I finally got my video successfully transferred to my computer (without having to re-record–yay!), edited and uploaded. I’m so happy I finally did this too–it’s been a long time since I’ve done a tutorial for my YouTube channel; and now that I got things figured out with my camera, it hopefully will not be the last. I have gotten a lot of comments and emails over the past month on how I did the above hairstyle. It’s an early 60s-inspired style that I came up with one weekend, and it’s become a go-to updo ever since. I promise it’s super easy–perfect for a variety of occasions and hair types! (Though it will work best with medium to long hair lengths.) I hope you enjoy this little video tutorial–do let me know if you have any questions!
Today’s post was going to be a video tutorial of how I do this hair style, but my computer and camera decided they no longer wanted to play nice with each other. This was after the test video I filmed Monday–suddenly when I downloaded the new one to my computer, the sound sync was completely off! So excuse the late post today–hopefully I can either wrangle the syncing problem or record a new version tomorrow (so unless further catastrophe ensues, expect the tutorial Friday!). Here’s keeping my fingers crossed!
[ fantastically colorful, full gathered skirt here. ]
I’ve been starting to go through my boxes of vintage and whittle things down a bit. I’m just getting to the point where I have a lot of things that I’ve bought that no longer fit or aren’t my style any more. So over the next couple months, I’ll be adding a lot of vintage pieces from my own closet (as well as other things I’ve had in my collection) to my Etsy shop. Kind of a virtual garage sale. I updated today with a number of garments to start off with (just a few are in this post; lots more over at the shop), so be sure to swing by and check it out! Hopefully they’ll all find new homes–instead of hiding in the back of my closet!
This is the skirt that Sailor Husband surprised me with last week! He knew I had been coveting it at Anthropologie, but didn’t want to spend the money on essentially a very basic gathered skirt. But he went ahead and got it for me when it popped up on the sale racks–isn’t that sweet? It’s not, however, the style that caught my eye (though we know I do love me a good, gathered skirt!), but the fabric–something that I can’t easily source or replicate when I admire a piece of clothing in a store! It seemed like the perfect print for late summer and even once the weather turns cooler. I can see this layered with a cardigan or long-sleeve blouse and some close-toe pumps. I’ve worn it two days in a row already… yikes! lol. I decided to add a few dark metal accessories and a leopard print clutch for a bit of a tropical feel to the look–which seems in keeping with how hot and humid it’s been the past week!
leopard clutch: made by me, based on a 1940s style
I was, however, reminded by this skirt of how wacky retail sizing can be. I honestly think that there will never be much standard for sizes and fit models in the industry. But every time I shop retail, vanity sizing just further annoys and frustrates me. I tried on a size 2–a full size below what I normally pick up in Anthropologie–and it was still too big in the waist for me. Now, lest you think I am a tiny little thing, I’m not: I’m average height and build–a bit on the “solidly built” and muscular side (it’s my Welsh/German/English heritage! lol.). So image how confused I was when the size 0 fit my waist perfectly–I wondered how the heck girls who were smaller would be fare trying to fit into this skirt? They’d be swimming in it! It’s really quite weird and annoying, to say the least. I’m not offended if I’m a 10 or a 0–just so long as the darn clothes fit. But I really wonder what vanity sizing is doing to other women’s view of themselves and their shopping experience when they don’t fit into the “small” size that they do at Store A when shopping at Store B. As someone who has struggled with low body image and anorexia in the past, I sometimes feel like retailers are just compounding the problem. But all they care about is selling clothes–and little lies about size tend to sell best.
Excuse the rant… the issues of body image and size are something that are near to my heart. Though I rarely talk about them here, because in some ways I feel like I’m still healing and working past my own scars from an eating disorder to be able to talk about this. There are others who write about body image issues far more eloquently than I can anyway; bloggers like Gertie and Sally, just to name a couple!
On a lighter note… I have been gathering up inspiration for my autumn wardrobe the past few days. I’m angling at posting something about it by the end of the week, hopefully! I think this is the first season I’ve tried to set out with a theme or “feel” that I want my wardrobe choices to embody for the season, which I’m hoping will help me better focus on what I need to fill in some gaps!
That’s a handbag (or purse), of course! I know some women aren’t as big handbag “fans” as others, but despite that, most of do find having a bag of some sort helpful and handy for carrying all those things needed when out and about. The 1940s had some fun handbag styles and shapes; accessories, particularly during the war years, were one of the ways women changed their outfit without having to replace a whole garment. They were a quick way to change the tone of the outfit (sporty, formal, casual), as well as add some color and texture to a neutral look. I just love the shapes; especially the large clutch bags and “wristlet” styles (unfortunately, there really aren’t any in this bunch of pages!).
[ I love the "zip top underarm" bag--top left--with it's chunky circle zipper pull. ]
[ the long clutch bag (lower right) with the raised cording is rather fetching! ]
[ I'm rather partial to the striped fabric bags... ]
[ I love the idea of personalizing the bag with initials! ]
Spot any styles you like in these pages? What’s your favorite handbag to carry with you? Are you a purely practical type, or do you like something a bit more fancy?
[ please click to view the sources for these lovely images! ]
Hello! How has your weekend been? We’ve been having a pretty laid back weekend; lots of knitting, stopping at 7-Eleven for Slurpees (it’s been so, so hot!), Sailor Husband surprising me with a skirt I’d been coveting from one of my favorite stores, tracing patterns for upcoming sewing projects, knitting, and lots of good eats off the grill. I love weekends like this! Although I need to spend some time mapping out my schedule for next week… Just in case I was tempted to get too comfy in this weekend mindset! lol. Hope you have been having an equally lovely weekend!
Fleur shared some fantastic tips on key pieces to add to your vintage-style fall wardrobe.
