Thrifted houndstooth skirt and cashmere sweater.

Today I'm participating in Thursdays are for Thrifters at Spunky Chateau.

I'm making a big effort to participate in all kinds of things lately.  For the better part of a year I've been blogging quietly away here, lurking on other blogs, not really taking advantage of all the internet has to offer in the way of communication, interaction and community. When I began this blog I kind of had to force myself to do it. I wanted to do it. Or rather I wanted to want to do it. For me it was a bit like going to the gym- you do it because you feel you should do it, because you know that it's good for you, and you hope that one day you actually will enjoy it if you keep at it, and sometimes you feel good after you do it, but it's not like it's something you really look forward to doing. But I've gotten better at it (blogging that is, I still almost never work out.) I'm starting to love it and look forward to it. I'm starting to think of myself as a blogger. I'm starting to tell people about my blog and I'm starting to reach out to other bloggers I admire. (Hello, ladies!) Finally participating has increased my enjoyment tremendously. If you're reading this post because you followed my link from Spunky Chateau and you're a lonely, shy blogger like me, not sure whether you should link up, take it from me, YOU SHOULD.

This outfit is the result of me attempting to combine some thrifted pieces with some items that I haven't posted before. I mentioned that I was trying to feature every item in my current, wearable  wardrobe on the blog before the end of the year. It's not like I'm going to get rid of those things that don't make it in before the deadline but I guess I'm going to have to think pretty seriously about why I'm keeping any pieces that couldn't be included in a photographable, blogworthy outfit in a year.

This black cashmere pullover was thrifted a couple years ago. It's really rare that I find cashmere sweaters at the thrift store in colors that I can wear. Nine times out of ten any cashmere I find is in a tannish camel color that makes my hair and, more disturbing, my skin take on an unappealing yellow-green color. This sweater is a little big (the sleeves are too long for me) but otherwise it's wonderful. It's much better quality cashmere than any of the sweaters I've purchased new, in spite of being made in China, which most cashmere aficionados warn is usually a bad sign. It's super thick and cushy, hardly pills, and washes very well. I suppose that means it might not actually be cashmere at all, but the tags says it is and it sure feels wonderful.

Because the sweater is a little big, it's perfect for pairing with this thrifted houndstooth skirt, which is a little small. That's the beauty of thrifting, right? Making it all work?  Because it fits very snug and high the skirt is a little shorter than I'd normally wear but I think the big sweater and tights balance it all out. The hat is another of Wayne Wichern's, and it's one of the things I don't think I've shown on the blog yet.

A red hat, and a red letter day!

Why is this a red letter day? Because today there is a side view photo that I like enough to make it the first outfit photo you see. That has never happened before. The color of this felt cloche from Fino Fino is actually 'berry' but I'm employing poetic license here.

I was hoping to achieve a casually slouchy look with these wide legged pants and long cardigan. Slouchy can be really difficult for me to pull off. It so easily slips over the line into sloppy territory. And for a woman with, let's call it 'extra padding,' it can often end up just looking lumpy and frumpy. Today I think I've nailed the slouchy effect I was after. I think I look a bit like a character from an Agatha Christie mystery, about to go tooling around the countryside in an open roadster.

What I wore to evacuate.

Today's big excitement was the discovery of a gas leak at our home. (Fixed now, thankfully.) PG&E suggested we "evacuate the area" when we called, but we spent so much time discussing "How far should we go? And should we take the cat? And can we start the car without the place exploding?" that by the time we got out the door the truck was pulling up.

There seems to be something about shopping, for me at least, that becomes a self perpetuating cycle. Sure, I can wear this new dress with this purple cardigan that I already own, but now I want a fitted blazer to go over it. Something with a bit more shape, more waist definition, than this cardigan. Something I don't already own, of course. Does anyone ever get to the point where they can walk into their closet and say, "This is it; I have everything I want and need."?   Not forever, the beauty of fashion is change, but at least for a season.  Perhaps once I acquire this new fitted blazer I'll be there? (Yeah, right.)

Chris suggested I needed a photo of the dress without the sweater. The photo suggests I need to begin some sort of upper body weight training program. Thank goodness for sleeves!

An interview outfit.

No, I don't have an actual interview to go to.

Two weeks ago I applied for a job I really, really, really want. I keep checking online with pathological regularity and my application continues to be "in progress."  That's not bad, but it's not great either. I haven't been rejected out of hand. My application is still under consideration. I wait and I stew and I check the website again.

I went shopping over the weekend and purchased more clothing to outfit my job hunting process. Now I have plenty of things to wear to an interview, if I ever get one, and a credit card bill that makes finding a job imperative.

