Literary Stylings #7 - Case Files

I didn't have time (I forgot) to list the books I read for this month's Literary Stylings Link Party, but one of them was Case Histories, by Kate Atkinson:

Case Histories is the book that I chose to base today's outfit on.  Specifically, my outfit is a recreation of an outfit worn to a funeral:

As you can see, it starts of quite funereal.

And then it goes all to heck:

Dress: eShakti (same fabric, different cut)  Tights: DKNY (similar)  Boots: Nine West Darsy

Needless to say, the all-to-heck part is my favorite part of this look.  Partially because bright red legs remind me of red-legged birds, like the red-legged honeycreeper, and partially because in the book, the way the outfit is written about makes me laugh.  The woman wearing the completely inappropriate bright red tights to a funeral notices a man noticing her tights and thinks he's looking at her bright red legs because he's into her.  But, the man is like "what the eff?  Who wears bright red tights to a funeral?!!"  And, in the book the moment is even better because it's summer and she's wearing bright red woolen tights.  It's pretty great.

And, really, the book in general, is pretty great.  It's dark, but it's well done and I plan on reading more Kate Atkinson in the future.  I think this book is the first in a series, so I think I'm going to try to hunt down the next one.

And now it's your turn.  If you read a book in December or January and it inspired an outfit, I'd love to see it.   You can link up here:



I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Sure It’s Boxy, But It’s Plaid

And that is, apparently, reason enough for me, because, yeah, this dress is boxy.  But, it is also plaid:

And here at Fashion for Giants, we'll take plaid in any shape.

Yes, I could have worn a belt, but I didn’t.  I actually like the cut of this dress.  And the colors of the plaid are fun.  So, I may look like a box, but I look like a fun box.  So, no, no belt.   Just a vintage plaid dress (handmade via Goodwill) layered over a blue-striped blouse (Gap), blue tights (DKNY via Nordstrom) and riding boots (Born Crown via Nordstrom).

Oh, and I also wore my new carnelian Friendship Bracelet that the lovely people at RedEnvelope sent to me:

It also comes in iolite and aqua chalcedony, but, let’s be honest, I was never going to choose any color but orange.  And not just because it goes so well with plaid; as we all know, orange goes with everything so that’s a non-issue.  No, I just think the luminescent quality of carnelian orange is so pretty. Really though, I would have been happy with any of the colors or several other pieces from RedEnvelope; they have some lovely, lovely items.

Speaking of lovely, I thrifted a new coat on Saturday:

Which is also a bit boxy, isn't it?  Maybe boxy is my new thing?  I don't know, but I guess it's possible.  Again though, boxy or not, I love this coat; I love the color and the weight is perfect for spring.  Also, the bracelet sleeves show off my Red Envelope bracelet perfectly, so everybody wins.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Gracey

Neon Peach

“Neon Peach” refers both to the belt I wore today and to my next band.  It’s going to be an all-girl 80s cover band and it’s going to be epic.

I wore my neon peach belt (IZOD via Marshall’s) with a vintage floral dress (Anthony Richards via Goodwill), a navy cardigan (JC Penney), blue tights (DKNY via Nordstrom) and Born riding boots (“Sosie” via Nordstrom).  But the best part of this outfit?  Another Lynne pin: 

This one is made of little clusters of awesomeness that happen to go fabulously with my neon peach belt.  I love it. 

And that is all I have to say about that.  I have a four-day weekend coming up so I’ll wish everyone a fabulous, safe New Year now, and I’ll see you on the other side!

Gracey

Ambitious

I think today’s outfit was a little ambitious:

It hurts to smile...

...but I fought through the pain to provide you all with this goofy look.

I don’t mean sartorially ambitious (obviously), I mean it’s too ambitious for my current physical capabilities.

It took me at least 10 minutes to struggle into these tights (DKNY via Nordstrom) today.  And my sister not only had to hook my bra for me, she had to tuck my shirt (Halogen via Nordstrom) into my houndstooth pencil skirt (thrifted) for me.  I was able to put on my sweater vest (vintage, thrifted) and studded belt (Michael Michael Kors via Nordstrom) all by myself but needed her help to pad the bruise on my ankle before I could put on my boots (Born Crown “Sosie” via Nordstrom).

I think I’m going to have to go a bit simpler for the rest of the week, if only for my sister’s sake.

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Length and Volume

A couple of weeks ago, lovely Reader Friend Laurie, asked me how I wear my beloved dress and skirts without flashing my underthings.

A flashing waiting to happen...

The answer is that I don’t.  I just make sure they’re cute underthings.

I kid.  I kid.  The real answer is length and volume.  Well, length and volume and bloomers.  I don't wear tight skirts very often and I don't wear short skirts without leggings.  And I always wear bloomers.  

Bloomers, pettipants, bike shorts, foundation garments, whatever you want to call them, I don’t leave home without them.  In order to wear a pair under nearly every dress or skirt, I have them in a variety of color, lengths and fabrications.  Let's take a look, shall we?

DKNY Smoothies

Image via Bare Necessities

I absolutely adore DKNY smoothies (available at Bare Necessities and other retailers).  They come in multiple colors, are high enough in the waist to avoid what Sal calls Segmented Worm Syndrome, go low enough on the leg to avoid thigh rub, and have just the right amount of stretch so they help suck you in without making you feel like you want to die.

I have a pair in cobalt:

Between the Smoothies and the length of this skirt, it would have taken one heck of a windstorm for me to flash anyone.  Pleats are especially great because they provide volume without bulk; especially with flat pleats like those above.

In black:

This skirt is a bit shorter, so the Smoothies were definitely welcome here.  And again, the skirt is pleated so when I am riding my bike, I have more coverage, but without the bulk.

In gray:

Seriously, I cannot extol the virtues of flat pleats enough; they're just great for providing volume but still staying sleek.

And in nude:

This skirt doesn't have any pleats to give it any extra volume and there is no way I'd wear it without my Smoothies underneath.

Bloomers

Image via Amazon

I call them bloomers because that's more fun to say (although pettipants is pretty fun) and you can find vintage ones on Etsy or new ones on Amazon.  Bloomers are great for those days when you don't need, or want, to be sucked in.  And for those days you're wearing a jersey/knit fabric.  They come in a variety of lengths and colors and discourage your skirt from clinging to your thighs.

Because they come in a variety of lengths and colors, I have to have them in a variety of lengths and colors, including long, red vintage:

Hot pink vintage:

And brand new nude:

All of these dresses and skirt are prone to clinging to my thighs and the bloomers help alleviate that. 

So, remember, Reader Friends, the shorter you go, the greater the volume of the skirt should be to avoid scarring innocent school children for life as you ride by.  Pleats are the best for adding volume without adding bulk.  And bloomers are still relevant.

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey