Fedora Blues

Fedora: Stacy Adams (available online)

Top: Edme Esyllte (eBay)

Locket: Express (v. old)

Boots: ALDO (thrifted)

I still don't know how to style this fedora, but I've had it for several years now, so I'm trying it with anything, so long as it doesn't clash. I originally bought it because my boss at the time had one from this brand and I thought it looked snazzy.

I think some of the difficulty is that the fedora is a warm saturated navy, while most of my clothes are cool and low brightness/saturation.

Tried this purple Edme Esyllte top, since it also doesn't go with anything. I thought it looked kind of military/Steampunky, so I purchased it, only to have it languish in my closet because I can't find something to wear on the bottom. (Skirts don't work because of the empire waist.)

When in doubt, put a bunch of random crap you like together and show Southern OC that there are other things than workout clothes to wear! As my friend says, "You know that feeling you're having? It's called dissonance. It means learning is taking place!"

It's been 95F/35C all summer, and while there's nothing wrong with a tank top and shorts, they don't feel very dressy to me, and I haven't put together anything creative. Most of my clothes are still in storage, and blocked off by a literal ton of 80s television equipment. Sigh. Lately I've been turning on the AC for the dog and escaping to a quiet café to work during the day.

I miss my wardrobe, but I've invested a little money thrifting some things to wear in my new desert climate, to be featured soon. And while my life has been in a slump sartorially, other things are fine to dandy. :D Here's a picture of me at the 626 Night Market with the world's largest cup of boba:

Suddenly my own drink did not seem to measure up

Fresh lavender lemonade

Two really nice ladies sporting outfits from Japan

Governess-esque and an aya scarf

  As promised last post, I took some closer photos of my new scarf. It's a gift from one of my dearest friends, who found custom-dyed yarn named 'aya' at a local shop. :D She knit me this gorgeous scarf out of two skeins. It is a scarf made of aya for Aya, and it cannot be beat for niftiness. I love the colors more each time I look at it.

  The foray into fancy things has been hella fun (there is a NorCalism for you all) but I've been feeling the call of a Ye Olde outfit (fantasy, not history) more and more this weekend. And some mornings you wake up and want to dress like a governess. The endless fog has put me in the mind of Heathcliff and Catherine walking on the moors. Odd, since I didn't even like that book.

  Does this jacket scream 'governess' to you? It does to me. I was surprised to find a Twenty one label when I pulled it from the thrift rack.

  I think it would go best with a long tapering skirt with a flare/bustle at the back, but I don't own one of those*, so I went with a stretch denim mermaid skirt. I love blue and brown together.

  Bare calves look kind of odd to me in Ye Olde outfits, so I added some leggings. The side lace is saucy enough that I guess I am a rebellious governess that has a pint and maybe goes dancing after work. Or a prostitute, since my hair is uncovered. Um, that got uncomfortable quickly.

  I wouldn't worry about a scandal, though. These blasted buttons are such a pain to unfasten I suspect it's the reason this garment was donated in the first place. The little loops for them are so undersized I had to yank at them with my fingernails. I've shoved pens in them to stretch them out.

  My trusty jeweled locket from Express strikes again! Strange that if I hold onto it long enough, this thing designed to look vintage will actually become vintage. Is there a term for old things that were made to look even older?

  It's another long week of huffing uphill with a giant backpack for me, but I've queued up a post for Wednesday so I won't feel left out from all of the fine folks style blogging during the week. I hope you all have a lovely week, and if your week is unlovely, that your weekend comes soon.

* The trouble, I've found, with looking for certain cuts of clothing online is that it crosses over into 'costume' territory and from there into 'fetish' really fast. I don't want to be a Victorian dominatrix, but power to anyone who does.

Governess jacket: Twenty one (thrifted)

Blouse: edme & esyllte (thrifted)

Skirt: realities (thrifted)

Jeweled locket: Express (very old)

Suede hair clip: unknown (Taiwan)

Side lace leggings: cheap junior store

Lightning boots: Naya (zappos, old)