Hi, how are you doing? Are you already for the Christmas holiday? Goodness knows I am. Two of my girls are here {you can see pictures here} and our other 3 kids will start arriving at the end of the week. I’m beyond excited. This’ll be the first time that we’ve had all 5 kids {and spouse} and all 6 grandkids at the house for Christmas. Poor Squeekerz is gonna know what to do with himself…
But let’s get to this week’s Style Imitating Art, shall we? For my outifit, I opted to focus on the colors and textures in the dress, because, well, they’re just so intense and feminine and exotic.
INSPIRATION ART WORK
Silk Dresses | British | 1814 | The Met, Open Access Collection
In the early years of the nineteeth century, the high-waisted Empire-style dress was rendered more solid through the use of heavier fabrics and more trimmings. The circa 1820 dress in the front of this image reveals the impulse toward embellishment of the simple chemise of the 1800s. Embroidery in lime green gives more weight to the skirt while the satin spencer provides a base for ribbons and ruffles. Behind this, the 1812–14 dress (1985.222.2a, b) is also more solid, made of silk and trimmed with silk lace. The puffed sleeves are made more substantial through the addition of cording. The weight of fabric and trimming negates the body-conscious line of the earlier sheer cotton and linen dresses. Into the 1820s, plain gowns such as these would be accented with more and more applied decoration.
You can read more about the dresses here.
THE CURATOR
This week’s inspiration piece was curated by me. I chose these silk dresses because, well, I think these dresses are beautiful in their simplicity. In a way, they kind of remind me of the kimonos that Geisha’s wear, but they also remind me of court dresses. And, while the dresses are from 1814, I can see them being worn today. And, did you get a peek at those slippers? swoon
What do you think you’ll wear? I can’t wait to see!
MY LOOK
Isn’t this lace top beautiful? I was concerned about buying it because I thought it’d be itchy or stiff, but it’s the most supple lace ever. And the color is quite possibly one of my favorite colors {after a very specific shade of purple}.
I bought this jacket a few years ago, but have only worn it a handful of times. Every time I put it on, I wonder why I don’t wear it more often. It’s a great fit and has so many feminine details, like the ruffle along the wrists and the hem.
I’m a big fan of trouser jeans, even though I don’t wear them very often. I think they look incredibly polished and chic, especially for work.
See those Pink Pepper Cord earrings? I told you that I was gonna wear them as a neutral. I mean, that shade of pink goes with everything!!
Seriously, how absolutely fabulous are those shoes? The embroidery on the heel reminds me of the embroidery on the toe of the slipper peeking out from under the gold dress. And the heel is a comfortable height for walking around and not getting blisters. I also like the pale pink trim along the vamp of the shoe. So unexpected.
Faux Leather Jacket – Evine | Lace Blouse – Evine | Earrings – Nickel & Suede | Jeans – Similar | Pumps – Logo for QVC
JOIN US
Send a picture of your Style Imitating Art inspired outfit to me at livingoutsidethestacks@gmail.com by Tuesday, 18 December. I’ll share the submissions on my blog on Wednesday, 19 December.
You don’t have to be a blogger, a photographer, or an instagrammer to join! You just have to enjoy clothes.
And make sure you visit my cohosts:
Jen {Librarian for Life and Style}
Salazar {14 Shades of Gray}
Now go play in your closet,
Follow Living Outside the Stacks on Bloglovin’!
For more stylish inspiration, check out the following linkups:
Where I Co-host
- Ageless Style – Ten women, over the age of forty, prove that style is ageless
- Fab Forties – Six bloggers, over the age of forty, show they’re still fabulously fashionable
- Style Imitating Art – Style inspired by pieces of art
Other Linkups
- Not Dead Yet Style – Visible Monday
- Not Dressed as a Lamb – I’ll Wear What I Like
- Style Nudge – Shoe and Tell
- Elegance and Mommyhood – Thursday Moda
- A Pocketful of Polka Dots – Fabulous Friday