Country Lady

It was Saint David's Day here in Wales on Friday, so to acknowledge our country's patron saint we had an outing to St Fagans National History Museum.  It's one of my favourite museums, with such a large site that you can have a very different experience each time you return.  The site centres around a 16th century 'castle' and gardens, and the grounds are filled with historic buildings that have been relocated from around Wales.  The museum had opened a new gallery space since our last visit, so we spent most of our time in the 'Life is...' section.  It focuses on ordinary objects, from clothing and mining lamps to farm tools.  I, of course, became absorbed in the clothing - everything from antique mourning clothes to 20th century wedding gowns, and clothing brands historically made in Wales, such as Burberry and Laura Ashley.

I chose a classic British country lady look for the day, wearing my vintage riding jacket with a new-to-me wool skirt purchased from Ebay recently.  I was initially trying to copy a look I saw in Harper's Bazaar, but inevitably the look went off on a tangent.  It was a practical, comfy outfit, and with a chill in the air I was kept cosy too.  A tweed jacket and skirt is pretty classic, not era specific and I thought, a 'safe', non-outlandish outfit.  The hat is a charity shop buy that I've worn quite a bit over the winter.  It is by British milliner Peter Bettley, who started work in the 1950s.  I think the brand is still going, but is now run by his daughter.  The addition of the hat seemed to attract attention though, coupled with the presence also of my hat-wearing husband.

Not long ago I wrote about What happens when you wear a hat, in which I said "nothing happens".  I hadn't counted on the curiosity of tourists in a large outdoor attraction at half-term on a national day of celebration.  People did stare, children did point.  At least we had good hats on I suppose.  I hope that we added to the entertainment on people's day out.

Wearing: 1940s' riding jacket, 1970s' Peter Bettley hat, M&S skirt, Chie Mihara boots, 1980s' blouse, 1930s' necklace, daffodil brooch by Eternal Collection (gifted some years ago). Rest of outfit bought secondhand.

Linking up with: #iwillwearwhatilike, Visible Monday, Fancy Friday