Zimmermann bird print top - from my cousin
Chambray shorts - 50cents op-shop
Tan vintage belt - $1 garage sale
Topshop clear jelly gladiators - $22 inc postage UK ebay
Today the little dude and I headed off to our first playgroup meeting here in our new town. It was a bit of a battle to even get accepted into the playgroup. I'm talking serious stealth tactics, disobeying direct orders, stealing phone numbers, shameless emotional manipulation, a web of lies (not actually my own I must add, but I willingly got myself entangled in it), and cold hard cash. After all that kerfuffle I was determined to make a good first impression.
We were actually all sunshine and smiles for playgroup, not J-Horror/Ringu like this.
I made a valiant stab at correct mummy dress code, (seriously - that's shorts, t-shirt and sandals right there) but truth to tell I think I was still kind of overdressed. Someone even helpfully advised me not to dress up next time. I have decided though that I'm going to dress the way I feel (within the bounds of practicality which playgroup requires) and people can just learn to love me (and the little dude of course, who is entirely loveable regardless).
New camera+new location=spooky photos
The little dude had a fabulous time at playgroup (or Pay Poop as he calls it), and I had an ok kind of time, until I checked out the dress-ups box and was almost overcome with a severe case of wardrobe envy. There was some really good stuff in there amongst the firemans helmets and batman capes, and I was itching to stuff it under my blouse and smuggle it out of there. Some highlights:
1. Gold lame/brocade sixties mini shift
2. Amazing blue sequinned eighties bolero jacket with sequinned floral trim
3. Butter soft lemon yellow eighties wedge sandals (so pretty)
4. Eighties black/white tie-dyed fringed cape/skirt/dress thing
5. Sixties white lace mini dress with tuxedo front and puff sleeves
Oh the frustration! Do you think I should volunteer to take the dress-ups box home for laundering and mending, and then just requisition a few choice items? Or is stealing from toddlers just not justifiable under any circumstances?
Actually all the op-shop purchases I have made so far here have been from the children's dress up rack - that's where the good stuff lurks (the rest of the racks being something of a polyester hellzone). Those tailored high waisted shorts (with cunning pleated detail at the waist which you can see if you squint and look closely) had the totally 80s tags still on them from the resort shop they were originally sold in. I think they were on the dress up rack because the fabric is just a little bit iridescent. The sequins on the cropped silk top are a little bit iridescent too, I feel like a little christmas beetle!
The sequinned top actually came as a two piece set with a sequinned skirt as well (for a whopping twelve dollars). I love them together, but I think even I might draw the line at wearing the complete ensemble during daylight hours. There's actually a little sequin flower detail on the top and skirt which you can't see here (and the photo I took of it is really dreadful), which makes them a little bit sweeter and not quite as vampiric as you might otherwise think.
I have no compunction about wearing the skirt in the daytime though - here it is with a cobalt blue silk eighties top ($4 garage sale) which has somehow never been sighted here on the blog, even though I wear it ALL THE TIME, with virtually everything in my wardrobe.
I have a couple of little posts rattling around in my head, so hopefully circumstances (and the little dude) conspire to give me a bit of posting time in the next couple of days. I miss my blog too much, and anyone who might still be reading it!
xx
Skye
PS. You wouldn't think such a sunny, happy little house could produce such scary pictures, would you? I am getting the hang of my new camera and working out how the light works around the house, so there is a slightly experimental edge to my photos at the moment. As in all things, I am begging you to please bear with me!
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35 comments:
Someone actually told you that? amazing. Do what want you as you said. I guess going out there with gold leggings isn't going to happen eh still?
Good to have you back.
It was funny how someone did a search on you as in 'skye vintage clothes blogger' and somehow landed on my site... interesting huh?
Welcome back, Skye! You look beautiful, as always.
It blows my mind that women in the playgroup are so exclusive!. Why so many machinations and hoop-jumping to get a group of kids together? Sheesh.