I'm hoping to work a little fashion magic here. Sort of an *if you wear the outfit, they will call* kind of thing. I know these are tough times. I know that my university, where I applied for the job I really want, is dealing with some major issues that have garnered national attention, and might take precedence over my need to have my resume reviewed RIGHT NOW. I know that the process of job hunting is slow and arduous. I know that these days very qualified people submit hundreds of resumes without ever getting called back. I know all this and I just wish they'd hurry up and call me.

So I'm participating in Visible Monday over at Not Dead Yet Style, even though the only place I'm going to be seen in the flesh today is Rite Aid. I'm hoping to be visible in another kind of way-  I hope my resume stands out. And that I can wear this dress again soon to meet with someone and discuss the position and my (awesome) qualifications. I hope on the outside I look professional, capable, hardworking, intelligent, and competent. On the inside I am screaming "Please notice me! Please like me! Please think I can do this! Please at least call me!"  I hope my exterior does not betray my inner quivering, incompetent, basket-case. Have I mentioned that I do not like looking for a job? I hate it.

The upside of this 'aspirational dressing' is that I have the opportunity to notice details, like the fact that my shoes need polishing, before I am racing out the door to an interview. This should mean that I'll be able to take care of things like this ahead of time. I say should because knowing that something needs to be done, and me actually doing it, are two totally different things. Even if I have the best intentions in the world, and probably should be doing something useful, like polishing all my shoes, instead of compulsively checking my application status and stressing.

Of course I got a new hat.

It's practically impossible for me to attend a hat show and not bring home a new hat. I did get to meet Deanna Gibbons, and another wonderful milliner, Jean Hicks.  I had a lovely evening playing with hats and chatting with talented, creative women.  What could be better?

 

I went through a phase a couple years ago when I couldn't get enough of these little uncut corduroy jackets from Anthropologie.  I used to work about a block away from an Anthropologie store and I would haunt the sale section. I had a policy of never paying more than $29.99 for anything. Most of the Anthro jackets I own were purchased in accordance with this policy. This one is one of the few things for which I've ever paid full price. I couldn't resist the little applique birds on the pockets or the cropped puffed sleeves.

I'm hoping that the day will come again when I can button both buttons. I thought it looked okay open so I went ahead and wore it today, and I'm leaving it in the closet as a wearable item even though, technically, I'm stretching this definition a bit. I make the rules, so I can decide when to break 'em.

Leopard zebra peacock?

I'm not sure what animal this print is supposed to represent but I really love this dress. I'm a bit wary of animal prints usually. Please don't send me hate mail, but there can be something tragically woman-of-a-certain-age-trying-desperately-to-look-sexy about these safari print knits. If I hadn't already been enough afraid of hitting this note, I recently attended a fiftieth birthday party where the dance floor was a sea of poorly fitting, cheap looking, and decidedly unflattering leopard.  I'm fearful of looking like an aging, sad cliche. That said, I do think I look great in this dress. I just won't wear it anywhere there is likely to be a troupe of older women also wearing leopard.

I'm wearing this tonight to the Holiday Hat Show at Fino Fino. I'm hoping to meet the milliner, DeAnna Gibbons, who is supposed to be attending this event tonight. I own two of her hats- this little military cap, and my favorite, this feathered beret. Both of these hats are whimsical but still easily wearable, exactly what I'm always hoping for in my clothing. I even love the label DeAnna uses in her hats- its a printed label that looks like it's pinned into the hat. So cute.

After the hat show Chris and I are headed to a Barbara Stanwyck double feature at the Stanford Theater.  I used to work up the street from this amazing movie theater and I would often go see movies by myself after work. At the time I was dating someone whose idea of a great old movie was The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Now I'm married to someone who loves the Stanford Theater as much as I do, and is willing to drive more than a hundred miles to get there. I sure did get lucky!

The coat is a thrift store find. It's black suede with a fur collar. I think it's very fun but the black suede rubs off on your hands if you're not careful (well, actually, even if you are careful) and so at some point in the evening, when you think you are the picture of vintage sophistication, you actually look like a messy child who has been finger painting. I think this problem might go away if I had the coat professionally cleaned. I was waiting to be sure that it was something I would really wear before I put money into cleaning it. This will be it's third outing so I think it's a keeper and deserves to be cared for properly.

Edit (12/06): I just belatedly linked this post to Trending Though The Decades at Silverstyle on the recommendation of a commenter. Great tip. Lots of fun fur.

Chris said the teal gloves "don't make any sense" unless you can see the dress. I don't agree but it's an excuse to post another photo. 

He also said, "A ring on the outside of your gloves? Who does that?"  My answer?  "I do that. That's all you need to know. Who cares who else does it?" He remains unconvinced.

Better than I expected.

I haven't worn this jersey shirt dress since I was a whole lot thinner. I was pleasantly surprised today to find that it still looks pretty good, if I do say so myself.

Still, I'm sure you'd all much rather I compliment myself than mope about complaining about what I don't like, which I have been doing more than I should lately. Sorry.