Olive + Rust

In one of her characteristically enlightening posts, Audi at Fashion for Nerds recently discussed how our tendency to reserve some clothes for only special occasions can be limiting, and how we can find ways to wear those special-occasion clothes for not-so-special occasions. This skirt is an example of how I figured that out for myself when I was going through a process of rediscovering and re-inventing my wardrobe over the past year. It has a matching camisole and bolero jacket, and so together, they look quite dressy. Here it is very long ago sans bolero jacket, as I can't find a photograph of myself wearing all 3 pieces. I'll try to wear the bolero soon, though.I made the matching 3-piece set over ten years ago, when I was a college student studying in Paris for a semester. I wasn't permitted to be employed, and I was broke, so I had a lot more time on my hands than I was used to, but I couldn't afford to do any activities that cost money. So when I wasn't going for long walks, I was holed-up in my closet-sized apartment with discount fabrics and my sewing machine, which I had fit into my suitcase even though it meant I could bring fewer clothes with me. That semester was one of the unhappiest periods of my life because I was desperately missing my friends and boyfriend (now my husband of 9 years), and so lonely, while my far more well-funded peers in my program bonded over restaurant meals and weekend trips to Italy, London, Amsterdam, etcetera. And my stumbling French and my non-out-going-ness kept me from trying to befriend people outside my program.

But this loneliness and isolation also made it one of my most creative periods. Some of my creations from that time were so unique that I only wore them once or twice, then gave them away during closet purgings in my mid-20s. This ensemble is one of the few creations from that time that is still in my possesion. The camisole no longer fits me, and I was so tied to the notion of it being a "special occasion" ensemble that I didn't think to wear the pieces separately as everyday attire until just this past winter.

Here I am doing my best attempt at a "Kasmira skirt twirl." I think it's pretty clear that she captures those twirls better than I do!

Earrings: a little hole-in-the-wall shop, somewhere in Philly.
Necklace: gift from mom.
Blouse: Easy Pickins?
Sash: came with pants from Old Navy.
Skirt: made by me.
Leggings: Mandee.
Boots: a store in Kalispell, Montana (the stamp on the inside says Oak Grove Farms).