Monday 20 February 2012

Visible Monday - back to school.

Half -term is over and everyone is back at school. I left school over half a century ago. It was a private girls' school, not a million miles away in character from St Trinian's, created by the English cartoonist, Ronald Searle, who died last December.
My school uniform was extensive and during the autumn and winter months very similar to St Trinian's; white blouse and striped tie, house sash and navy gymslip. I wore it from the age of five until I left in the sixth form. 
You would think that I'd never want to wear a gymslip again. Not a bit of it! Why, I even bought a pattern so that I could make my own!
This striped navy version is made by the French label, Lilith. The fabric is a 50/50 mix of rayon and linen and it is such a comfortable thing to wear. 
Here are the details of today's outfit for Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style.

The silk/cotton cardigan, with small pockets, is by Nicole Farhi, a favourite designer.


The gymslip has capacious pockets and there are buttons all down the back. 
Dear me - get the iron out, woman! What a crumpled wreck!













The tie is an Austin Reed, 'borrowed' from Himself. 
The spotted linen blouse is from Hobbs, via a friend, via a charity shop. It is good that all friends know my favourite colours (lilac, mauve, purple) and fabrics (natural) so that they can make these inspired shopping purchases for a snip!

And my nail varnish is called, 'Euphoria'!


13 comments:

  1. This is a great outfit. I just wanted to add it would make a great appearance at Visible Monday, when I noticed you already took part!

    May I say one more time, you have the best hair! Plus your hairdresser must be really talented, because your hair frames your face in a very flattering way.

    What does Himself say about the outfit? having borrowed his tie?!

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    1. Himself has known me from outrageous art student to OAP so has seen it all. (Sometimes with an attitude of quiet amusement!)

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  2. Awesome attire. Like you I wore school uniform since grade school to college. Somehow I like to wear it again but heck no I am done to wearing uniforms ^_^

    Kim,USA

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  3. You look great! Paula is right, your hairstyle is awesome.

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  4. I really love this menswear look, from the pinstripes to the tie! Fabulous boots too. Thanks so much for linking up to Visible Monday.

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    1. I really like androgynous clothing, especially a woman in a man's evening suit. I have my father's tailed morning coat and have worn it happily to evening events on several occasions, although not since I've had my hair cut short.

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  5. I really like this look. I love your hair, it is just gorgeous!! I am not sure what a gymslip is, but if it looks like your dress, I like it.

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    1. Dear Debbie, A gymslip is a sort of yoked pleated pinafore dress with button fastenings on the shoulders and it was standard school uniform in the 30's, 40's and 50's. I'll hunt out my gymslip pattern and do a posting for you.

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  6. One natty outfit you have there Rosemary.

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  7. You look like you should be skipping up the step into the school building. I am lovin' your ring! Hugs! Bonnie

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    1. Oh, I'm happy not to be skipping into a school building any more!

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  8. That is one awesome ensemble. I LOVE how you have paired the purple and polka dots with the pinstripes and then you topped it off with that audacious tie! Is that a quintuple Windsor knot or "king's throat"? Maybe it's just a fat tie... You look amazing.

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    1. Golly, Melanie, I have no idea, your knowledge is impressive! My knot is the one I tied year after year as a schoolgirl over half a century ago!

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