I mentioned the
Avengers character Tara King being one of
my current style inspirations earlier in the month. Her wardrobe of brightly coloured miniskirts or minidresses and matching jackets really captures the imagination. Well, what do you know, within a couple of weeks, a very nice Taralicious crimplene dress suit had appeared on
Kinky Melon's shop website for £35. And now it has appeared in my wardrobe.
I know, I know, I used to detest crimplene. I'm still not 100% convinced by how it feels under my nails, it feels a tad 'squeaky' to me, but Ann and Curtise have made me reappraise its potential, and actually, I do really appreciate some of its qualities, mainly that it won't need ironing (there is a MASSIVE pile of ironing out of view in these shots) and moths won't touch it. I spend so much of my time scrutinising stuff for moths, it's a relief to own at least one thing that won't ever be at risk of being munched. So sign me up to Team Crimplene.
The fabric doesn't look quite as bright in these photos as it does in real life; it's a textured knit of white, chartreuse yellow-green, and bright green. (It's not clear in the photos, but I put on matching bright green eyeshadow for the pictures. It's probably terrifying in person.) The skirt isn't as mini as Tara King's outfits, but it's plenty mini enough for me.
The buttons down the front of the jacket, and little buckles on the side straps, are a white moonglow plastic. Needless to say, 'string of beads in white moonglow' has gone straight to the top of my wishlist.
As for other accessories, I really like the way my cream boxy bag looks with the suit, but the only cream shoes I own are cheap lace summer flats. This gives me a bit of a dilemma as my cream bag doesn't actually go with much in my wardrobe, so would I just be buying a pair of shoes to go with this suit? Maybe this means I should be looking for green brogues or loafers instead. Though if I am following the Way of Tara, knee boots might be the answer... what do you reckon?
Love it. Very 60s chic. I think boots would look fab
ReplyDeleteI resisted the 1960s for so long. Such stupidity! I'm deffo leaning towards boots.
DeleteGo for the boots!
ReplyDeleteYou win the Best Pose contest. I love how you're having fun with the 60's looks (something that just wouldn't feel right in a 30's gown). You look radiant in your new suit, and I'm only sorry I can't see the green eye shadow-I'm sure it is lovely.
Mate, I've worn a ballgown on a bouncy castle, I'd cheerfully arse around in a 30s gown (as long as I was sure the seams and fabric would hold up - maybe clowning is best kept for repro as the world doesn't need to see my underpinnings). But the clothes of the 1960s, like the 1920s, do seem to be made for fun and activity, not for being admired. I like clothes that I can do things in.
DeleteLove it! Of course my answer to the dilemma would be to buy boots, cream shoes, green shoes and a green bag!
ReplyDeleteYou are pure evil and I love you.
DeleteI'm leaning towards trying to find cream boots. And green tights, plus a matching pair of tights to turn into a headband because the 60s is all about the matchy-matchy.
Oh Mim, this is fabulous!! Love the posing too, that's brilliant. I did wonder if you'd bought the velvet skirt suit I saw on Kinky's shop. But this is even better because you can wear it in more seasons. I too would have loved to see a close-up of the green eyeshadow! I think green shoes could be awesome. Clarks have lots of dark green ones at the moment x
ReplyDeleteI'd have snapped the velvet suit up in an instant if I'd been able to get into it.
DeleteI'm going to bring out the crimplene for my first day on OPM next week. That'll be a nice treat for them...
Hahaha! Cavorting on the dining room table. Look what crimplene brings out in you! You need more! I love the Tara King suit on you. Sexy or what? I'm right there on the was-reluctant-but-changed-me-mind team. I have two crimplene dresses and they're fine. I'm still not going near polyester though. Oh my, knee boots. Happy birthday To the Husbeast. Do it! Xxx
ReplyDeleteYeah, the suit doesn't look anywhere near as Nanna as I'd anticipated. And it's nice and warm too!
DeleteNicely textured crimplene I can do, silky polyester knit is still not for me. Though who knows what I'll be saying in another five years? ('No naked flames', probably...)
I do love a suit, and especially a crimplene one, as you've probably guessed. I'm glad to hear you are becoming a convert and of course I can only applaud its non-ironing qualities. Well done. Oh, and you do look amazing in it. Love the posing too! xxx
ReplyDeleteVix said two-pieces are hard to come by. I really like this one. #teamcrimplene
DeleteI think boots would look rather glamorous with the dress suit. I think you look lovely in it and what a fabulous pose!
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of green loafers though...what about green tights to match?
