Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Wearing bold prints and bright colors this summer

This summer, I've found I would much rather be wearing separates than a dress. And bold, beautifully colored ones are really catching my eye.


I have several patterned separates that need coordinating solid pieces to put together outfits rather than wardrobe orphans. So I'm trying to fill in where I can this summer! Unfortunately I haven't had a lot of time to sew lately, so a couple of the gaps I've filled in with a recent purchase from Trashy Diva.

I'm wearing their new Trixie top, which I included in my halter styles inspiration post. I ordered two because their shipping is high, and sometimes you have to maximize shipping, right? That's what I tell myself, anyhow.



The top is cropped, hitting just at my natural waist (the skirt is actually a little big on me, so sitting just below). With a skirt or shorts sitting right at your waist you'd occasionally get peeks of midriff as you went about your daily business.


I'm quite pleased with it. I don't buy a lot new these days, so I'm pretty choosy! The quality is very nice, and the fit is great, with wide elastic panels on the sides. There are two straps that button in the back with three button holes, so you can tie the straps into a halter, wear them straight as I am, or cross them in the back! I love adjustable straps since they're often too long on me.

The top is made from stretch cotton poplin, is fully lined with self-fabric and has a covered center back zipper with hook and eye closure at the very top.


Take note that you may need to size down. The elastic sides are quite stretchy so the fit is forgiving. I'm about a 34/35" full bust these days, and I'm wearing a small which is meant for a 32"+ bust.

I'm wearing it with a 1950s novelty print skirt that's like a full-on carnival.


This skirt is just crazy. Hot pink, yellow, orange, turquoise, lime green and black on white. There's flowers, Native Americans, cars, marching bands, guns, lemonade stands, balloons and more.

It's like a Rube Goldberg machine met a carnival and had a skirt baby.


Did I mention the hot dogs? I know, I know. I don't get it, either. Is this scene supposed to mean something, or is it just 1950s lunacy??


I paired it with some orange and green Bakelite bangles and vintage flower earrings.



The heat of summer usually finds me growing tired of setting my hair and dealing with rollers and drooping hair and I don't even feel like wearing scarves, so I've been sporting braids a lot lately.


I didn't wear this outfit anywhere, just a day working at home. Like I said in my last post, I'm trying to make more of an effort... and I'll be talking about this in the future, too!


I paired the outfit with emerald green sandals, a color I'm loving right now. I'm not all clogs and wedges in summer... when it starts to bake outside I want as little as possible on my feet, and at least these let me do it in style. (Even if I think they could lose the little blingy metal plate...I forgive them that because of the color.)

Everyone knows about the stereotypical shoes women favored in the 40s and 50s, but if you look at a variety of resources, you'll see plenty of examples of sandals similar to this! I've been wearing these practically everyday.


(I was standing near a pot I didn't use this year but then discovered there were some volunteer petunias in it from last year's flowers!)

I think full skirts are great to beat the heat as they're roomy and breezy, much more than my usual preferred A-lines. So I'm definitely favoring them lately. Especially in cotton, which is my most favorite fabric to wear, you have a perfect match for summer. Can't beat it!

Summer is a great time to enjoy novelty prints, bright colors and fun sandals, don't you think??


outfit details:

1950s circle skirt: Secondhand Wonderland on Etsy
vintage earrings: gift from my mom
Bakelite bangles: here and there
sandals: Zappos

28 comments:

  1. Love that skirt! I have those same Michael Kors sandals, but in a pink snake skin and I have had them for YEARS. The metal plaque hasn't come off yet. And, I so agree with you about those sandals being in style back then; I think that's why I bought those in the first place. :)

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    1. Darn, I guess I'll just be living with the plate forever! lol I do love those sandals, I'm tempted to get a pair in another color!

