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Saturday 11 November 2017

Clothes from church and HADES

Just to cover all my options, I am wearing clothes from both church and HADES in this post. Each of the small morality whisperers on my shoulders, angel on one, devil on the other, have finally gone to sleep in victorious exhaustion.

This first outfit features a wool Love Moshino suit, dark tartan with men's tie detailing on the jacket pockets and collar, and a bow of men's ties on the rear (sorry, no photo). There is also a men's tie sewn into the waist of the skirt, creating a distinctly masculine dangle effect.

I blush to tell you what I paid - very, very, very low two figures - my devil was laughing loudly, especially because I was in a church when I bought it, West Vancouver United Church, their Flea Market sale. The prices were borderline unholy!


My friend Yvonne S brought this suit to my attention. I have her to thank for this incredible addition to my manly suit collection. THANK YOU!

And the scarf, it is a heavenly item by fledgling British knitwear label HADES. They sent it to me as a gift, with no obligations whatsoever, but of course, how could I not write about it? It is thick, dense and plush, utterly toasty soft made from pure lambswool, handcrafted in Hawick, Scotland. I've been wearing it a LOT!

The scarf smells like the countryside (the pleasant part). The chances of finding something like this on my thrift sale rack are slim - it's the kind of piece that's handed down and down and around and around until it simply goes POOF.


As a reminder, Hades is also the name of the Greek god of the underworld, also called Hades (or hell these days). That would be like me saying, "Hi, I'm Melanie and now I must return home to Melanie."

Hades was guarded by the Hounds of Hell (loosely interpreted, everything I write here is loose). My home is guarded by my bloated closets. Enter at your peril. You can read more about Hades here. More about my closets here.


I pumped the photo levels above so you could see the fabric better. Yes, when I am excited the waist tie elevates - because I would be jumping of course. The ties are sewn right on there as part of the original design; they were not farked by a previous buyer.

I added my own tie to this styling but took it off - no need to belabour the point of ties with a cartoon hammer on the head.


I'm also wearing a vintage British men's overcoat by Dhobi, which is "showerproof."

Below is the box from HADES. I love opening parcels from the mail.


The sunny yellow goes great with the HADES name, but even better, they included two cute hair pins with a pink HADES with a headache. Hahaha!!! These are awesome. I'm going to a dinner party tonight and these would go perfectly with my outfit.


And next, oh dear oh dear oh dear. It came from church. We're not quite sure what "it" is yet, but it is sublime.


When I wear this, I'm in a sci-fi movie. The mantis pendant is my communicator with the Mother Ship.

This piece was also pointed out to me, this time by one of the incredible volunteers at the flea market. I couldn't grab it fast enough when she marveled how it is a one-piece with stirrup-style feet. I didn't even try it on - sometimes you just know.

There is another part to this - a high-thigh-length sleeveless vest that goes on top, same fabric, no buttons or zips, but the front opening is joined together along the hem, at the hip, with an infinity knot. I didn't include it in any of those photos because I like the bodysuit part best.

I made the pendant from a Donna Karan Christmas ornament years ago. Still, a mantis pendant only goes so far, don't you think? I still felt just a touch under-dressed.

So I added a little HADES to the mix. Much better. After all, this was sinfully low-priced.


The bodysuit outfit label is Linda Lundstrom, who is a highly-respected, award-winning Canadian designer of up-market clothes. I suspect this is one of her earlier works. So soft, maybe wool and cashmere...? I'll let you know if I find out more.


You can see the stirrup feet in the photo above. If only I had a silver puffer jacket to wear on top. That would be so cool!

This last shot shows you how big the scarf is. Huge snuggle power there.


If this scarf appeals to you, check out HADES' other scarves. They also sell pullovers and Ts made of fine merino wool in a selection of colours, lots of pastels. Gorgeous. And HADES is on Instagram.

I hope you've all had a fantastic week. I'm behind on my replies to your comments but I so appreciate them and shall catch up in the next couple of days.

Go forth and feel stellar, as I always say.

I'll link up to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style and Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed as Lamb. Cheers!!!

---------------------------------------------

PS. I was asked from the last post, if menopausal years are known as Wisecracking, what do we call the post-menopausal years?

I thought of the word Freebirds, having pecked or cracked through those constricting shells into full flight, along with allusions to giving the bird. But I think we can do better. Any suggestions? Let me know in your comments.


35 comments:

  1. You say the ties on the suit were there from the manufacturer? Gosh that is as innovative as your farking. No wonder the suit appealed to you this much.
    I know all about Hades as the first year at secondairy school, in history lessons, we had nothing but Mythology. It was like listening to fairy tales. I loved it.and the scarf does look wonderful. Love that last picture of you with the scarf. Magazine worthy.
    The purple one-suit looks like quality and fits you like a glove. For me, I would need to add the bit that goes on top. Too revealing for me like this, but then again, I haven’t got your gorgeous body haha.
    Greetje

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? The ties were right on there. Yvonne knew me well. And I agree about the mythology. So many wonderful tales.
      And the purple thing, you can definitely feel the quality in the fabric. In fact, it feels so good and warm that it would make excellent pyjamas as well, which is funny because I usually wear pyjamas a daywear.
      xox

      Delete
  2. ... if menopausal years are known as Wisecracking ... post meno shall be forever be Arriving at Krakoff

    Sincerely

    Elaine Monkeypaints-Tralala

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Krakoff. Hahaha!! I like it! It sounds much more cheeky than Freebirds. xox

      Delete
  3. Sorry about the bees

    Elaine Monkeypaints-Tralala

    ReplyDelete
  4. If ever there was a doubt as to you having an ounce of fat anywhere on your body it has been squashed here.

