Laced Up

I meant this to be a post on different lace pieces, but I got stuck on one dress. Its colour is very vintage as is its fit and flare shape with a gored skirt. But best of all, it is lined in cotton/spandex instead of polyester like most lace items around now. Currently backordered on OSP--with no reviews to date, so I don't know whether it fulfills its promise.



  1."Lacey Days"

 

(cropped jean jacket see previous) OSP Jessica London Lace Dress (nylon lace over cotton/spandex, up to US28), $60; AS0S flats $24; Etsy upcycled necklace, VintageDelightsToo, $60 and vintage tapestry clutch, brooksandthurman, $6 ($150).

2. "Lovelace"

 

ASOS, Johnny Loves Rosie Amelie Necklace, (sale) $41 and print platforms, (sale) $74; Etsy, vintage thai silk purse, memovintage, $32 ($147)
 

 3. "(Not Exactly) Lavender and Lace"

(Ashley Stewart cropped cardigan see previous—not fuzzy like it looks here, BTW!) ETSY vintage purple shoes, kickassvintage, $56, handmade hmong bag, ThaiHandbags, $19, handmade necklace, BijouxForest, $25. ($100 total).

4. "Lace Into Autumn"

Etsy, vintage embroidered suede boots, TRIPPandFAWL, $79 and vintage brooch, BabalousTutu, $7, knit bag, LaVieBoeretroos $35 ; We love color rust tights, $9; Jessica London v-neck cardigan, $30 ($160)



5. "Laziest Lace"

ASOS, London Rebel sandals, $27, New Look Trilby, $18, Orelia bead cluster necklace, $24; Jessica London poplin shirt, $30; Etsy vintage fossil bag, TheWhitePelican, $20. ($119)



6. "I'm Ready for My Closeup, Mr. DeMille"

ASOS, embroidered back kimono $88 and sunglasses, $25; Etsy, vintage fan, StyledinJapan, $8 and sautoir necklace, MaisonettedeMadness, $25. ($146)

7. "Lady in Lace"

Amazon, BC Footwear T-Strap, $55 and ivory 8” brim hat, $35; Etsy handmade silk scarf, louisetaylordesigns, $53 and vintage clutch, ChocolateBoxCottage, $8. ($151)

Starting to Work Wardrobe: Size 26

I picked out a job interview outfit for a friend of a friend --well, actually a relative of a friend. It was her graduation gift, so I was told to get first, not second, market stuff and keep it under $200.

Details: Size 26ish all over, but more like 24 in the waist, somewhere between hour-glass and pear-shaped. (Haven't actually met this person, just second-hand observations, plus measurements.) Medium height. Everything must be washable, no dry cleaning, little or no ironing. She's not "into" fashion, so no piling on the groovy accessories (as I am wont to do). All blues and purples are ok; but only cool (blue) greens; black, white and gray are good, as are berry colours; but no coral, warm pink, bright red, yellow, or orange--(sigh)--no brown or tan. No scarves. No trousers. No high heels. 

I do like a challenge.

Here's what she got for her graduation gift/interview outfit (which I totally ripped off and re-accessorised for "Job Hunt!" in my earlier post):

Not earth shatteringly chic, but not dowdy either. Some may disagree with me on that one, but IMO the fit makes the difference--fit and flare, just-below-knee length with pretty shoe, plus high hip length jacket means that she shows off her shape without being squeezed into anything--no belts, no spanx needed. If her field was more artistic, the challenge would be a bit different.

Anyhow, while I love to have fun with clothes, sometimes work is just work. Having a uniform to get you through, so you can think about other things, is OK. You are allowed (provided, of course, you can find the stuff out there AND you can afford it.) One of the things I like about the UK clothing sites is that they acknowledge that sometimes people need just nice enough stuff to work in, so there are these reasonably priced, OK looking items that they label "work blouses" "work skirts" and "work court shoes," sometimes with helpful additions (if you speak British) like "smart office."

Here's a "work blouse" from yoursclothing:

Now the relative of a relative's friend has a job offer (lucky gal). And needs a working wardrobe.  No real dress code in the company except that certain things have to be covered and no jeans are allowed and the over all vibe is rather conservative. $150 to spend on additions to the interview outfit to get her through the summer.

I went over a bit, but not by much: $167 with shipping.

The fit-and-flare dress is a hit--and still on sale, so another two of those, plus a skirt, plus inexpensive cami's and some lightweight cardi's that can either be buttoned up as a top, worn on their own or under a jacket, or layered over the cami's.

I'll spare you the details, but you could make at least 18 different outfits from this stuff plus the interview suit--more, actually, if you don't mind looking like an Easter egg from time to time. 

(Personally, this Borg-asmorg of cool brights would drive me nuts in a matter of days, but the recipient is, I hear, delighted, in fact, tickled, um, fuchsia.) 

You work it, girl.