Dressing Downton Abbey

It's been a while since I did a specific post on Dressing Downtown Abbey--I did a few last winter, but they were mostly late 1910s outfits from season three.  

Season five puts us in 1925, and while it isn't my first choice for favorite fashion period, I do like some things.  My 1920s love really tops out in about 1923, as that is about the end of the late 1910s-trends and hem lines go up and waist lines drop down dramatically.  It isn't a particularly flattering silhouette on me, given my waist-to-hip ratio, which at the moment is whopping 11".

But my hair cooperated in a most 1920s fashion today, and I decided my outfit needed to match.  The dress is this one from eshakti that I've shown here before, but the long lines of the sweater and necklace "cheat" the silhouette a bit to bring it more into the 1920s. 

As much as I'm a fan of showing what I actually wear every day, I put these shoes on for the photos because that's what I would be wearing if our streets and sidewalks weren't a complete ice-skating rink since the storm this past weekend.  I nearly broke my neck just trying to get these photos taken in these shoes--they have good soles and decent traction, but there really isn't any substitute for heavy flat boots in this weather.  I've been wearing my fur-lined boots pretty much non-stop.

My hair ornaments are from Mat. Anna at Cozy House Curios.  I had a small crocheted flower from a Stampin' Up! embellishment kit that I made into a hair clip a long time ago, and I liked it so much that I commissioned Mat. Anna to make me a few more in neutral colors.  I finally got around to attaching them to clips this morning and I went to town.  I really like them and highly recommend her work.  (She is a friend and a frequent commenter on this blog.  She did not ask me to review these hair ornaments, but I love them so much I wanted to give her some blog love!)

My awesome 1920s style necklace--a random etsy find last winter.

More hair clip shots--I'm really quite pleased with the shape of my hair today--I didn't really do anything to it after showering except to comb it with a fine-tooth comb, fluff up the curls and then start pinning.  The advantage of curly hair, I guess!  No need for marcel clips (although I do have some)  I spend so much time being generally frustrated with my hair that it is nice to have a few good days here and there.

It is surprisingly hard to get a good back shot of one's own hair.

The two front clips, in detail.

One of the back clips--I couldn't get a good shot of the other one, but it is similar to this one, just a little smaller.

It being the first week of Great Lent, my GI system has decided to go crazy, so this outfit was just the thing for today.

Outfit details:

Dress: eshakti

Sweater: Merona from Target

Necklace: etsy

Earrings: etsy

hair flowers: Cozy House Curios

Shoes: Portlandia

Tights: Heather Mocha from Foot Traffic via Sock Dreams

1919 Homage

Via Pinterest

I'm very enamoured of late 1910s looks this winter, as I've said.  I love all of the looks pictured above--the green one especially!  I'm working on a 1918 knit pullover and cast on a striped beret that is similar in shape to the one at the top left on the catalog image above.  I've struggled a lot with chills this winter (probably a hormonal afterglow from weaning Ponchik this fall) and I really haven't been able to knit fast enough to keep myself warm.  I stumbled across a modern sweater on clearance at Target a few weeks ago and the shape was perfect for the late 1910s!  I was thrilled.  It just needed a belt to make it look more period correct.  It is very warm and I really like the muted greenish-blue color--I seem to be collecting a lot of tops in this color family.

I've been wearing this skirt a lot, as it is wool, long, and has a hidden elastic waist, so it is the most forgiving separate in my closet at the moment.

I normally wear a large in Target sweaters, but they didn't have any, and I'm glad I sized up to an XL because it gave me enough extra ease to lap the front as I had intended.  It also fits nicely in the sleeves.

Wearing my Chookas as nothing else is as waterproof in 5+ inches of snow!  The red Wellies that LL Bean sent to replace the green ones were a dud (they've changed the design and the new one gave me bruises on my calves so I sent them back with a long note)  After that disappointment, I tried these pea green Chookas as they were on clearance at 6pm.com--they fit quite well!  I almost never find a tall boot that actually fits my calves well, and these do, plus have room to spare.  The toe box is also a good width for my feet.  I did have a little trouble finding an arch support insert that fits the bottom of the boot well, but that isn't so critical.  They have a functional cinch belt at the top of the boot, and I may actually use it!  

