The Sewing Place
The Emporia => In the wardrobe => Topic started by: Acorn on March 18, 2019, 19:36:53 PM
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I am going to a Do. You may have picked up on the fact that I don't generally do dressy.
On the plus side, I have my birds top - this one:
(https://thesewingplace.org.uk/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6019.0;attach=13199)
However, it is blue, and my only posh skirt is black. I clearly need to either buy some dressy blue trousers, or buy/make a skirt.
The biggest problem is the matching up of navy blues. The top is not as dark as it appears in the picture, and I can't imagine how I could possibly get a match buying online - and that's the only option. I have no time to get samples, because The Do is a fortnight tomorrow.
So. Has anyone got any ideas about how to match them? I can't imagine a patterned fabric that would go with the top, but if anyone has any thoughts I'd love you forever.
Maybe I should leave the birds top and make a top to go with my black skirt. I could probably do that from stash. I do love my black skirt (black smooth crepey stuff, flowy with sparkly bits), but I really want to wear my prize-winning birds top. -<
Either way, I'm going to need shoes. Online again. EEE fit, with small heels that I won't fall off (not kitten heels, much as I would love them. I would break an ankle.)
Oh dear.
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What about one of the beige/rust colours of the birds for the trousers? It wouldn't have to be such a perfect match as navy would need to be.
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What about one of the beige/rust colours of the birds for the trousers? It wouldn't have to be such a perfect match as navy would need to be.
This.
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Marisota have Mary Janes EEE in various colours, nice little heel and look comfortable.
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Agree with @BrendaP, matching the other colours might be more successful than trying to match the blue
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I agree with t'other suggestions, match the top with something in one of the bird colours. Sorted. The top is lovely BTW :loveit:
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Agree with the others about matching the bird colours (that top is fab).
Hotter have EEEshoes and not all look like they are for your granny
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@BrendaP @Goth Gardiner @Holly Berry et al I know you're right about the other colours, but rust/beige/brown of any sort are really not my colours. I will have a good look at it in the daylight tomorrow to see if any of the colours could work for me, but I'm not hopeful.
@toileandtrouble Thanks - I hadn't thought of Marisota. (Looking now they have the most gorgeous kitten heels that would definitely lead me to a sprained ankle at best...)
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I think that although matching the other colours would be easier, it would be far less dressy than the navy would be. I would go with making a top to go with your black skirt - something you are obviously very comfortable in - and plan another outing for the birds top.
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I agree with @Greybird about the 'bird' colours making for a less dressy look. I'm not a fan of black but you could make/buy a more zhoozhy top to brighten it up a bit. :)
ETA this is all the reasons that I hate going to dos. :(
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Thanks - that occurred to me in the night while I was trying to picture it in various ways! I've also just discovered that the invitation says Smart-Formal (eek!) so dressy it has to be.
I have found a skirt that looks as though it would go with the bird top, and as it's already made I have time to order it with next day delivery and return it if the blue is wrong. It probably will be, but if it's right it would be so easy! If that fails, it's the black skirt.
So, first job: get skirt ordered. Second job, ferret around in the bottom of various wardrobes checking exactly what shoes I own. Last time I did that I found a perfect pair for the event in question, with no memory whatsoever of buying them. You never know!
I do at least have a smart coat (grey).
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Why not wear the bird top with your black skirt....I doubt anybody would even mention or ask you about it. What does it really matter anyway, I pair things together that probably a lot of people wouldn't even wear in their own home, I consider it slight eccentricity. If I do catch anybody looking I just look right back at them, it's amusing.
Years ago I once - only once - left for work one morning in a black shoe and a navy blue shoe, I had an identical pair to match up with black skirt and tights or navy skirt and tights. It was in winter so was dark when I was getting dressed and I didn't notice until it got lighter. Nobody said a word but I was mortified, I was about 20, see how you relax with the advancing years :)
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I don't generally take any notice of the rules that say certain colours don't go together, but black and navy is a combination I'm not comfortable with (although I'd have no hesitation for a family party!)
I have ordered the blue skirt, it's due tomorrow. Forgive the very clumsy mock-up picture, but here it is:
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Of course I am nowhere near the size of the skirt model, but it gives the general idea...
I have also found my much-loved blue suede court shoes, but as I last wore them in 1990 they're probably not going to work (feet-wise). They're also not the very dark navy - but if they fit without hurting I can overlook that.
