My stylist and I have decided/agreed to let my curls embrace their natural state, enhanced by some length and height — and some good ol’ 80s “BIG-ness.” The final effect, I suspect, is more hint-of-bluestocking than 80s bad girl, though, especially when combined with certain other elements.
Some days, then, I like to channel my inner bluestocking. Not sure what she thinks of the Gap dress showing off her knees, but I don’t think she minds the pattern-mixing involved with the BR silk-chiffon scarf. And we all know she’s gotta love the comfortable shoes with their baroque-Victorian-steampunk vibe (Fluevog Giulias).
But what I’m convinced pleases her most is this sweater. From Eunny Jang’s pattern, this Tangled Yoke cardigan, knit in Rowan’s Felted Tweed DK, is the most lovely weight/texture imaginable for the surprising amount of comfort and warmth in provides (Ravelry link here; the same sweater with a much different haircut here–my haircut, not the sweater’s!) . But it definitely has a homespun vibe. I find it hard to work that quality into what I generally wear, perhaps because I’m slightly afraid of a permanent retreat to my early bookworm days.
But sometimes, I think, perhaps that would be an enjoyable retreat. . . .I can so easily see her here, that small girl reading a book even as she walked to school, the pre-teen reading on the floor beside her bed, hoping Mom wouldn’t spot her there to assign some domestic chore, the high school student escaping from the drama of cliques into a more satisfying world or two . . .
For now, though, let’s keep that bluestocking a bit offguard with an old Gap jeanjacket.
What about you? Do you bring earlier selves into play through certain garments or styles? Or do you like to make sure they still in the closet?
It’s Monday, and you know what that means, right? I’m linking up to Visible Monday — it’s always fun to see the variety of styles there, maybe find a new favourite blog.
See, that yarn looks so great in that sweater – which works so placidly, so naturally, on you. On me, the top would be all wrong. Goes to show, there's a good reason there are all kinds of knits and all kinds of yarns. Loving your outfit shots lately.
This is an example of the sport/DK weight/texture I really like the fabric of. The sweater shape itself, I think, doesn't suit me particularly well, being too short/boxy for my short-waisted self. But I'm drawn to the classic elements of it, and I loved the cleverness of Eunny's design, the cables worked horizontally to twist around that yoke. The seamless construction was pretty likeable also!
Well, I think it fits really well in the shoulders – and with those horizontal cables. I suppose, if you wanted to make it a bit more fitted, it would be pretty easy to do by making some decreases in the waist area?
Tweed is compelling. I'm going to have to start exploring the more "natural" yarns because the microfibre ones I tend towards have some detractors that are really starting to get on my nerves. The thing I'll say about my chuck sweater (done in Cascade 220): It has kept its shape!
I love this exposition of your blue-stocking-self, Frances, and how she influences/observes your style. Don't we all have multiple voices guiding us through our closet? This look is wonderful, from the fabulous curls (I favor them!) to the sassy boots. Thanks for sharing it with Visible Monday.
Thanks Patti — we both know from curls!
Blue suits you!
I like the softness that the scarf adds…
bluestocking (or pippy!) it sounds like an inspiring way to dress.
Ah! Pippi Longstocking! Now that's a whole other great story — where are my striped stockings?!
Oh I just love all of these combo's! This doesn't strike me at all as staid, which is what "bluestocking" usually conjures for me. I do like the hair. The sweater is just lovely. And the Fluevogs of course, but you know I'm biased… 😉
I think of Bluestocking and Virginia Woolf together (although the term dates back much earlier than the Bloomsbury crowd), so not really staid in my vision, but intellectual, sometimes iconoclastic,definitely more bookish than worldly (okay, that's not really VW, is it?)
Glad I don't come across as staid – not possible in Fluevogs, right?
I know for a fact. The Bluestockingfamilias LOVES the sweater. And the hair, for that matter:).
😉
Thanks for the thumbs-up!
