Versatility of a Black Dress

{Dress: Thrifted Vintage} {Boots: Sam Edelman (I found these on sale at LF in Santa Monica for $75!!!!)}

 {Fly Away Cardigan: Chelsea and Violet (similar)} {Star of David: Vintage, Gift from J} 
{Seahorse: Dolly Python Vintage} {Hat: Laced With Romance} 
{Talon Pinky Ring, Sunglasses: Melrose/Fairfax Flea Market} {Bracelets: Various}

I found this amazing black dress at a Thrift Store a couple of blocks from our house. It's my Lady Mary in Mourning/Stevie Nicks dress (if you haven't caught up on Downton Abbey, Lady Mary along with all the Granthams, is in mourning....I won't tell you why, but it I will tell you I cried). I love the drop waist and the lace detail along the bottom.

I had such a hard time deciding what to layer with this bad boy. Do you ever stumble upon a piece you feel so strong towards, the first time you wear it you just can't decide what else in your closet will do it justice? You don't want to wear anything that will over power it because you want it to shine, but you want to pair it with other parts that will be perfect supporting characters....do I sound neurotic? I think I might. With this dress, I thought about a boxy denim jacket, tried a couple of blazers and finally landed on this fly away lacy cardigan. I thought it was a little too obvious/matchy, but it looked good so I went with it. Also Jonathan was doing that lurking thing, where he's ready to go, but doesn't want to "pressure" me to hurry, so he doesn't say anything...he stands at the doorway and stares blankly. I usually try to hustle a bit when he's starts in on that. (He's a very patient man).

What would you have paired this dress with? Can't wait to test it's versatility.

(Feeling a little under the weather with a cold right now, excuse the lack of enthusiasm. My eyes may or may not have been crossing when I wrote this).

xo.

¡BANDIDOS, BANDEROS, ESPECIAL!

Excuse the lack of posts this week, I've been a bit under the weather. The good news is I received a package full of vintage dresses and blazers from my Kimono designing, tea drinking, forever cat having , minimalist Godmother. I was the recipient of the casualties of her recent closet cleaning. Most of the items are simple and clean, but well made, vintage and fit me perfectly. WOOHOO!

I tried my hand at this Nicole Miller dress first. The beaded trim detail on the dress reminded me of the Mariachi-like hats Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short wore in ¡Three Amigos!. 

I straddled that desert/southwestern inspiration into the preverbal style-sunset. 

Snake Necklace, brothel thigh-highs (which Jonathan warmly refer to as "whore-socks"), lace-up frontier-ish boots, and some turquoise. Aaaaand a hat to tip to strangers/hide my unwashed hair. I guess I could get away with calling this a "messy side braid" but lets be real: it's a dread.

I will admit, this is a little costumey, but 

GIMMEABREAKIT'SOCTOBERIJUSTFELTLIKEITSTOPJUDGINGMEEEEEEH!!!!!

On a serious note, I really do adore the details of this dress. I love the texture of the dupioni silk. The cut of the bust line and the back especially made me want to put it on immediately. And of course the beading at the bottom. It's amazing how texture and cut can turn an other-wise boring piece into something special. 

Boots: UO, Thigh Highs: Spirit Halloween, Neckalce: Brooklyn Flea Market, Hat and Nicole Miller Dress: Gifted, Bracelets: Thrift