Now, handbag...
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Why not wear the bird top with your black skirt....I doubt anybody would even mention or ask you about it. What does it really matter anyway,
Oh my, I am hyperventilating at the thought, but then I am a bit matchy-matchy 0_0 ;) :P
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That makes a lovely oufit Acorn and the shoes will be fab! I always feel more dressed up in heels.
Jessie
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That looks lovely - I hope you're going to post a picture of the actual one with shoes?
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Well the blue suede shoes are off the list. :( The heels have started crumbling! Well, it is 28 years since I bought them, and it's probably just as well because although they still looked lovely, they really, really hurt, and I'm not good at pain for beauty's sake...
I am very tempted by these (https://www.ambrosewilson.com/shop/kitten-heel-court-shoes-extra-wide-eee-fit/lz102/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=9061#colour:Navy,size:7), although I'm not sure I could cope with heels that narrow (limited feeling in feet means lack of knowledge of whereabouts the ground is...)
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Block heels seem 'a la mode' lately Acorn. Or what about a wedge - I love wedges....
Well, in truth, I just like shoes! ;)
Jessie
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Well I did find these (https://www.clarksoutlet.co.uk/p/261216045), but they are only wide and not extra wide. That might be OK given the style.
The late, lamented blue suede shoes had those heels that go in and then go out again, so they were elegant but had a reasonable amount of contact with the ground.
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Are Van Dal shoes any good to you? They do go up to EE fitting. You quite often see them unworn on Ebay.
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Hotter do an elegant shoe with heels that 'go in and out again'. The design name is 'Donna' and standard and wide fitting available. They're British made and the delivery service when I ordered boots in December was very good. I've only just discovered Hotter as my granny wore them so I'd associated them with old and sensible, they may once have been but not nowadays :)
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I will second a beige skirt or trousers to go with your bird print. A few years ago I happened to spot some lovely black fabric, a sort of silky polyester print the print was roses in blues, greys and beige, then I found the beige fabric and the two together looked absolutely stunning, people in the shop were commenting on how lovely they looked together. Then I spotted some grey and again that toned in well with the bits of grey in the rose print. The idea was to have the roses print as a top, and the beige and the grey as trousers to go with the top. In fact I went back to the shop and then cleaned them out of what they had left of all three fabrics, with the intention of making a sort of floaty coat thing in the rose print as well and lined with plain black as at the time there was a Sandra Betzina pattern around that sort of imitated my rose fabric.
I am sure you will find something that will go beautifully with your bird top – that is beautiful in its own right, and given more time you can probably find some plain fabrics that will pick up the colours in the birds so you can have a lovely mix and match skirts/trousers to add to your wardrobe.
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I do like Hotter's Donna, but unfortunately they don't come in navy blue, and my experience of Hotter is that their EE fit is quite far removed from their EEE fit, so I wouldn't risk it (I also know that if you have to return anything you have a lot to pay in postage, and they take a ridiculous length of time to refund what's left of your money.)
Van Dal - my Nana used to wear them! I'd be quite happy with them - they have a lovely pair of midnight blue suede wedges in an EEE fitting, but they are £75 - and I may not wear them again for years.
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The skirt has arrived and it's very nice. Slightly darker than the top background, but that's fine. I'll make a couple of tweaks to it tomorrow (of course!) but it's just down to the shoes now.
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Have you tried Debenhams? I had wide shoes from them for daughter's wedding
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How about tan or cream shoes to go with that outfit?
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No, I think navy ones.
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I have ordered a pair of navy suede sling back wedges. (Sling backs are much less likely to rub and easier to keep on, I'm less likely to fall off wedges even though they are 2.25 inches high - which is high for me! - and blue suede because I love it.)
The straw-type-bit may may make them a bit too casual for this occasion, but I'll have to see how they look with the skirt when they arrive tomorrow. I would certainly be much more likely to wear them again.
(https://images2.drct2u.com/plp_full_width_1/products/lz/lz284/q01lz284516s.jpg)
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Sounds like the suede had Louis heels. Sadly, out of fashion right now, since they are one of the heels I prefer to wear.
One of the bad things about doing sewing as a job is I have to come up with new outfits for the things I attend...my go to is a navy shift and I can make a statement shrug if I run out of time for the whole thing.
Don't forget jewelry. Even if the shoes and outfit is slightly more casual then you may want...accessories can always bring it up a level.