I love all your new op-shop finds. The sequined pieces are my favorite, because I'm going through a shiny phase. I think I'd want to go through the dressup box, too, given the list of shiny things in there. Maybe you raid the box to spite the Mean Mommies, not the kids, then scuttle off and form your *own* playgroup. One with cool moms.
xx
Great to see you Skye! And I love your playgroup outfit. Though it is rather fancy! Is the house all together now? Can we see some pics?
Hi my dear!! So pleased to see you back in blog land!! Of course, I'm loving the sequin 2 piece, both together and separate and the 1st outfit too!! LOL, what items to be stuck in a kiddies dress up box, they so have your name on them!! You need a covert operation to smuggle out these beauties, haha!!
Consider yourself borne with. You really jumped through some hoops to get into that playgroup ... good thing the Little Dude dug it so completely. Your sequined find is making me itch with envy - such versatility. And iridescent, too? Ach. Perfection.
Owh great to see the psots again. whadda ya mean you were too dressed up - sod 'em! Honestly why are people such freaks!
You should live in notting hill, mind you no sunshine but anything goes!
Welcome back.
I love the first location for your photos. xx
I'm dying over the sequin outfit! The skirt is amazing, the top is amazing, and you're absolutely right about only wearing them together at night. I would even say only on a weekend night, but things are pretty casual most of the time here in Nashville, despite our reputation for glamour.
Your first outfit is so breezy beautiful, makes me miss summer.
I think stealing from toddlers is completely justifiable :) And am intrigued by the politics of playgroup! Wow.
hey, you can always donate some substitute items - ones that would otherwise have been donated to the nearest charity shop - toddlers are notoriously easy to distract with 'new' pretty things....
you've really been missed, btw!
Its great to see you back! And in such awesome outfits! Love the casual vibe of the first outfit. The sequin outfit is great! I have been obsessed with finding a little sequin skirt like that so now I have some hope! And those pleated shorts are fab! Are they silk taffeta?
The photos are very eerie! I like it! And where did you find the rabbit on the wall??!
great looks even tough im supporting the first one
dont let yourself go to make others feel better. you were whatever your heart desires, overdressed or not.
the top on your first outfit looks so comfy! i love your jelly gladiators, it's so dainty!
The new Playgroup /Mums group in a new town can be hard work(some of those places are more exclusive then *insert snooty designer here*. We moved a few months ago and are still trying to find out feet, although the change is exciting settling in a new town can be a pretty lonely time until you start to "fit in".
I love that the through of pilfering the toddlers dress ups crossed you mind - gave me a giggle.
Love the sequins. You should have punched out the jealous bitch who commented on your clothes.
Ah, the politics of playgroup, yuck! I wish you and I could form our own playgroup where dress-up was encouraged for all, not just the toddlers ;)
I love, by the way that you gave us the play-by-play of the dress-up box, you are awesome, I've missed you!
The teal shorts rock!
If that's dressed up for playgroup, then I want blow by blow decriptions of what is considered appropriate playgroup mummy wear!
Welcome back, I've been missing your posts.
Well I've been checking your blog every day to see when you'd be back, and by the amount of comments it looks like everyone's been waiting with baited breath for the return of Skylark and Son!
Good to see you back! As for the dress up box... you have to raid it!! Justify it by replacing what you take with things you don't wear anymore! Then it's more of a trade than a raid.
Songy - I wonder who that was? Very mysterious! I am thinking of wearing the gold leggings for the christmas party at playgroup...
enc - I have no idea why it's such a rigmarole, I think it might be a bit of a "locals only" scenario because the are we've moved to is a tourist town. Shiny is good!
Sharon-Rose - I thought those sequins might catch your eye!
K-line - see, I'm so clueless I didn't think it was fancy at all. I'm hopeless! I have millions of house photos, I'll have to put some up.
Sal - I always knew the little dude would love it, hence my willingness to go into battle. He's such a social little animal.
Make do - I need my sunshine! I am LOVING having the most beautiful beach practically on the door. Actually my husband took some photos as we were having a quiet friday evening drink tonight, I must track them down.
Chantelle - glad to be back!
Annie - our new area has a reputation for razzle dazzle glitz, but mostly everyone you see is wearing shorts or something from a surf shop.
