Best bib and tucker

It's May Day, everyone's on holiday, the sun is shining, time to put on your best bib and tucker and go out and enjoy yourself. To wear your "best bib and tucker" is an old saying meaning to put on your best clothes. Bibs and tuckers were articles of women's clothing dating from the 17th century, the tuckers were lace pieces that fitted over the bodice.
In Charlotte Bronte's book, 'Jane Eyre', published in 1847, "some of the girls have two clean tuckers in the week; the rules limit them to one."

We went to Cornwall for a couple of nights the other week, staying in St Ives. There was a bit of a sea mist and a cold wind. I was well wrapped up, I wasn't exactly dressed in my best bib and tucker.

It was quiet and out of season, excellent for just poking about. Then I found this rather interesting shop.

So I had to take a look inside!

It was selling second-hand clothing. I tried on all manner of well-known labels, ranging from Vivienne Westwood to Stella McCartney.
There are two sorts of clothing that I've got in generous amounts; white cotton shirts and black dresses. So what did I buy? Yes, you guessed it, I bought a white shirt and a black dress! The shirt has a bit of a 'tucker', a decorative strip that buttons over the buttons so that the shirt can be worn in two ways.

1688 "a pinner or tucker is a narrow piece of cloth which compasseth the top of a womans gown about the neck part."

The shirt is by Uniqlo, worn with Boden grey cotton crops and old grey ballet flats.

For Patti at Not Dead Yet Style.

Undress

I love the word, 'undress', as seen in last weekend's exhibition for Elizabethan casual wear. My entire collection of clothes could be described as undress; comfortable, unboned, fairly unstructured items. This jacket is from the '70's.  I made it from a pre-cut kit, the name of the supplier long forgotten. The fabric is a quilted, soft brushed-cotton in reversible Liberty patterns.

But no fabric was supplied for pockets on the flowered side!

I would oh, so happily swap it for the undress jacket in the exhibition!

Dressing up, dressing down

We met up with friends in town today and went to an exhibition of 'Painted Pomp", paintings, clothing  and artifacts from the Shakespearian era.
Goodness me, what serious dressing up!
The gown of this teenage widow was a joy to study, with its delicate embroidery and trimming painted black on black. And the cuffs and collar!

I had to try one on!

And whilst I was about it Himself tried on a hat.

Talk about a feather in his cap!

This linen jacket was on display, made around 1618 - 20, and embroidered with silks and gold metal thread. The floral decoration is of exquisite delicacy. The garment is fastened down the centre by means of soft bows of silk ribbon. In the early seventeenth century an unboned jacket such as this would have been described as a 'waistcoat' and worn with a loose gown over petticoats when entertaining at home. It was informal wear known as 'undress'.

The theme of my 'undress' top is also inspired by nature. It was knitted for me by a college friend over forty years ago and is still going strong. (Although I must have dropped something down the front of it many years ago because there is a stubborn little stain right in the middle of the cream area that refuses to budge!)

And it's yet another week of dressing in layers because baby, it's cold outside.

A long-sleeved cotton t-shirt under a white linen blouse, tank top,

jeans and boots.

For Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style.

Layers

There has been some sunshine today, but, oh, the bitter chill, because there was also snow and gale-force winds. It was extremely unpleasant to venture out of doors. I am wearing several layers of clothing in order to be warm.

So it is a button up to the chin cardigan from French Connection underneath a mohair mix jumper from Warehouse. Both are ancient, both are cozy! The jumper is feather light and very shapeless

and my mirror needs a clean!

For Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style.

It was Mothering Sunday yesterday and I had a present to open.

I admired the box and ribbon before looking to see what was inside.

Lovely, a set of candles

for all occasions.

(Not for being 'arty', the 'p' hasn't shown up in the photo.)

Who's that talking to James Dean?

I wonder what she's telling him?

Grey

Every week I take a look at the women who post on Patti's Visible Monday and admire the combination of bright colours on display. They fill me with the ambition to introduce far more vibrancy into my clothing. But the fact of the matter is that I feel very happy and 'myself' when I'm wearing grey.

This Oska needlecord suit (rather crumpled!) is a favourite. The skirt is cut at an angle which makes it a little quirky. As you know, I like an asymmetrical look!

The fine grey cotton blouse is from Gap

and the cashmere cardi, with velvet detail, from Boden.

Grey suede Audley shoes.

I won't embarrass myself by saying how many pairs of grey trousers I possess, but here is another of my grey skirts. This one is by Lilith in a linen/rayon mix. It has an unusual cut, with extremely large pockets set at different levels. Worn with another Gap cotton blouse and a cashmere jumper from George at Asda which has three-quarter sleeves and a very long body which is great over leggings.

Grey fabric ballet flats.

for Patti at  Not Dead Yet Style.

Must be mad!

I wore a bikini today - for all of two minutes, in the changing room, to make sure that the fit was alright. IT IS SOOO COLD here in Blighty! Buying a bikini is an act of faith; the sun WILL come out, we SHALL have a summer this year. I had to remove a great many layers of warm winter clothing, unfurl the trusty pashmina that winds four times round my neck, and shiver. No, I haven't photographed today's clothing. I'm tired of layers of jumpers, of trousers, tights, socks, fur-lined boots (whisper it, and vests!) I  long to be lightly clad and carefree, to feel comfortable in my skin. I've got those February blues.
But the bikini has cheered me up a bit because it only cost £5 from Asda!
For Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style.

The last time I wore a bikini was in December 2012 when we escaped from MONTHS of rainfall and went on holiday to Cuba, where the weather was delightful!

On occasion we even chose to sit in the shade!

We would have brought the sun back home with us if we could.

But no such luck!

Another Monday

I don't know where the last week went. Apart from an outing on Friday to celebrate the golden wedding anniversary of former neighbours I have not done anything special. (Do I count shampooing the sitting room carpet? The answer is, no!)

Today I went for a long overdue haircut, so it was yet another day of practical clothing, something that would go in the washing machine on my return home because, no matter how well I am wrapped up in a cape, some itchy bits of hair always manage to escape down the back of my neck.

 I wore a favourite black cotton blouse from Gap that I've had for a number of years.  I have worn and washed it so many times that it is starting to be a little less black. The fabric has an embossed pattern and the buttons are hidden under a placket. I am a big fan of Gap blouses as they use lovely fabrics and are well styled. The jeans are from M&S and the cowhide belt, rather threadbare, a hand-me-down from a daughter.
This necklace is very light and easy to wear, and was a present from a daughter. It is, if I recall correctly, a mixture of coal and resin. It also very easy to open and close, which is increasingly important as my fingers become less able to deal with small clasps and pins.

Fot Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style.