Outfits Imitating Art - My Blue Period

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An outfit imitating L'ascete.

Recently, when visiting the blog of the stylish Terri Meadowtree , A 2ND LOVED AFICIANADO, I spotted in the comments that my blogger mate Anna of Mutton Years Style had a 2nd Loved gold jacket.  Hmmnn, there's a 2nd Loved blue jacket lurking somewhere in my archives …  And thus, a collaboration was born.

I picked up this jacket at a jumble sale in the early 80s. Someone had chucked it out then so I'm unsure when it was made, but it has plenty shoulderage, so I'm guessing very early 80s (or perhaps 40s!).  I used to use it as outerwear over black evening dresses.  And nothing more.

In the 90s I got myself an M&S black tux and this poor little thing became history.  Yet I couldn't chuck out this blue jacket because

1. It's silk.

2. It's a beautiful electric blue.

3. It's handmade and someone put in the hours quilting and lining this baby.

When I searched for the jacket  for the collab I also found my missing yellow cardi, which Anna then decided would be her collab inspiration; I also found my estranged coral jersey dress (both featured recently) and a whole host of other stuff which I'm just itching to wear this summer.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, being a hoarder is like having my own personal charity shop.  I go a-rummaging, find things I haven't worn in a few years (or decades) and it's like they're new to me all over again.  I 2nd Love them.

The blue is the same as much blue I have found and loved in the shops this summer, so my vintage jacket's colour is perfectly topical and on-trend (not that I care too much about that!).

So, I took my bluey and put it through its paces.

The Try-Out

With a simple black jersey dress (as it has black buttons); a hat is really an outfit's game-changer eh?

A simple ivory linen dress.  My blue top - isn't the match amazing?!  2018 is the year of my Blue Period, which is good as I think it works beautifully with blonde or silver hair, the colour spectrum nature has chosen for me.

The lace cami was too transparent.  I'd have to wear a cami under my cami!  So I switched to a more opaque white cami.

Jeans are an obvious choice for this jacket (or anything!), but I have the tummy for the tucked in look, which I think it needs.

I realised that there's more to this little vintage jacket than a party dress chuckover.   And the blue and white was definitely filling me with happy bunniness and outfit was forming.

Have you find yourself a bit tunnel-visioned with certain pieces?

If the answer is yes, then head for something you haven't worn in a long time and just try it out with a few staples in your wardrobe.  It can bring life to your wardrobe.  Trust me.

Polishing Up An Outfit

Then shortly after my try-on, I stumbled upon this pic of the lovely Susan of SUSAN AFTER 60 and I was inspired.  Her look with the strappy heels and little bag really would up my jacket's game, no?  Of course, I don't have the looks, the slimness, stylishness and everything else that Susan has in abundance, but one has to give it ones best shot, eh?

So here I give you my "polished" version of bringing my 2nd Loved 40s/80s jacket into the teensies. 

I switched from white jeans to some "posh" Per Una white screen trousers, which I haven't worn for a while.

Adesso strappy taupe heels.

A cute clutch bag from TK Maxx.

A silver pendant, similar in length to Susan's.

And with Susan's inspo, I created a look that was worthy of taking to a celebratory drinks party. 

So that is what I did.

Today's Tips

if you love a dated piece (for its colour, workmanship etc) then blend it in with what you're wearing currently to bring it up to speed.

And add smarter trousers, heels, jewellery etc for a quick posh-up of a look you like.

So, my dear readers, what do you think of my work following my own tips?

Now I'm going to pop over to my lovely mate Anna's blog HERE  to see what excitement she's come up with for her 2nd Loved gold jacket which has transformed miraculously into a yellow straightjacket. 

And if you've enjoyed this post, why don't you do something wonderful in the right hand bar and subscribe to my blog.  You'll then not miss my sometimes erratic postings and I'll get excited that you've chosen to follow little old me.  So it's a win-win.
You can also follow me on Pinterest.  And that would make me happy too.

So why not make an old pensioner a very happy old pensioner by sprinkling some happiness my way.


Thanking you for sparing some of your precious time here today.
A la perchoine.