    The suit is very cool. Watch for shrinkage on that dangly bit in the front when it's cold though! I've heard that's what happens.

    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The purple suit's stirrups take care of any errant bits, it pulls everything nice and smoooooth.
      HAHAHA re. the ties. These are just for show not function anyway.

      Delete
  5. I can't believe you found both of these pieces at a church flea market! I would love to meet the person that donated them. The suit simply screams "MEL" - the tie embellishments are brilliant. Only you could make that amazing bodysuit look like a complete outfit on its own. It's like it was made for you - there's no pulling through the torso or crotch gathering! The rest of us would need the second piece, or maybe a third.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yeeeeah, they had some savvy dononrs for that sale, I tell 'ya. The stirrup feet are the miracle part of this suit. Girdles should do this - stretch over and across, not squeeze in.

      Delete
  6. ...if they could get into that bodysuit at all! Hah! Mel, you have the best eye for clothes that look great on you. Plus you rescue them from the terrible fate of being unwanted, unworn and unloved. Kudos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In this case, I have the eyes of others to thank for both of these purchases. So thankful. It's great when other people know my taste. xo

      Delete
  7. I wonder what I'd look like in a body suit... probably like a grub worm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved your very funny comment here Hollie. Grub worms unite!
      Sincerely, Jude

      Delete
  8. Great suit, but that HADES scarf is gorgeous!!!! How wonderful! LOVE IT!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the scarf is sumptuous, warm warm warm. It feels like something expensive and fine. I'm so thankful to HADES.

      Delete
  9. I'm with Hollie Black-Ramsey on this one. Perhaps the grub worm look will be all the rage for Spring of 2018!! You look AMAZING in that onesie garment. It really does fit you like a glove, a very beautiful glove too!
    I'm so impressed that folks at these sales pointed out these unique stylings. They obviously had some sense of YOU! The balance achieved by a little hell in your heaven works for me. Love, Jude

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha, I would love to see a clothing line called Grubworm. It's a love stretch purple glove. And weren't those women awesome? They really scored the gems of the day for me. Or a little heaven in my hell... Heh. xoxo

      Delete
  10. Just KILLER in your wool onesie! You, my dear, look good in every single fracking thing. Love all the tie decor, and i am investigating HADES, the scarves, not the destination just yet. xox

    Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha, you're already in Florida, Patti. No need to go further south. The scarf is absolutely divine. You could crank the air-conditioner or better yet go to New York!

      Delete
  11. There's no other woman (alive or dead) who could carry this adult babygro off with such panache. The rest of us should just pack up and go home now. But dear Melanie, you inspire rather than deflate us, and I thank you for that. A woollen baby gro and a huge scarf makes an outfit in Mel's World - I bow at the foot of your bulging closet.
    And I'll go with Freebird. It's a joyful description and that suits me fine.

    Anna x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Babygro - man, I love that word so much. We don't use it in Canada and we SHOULD. I'm all for inflation over deflation. And Freebird fits, but Judy also thought of Krakoff, for those days when... xox

      Delete
  12. I'm with Anna - there are not many people who could wear that suit, much less that onesie! I adore that suit and would have cried that it didn't fit me. The onesie is terrifying! Good lord (of Hades??). Only you, Mel...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The suit, what a find! And the onesie, it's not really so terrifying. You remember stirrup feet? They smooth everything right out. But I didn't wear this outside without a coat, so I wasn't completely on show. Whew! Hahaha. xox

      Delete
  13. the bodysuit/onesie is crazy! Perfect for Canada, south Georgia, not so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, maybe not so good for south Georgia. Hahaha!! xox

      Delete
  14. What a fabulous suit and I must say I adore the designer finishings, trims, and details. The color and punch you add is signature Mel . How ironic that you found this fabulous suit at a church sale and styled it with a scarf from Hades. And who on earth could possibly pull off a onesie like you?
    ❤️❤️❤️
    Elle
    https://theellediaries.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The heaven/hell thing made me laugh when I was shopping, so of course I had to use it as a theme. I was so excited at the sale, I wasn't expecting so many cool treats. You never know, right? Thanks, Elle. xox

      Delete
  15. oh my mel! Whatever can she get into next? No doubt here, it will be brilliant. Can these two ensembles be the best yet. Yes! But just wait til tomorrow. A day without Mel, is a day in Hades.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm also amazed that those attachments were not added by a previous owner (or actual owner). So fabulous details!. I'm loving your manly suits collections!
    Lovely scarf too!
    And I didn't know that word 'wisecracking' but it's one of my favorite ones now!. No spanish words for this concept, so sad!
    besos

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow!..Church rummage sales are the best!..I noticed the prices are always lower even to garage sale prices...love the way you emerged the tie into your outfit..and that name Hades..my artist daddy was a bible reader so I'm well acquainted with all those terms...lol...love your blogs for days...keep up the good work your an incredible fashion's take with a twist!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow!..Church rummage sales are the best!..I noticed the prices are always lower even to garage sale prices...love the way you emerged the tie into your outfit..and that name Hades..my artist daddy was a bible reader so I'm well acquainted with all those terms...lol...love your blogs for days...keep up the good work your an incredible fashionista creations with a a artist twist!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow!..Church rummage sales are the best!..I noticed the prices are always lower even to garage sale prices...love the way you emerged the tie into your outfit..and that name Hades..my artist daddy was a bible reader so I'm well acquainted with all those terms...lol...love your blogs for days...keep up the good work your an incredible fashionista creations with a a artist twist!!!

    ReplyDelete

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