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I have dug out my pearls! :D They don't often see the light of day. I must check that they look right with my top though. They should sit above the neckline, which I think will look best because of the pattern on the fabric.
I have also been testing my perfume - I have a bottle of Chanel No 5 for special occasions, and I thought I'd better check it hadn't gone off, as I don't think I've used it more than once in the past 5 years. It's quite strange, because my Mum has always worn it, so I keep thinking she's here somewhere. I'm usually more of a Poison person myself... :o
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I don't think Chanel goes off really. I have a bottle that's well over a decade old and keep it in a drawer in my dressing table...I think the light changes it more then anything. I don't wear it often because my OH gets so choked up, so I switched to Prada Candy L'eau, but I used some the other day and it was as it ever was.
And pearls would look grand. I've got a strand I don't wear often myself.
I have a creepy/funny story about my perfume, though.
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Ooh - do tell! :)
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Well, I have a smell stalker.
I go to my DD's school every day. We have to pick her up and so sometimes I go in because I have work or something going on, and we have things at the school parents have to go to. One of the kids has a dad that is always there when I am (or me and my OH). Dude is a good 10 years or so younger then I am.
Well, right before Christmas, we got in line, and this guy moved a few people to get right behind me. And sniffed. And sniffed. And was really obvious he was sniffing. I turned (please be aware I am not joking when I say I do not look friendly and have god level RBF...Victoria Beckham looks downright friendly in comparison) and he got embarrassed and mumbled about how I smelled good. Kay...
It didn't stop. Dude will get right next to me when I am in line or anywhere near him. And not in a of a few feet away...he often is closer to me then my own OH. He has several times complimented me on my perfume, asking what it is so he could buy it for his girlfriend. I did, he did...he's told me it just doesn't smell the same.
And it doesn't stop at school, lol. I live in a small town, so I see him at the gas station or grocery store and it's just as bad. He did turn into a client, though, and comes first thing in the morning when my perfume is stronger.
He hasn't gotten the nerve to actually ask me out, although he's hinted at it heavily. In front of my OH, my DD, his DD and the pastor of the church my in laws go to (and I live next door to). I scare him, and that's not being funny, he's asked my daughter if I was always scary. (My daughter, who also has a good RBF replied "Only on Tuesdays.")
And yes, this is all over my perfume.
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I follow people who wear L'eau D'Issey. :( Not very far or for very long because that would be really weird. :ninja:
Also I do surreptitious sniffing...so that's alright then. :S
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Another surreptitious sniffer here. Not a stalker though, honest! There is a pipe tobacco that could almost make me into one though (and this from a cigarette hater!)
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I loooove perfume, just can't wear it near my nose. So, the back of my neck and my wrists it is.
Used to wear Chanel No5, but not lately. My favourite by far is Givenchy No3, but it's out of print, I also have a limited edition one again no longer available. So, I'm alternating between L'Esprit d'Oscar, and Givenchy Dahlia Divin (after their Dahlia Noir became unavailable!) Why do they do that?
Jessie
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I wear Jo Malone fragrances in rotation on a daily basis. Don't like old fashioned heavy scents.
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I loooove perfume, just can't wear it near my nose. So, the back of my neck and my wrists it is.
Me too. I wear mens' EDT. 0_0 It's much lighter and less cloying. A CK one for daytime/casual and a Chanel for fancy/bed. ;)
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You get fancy... in bed??!! @wrenkins :S :o
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Oh very fancy Lowe. You've never seen my pyjamas!!! 0_0
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I have been very lucky in that my daughter-in-law, who at one time worked for Clinique in a John Lewis store, has an abiding interest in fragrances (her word) and, although I'm not sure how or where from, buys and sells perfume and skincare. Money is often tight so we can usually count on perfume/aftershave for Christmases and birthdays. I have Coco Chanel at the moment and Elizabeth Ardern 5th Avenue and Green Tea for every day.
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Elizabeth Ardern 5th Avenue
Love this perfume. It reminds me of my nan. She wanted Red Door by EA and I tried the 5th Avenue one when looking for it for her.
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You've all gone off on a tangent and started a whole new thread.
I like pretty much all perfume but I don't wear it much anymore but I have a couple on the go - Chloe Love Story and Miss Dior.
Tried all different in the past, I tend to like Gucci more than others but always forget which, until I go searching, usually at airports.
My oldest friend wears it every day and I love giving her a hug she smells divine ;)