Love this look – fun, young, hip. Great knees! Great hair!
What more could I ask? Thank you!
I love this look on you, the interesting combination of textures, the shades of blue and your hair is fabulous. And the Fluevogs of course!
Thanks — all this positive feedback is making me think the sweater should get more outings.
I hope our inner bookworms always find expression. I'm impressed that your bluestocking soul does not seem to be in any danger of growing up to be a frump–always a danger for me, as it seems the path of least resistance. Thank heaven for mirrors, especially the ones that give an unexpected view.
Loved your Paris windows, btw–so gentle and evocative, speaking to the child within. Elle
That's exactly what I worry about. I do think there's a part of me that is tempted to sink into, if not frumpdom, at least a more thoughtless kind of dressing, one that involves the same garments day after day. . . So far, my other selves have been winning out. . .
glad you liked the Paris windows. Me too!
You look fantastic. Blue really looks great on you. I've never thought of my younger self having a part in how I dress now. Although, even as I type, I acknowledge dressing according to my latest book heroine, even now. Funny how imagination plays a part in the closet as well.
Interesting! I'd love to see you discuss this a bit on your blog — how does that manifest, dressing like your latest book heroine?
Blue is your colour, definitely! Your hair – well, it's just gorgeous…I have the straight-haired girl's envy of curly locks.
There are several incarnations of Pondside in my closet. Some pieces should never see the light of day, but I am too sentimental to get rid of them.
Ah, I know that envy, but I aim it in the other direction some days. . .
I'm curious about those various incarnations — perhaps a blogpost?
Alas – my younger bluestocking edition was resolutely Goth until her clinical years. I did revisit her briefly, in the privacy of my own home, but usually she only offers general accessories advice these days or instructs me to 'up the quirk' when I get too frumpy.
PS – love the blue 🙂
Interesting iteration of bluestocking indeed! Goth — I love it! I could imagine you getting away with small-animal urban vet in that garb but the large animal perhaps not so much. Or would it be the other way around?
Your hair really suits you like ths and loving your gap dress. Confused by drapes/window dressing. Didn't you change ityesterday?????
Sharp eyes! Yes, the photo was taken before the curtains got switched.
Oh, Iove your hair like that, it's romantic but not frowzy at all. You have a wonderful hairdresser. And the blues are so oceany-beautiful, especially that sweater. Yes, wear it a lot!
Thanks Duchesse — and yes, I'm very fortunate in my hairdresser, and I'm going to pass all the compliments along when I see her on Friday.
I love the decision about the hair made with your stylist. And I like the homespun quality of the sweater. I think, yes, I definitely DO bring earlier selves into my styling…or, er, I'm still reluctant to grow up!
Oh Terri — never do, please! You entertain and inspire us all with your styling of various selves.
Love the hair and the sweater, especially that colour. Think you might just have inspired a winter project here in the UK. My earlier selves can be easily tracked through my wardrobe, which still contains vintage Biba and Bus Stop from the 1960s, a long velvet skirt from the '70s, not much from the '80s (all those shoulder pads – yuk!), and any number of loose flowing Ghost pieces from the '90s. But from then on, it has become predominantly more practical, clothes designed for long hard rural winters and twice daily dog-walking. I really should get out more.
Funnily enough, I've just put together a session entitled 'Appearances' for my writing students, in which I ask them to consider what clothes can reveal about a character. And I do try to make an effort, appearance-wise that is, when I'm in teaching mode!
You'd be happily inspired with that particular sweater, I think. I'm pretty happy to recommend it as the design is so pleasing to execute — a great melding of process and product. Your wardrobe sounds like a marvelous mini-expo of style through decades of our lives, Brit-style. My old self mostly got shuffled in moves, sadly.
I'd love to be in that writing class — I know your students will have an absorbing time working to character through clothing.
You never, ever look staid to me. Delightful outfit shot. I love the sweater, and of course, your hair!