
ReplyDeleteI'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!
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!
DeleteWhat 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.
ReplyDeletewww.clubmujeresreales.blogspot.com
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.
DeleteI just found your blog and I have to say I LOVE IT!!!! The last look is very 1920's opium den!
ReplyDeleteYes, I hadn't thought of the opium den angle, but yes, now you point it out... Thanks for that image! I like it!
DeleteOkay 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. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration!
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.
DeleteMelanie, 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
DeleteRegardless of the unpracticality, it looks amazing on photos!
ReplyDeletethe fabrics look so yummy...
Oh, yes. The fabric IS dreamy...practicality took a holiday.
Deleteyour clothes are always lovely ;)
ReplyDeletekisses A.
Merci!
DeleteWhat a wonderful outfit. Love the silouette!
ReplyDeleteLove from England,
Rosemary www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com
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???!
ReplyDeleteRosemary www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com
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.
Deletei love it it´s perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Clara.
DeleteWe feel an travel inspiration in your clothes!
ReplyDeleteI always imagine travelling in my clothes, different destinations based on what I'm wearing. Thanks for dropping by!
DeleteYou 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.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a nice thing to say! Thank you!
Deleteoohhh that jacket!!!!
ReplyDeleteA favourite for sure.
DeleteLOve 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!
ReplyDelete-Jyoti
Style-Delights Blog
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I think the vintage photo is spooky too, but I like it. Thanks for your feedback!
DeleteSo amazing! I've never seen anything like that. I'm glad you found my blog!
ReplyDeletexx
Luis
www.ChicOverload.com (my blog!)
Hi. Thanks for dropping by, Luis. I love your blog.
DeleteHi Mélanie,
ReplyDeleteI 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
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.
DeleteI would love to see your work!... Maybe you will get back into it?
fab outfit! there is something alien in it and also asian. adore this!
ReplyDeleteLyosha
Inside and Outside Blog
P.S. very happy I found your blog! following
I'm glad you found me too because now I found you! I like that you think this outfit is also alien!
Deletejajaja love the totality of this outfit, looks like a combination of hippie, oriental and Jewish.... love iiiiitttt
ReplyDeleteI never thought hippie and Jewish before, but, yeah, those are all great vibes. Thanks for expanding my view.
ReplyDeleteDoubletake! I thought the bottom photo was Emily Carr.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's a cool comparison. I never saw that, but, yes!
Delete