The snowflakes were very dry since it has gotten so cold here, and the flake definition was really nice!  I tried to get close ups of a few than landed on my sweater.

You can kind of see one here:

The pin was a surprise gift from my dad a few years ago--he was in a thrift store, saw it and thought of me, and bought it.  He sent it in the mail himself with a little note.  It was a particularly hard season for me then (which he knew) and I was so touched by the gift and the note.  I treasure both.  

The kids are all home today (again!--this begins to feel like the never ending weekend, as Piglet was also home on Friday for a professional development day)  We did get about 6 inches of snow overnight, and we do live in The City That Does Not Plow, so I guess it is to be expected.  The trash guys did actually pick up today (although no sign of recycling yet) so the end times must be nigh at hand.

Outfit details:

Sweater: Target

Camisole: Forever 21 (I know, I know.  I hate myself too.  I got it for nursing purposes when I was a clothing industry naif)

Skirt: ThredUp

Boots: 6pm.com

Pin: gift from my dad

Earrings: inherited from my gram

Hair clip: Lilla Rose (small size)

Belt: etsy

~wiws~ late 1910s props

Doing the FLAP thing, as the linky appears to be up again!

Not much to say about this outfit except that I've worn it a lot lately, and wore it to church this morning because it was below zero with the wind chill and extremely windy (gusts up to 50 mph at times!)  I was glad we stayed in town for church this morning instead of attempting our normal hour-long drive to New Jersey and back.  I was extremely cold while taking these photos!

And apart from the gauntlets, I made absolutely nothing I'm wearing.  

And I'm kind of okay with that.  This whole vintage thing started as a thrifting expedition after all.

I'm also a big fan of showing what I actually wear, instead of what would have looked best.  My brown lace up boots would have looked better, but it was too cold for them, so out came the black faux-fur lined boots which are much warmer.  It is hard to see, but I have an off-white long sleeve t-shirt under the blue shirt and gauntlets, which is just the right amount of layers.

My Orenburg shawl is getting a lot of wear this winter, after many years of neglect!

Details:

Oatmeal colored scoop neck tshirt: Old Navy

Axcess knit cardigan: ThredUp

Brown leather belt: etsy

Pierre Cardin Wool Blend Skirt: ThredUp

Gauntlets: Swish yarn in Lava, me-made

Orenburg Shawl: bought from a Russian babushka on the side of the road in Nizhni Novgorod, 1998

1940s Alpine Hat/Hiking Boots pin: via Charlotte at Tuppence Ha'Penny

Earrings: etsy

Crochet cloche hat: etsy

Tights: Foot Traffic classic cotton tights in Mocha Heather

Boots: Payless

Winter Uniform: Whole Lotta Me

Today you get a whole lotta me.  As I said yesterday, I've been trying some different things, style-wise, trying to find a comfort zone that keeps me warm (I have terrible shaking spells of chills a few times a day) and fits around my swollen body.  Given that approximately 95% of my wardrobe is quite fitted through the torso for a 1940s silhouette, this has proved a bit challenging.  I'm trying to shift some of my wardrobe to the late 1910s, as I said yesterday, which is looser and more forgiving, but these things take time and energy, and I'm afraid I'm a little short on both at the moment.  I did cast on the 1918 pullover last night, so we'll see how that goes.

So without further ado, I present recent stylings.

This was an attempt at a 1920s-esque style.  It is pretty modern, I admit, but the vibe is there, and it is a decently comfortable outfit.

The chambray dress is this one from eshakti, the sweater is from target and the belt is an old one from H&M.  The hat is from Target a few years ago.

I know you saw this dress earlier in the fall, but I think this styling works better for the period.  I added a Pavlovo-Posad scarf I bought in Russia about 15 years ago, and a crochet cloche hat from etsy.

I made the gauntlets this fall.  I was initially unhappy with the length, but they work quite nicely with this dress.

