Today I went to catch the last day of the Glamour of the Gods exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, which was a collection of Hollywood portraits from the 1920s to 1960s.
Whilst I was looking a picture of Marilyn Monroe, a lady came up to me and said, "You've obviously come from somewhere nice. You're all dressed up". To which I responded, blushing, "No, this is just my weekend wear", which she said was wonderful, making me blush further! Unfortunately, I don't have an outfit photo for you to form your own opinions, but I was just in a full-skirted dress with bare back (It was hot in there! I'd had to take off my jacket...), understated kitten heels and a bit of lipstick - quite a standard outfit for me. Don't get me wrong though, I was flattered by her comments!
I do often have people surprised about what I wear on my "days off". I don't know about everyone else, but I almost always dress more up than down on the weekends, no matter what I'm doing. I have a bunch of dresses that I feel aren't quite right for the office which I relish wearing on the weekends. They're not evening dresses, they're just perhaps a tad too... playful for the office. That sounds a bit suspect but you know what I mean - full skirts and petticoats, strappy backs, that kind of thing. Rather than showgirl outfits, which is what you might have thought with the "playful" description!
I guess I just don't understand the casual-on-the-weekend concept. I take my non-work days as the chance to wear exactly what I want, and to experiment with hair and make-up as I don't have to be in a mad, morning rush. I also find it's a good time to trial more quirky ensembles to see if I feel comfortable carrying them off in general public before unleashing them on my workplace.
I'd be curious to know, how does your weekend wardrobe compare to your weekday one?
Oh, and as I mentioned it, below are a few favourite pictures from the Glamour of the Gods exhibition. Enjoy! And hope you all have a good week, whatever you wear!
Whilst I was looking a picture of Marilyn Monroe, a lady came up to me and said, "You've obviously come from somewhere nice. You're all dressed up". To which I responded, blushing, "No, this is just my weekend wear", which she said was wonderful, making me blush further! Unfortunately, I don't have an outfit photo for you to form your own opinions, but I was just in a full-skirted dress with bare back (It was hot in there! I'd had to take off my jacket...), understated kitten heels and a bit of lipstick - quite a standard outfit for me. Don't get me wrong though, I was flattered by her comments!
I do often have people surprised about what I wear on my "days off". I don't know about everyone else, but I almost always dress more up than down on the weekends, no matter what I'm doing. I have a bunch of dresses that I feel aren't quite right for the office which I relish wearing on the weekends. They're not evening dresses, they're just perhaps a tad too... playful for the office. That sounds a bit suspect but you know what I mean - full skirts and petticoats, strappy backs, that kind of thing. Rather than showgirl outfits, which is what you might have thought with the "playful" description!
I guess I just don't understand the casual-on-the-weekend concept. I take my non-work days as the chance to wear exactly what I want, and to experiment with hair and make-up as I don't have to be in a mad, morning rush. I also find it's a good time to trial more quirky ensembles to see if I feel comfortable carrying them off in general public before unleashing them on my workplace.
I'd be curious to know, how does your weekend wardrobe compare to your weekday one?
Oh, and as I mentioned it, below are a few favourite pictures from the Glamour of the Gods exhibition. Enjoy! And hope you all have a good week, whatever you wear!
 |
| Louise Brooks by E.R. Richee (Source) |
 |
| Carole Lombard by William Thomas (Source) |
 |
| Michele Morgan by Ernest A Bachrach (Source) |
I like to dress up everyday, so my weekend one tends to be just as not-casual!
ReplyDeleteI love these pics, especially the Carole Lombard one; I didn't even recognise her!
I completely agree! I always get more dressed up on weekends too :)
ReplyDeleteI have to work shifts so my weekends are are mid week if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteI love my rest days and gives me the chance to dress how I want to and try new things, and best of all go shopping.
Andy.
I get the same comments from people. The latest time was yesterday, when my visiting ant said: "Are you gonna wear THAT to class?!". Why, yes! Why not?! If you just wear a dress nowadays everyone thinks you dressing up. But back in the good old (fashionable) days women wore dresses and skirts everyday. I think that's a tradition that should be brought back! And I'm doing my best to BRING it back! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, everyone! I knew I could rely upon my fellow bloggers for some sense!
ReplyDeleteEsme - I agree, I like to dress up every day but work days are just slightly more composed as I impose my own rules as I prefer to give off a professional air, despite my office's lack of dresscode. That just translates as more pencil skirts, less big, poofy skirts, etc. I work in a good area actually - architectural historians tend to have a slightly quirky, slightly vintage dress sense. We're allowed to be slightly eccentric by usual workplace standards...
Miss Meadow - I wholeheartedly support your quest to bring back the skirt! Occasionally I have to waver and wear trousers if going on site visits to decrepit buildings but it's more so that the men don't think I'm a ditz, rather than a skirt actually making it harder to do anything. And pair a skirt or dress with tights and boots in cold weather and you're just as warm (or, as I argue, warmer) than in trousers. And never mind your aunt - I'm sure lots of people in your class appreciate your efforts!
I absolutely support your dresscode. I want to look my loveliest! One of my winter skirts (don't have to be heavy) with petticoat, tights, socks & docs or other boots is warmer than the denim of jeans. I often cringe that so many women my age (mid 50s)& old women, wear trousers which are often unflattering anyway. I used to think they'd be more careful. The Louise Brooks photo is billiant in its drama of black & white & no definition in the black except that suggested by the white. Carole Lombard's portrait is stunning!
ReplyDeleteA further observation - Carole Lombard offers another headscarf option...
ReplyDeleteSusan Janet - Yes! Another headscarf option to think about. Very 20s, this one (unsurprisingly!). Lady Jardin did a week-long challenge where she wore a differently styled head scarf each day (http://ladyjardin.blogspot.com/2011/06/head-scarves-7-day-challenge-day-1.html) - perhaps I should try something similar some time...
ReplyDelete