Daily Outfit

I am not sure whether I was channeling Pirates or Patriots today. The top (although they sold it as a dress) I picked up in China Town in Sydney. The Palazzo pants I made from what has now become my favorite pants pattern, and the shoes are the customized ballet flats from a previous post. Looking much more like my Sweeney Todd inspiration here.
Today was just off to swimming lessons with the girls again, and a little sewing on the side. I finally finished the 1962 vintage style dress for the wedding this weekend. As soon as I have a shot of me all dolled up in this number, I'll post some pics too. The dress form doesn't really do it justice.It was somewhat more difficult than I was expecting, which I guess is due to dresses of this era being much more precisely tailored than todays average dress. I am just comparing this dress to patterns I have previously made marked ' easy'. I've got to admit that I am just so proud that I managed to make my most complex piece yet without once having to ring my mum for help. I have been known to buy a pattern and fabric, get it cut out and then find it all too hard until mum takes over. My plans are nothing if not grand. :)

Structure and Socks

This beach side outfit, seen on Helena Bonham Carter, for Sweeney Todd has me all a-flutter. What a fabulous movie on so many levels. I love it when Hollywood gets musicals right and you don't find yourself thinking, "oh, another song? When will they get back to the story?" Tim Burton's screen adaptation of Sweeney Todd is another triumph of gothic fantasy goodness. But it was this costume that got me thinking....

How does one dress for the tropics when it is only 20 degrees celcius outside?? Here is my dilemma. I take my daughter to swimming lessons once a week in a heated indoor pool, where the temperature inside is often 38 degrees with 99 % humidity. However, with Autumn upon us, the weather outside is often below 20 degrees and will only continue to drop. Now, I realize layering is the simple answer but I never like to be about "simple".

Perhaps I can channel some of the 'structure & socks' look of Helena's I so covet right now. That should give the 'old jeans and bad t-shirt brigade' something to talk about! Let's see what happens when I open the wardrobe tomorrow.