A cat - oh yes playgroup is a diabolical hotbed of politicking and machiavellian scheming.
Anonymous - thank you! Good idea on the exchange too, I must think about this plan more.
blogette - the shorts are some kind of ramie or rayon type stuff, not as stiff and taffeta-y as they look. The rabbit is a mask from bali - my dad brought him back for me a million years ago. He's my personal guardian.
MR style - I like my playgroup clothes too, that top is a favourite.
Eli - I will!
cherish - thank you for stopping by!
Lux - oh, playgroups can be a bit of a bore that way, that's for sure. Luckily the little dude just jumps right in no matter what.
WendyB - I felt kind of like pulling her hair...
Missa - we'd have the best playgroup ever, and certainly the awesomest dress up box in the history of the world.
ginchy - rubber thongs/flip-flops, cotton capri pants, cotton lycra tank top with shelf bra. Which isn't so far removed from what I was wearing, frankly!
Alicia - it's nice to be back, I hope I can sustain it!
just watching the wiggles with Bratty and who should pop up on my comments but my favourite queenslander!
You look great and feck that insecure bitch telling you to dress down. I'm with Wendy; smack her down. Time the learned some cross cultural diversity; the culture of fashion of course. Shiny shorts are nice but I am very envious of your Zimmerman. Please do as Make Do says and come to Notting Hill. Little Dude can learn to say "innit" and I can meet you for coffee and op shopping 6 times a year. Started collecting cashmere thanks to you and K-line.
missed you, welcome back. xx
just too adorable for words!
It's good to see you back! I can't believe someone told you that shorts and sandals was dressed up... That is just TOO crazy!
Steal from the toddlers then donate things that might actually fit them as costumes. They'll enjoy that much more.
Your outfit is wonderful (!) and I'm surprised someone said that to you.. Mind you, when I ever venture into traditional Mummy territory dressed the way I do, I think they are all too terrified to talk to me. I just get furtive glances and guppy mouths.
Glad to see you back, happy and looking a million bucks.
Jesus christ, you are overdressed?!?!?What were they wearing?!
You look cool and relaxed, don't change a thing Skye.
LM
x
Oh the sequins, the sequins! What an amazing find. And worn with aplomb. You look great both in sequins and in your playgroup outfit. I say go for the dress-up box. You can always replace what you took ;)
This play group thing sounds horrible! All the politics etc, I thought that all finished when you left high school.
The dress up box sounds amazing!!! And your sequinned outfit is to die for.
I'd recommend glassing the next person who feels compelled to offer YOU fashion advise...and stealing from children (and the elderly) is perfectly acceptable!
The blue top and skirt RULE!!!!! jesus, wear them together or I'll kill myself.
ps. one day I hope you'll tell the little dude how much you have sacrificed for him re the mean moms.
Hello Skye,
I don't think the photos are scary at all. A stark contrast to your happy sunshiney ones in Bondi but definitely not spooky. I actually quite like the lo-fi low-res feel of the indoor ones. And those shorts! Lucky lucky you. x
I'm a newbie around here, but I have to say I love your blog and your style!! So unusual and unique. :) However, those moms don't know what they are talking about. You were dressed perfectly fine; what do they want you to wear, a mother muumuu of sorts?! I hope other moving issues and such things are sorted!
Gorgeous!
Simple, yet always so beautiful!
I am sorry for not visditing your blog lately...really.
I hope you are okay, and your lovely little dude also.
<3
Mila.
I totally enjoyed reading this post... I'm going to remember your tip on checking out the kids dress up racks at the op shop... I never thought of that! x
hahahah stealing from toddlers is a no no but maybe you could come to a compromise...take the ones you want and throw in some stuff from your wardrobe.
1. you look gorgeous, especially in the first and last photo - no one could ever tell you just went through the stress of an interstate move
2. That rabbits head plus bad lighting is INDEED scary.
3. Steal the dress up box. You can always replace what you take with poly-hideous op shop stuff. I'm pretty sure no one will notice, especially if what you replace it with is equally shiny.
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