Had no idea about crimplene being moth resistant - every day's a school day!
xxx
Veronica
vronni60s.blogspot.com
Crimplene's basically fancied-up polyester, so pure plastic. Moths like natural fibres, the pricier the better (in my experience they'll go for wool, but like cashmere or baby camel even more). They won't eat plastic.
DeleteI'm thinking of green tights - I shall see what M&S have in, as they usually get decent winter tights in. (I tried Primark last year, but the quality wasn't there.)
Fun! You look fabulous and I love the posing! You should definitely get yourself some more pieces like this, it suits you really well. Boots would be the bees knees xxx
ReplyDeleteAstonishingly, boots are proving hard to find. The right sort, at any rate. I am now on a MISSION!
DeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great color on you! I love it!
How fabulous is the cut of that shift & jacket on you too!
I say white vinyl boots and a white vinyl or patent leather purse to match.
IMMEDIATELY IF NOT SOONER.
I am looking for the boots! I actually have a white 80s box bag that will work with it.
DeleteHappy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fab room & fun trip!
We always worry about our furbabies too, to the point we hire a sitter to come stay at our house with them.
Such a chic, fabulous find. I love a good sheath dress from pretty much any era. So versatile and becoming. The moonglow accent here is an awesome touch that really speaks to the era that this frock hails from.
ReplyDeletexoxo ♥ Jessica
Yes, sheath dresses are such classic shapes, aren't they? I favour classic styles as much as vintage ones. (Not sure if I'm tastefully restrained or just plain boring!)
DeleteI love this suit on you, it looks fabulous! You really do suit the 60s look so much. A little tip I read in one of my 1930s sewing books is, with accessories they shouldn't all be in matching colours. One accessory should be more important that the others, so could be in a contrasting colour or be in a matching colour but with a contrasting trim. It's funny how I've started to do this with my own accessories without even being conscious of it. xx
ReplyDeleteThe 60s were terrifyingly matchy-matchy. I honestly don't think there's a decade like it for the level of matchiness. Even hair bandeaux and tights would be matched to an outfit. That said, I doubt I'll be able to find boots to match the bag, so there's going to be some contrast there.
DeleteI do love 30s accessories. I guess the thing with the 1930s is, each thing is exquisite in its own right, building up to an overall detailed, yet harmonious look. A lot of 1960s pieces aren't necessarily that interesting in themselves, it's the completed whole that matters.
I absolutely positively LOVE this dress. :)
ReplyDeleteIt has all the features I'd love to wear. Almost everything about the 1960s dress (not the mini) is to my liking. Except, I don't exactly like to match every item that I wear. I like to do color-block; something that was not fashionable back in 1960s. For me, having everything toned.. it making me feel - bland.
Is this making any point?!
Marija
I do understand! Matching's not for everyone, and you have a very sleek and space-age-vintage look - you look fab with colour blocking. I'm naturally quite a matchy person anyhow, so the more matchy, the better for me.
DeleteWowser! How well does that suit fit you? You looks absolutely amazing. I'm thrilled to bits.
ReplyDeleteBoots would look amazing as would some Orla Kiely for Clarks' candy coloured T Bars (if you win the lottery or get lucky on eBay).
Any recommendations for green eye shadow? I'm down to crumbs in my 3 year old Sleek palette and in urgent need of a replacement. xxx
Oooh, I shall look out for those shoes, though I suspect they won't fit. Clarks seem to have been making all their nice stuff terribly narrow - I'd have snapped up this summer's V&A 60s-inspired range immediately, but couldn't get my fat little feet into any of it. So frustrating. Still, if they don't want my round pound, that's their loss!
DeleteMy green eyeshadow is a massive cheapie I got when we were clearing Pete's mum's house out after she died. I don't wear green eyeshadow, but I just wanted something happy and a new palette fitted the bill. It's just indie chemist tat; £3 for the palette. I'll keep an eye out for others, though.
Without doubt, boots! Blessings
ReplyDeleteI'm looking! They've got to be out there somewhere...
DeleteVix told me about this suit when I saw her in Bethnal Green on Sunday, it looks fab on you! Glad to hear you're on team crimplene now.
ReplyDeleteCream shoes go with so much so I'm sure you'd be able to pair them with other things if you bought some to go with this suit.
I've seen a nice pair of 'nude' loafers at M&S that will do while I try to find the perfect boots.
DeleteI've also got a fab 1964 skirt/top set that I think you'll like (it still had the original tags on, including the copyright, hence the firm date).