We hopped a ferry yesterday to see some Beloveds we haven’t hugged for months — just a quick visit, and we’ll hop back today, so only time to share some photos with you, and we’ll chat more on Friday.
As promised, this is what I wore to the opera (L’Elisir d”Amore, a charming production of it with some glorious voices — although I could have wished a wee bit more volume from the lead soprano –, brilliant bel canto singing in a frothy libretto, some very good acting) on Saturday. We walk and take public transit, and Saturday was rainy and windy, so practicality was a key consideration.
The boots (Ink) I bought in Paris six years ago, have been re-soled and re-heeled several times. The skirt (Robert Rodriguez) I first admired when shopping with Mom, then saw on sale months later and splurged for it — in 2008! so it’s practically vintage now 😉 (See it here as well)
I worried that the newest piece in my outfit, the Vince black cashmere t-neck, was going to be too warm inside the theatre, but I knew I wanted the comfort during the commute.
Pretty sure I should have stuck with my chocolate gold beads — see them herewith a very similar outfit, but at the last minute, I thought I’d try this necklace of baroque pearls and lapis lazuli beads. They were a “contrition gift” from a husband who stayed in a meeting just a few minutes too long one Valentine’s Day, many years ago, and missed the ferry he was supposed to meet me on because the snowstorm got more serious than he’d anticipated. I’d bought enough sushi for two — it was going to be as romantic a date as we could manage given the reality that we had four kids (9-18) back at home, and were both commuting by plane or ferry each week — me for grad school, him for work. So when I managed to get home just ahead of the roads getting treacherous, I was there with the four kids and no husband. The necklace — which I’d previously admired in a jewelry store window weeks earlier with no thought of acquisition — showed up in our house the next week. An unusually thoughtful gift from someone who doesn’t often pay too much attention to what I admire in store windows. Or, at least, rarely remembers. . . .
So the necklace always holds extra fondness for me, but I rarely manage to make it work with outfits. Pretty sure it doesn’t quite with this either. Felt good on the inside, though, even if you can’t see that. .
Detail of the skirt fabric because it’s so wonderful — it’s a microfibre-ish textile, the weight and slight crinkle of a fine silk, and then embroidered with a flocked/brocade effect.
Then to brave the stormy weather, my cashmere Bompard scarf, an 8-year-old leather moto jacket (Mackage) worn by a woman eight years older than the one who thought she wasn’t too old to wear it way back here (warning: that post contains one of the very few instances I’ve ever used a certain four-letter word in this venue). . .
So it was Old Home Week in the outfit-making last opera night, with only one relative newcomer — and that pullover has already been worn at least twenty times, doing yeoman service in the carry-on capsule in December-January.
And here’s my five-minute What I Wore pencil sketch. I’m trying to find my way back to a semi-regular drawing/sketching practice, and this was fun to do. . .
7:28 a.m. here, and I hear the house beginning to stir. If the Almost-Three wakes soon, I want to be ready for all the hugs I can get before daycare. Happy Wednesday!
I admire that skirt every time you wear it! I did hop back to 2010 with you. Isn't it amazing that age and Fashion Police were an issue when we were so young (50's not 60's)? Clothing that we enjoy and feel good in is a worthwhile investment. Enjoy your visit.
It's true, we were still young enough to care, but barely. . . .stepping toward the wisdom we have no 😉
I particularly like the skirt…the colours and pattern have an energy that appeal to me… I imagine that you wear it lot as it is so versatile and rather uplifting on a grey rainy day.
My husband has surprised me on occasion with gifts of jewelry. They are my most treasured pieces…
It's dramatic enough to give me pause about wearing it too often, but these days we need the colour, as you suggest.
Jewelry that's chosen with love. . .
I'm so happy to see that skirt again! It's always been one of my favorites of yours. The necklace is pretty, but I think it gets lost in the mix. Still, sentimental value adds to the enjoyment of the wearer, and you can't knock that. And your "braving the elements" look is fabulous!
Isn't it a wonderful print? and I love the cut, the pockets, everything (I remember us chatting about this in conjunction with a skirt you posted a photo of Carolina Herrera wearing so stylishly.
I agree, this necklace gets lost here. Two more minutes at home and I would have — should have — swapped it out.
I had to read the previous post. I bought a black Moto leather jacket a few years ago. I wear it with skinny black jeans and boots or anything else that feels right….usually with a scarf/shawl. It’s quite fun the comments I get. It was my husbands suggestion to purchase it. I have always believed that if your clothes fit and make you happy, that’s all that matters. Other people’s opinion are just that, their opinions.
I like what you wear, it suits you. I have serious watch envy though…..
Ali
Now I'm curious about those comments 😉
I admire that skirt every time you show it. Love the story of the necklace and how it came to be yours.
I cherish the necklace because of the story. . . he was very contrite. 😉
That skirt is a favourite of mine too…it's not showing here but I love the wide waistband. And the pockets!
My skirts will reappear when it warms up a bit. -33c today with windchill. Waah.
It has a wonderfully deep waistband, you're right — far too much for my ever-so-short waist, but perhaps the illusion fools the eye? And I think I'm getting too old to live without pockets.
I doubt I could do 33-below in a skirt, but I do wear a pleated wool skirt, calf-length, with wool tights and lined boots occasionally on an icy day. . . .
I love your outfit, like the combination of silk -(ish) skirt and cashmere and leather-all beautiful textures together. I would like to listen Una Furtiva Lagrima again live,too
Beautiful pearl necklace with the story-Pater is a real gentleman
Dottoressa
I hadn't thought about it, but you're right that much of the pleasure of this outfit comes from the mix of textures.
The tenor, Andrew Haji, sang a beautiful Una Furtiva Lagrima. Over too quickly, really.
That's a great outfit, and it's hard to do that in bleak, cold winter! And, full of sentimental attachment.
Agree about the necklace- and it's so beautiful! I see it peeking out from a shirt, and also wonder if you might not be wearing it because of the length. It may be a touch too long to wear under a shirt, so shortening it an inch or two could make all. the difference.
@ Georgia, not sure where you live but in Montréal, same approach; no skirts. A friend said, "You know when spring's here? The women wear skirts again and shave their legs."
Why ever have I not thought of shortening this necklace?! In all these years!! You're right, that's exactly the problem I have — it never seems the right length, and I'm absolutely going to find a jeweller who can make the adjustment for me — who knows, perhaps I can get a matching pair of earrings out of the pearls she removes.
The baroque pearls are lovely with the flamboyance of the skirt. And as Dottoressa says above, all gorgeous rich textures together.
I'm listening live to an interview on France Inter which you might like to listen to on podcast/archive: If you search for 'Boomerang Le flow d'Ai Weiwei' you should get it – the film maker being interviewed about his film and art.
Thanks for seeing what I did in putting the baroque pearls together with the skirt — I also thought the lapis lazuli reflected the skirt's rich blue well. But the scale doesn't work well against the black cashmere, somehow.
I'll look for that podcast — curious to know if it's changing your view about the value of such a documentary. When you last commented, you expressed fatigue with media sensationalising the issue of refugees (understandably, given the exposure in GB).
It did change my view a bit. The thought I always have is 'what would I do in those circumstances?' And of course you would want to do anything to save your family. So it helps my media fatigue to imagine Western Europe in crisis and on the move. I think what is fatiguing the general European view is that migration is now coming from areas that are not in the acute crisis of Syria, but has expanded into purely economic migration from sub-Saharan Africa, Pakistan, and even European landmass countries such as Kosovo.