I'm pretty pleased with this red outfit--I had bought the dress from an ebay seller, but the seller noticed some flaws after I bought it and decided to refund my money and send it to me anyway!  The flaws are pretty minor, and the corduroy is so soft and comfortable.  The collar reminds me of 1919 collar treatments.  The waist is maybe a little high for the period, but I think if I shorten the dress slightly and use the excess for a sash as on the coat dress, it will be quite perfect.  On the other hand, I might just wear it as is!

The shawl is a Russian Orenburg shawl I bought when I lived in Russia in 1998 and it remains a favorite of mine.  It is so delicate and beautiful, but it sheds like crazy!  

The dress is an old Eddie Bauer (I'm guessing late 1990s or early naughts, going by the style).  I borrowed the belt from my husband.  Trusty Modcloth boots.

Finally, another eshakti styling.  I have several knit dresses in this style, which I've shown here over the fall, and I'm wearing them a lot right now.  This outfit is kind of my winter uniform at the moment, as the dress is forgiving enough to my waist and yet can be styled in a variety of ways.  

Another Pavlovo-Posad scarf from my year in Moscow, plus the brown gauntlets I made in December.  It is a snowing a little today, which is why there are white streaks/specks on my pictures.

Celtic knot earrings from an etsy seller--I've worn them a lot this year.

I'm hoping that the extreme fatigue that plagues me lately will abate soon, as I'd like to remedy the deficiencies in my closet, but at least I do have some things to wear that I feel reasonably good about.

   Unfortunately, the blue sweater I blogged yesterday doesn't really fit me that well (too small/short), and I ended up changing the collar back to a straight turtleneck as the split collar mod didn't really look right.  I'm a bit disappointed and trying to decide what to do with it now.  At least I didn't waste all winter on it.

I also wanted to give a shout out to vintage blogger and sewer Stephanie, as I loved her post today about what our clothes say about us.  I often wonder if I spend too much time thinking about clothes, but especially after reading Anne Hollander's book, and now Stephanie's post, I think it is healthy to be moderately concerned with appearances.

What I Didn't Wear Sunday

I spent 8+ hours in the ER yesterday, as the infection I've been battling for some time decided to go for round two of special nastiness.  Things escalated to an emergency yesterday when it started to hurt to breathe and my arms and legs were numb and cold, so off to the ER I went.  They ran a bunch of tests, gave me some fluids and some meds, but then, just kind of forgot about me.  It was highly frustrating. Because keeping me awake all night in an uncomfortable bed is just the thing for a sleep-deprived patient with pneunmonia.

I stayed home from church today (obviously) which was kind of a bummer as it is Forgiveness Sunday, and Lent starts tomorrow.  I feel behind already.

But I don't want to miss my last of 7 posts (although technically I think this makes 8, as I posted last Sunday), so I'll give you a Downton Abbey outfit to round out the week.  I will note for the record that I took these on Friday, lest you think my sad sick self looks this nice today.  And I was only outside for about five minutes, for anyone concerned about the cold.

Grey Sag Harbor Skirt: Thrifted, ebay

Langvin rayon blouse: Thrifted, ebay

Black elastic belt: H&M

Heather Graphite Foot Traffic Tights: Sock Dreams

Gray t-strap shoes: gifted from a friend

Necklace: Kohl's (old)

Earrings: Etsy

What I Wore Sunday: Another Downton moment

Linking up with FLAP today.  Sadly, our car is iced in today, and we were thwarted in our attempt to visit our regular parish (an hour's drive away) and instead went to the Russian-speaking parish that is an easy walk from our house.  Just as well, I think, as I'm still feeling tired from the pneumonia. 

 I decided to have another go at a Downton Abbey-inspired outfit today, and while I'm not happy with my hair (I had to wash it and then style it wet, since I thought I'd have a headscarf on all morning for church and didn't want to waste time on a complicated hair do that would just get messed up with the scarf), I'm pretty happy with the overall effect.

A Sarah Coventry necklace I picked up at a flea market in Missouri while visiting my parents in the fall.  It has a very pretty opalescent stone in the middle.  The earrings are from Target, but have a lovely vintage look to them.  The stones are topaz colored, and the gold has a rose-tone to it.

