Firecracker's Blog

In reviewing the fall/winter 2018 fashion shows, Angie noted a trend toward "80s and 90s Fabness." Among the 90s retro looks, she mentioned overalls. I have kind of liked overalls--on other people!--but didn't really think of them as something I'd wear. I don't know why. Too different? (But I wear harem pants, which are not exactly mainstream in my daily environs.) Too rural? Not sophisticated enough?

Shopping at Nordstrom yesterday, though, I saw a salesperson wearing a pair that looked so great on her, I wanted to try them. "Do you have those?" I asked, pointing at her outfit. And sure enough, there was a pair, somewhere "in the back," which made it into my dressing room.

Here are my retro 90s overalls, worn in the least costumey, most characteristically "me" way I could think of. My DH said, "That's a new look!" I asked if he liked them, and he said, "I can get used to them." He's such a sport!

The outfit: Zip front, raw-hem, slightly distressed overalls (Reformation, Benji); black waffle t-shirt, black studded booties (Halogen), silver bicycle chain bracelet, silver earrings.

I think there are a lot of tops I could wear with these, but I wanted to
keep it simple for their first outing. I think they will be fun for
spring and summer, with lighter tops and sandals or sneakers.

These may be kind of a wild card for me, but they feel easy to wear. What do you think? Something you can "get used to" like my DH? I look forward to your thoughts, and suggestions for ways to wear this "new" look.

Angie's post about the Fair Isle Trend prompted me to pull out and wear a sweater my mother knit for me in the 80s. It is medium-gray heather, with the pattern in white and pale yellow with a touch of the heather gray. It's in great condition because I  haven't worn it that much in the last 20 years or so, I take good care of it, and it's knit from acrylic yarn, which seems quite hardy. I cherish the sweaters my mother knit for me, even though I may not wear them much, if at all, any more. They reflect her love for me, as well as my taste in earlier eras of my life! 

Today I'm wearing the Fair Isle sweater (photo 1) with skinny dark wash jeans (Mother, the Looker high rise, in Coffee Tea or Me wash); white long sleeved t-shirt (Eddie Bauer); cognac boots (Born) and tan belt.

And, here's another outfit (photo 2) with the boots, inspired by Smittie's post considering a pair of mid-calf rust boots, in which there was some discussion of wearing this style of boot with skirts. This is a work outfit that I have worn fairly often: Slate gray ponte midi skirt, plaid wool blouse, and dark brown boiled wool vest (all OSKA); navy tights and cognac boots (Born). I guess this is not a conventionally flattering look, wearing the wide-shaft mid-calf boots with a midi skirt, but I enjoy wearing it. I like the way the boots casualize the outfit. What do you think?

Thanks for looking! I welcome your thoughts!