I’m not much of an outfit planner. I’m more of a grab-something-clean and put it all together there and then as the fancy takes me. A bit random but I’m OK with that. So, packing on an already busy day for a weekend away I sorta just grabbed a few various separates with the thought I would work it all out when the time came… which is undoubtedly not very sensible and one ends up with some strange choices at times. But I have far from classic tastes and like to play with weird ensembles… why? well because it is fun!
Take this ensemble… The chambray shirt, made using a man’s shirt pattern, and little white sandshoes; well they are just super casual full-stop. The juxtaposition of the housewifeliness of these items against the completely opposite, rather sexy, boudoir-y vibe of black lace is an odd one that satisfies my taste for the occasionally absurd in my apparel.The black lace skirt with blue lining used to be dressy in the first flush of its youth, a few years ago, but now? Well the poor old thing has been put out to the sartorial equivalent of the pasture, often stepping in for very casual duties, like gardening or vacuuming out the car, or washing the dog. It might not scream “beachwear!” but it’s really very comfortable and easy to wear. And when it comes to the beach, as long as the footwear is appropriate then anything goes! Right? Right!
Details:
Shirt; Burda 7767 modified, cotton chambray details here
Skirt; my own design based on the basic shape of Vogue 7303, layers of black lace with randomly stitched on black border lace strips and gunmetal blue lining
Sandshoes; Country Road
Carolyn, you look very elegant for the beach. Where are your loud board shorts? I love your style. Lace at the beach looks terrific on you.
It's different but it works. Maybe because all the pieces are in subtle colours and classic in their own way?
Oooo those are the 2 exact things I want for my wardrobe! A chambray shirt and a long lace skirt. Although I totally can't be bothered making the shirt so I'll try and find one in an op-shop, but I have been eyeing off some cool (and affordable) black lace from Fabulous Fabrics. Hope it's still there!
your totally random outfit works and somehow only you could make lace look appropriate for the beach. Also I loved your teal silk jersey dress – the lustre and movement in that were superb. Where did you buy the silk jersey – I have never seen this for sale in Australia.
Thank you Janine, I bought in Fabulous Fabrics, a fabric store here in Western Australia (my favourite shop!).
Great chambray shirt, I think this looks just fine on the beach. You see a lot of different type swimsuit wraps made from all sorts of things, so why not a lace skirt on the beach :O).
Do you swim at this beach? It's hard to believe that you don't plan your outfits. They can be so intricate and it would take me lot of planning to pull them together. This one is elegant and it makes me wonder if you ever swim at this beach. 🙂
Greta combo although I'm starting to suspect anything would look great on you! I rarely used to plan my outfits, but I was also very successful at "last minute" panic… Now it's almost every day home wear so one problem solved:))
You carry it off well! If I packed random things (and I have), I would get guffaws from the audience 🙂 That is a beautiful beach and it looks as though you both are focused on the same thing.
Well this may be a random choice outfit but it does look perfect for your beach outing :)) I really do like the two together.
I love your skirt
I love unconventional uses of fabrics. The black skirt looks beautiful against the backdrop of stone, water, and sky.