Tag: summer

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Outfits of the Season: Jenny skirts, Jenny dress, and ye olde Vamp tops

 

Jenny Skirt
Jenny skirt in Harlequin print with Vamp top in mint.

A few months ago a mentioned some of my most-anticipated spring clothing items, among them Pinup Couture’s Jenny circle skirts and dresses.

I’m pleased to report that the Jenny items are vibrantly colored and very full. The cotton sateen fabric is thick enough to stay crisp, yet lightweight enough to help you stay cool in summer heat. The skirts are very nearly a complete circle, and look very authentic over crinolines. They are also tea-length, while the Jenny dress comes up just a bit higher.
Continue reading “Outfits of the Season: Jenny skirts, Jenny dress, and ye olde Vamp tops”

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Outfit of the Week: Polka dots and gingham things

Okay, so it’s a poor play on “Polka Dots and Moonbeams,” but I’m obsessed with dots, gingham, and the song, so it kinda works. More importantly, I just bought a great vintage cotton dress that features gingham polka dots – that feeds two birds with one ball of seed!

It’s got a Kay Whitney label and a super double-layered pocket on the front right. Mega late ’50s style; in fact, my mom saw it and immediately informed me that she and her friends had several dresses like this back in the later 1950s and early 1960s.

Kay Whitney summer dress
Kay Whitney summer dress with Deadly Dames vinyl belt.
Kay Whitney dress fabric
Kay Whitney dress fabric.

And here’s “Polka Dots and Moonbeams,” as presented by the Chet Baker Quartet:

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Outfits of the Week: Collectif Gretel dress and Whirling Turban wingbust dress

Collectif Gretel dress
Collectif Gretel dress.

For some months now, I’ve been interested in the adorably gingham Gretel dress by Collectif. It’s got everything a gal hungry for summer really needs: red gingham cotton (you know, picnic style!) fabric, heart buttons down the front of the bodice, lace trim, and well-placed halter straps. I know that lots of people aren’t comfortable wearing halter-style dresses, but this one’s different. With a good strapless bra, the ties put no pressure at all on the back of my neck! Continue reading “Outfits of the Week: Collectif Gretel dress and Whirling Turban wingbust dress”

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Outfits of the Season: Blue and white wiggles!

Custom Mad Men dress by Morningstar84.

While not as comfortable in super-hot weather as their swing-skirted cousins, wiggle dresses can still look sharp in summer colors!

My current favorite is this stunning version of the blue and white linen dress worn by Christina Hendricks as Mad Men‘s Joan Harris, created for me by Esther of Morningstar84 on Etsy: Continue reading “Outfits of the Season: Blue and white wiggles!”

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Outfits of the Season: Surviving summer work

Ginger in Circus Print
Pinup Couture Ginger dress in Circus print.

Since I live and work in a region where temperatures shoot well above 100 degrees Farenheit, it’s always difficult for me to balance summer comfort with professional elegance. Some days it just isn’t possible to trudge across scorching hot parking lots and up four flights of stairs in uncomfortable heels and sweltering Spanx, so I try to mix things up with lightweight fabric swing sundresses, white summer cardigans for coverage and for their reflective and sunscreening properties, flats, and “flatform” shoes. Continue reading “Outfits of the Season: Surviving summer work”