This has got to be one of my favourite outfits ever - and I'm linking it to Patti's fantastic Visible Monday. I thrifted this beautiful maxi cheongsam-style dress a couple of days ago for $11. It was made in the UK, Monsoon label, which I have seen before on other blogs. The fabric stretches so there are no zips and the dress has great give.
I chose these patent leather vintage shoes to enhance the old-world vibe humming from the dress, and I wore an Indian-motif blue top underneath against the chill. I love the blue clash between the top and my turquoise tights. For another twist I added the blue beaded brooch which I bought at a craft sale from the hat lady who had intended it as a hat accent. And I topped the outfit with my bright red head bangle to jangle with the crimson. Youch. Feelin' good.
You can see how this dress might move below. There's a wickedly daring slit up one side, which, apart from the chill, was another reason for the tights. Click, click, click - I traipsed clear across town in these kitten heels.
 |
| Do I look like I'm walking? |
Details of the outfit
- Monsoon dress, thrifted, Community Thrift Store, $11
- patent leather shoes, vintage, $10?, True Value Vintage (gone now)
- turquoise tights, sample sale
- blue India-print top, thrifted, Value Village about 8 years ago
- bag, gift from Singapore for plant-sitting
I wore this to the art opening of SPLASH at Baron Gallery, the exhibit of the work done by my action painting workshop participants, although it would be equally appropriate for a picnic or moon dance. What a great turnout we had. Positive energy was bouncing off the walls - so I pocketed the leftovers and carried it home to snack on later, or rather, it carried me home...
Have a great week, everyone. Don't forget to breathe...
Perfect dress and colour tights.
ReplyDeleteThe bag is a dream, my dear Madeleine.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Oh I have over the years loved so many monsoon treasures. That red is just beautiful on you and I just squealed at those shoes, fabulous.
ReplyDeletePerfect for a moon dance!!!!
Pocketing positive energy always makes a walk home floaty and fun.
Love v
Melanie,
ReplyDeleteYou're way ahead of the game! I've read daring slits are in this fall, big time!
Score on the Monsoon dress, one of the few British chain stores that still produce gorgeous, ethically sourced clothing! You look gorgeous, that dress fits like it was tailor-made and the turquoise tights make the whole thing zing! x
ReplyDeleteI've got to learn how the layer, you look so cool. Love the bag. Note to self: colorful tight for winter
ReplyDeleteI love a good cheong-sam. They however are not fond of my supreme hippiness. However, if I find one large enough I will slash away to make it fit. This is a terrific outfit, as usual. You have inspired me to make some big splashy abstract canvases too. I really like the one behind your outfit.
ReplyDeleteAnother great find. It looks really fab with the blue top and the turquoise tights. The print on the top is subtle and very pretty.
ReplyDeleteValue Village is gone?! Say it isn't so!! Not that I'm likely to be zipping up and down its aisles anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteWell done you for the art exhibition. No one would be doubting who the artist is! A great stand-out outfit.
Much love from England,
Rosemary www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com
Goodness no!! To even think that Value Village has pulled up stakes...ghastly. No, the shop I'm talking about is True Value Vintage, VERY similar name. It was a little vintage shop squirrelled away on the basement level near Robson and Granville, if you remember the corner. The entire building is GONE now, except for the front wall(!), which they are going to preserve as heritage.
DeleteAhh - the way you've mixed the blues and reds - so gorgeous. And I agree, that cheongsam had your name on it. Hello, leg! : > thanks for linking up to Visible Monday.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, I really love this outfit! Cheongsam dresses are one of my personal favourites. Love the blue/turquoise/red in this.
ReplyDeleteLove it!!! That dress is truly fab! I have to be honest though, I can tell you are not walking in that one photo. :-) The last photo is perfection, you look like a living doll. I can see it now, "The Melanie Doll". Dress her up in different clothes from her colorful vintage closet. :-D!
ReplyDeleteYou are striking in this!! I would have to stare and stare if I saw you on the street. Okay, I might even have to say something to you too. I've noticed since blogging that I give compliments to strangers more easily.
