Boots: vintage via car boot sale
Tunic: George via car boot sale
I think this might be my fourth pair of Western style boots. These are the ones I picked up in a Cardiff car boot sale the other week, for £5, as part of my second-hand shopping spree. I ended up paying £13 to get them resoled, because although the soles were in perfect condition, their smooth leather was very slippy and I fell down the stairs the first time I tried to walk in them! Only a few steps, so my pride was the only thing bruised. Now they're lovely and grippy and I can wear them without fear.
This is probably another one of those tunics that is meant to be a top, but I wear as a dress. I'm never too sure, because dresses are so short on my tall frame anyway. Add opaque tights and boots and suddenly you're a bit more covered up and can go out in public without fear of flashing your undercrackers. I know opaque tights aren't always embraced by the hardcore vintage loving crowd, but they honestly cover a multitude of sins.
I probably do the opposite of what most people do, and as it warms up, my hemlines tend to get longer! I'd never wear a dress this short without tights, so most of my really short dresses get worn in winter. This past week we've had a lovely warm week and so I've ditched the tights (finally!) and have been wearing more midi lengths. How high do your hemlines go? Do you wear really short dresses without opaque tights?
Linking up with: Street Style Sunday, Share in Style, Funday Monday, Visible Monday, Style Sessions, Reasons to Dress, Random Wednesdays, What I Wore Wednesday, Throw Back Thursdays, Thursday Fashion Files, #WIWT, Passion for Fashion, Friday's Fab Favourites, The Style Files,
Haha I know what you mean about the fear of flashing your undercrackers without wearing tights!
ReplyDeleteI tend to wear short outfits a lot in winter (with some super high 200 denier tights or leggings). I mix it up in spring/summer. In spring I'm a big fan of the (often sniffed at) tan tight and only when it's incredibly hot (think people's bums hanging out of daisy dukes hot) that I wear short dresses without tights!
Aside from all of the above - your outfit's lovely!
I think flesh coloured tights have there place but you're right that they ain't trendy anymore! (I can't wear 'tan' ones as I'm too pale, so have to go for ones described as 'bare'). I'm with you though - unless it's super hot, short hemlines means tights!! X
DeleteI really like the colors in this cute little daisy print! I too love opaque tights even though they are not very period for the 20's-50's looks I am usually sporting. They are just so useful for when it is really cold! I am a pretty big devotee of midi hemlines, I never wear anything above knee length. Not out of modesty really, but because I think the proportions look better on my figure. The warm lighting in these photos is giving everything a great 60's vintage photo vibe!
ReplyDeleteI feel the cold in winter so couldn't imagine not having opaques! They do really help with warmth, so I think we can be a bit flexible in our interpretations of vintage looks x
DeleteA lovely dress; I'm like you, I don't wear anything short without tights, but more due to my advancing varicose vein than any sense of modesty! (Sorry - TMI?!)
ReplyDeleteGreat boots, and fab lighting! xxx
Nah, it's never TMI, it's just honesty!! I had the most horrid dry skin/eczema on my legs over winter that they were incredibly blotchy and scabby and I talked with a friend who has varicose veins and we agreed that tights are an absolute must to conceal those kinds of issues (unless you're happy to bare all to the world that is!) X
DeleteWow these photos are amazing! You look beautiful x
ReplyDeleteBeing tall I also often have the things being too short problem so for me thick tights or leggings are a must!
ReplyDeleteVery nice boots. I've never understood leather soles they are so dang slippery.
Tall girl problems eh?!
DeleteLeather soles are awful in wet weather too, I can't understand why any British person would have leather soles, you'd risk breaking something!! X
I love the print on that dress, it's just gorgeous. Kind of 1930s.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who was of uni age in the 1990s, I love opaque tights. We all wore them, and I'm afraid I've never stopped.
The photographs at dawn or dusk thing is intriguing - I'm guessing it's because the light is softer so there's less risk of harsh shadows on the face, plus the more golden quality of light will be flattering. But I'd never heard that as a suggestion. Innnnnteresting!
I will find out a bit more about it but basically I think it means shadows are stronger, giving more depth to a photo than one slap bang in the middle of day where the lighing can make it look a bit flat? X
DeleteNah, shadows are deffo stronger at midday because the light is brighter. You get flatter light earlier/later in the day when contrast is reduced. (I work on a camera mag, can't help picking up some of this stuff.) That's why most photographers wait for the 'golden hour' to photograph buildings, though I've never heard of the same approach being taken with models. Kind of makes sense, as long as the colour cast doesn't matter - things take on a yellower tone, hence 'golden hour', which you wouldn't want in a situation where colour accuracy was critical.
