Dans le sac
Wednesday, February 03, 2016
There is something delightfully rebellious about wearing an ugly dress. This pinafore frock is a made from something akin to a Hessian sack, possibly a large potato sack with two utilitarian straps sewn on and a strategic zip sewn in up one side. A couple of nips in to the -frankly unfeminine- bust line are the only real detail to speak of. No, wait, POCKETS!
Being any colour other than this two tone industrial brown might have lifted it, but instead of hating it for being so ugly, I think I love it all the more. It's almost like the dress is saying "I know I'm a plain, unflattering colour, shape and my fabric feels rough, like it's already been worn out but I'm not denying it - let's embrace it"
Layering is still key while it's so brutally cold. I wanted to wear a cream roll neck underneath ideally but as I don't own one that wasn't on the cards. My compromise was this soft green long sleeved top with my cropped turtle neck underneath (plus a thermal vest that we won't mention). It looks plenty retro enough to look current and certainly countryside-y enough to be a look which I would call my own. Experimenting with cuts, textures and colours is all part of the fun of making the most of what's in your wardrobe.
I must thank Hazel for this pretty necklace she sent me for Christmas, I've worn it a few times already but this is probably the first occasion on which it's been visible in my photographs!
Do you have any ugly favourites? Go on, tell me.
Sophie
6 comments
It is lovely - because you are so clearly happy in it. Its very simplicity is part of the charm - for centuries, beautiful young women have walked through the Norfolk fields in simple homespun dresses like that. You are just part of a great tradition. And pockets are an absolute essential in such a garment. Look at women like Wallis Simpson, in her Parisien styled, elegantly cut frocks, back in the 1940s. Walking alongside her ex-King - but clearly miserable - her clothes cost 1000s of francs but brought little joy. Your 'ugly' dress says "I am simple, and homespun - but you can layer up underneath me against the Norfolk Winds, and tuck a doorkey and a hanky in my useful pockets. And people look past the dress to see the sweet character wearing it" Keep wearing it Sophie - it is great!!
ReplyDeletePockets! I love me a pocket!!
ReplyDeleteI rather like this dress too, a cream turtleneck would be lovely, but I like the pale green. It would also suit a blouse in warmer weather.
I have a pair of ugly short trousers (the paisley ones I bought on our day out with Kezzie) they are all kinds of ugly but there is just something about them.
Glad you like the necklace :)
I like it - I couldn't wear that kind of thing with my dreadful body shape, but it looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteI think you carry it off! I agree with Angela, it has a rosy cheeked charm the way you wear it! x
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ang too. It is a charming dress and it suits the country girl style. You wear it so nicely too! The lAyers are perfect!!x
ReplyDeleteI really like it and it suits that country girl chic style and you wear it lovely and look so happy in it too, which is I suppose what makes it appear so lovely on you. - Tasha
ReplyDeleteI love to hear your comments xx