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.