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  2. I'm on the same wave length....only, I couldn't figure out what top to wear with my newly acquired 50s skirts. Thanks for this!!! PS: I found a 50s yellow cincher belt that would be the perfect stop-gap between the top and the skirt. ;)

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    1. Ooooh... I may need to know more about this, my belt collection is paltry! :D

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  3. The brighter the better! Love it all

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  4. That top! I'm in love! Love the skirt and your gorgeous sandals, too! x

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  5. Looking good! Very summer-y. I need to make some more solid colored bloused to balance the novelty prints I own. The skirt is awesome in all is crazy pattern and colors.

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  6. That is SUCH an amazing outfit. I love it so much. And you have a hot dog skirt!!!!

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  7. This is a perfect outfit for summer. I love the novelty print skirt, you really could wear a large variety of coloured tops with it,

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  8. You look lovely! I am also digging the green (ever since I became a redhead) and just can't resist adding a million green items of clothing to my wardrobe lately!

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  9. The illustrator doing the print for that skirt was late for lunch when he was putting the finishing touches on that adorable summer machine. "Hot dogs?....Hot dogs....? Why do I keep thinking of hot dogs...?" LOVE. IT.

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  10. Great outfit. I love all the colours, so fun for summer. Your hair is fab, too.

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  11. I have been interested in that top (and in the same color you are wearing). But the shipping price totally threw me off as well. Hoping our trip to New Orleans will make my purchase on that happen.

    Thanks for size confirmation as well wasn't sure either but now I know small would be best.

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  12. This outfit is perfection Tasha, pure perfection! Love the top and would be very tempted to get something similar for myself and the skirt is amazingly bonkers! You look the embodymentof summer itself!

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  13. Love the top! I checked out their site and the range of colours is gorgeous! The skirt is fabulous too - perfect summer outfit.

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  14. Fabulously fun outfit - as you might guess, I'm smitten with the bold, beautiful colours in it! They just seem to sing "summer" and really look marvelous together. That halter is a gem and curves one's figure in all the right ways. Awesome look, dear Tasha, completely awesome!

    ♥ Jessica

    *PS* I do that all the time with shipping, too, and all the more so since USPS's insane rate hikes on international shipping back in January of this year (they pretty much doubled the price to ship to Canada overnight).

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  15. This looks FRICKIN' AMAZING!!! I love every inch of it!

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  16. What a great outfit! Perhaps the 'hot dogs' were not hot dogs as in food but hot dogs as in guys in hot rods or something equally obscure from way back LOL

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  17. It's official. This is my favorite outfit post. Ever. You look stunning, Tasha :)

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  18. You look gorgeous! So summery and fun. It's making me wish the rainy gloomy weather we are having would go away.

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  19. I can honestly say I am in the same boat too regarding colors right now!

    This outfit is marvelous! I love every bit of it! What wonderful top!

    xoxo
    -Janey

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  20. Oh, I so need a "Hot Dog" skirt! I met my husband when I worked summers in a meatpacking plant making hot dogs!

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  21. that skirt is amazing! and I covet the earrings! and that top is lovely! Yeah, i pretty much love everything about this!

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  22. One word - amazing :)
    Really, everything about this outfit is perfect!

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  23. That skirt is gorgeous and quirky, i absolutly love it. Glad I stumbled on your blog. Following and look forward to reading your future posts.

    xoxo
    Ivy
    http://www.purrpleivy.com/

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  24. I love your bright colors! You always look so cute in your outfits.

    I've been thinking about you since you posted your long 70's dress with the fluttery sleeves. I went to high school and college in the 70s. My sorority's formal dress (we all wore it for special occasions) was very similar to your dress only in a hideous light blue polyester. I had seen the pattern occasionally on ebay and looked for it to send you the link when you posted the dress on Instagram. I didn't find it then, but I have now!!! It's Simplicity 6710 -- here's the link

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-70s-Simplicity-6710-Flutter-Sleeve-Blouse-Dress-Pattern-32B-7jp-/360684791847?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53fa7d2827

    I'm ddixeb on Instagram.

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  25. Here's a better deal!

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/SIMPLICITY-PATTERN-6710-MISSES-DRESS-TOP-AND-PANTS-SZ-12-/171073799316?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d4cb0494

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