Peachy PJ's

Pretty standard summer uniform for me of skinny black trousers, strappy sandals, and a standout blouse. This dreamy silk blouse is an original 20s/30s piece -most probably worn as an item of loungewear- displaying a typically Oriental touch in its style. I was pretty excited to find it fitted me, as I believe it to be a child's...hurrah for my small shoulders (although wild arm movements are out of the question). The colour is a soft coppery-apricot, with deep blue trims and an applique of lilac and green, and there is a teeny tiny functional pocket to the bottom. The buttoned, asymmetrical high-neck and applique preclude the wearing of a necklace, which is weird for me as a devoted wearer of necklaces; some fancy earrings were therefore required, and these self-made copper tassels did just nicely. A large copper tote and matchy lilac nails completed the look. Can anyone date it more accurately for me? 

Vintage blouse, Topshop sandals, Ted Baker bag, ASOS trousers., self-made earrings, vintage jewels.

Blue-lined Beauty

I bought this 1920s jacket two summers ago and I remember waiting impatiently for some cooler weather to start wearing it. Despite the fur cuffs, it is incredibly light-weight and no good for actual winter weather, but I have a few windows of opportunity to wear it during the transitional months and cooler summer days (we get a lot of those during an English summer). It is a little on the large side, so I tend to belt it- though worn loose the beautiful blue silk lining and swing cut are better appreciated. There are so many reasons I adore this piece; Mandarin collar and fur-cuffs aside, the print is an incredible mix of all my favourite colours- royal blue, burnt orange, and burgundy. It was sold to me as a 1920s adaptation of a Victorian shawl, something quite common at the time. The jacket certainly bears all the hallmarks of being a handmade, re-purposed shawl, but the pattern looks printed, not woven, and seems unusual in design/colour to be genuinely Victorian. Not sure what to think, but I love it regardless. Perhaps someone more familiar with Victorian shawls could enlighten me?

Vintage jacket and bag, ASOS shoes and trousers, H&M blouse, antique/vintage jewellery

Matching blue nails, and blue glass brooch, were a must.

Orange Blush

British summertime is notoriously temperamental, so a cover-up of some sort is handy. I've been wearing this robe so much, as it is lightweight, dressy, and goes with most things in my wardrobe. The black and soft-pink brocade features a Japanese garden scene, with pagoda, bridge, birds, trees and a fan-wielding geisha. It hopefully avoids the gaudy tropes of tourist-market Orientalism...? Worn over a silk blouse that is caped, so extra aeration to the back is provided... you know, for when the sun comes out. The orange/blush colour-block shoes were a purchase on a whim; I bought them whilst wearing this outfit and they just happened to complement the blouse and robe perfectly. Note to self, silk creases like a bitch.

Vintage robe, Math Collective blouse, Issey Miyake Pleats Please trousers, Vanessa Wu shoes, ASOS bag, antique belt and vintage jewellery. 

Surreal, melting hand brooch will always be a favourite of mine. It has a cuff and ring detail; I like the idea of my jewellery wearing jewellery. 

Pleats and Pompadours

We may be having one of the hottest Junes ever, but no, I'm not currently sporting a polo-neck and socks... I'm just super bad at uploading photos within a sensible time-frame (I think this is the last of my transitional/early Spring looks- something more weather apropos is on the horizon). I've resorted to a bouffant to try and tame the unruly haystack atop my head; it's a throwback to my days of Gibson Girl hair-styling. I do enjoy the aesthetic and freedom that comes with short, and unstraightened hair, but the urge to grow it long and attain hirsute heights is constantly lurking below the surface. Anyway, I wore this look for a meal out; baggy trousers allow for extra dessert. Matching my Moorish antique tooled-leather bag with the vaguely Arabian pattern of my blouse, completed with lace-up shoes and galalith cameo.

ASOS turtleneck and shoes, Zara blouse, Pleats Please Issey Miyake culottes, antique bag, all antique/vintage jewellery.  

Cinnabar ring 

Layered Lace

Pulled this lace blouse/waistcoat from the depths of my drawers as it layers so well over many things, not least my completely-overworn blush turtleneck (last outfit with this for now, promise). The oranges and reds nicely reflect the colours in my earrings which I have been haphazardly making recently; just simple tasselled designs, but its fun to custom make colour-palettes with my own wardrobe in mind. Shiny shoes demand a shiny bag, so I went for the smallest one I own. Still getting through a backlog of 'wintery' outfits from earlier in the year, hence the turtleneck in June; trying to keep on top of it, but at this rate you'll be seeing summer looks in the autumn 😣.

Topshop lace blouse and boots, H&M turtleneck and trousers, Vivienne Westwood bag, vintage opera coat and scarf of dubious origin (below).

Rhopalocera

Pretty sure I bought this scarf after witnessing the incredible Givenchy Fall 2014 show... absolutely ancient history in terms of fashion, but a collection that really stuck with me. I usually find the butterfly a bit cliche and overused as a decorative motif, but Tisci's use of it was just beautiful, most especially in this dress. The whole collection was perhaps more polished and ladylike than typical Tisci, but it retained a subversive, kinky feel; I adored the earthy, peachy colour palette, the use of extra sheer hosiery, and killer heels. Worn with a twee pinafore skirt, my (sadly-not-Givenchy) scarf is big enough to drape into a cape style, and perfectly compliments the coppery tones I wear so much of these days.  

ASOS skirt, H&M turtleneck, Dune shoes, vintage belt and jewellery, Becksöndergaard scarf