My "ack-the-sun-is-in-my-eyes!" squint.   

After unsuccessfully trying for photos in my usual spot because of the sun, I went across the street to pose in front of the neighbors' as well as get a full-length shot with my new boots!  The blouse was a recent ebay find.  It is Karen Scott, which I think is a Sears brand, but what I loved about it was the double collar.  The pictures on the listing didn't do it justice--the blue is lovely and just the right shade for my skin (certain shades of blue are tough for me to wear), and it has a lovely mid-weight hand and some nice textured striping for interest.  The French cuffs are a little annoying, but period appropriate, I think!  Not bad for a $10 blouse.

Let me tell you about these boots, because they are da bomb.  I've been looking for a pair of tall lace-up brown leather boots for a while now, because I love how Solanah of Vintage Vixen styles hers, plus I have a growing list of outfit inspiration photos that include such a pair of boots.  I'm finding that shoes can make all the difference as to whether an outfit feels frumpy to me or not.  These boots really make this outfit for me.

  

Aren't they great?  My problem with finding the right pair was that I'm not willing to pay a lot of money for boots (I don't do three figures for shoes), and I wanted something with a low heel and if possible, a side zip, because I know that when I'm baby wearing, tying shoe laces is the last thing I want to do to get out the door.  Also, I have wide feet, so fit is sometimes tricky in these sorts of boots.  These are great because the laces are real, and allow me to adjust the tightness of the fit, but zip up the side, so once I've adjusted them, they are good to go.  They have a 1" heel, which is perfect, and fit my muscular calves just fine (another perennial problem with me and tall boots).  They aren't real leather (they were advertised as "vegan" which I don't care about), but that made them quite affordable.  My only complaint is that the sole doesn't have any tread on it, but there was some texture to it that keeps it from being horribly slippery.  I might try some kind of tread pad on the bottom to see if that helps (although I find that those stick on pads just fall off after two wears, so probably not worth it).

Details:

Blouse: Karen Scott, via ebay

Brown wool skirt: Pierre Cardin, via ThredUp

Brown elastic belt: Macy's (old)

Sarah Coventry necklace: Yellow Moon Antique Mall

Faux Topaz earrings: Target (old)

Boots: Follow the Cedar Boot via Modcloth

Hair slides (not pictured): Sally Beauty Supply

Having a Downton Abbey Moment

The post man delivered my ThredUp goodies yesterday, so I present you with a Downton Abbey fashion moment, inspired by this photo:

I admit I didn't do a bang up job on my hair, but I'm getting a hair cut today and I didn't want to spend a ton of time on it since it is just going to get washed in a few hours.  

It's too bad that Edwardian S-curve corsets went out of fashion, because I have enough junk in my trunk to get the look without the pain!  Ha!

It was about 25 degrees when I took these photos--the things we do for fashion blog posts!!

I'm also very excited that the costumes of Downton Abbey are coming to a museum near here starting March 1st, and I was able to buy tickets for the exhibit yesterday, so my mom and I can go see it when she visits next month!

I also got a belted shawl collar wool cardigan sweater, that I think would make this outfit just perfect for this weather (and channel one of Lady Edith's wartime outfits!), but it was still at the dry cleaners having a wash, so I'll save that for another post.

I'm telling myself that my bare face is period appropriate, but the truth is that I have pneumonia and don't have a lot of extra energy today, so did a minimal job in the getting-dressed department.

  

My shoes are Clarks, and so comfortable!  I can style them from this period up through the early 1940s, and they aren't so fancy that I can't wear them casually.  I bought them used for less than $30 on ebay.

 I'm thinking of making this a little series, as I've been on a DA fashion kick lately, and I'm hoping some of you might enjoy a bit of inspiration from the Great War era. 

For the record, all these clothes are modern:

Navy Blouse: Metro Style, via ThredUp

Wool Skirt: Pierre Cardin via Thredup

Brown elastic belt: Macy's (old)

Brown tights: Foot Traffic via Sock Dreams

Necklace: Etsy, koololejools

Earrings: (old) Etsy, MrsSMeow (no longer in business)