ReplyDeleteYour shoes are so great. I've been on the hunt for pointy kitten heels ever since I saw a women walking in down town Vancouver several years ago as a matter of fact. Maybe it was you? Wouldn't that be a hoot?
I love slinky Chinese styles like your dress but alas, I do not have the figure for them. You look great.
ReplyDeleteoh, the colors are exquisite together. like stained glass windows in a cathedral...or gems in gold jewelry...You look radiant. And the painting behind carries some of the exuberance!
ReplyDeleteUn look muy interesante, el vestido ha centrado toda mi atención, me hubiera gustado estar en ésa muestra, besos ana.
ReplyDeleteI like the mix of blue and reds! Very flattering and pretty.
ReplyDeleteLooks so good, especially with your amazing figure. You have a great week too ... M x
ReplyDeleteWicked cool dress!
ReplyDeleteI'm fascinated by the deliberate shadows in your photography.
Oooooh, great combo.
ReplyDeleteCurious - what if this cheongsam goes on a date with your red chinese top? Sparks might fly!
Anne, that is a brilliant idea! I'll try it next time!
DeleteWhat an excellent dress--and the top you've paired it with and the brooch are excellent touches. I continue to want to see a video of you painting...or would that make you self-conscious?
ReplyDeleteOh to be able to wear a cheongsam one day - you have quite a nice collection of asian clothing.
ReplyDeleteThis whole outfit is like a trip on the Orient Express. Plus I just love saying "cheongsam."
ReplyDeleteConnie*
I love being surprised by your layering and colour combos - unexpected and always gorgeous. Are you a million feet tall? Willowy and whimsical... what a wonderful creature you are, what a wonderful creature you are. Ooh you make me go all owl and pussycat!
ReplyDeleteSarah xxx
A beautiful mix of colors as you change the world one outfit, one painting, one blog post at a time. The dress is a true find with your discriminating eye out in the thrifting world. The slit on the dress reveals the brilliant color of the tights that contrast beautifully with the blue of your top. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteAgain an amazing outfit! The colours are so beautiful, and I love how they're picked up by the fantastic painting behind you in the first photo.
ReplyDeleteWhat Excellent colour-blocking! Can I borrow that fabulicious dress from you sometime? ;)
ReplyDeleteThat dress fits like a glove, so beautiful. Love how you layered it and the mix of colors - brilliant! Great and interesting look as always.
ReplyDeletexx
5th&6th
You are a gem, sparkling in your ruby magnificence! I can see why this is your favorite outfit to date. A masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteI love the rich red and soft blue! Hey - no crazy people this time! Monsoon is a good label if you can find their stuff. Fantastic news about the exhibition, I'm so pleased for you! xxxx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress and I love the blue pin attached at the shoulder.
ReplyDeleteLovely purse also.
Wow! So elegant, yet also creative and fun. Love, love, love this.
ReplyDeleteYou look absolutely delicious!
ReplyDeleteThese colours are just fabulous on you, Melanie - red and turquoise, why haven't I thought of that? The blue cheongsam dress that Clare sent me is from Monsoon too (still haven't altered it, it's on my to To Do list for the summer...) Monsoon clothes are quite pricey new but generally good quality, worth looking out for secondhand.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased your art opening went well. xxxxx
What a fabulous dresson you Mélanie!
ReplyDeleteI do not know this label but will keep my eyes open!
I am happy to be back home after a week in Vegas
Had lots of fun
How are you doing?
Ariane xxxx
Fabulous!! ^^
ReplyDeletehttp://alovelystyle.blogspot.com.es/
Beret! Love it.
ReplyDeletejajajaja the name of the post it's so funny... love your colorfull miced outfit, you always are like a walking paint... happy week and biiig hug
ReplyDeleteMonsoon make lovely clothes - not cheap. You do realise that I am going to have to go in and have a look in Monsoon this afternoon!!
ReplyDelete