DeleteSee, you know LOADS and way more than me that's for sure!! I will have to read up on this stuff x
DeleteGreat photos, the light shows off your gorgeous bone structure and sparkling eyes.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of sheer tights at all, coloured opaques all the way when I'm wearing minis unless it's festival season and I'll wear them with over the knee socks and wellies! xxx
I wish I could wear over the knee socks but I'm too tall, can't find any long enough!! I think it's my sparkly eyeliner that's sparkling rather than my eyes! X
DeleteI do so love it when you get your legs out ;) I always think the same about opaque tights, but sometimes, it's just the right thing to do so I tend to think 'to hell with it!'. Mostly, I hate being cold, so while I live in this country I'm going to be pretty attached to thick tights... Anyway, you look fab - I love the little 'do as well xx
ReplyDeleteI also wear tights when the dress is too short. I've seen one too many gal having a Marilyn moment in her dress and I was horrified. I never want that to be me.
ReplyDeleteYour legs look a mile long here.
bisous
Suzanne
The shorter the hemline, the bigger the pants - that's the rule!! x
DeleteLooking good girl. And don't take any notice of so-called rules.
ReplyDeleteMy hemlines have gone down to the knee as I am getting on a bit. But recently I have bought two dresses a bit above the knee. To hell with convention.
Greetje
Yes, with each passing year I scoff more and more at the 'rules'! Barmy how thinking for yourself is still encouraged so little?!
Deletex
Pretty dress. And I love the way the light is shining in the photos. Maybe I need to start taking some sunset pics. :) #reasonstodress
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely look! I love the boots! I am a "career" blogger as you say, but I am always in such a rush in the mornings to get my daughters and myself out the door that it doesn't even cross my mind to take pictures with the sunrise. Plus, my hubby (aka my photographer) leaves for work about the time I wake. The sun rays look great in these photos. Thanks for stopping by The Gifted Gabber last week! Amy @ http://www.thegiftedgabber.com/
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with anyone who can blog and have children, it seems like a mission in itself so I don't blame you for not getting up early enough for sunrise pictures, I expect you have your hands full! x
DeleteI so want to do a sunset shoot, but it hasn't happened for me yet either. I was thinking that it might be fun to try and do one on my birthday, as I'm usually up at the crack of dawn with excitement that day anyhow (now, as to whether or not my lovely live-in photographer, aka dear husband, is as well is an entirely different matter! :D).
ReplyDeleteGreat outfit and light. The tones of both play off one another superbly!
♥ Jessica
I think a sunrise shoot sounds like a perfect birthday treat - perhaps followed by a champagne breakfast?! x
DeleteI love how you used the bright sun! It so works with this dress. I agree, my hem lines are getting longer too now that it's spring!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are with me on the hemlines Madaline! Thanks for stopping by x
DeleteI get up early enough for work I somehow don't think I will be up at a ridiculous time like that on my day off!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is a very nice summer dress you got there. I am trying to wear more dresses as my usual attire is jeans and tshirt with converse as it is just easy to throw on!
Your photos are beautiful! I like to wear tights with shorter dresses too. I love the print of your dress and those boots are perfect with it!
ReplyDeleteJill
Doused In Pink
Love tiny floral prints like that. Such a cute mini dress. The sun on you, looks lovely on these photos, also. =)
ReplyDeleteGoodness, the lighting in these photos is just gorgeous and so artistic. That is a really pretty dress and now you are making me want to buy a pair of western boots even more!
ReplyDeleteAs I get older, I can not wear shorter skirts/dresses without tights or with flats. I am way too self conscious about exposing too much legs. You look great and love these boots on you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you next week. Have a great weekend!
Alice
www.happinessatmidlife.com
Love those boots and that tunic! Great boho look! xo Andrea
ReplyDeleteBoho Bunnie
Picture number 4 lady.
ReplyDeletethis whole post could have just been called Picture number 4. You ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!! Forget about sunrise pictures, besides if your photographer is a nightowl they won't come out nice anyway. If with sunsets you get results like picture number 4 you are good as gold!
#reasonstodress
No. 4 is my favourite too!! Thank you so much for being so sweet, I really am thankful for such a kind and positive person as yourself visiting my blog,. x
DeleteI wore leggings today (and socks to make it look like tights) with a shorter dress because of working in a school, didn't want another knicker flashing incident with the parents (yep- vintage circle dress+harmful of books+ strong gust of wind= very embarassed teacher and parents!
ReplyDeleteThe dress is really pretty and HOW magical you look with that sunlight shining out of you!x
I love opaque tights! I know what mean about them being a good cover up. Lovely pictures as always Porcelina! :)
ReplyDelete