Pix-Elated

I've had the first Comrags dress since 2017. It was expensive for me then, but wow, it has proved its worth and then some. It is still a summer favourite and I can't see retiring it any time soon. It barely wrinkles and dries in a flash. Besides, after all these years, handkerchief hems are enjoying another moment. :) Wore it last night and a woman shouted out at me: I love your dress! 

The other one, from Zara, is on its 3rd year in the closet and still going strong. It is great for sun coverage! (Waving to Angie, my dress twin, and several forum members who are dress cousins on this one.) 

The Eileen Fisher sandals are my second pair of the same style. I bought them when my first pair wore out -- maybe in 2020 or so? and then almost never wore the second pair -- to the point where I wondered if I had made a mistake in repurchasing. Suddenly, they are feeling fresher again to me and I am wearing them. Go figure! 

I bought the little Ecco pot bag a few years ago, too, and then never used it. Why? I finally realized it was because it was too small for me to carry my usual case for my sunglasses. A new pair of sunglasses with a different case suddenly made it wearable! 

And no, I was not on my bike with these outfits! First was out for a casual supper with Mr. Suz and second was for a morning appointment. 

And look! I have found a better way to snap pictures -- at least as far as the light is concerned. The proportions are off because I have to stand close to the mirror, but at least the light is better. :)

Angie's outfit formula on Friday reminded me that I seldom wear this absolutely beautifully made Lafayette 148 striped cotton dress. The picture does not do the fabric or construction justice. It's  impeccably made, with the kind of finishing that I rarely see, and I got it on super sale at the Rack -- it was probably the last one or something. There is so much for me to love here -- the low contrast grey and off-white stripe, the mixed stripe pattern, the deep pockets, the breezy, roomy skirt. And yet -- after its first year in my closet, I have rarely reached for it, and Angie's post, along with  Dee's post today about her new striped dress made me consider the "whys." (Thanks, Dee.) 

In terms of the style -- while I love so much about it, including the neat neckline and armholes -- it tends to feel a bit too classic or even "ladylike" for my style.  When I wear it with a topper like a distressed denim jacket, and a sneaker or an oxford, it works.  When I go too matchy matchy or ladylike with the accessories -- or really, when I try to go "one and done" with very simple footwear/ accessories --  it feels just a bit uptight, for want of a better word. It would suit a dramatic classic better than a gamine, maybe? <shrug> 

Still, today was hot and sunny -- a perfect day for this amazingly wrinkle-free cotton fabric-- and I decided to try it out.

I used to wear it with a pair of red heeled sandals, but those are long gone and anyway, I had to run errands on my bike.

#1 was my first try. Red earrings and flats and also my red bag. Verdict: too matchy matchy, and I didn't like the proportions of the long earrings with my longish face and flats. 

Next I tried with my EF silver flatforms and simple Enoki stud earrings, almost invisible. I didn't love it, but it was fit for purpose, I thought. Off I went on the bike. 

For, um, two blocks. 

Despite the length of the skirt, it was impossible to wear this on a bike -- it kept hitching way up my thighs as I rode, nearly exposing my undies to the world, something I am not eager to do! 

I quickly went home and changed into my sarong shorts....

I don't plan to get rid of this dress. But it's clear why I'm not wearing it much. Not only does it present styling challenges for me but it is also exceptionally impractical for my daily life now that I live in a suburb and spend as much time on my bike as I do walking. In Vancouver (where I bought it, and where I always walked or was on transit) it was not impractical. But for my current lifestyle, it's hard to casualize it enough. 

What I need instead: more JORTS!!! Please send links if you know of any. I scouted the mall today and found nothing that I liked. Preference for below the knee, not black or brown (though I would consider brown). 

Also, does anyone with a similar lifestyle-issue wear skimmers or bike shorts under dresses like this? I could consider that, perhaps? 

I definitely bat for Team Stripe in all seasons and since I'm also Queen Blue and Viscountess White, summery stripes are pretty much my every day. LIke today -- I was already dressed when I saw the blog post. 

For summer, I have many tops with stripes -- from the tone on tone of the Everlane blouse to bolder stripes on some of my J. Crew shirts. 

I have striped tees of various types, and a striped dress. I used to have striped pants and skirt but those are no longer represented in my closet. I wouldn't say no to the right items if they came along, though! 

From the blog, I really enjoyed the third option -- tan and black linen. I have nothing even remotely similar but it made me think that it might be fun to put something like it together in my own colour palette. Going to give that some thought....

I don't have a flag but I did wear various versions of red and white all day. Here was the one I wore in the evening. In the daytime, it was red bike, red and white top, white shoes, white helmet, white shorts. :) 

The graphic on the tee is advertising a Canadian literary journal, though you can't really see it clearly.