11.1.12

~kitten around




Sometimes when I open my wardrobe in the morning (or open my 6-foot chest of drawers, or rummage through my boxes of stuff to go into storage, or my sewing pile, and so on), I end up tangentially wondering about its existence. There's no real rhyme or reason to it, although most of it is intensely whimsical. And I'm turning 20 in a couple of months, so I'm not getting any younger, especially in the scheme of the blogosphere. In less than a year I'll be graduating if all goes to plan (hahahahahaha), and maybe one day after that trying to find a serious, big-girl job in an office or something. I wonder, when will it get weird that my favourite outfit is a giraffe-print minidress with patent t-bar flats? When will my bum-length hair start being 'inappropriate' for my age? What is the half-life of rainbow glittery oxfords?

Except for the occasional odd look/point/laugh, and the occasional question about the theme of the party I'm attending, people I talk to are generally pretty positive about the ~zany~*~ wardrobe I've spent the last 7 or 8 years collecting and curating. I hate subscribing to arbitrary social standards around personal style, but I do occasionally worry that I look like an overgrown 3 year-old. Women like Helga and Vix are serious inspiration for me though when I have these weird little quarter-life crises about my dress sense, reminding me that you can be a grown up and still wear bright, interesting, quirky, whimsical vintage clothes. I hope my wardrobe does have some real longevity, and I don't wake up one day wanting to only wear black and beige and bin all my weird, questionably-ugly clothes.

This dress was one of those things I see on Etsy and think 'oh, if only, but the price tag! I could never buy this!' and then find myself hunched over my laptop typing in my debit card details ten minutes later. It reminded me of an amazing skirt I had years ago featuring a border print of pale yellow kittens playing with balls of wool, that I sold in a fit of madness and have regretted ever since. It's by the amazing Katie-Louise Ford, who has a gorgeous blog too. I just couldn't get past the saccharine combination of green-eyed kittens frolicking in hearts made of flowers, plus the peter-pan collar and full skirt. I don't know if I've ever seen anything more twee. I've probably only got 7 or 8 years left in which I can wear this dress before I start pushing the boundaries of age-appropriateness, so I guess I'll just wear it every day between now and then to make the most of it.





(Kitten-print dress by Katie-Louise Ford, Asos t-strap flats, fuschia belt off another vintage dress, costume-cupboard satchel. P.S. None of these are edited, I just left my camera on weird settings accidentally. I don't know how to make them look better... soz)

Regarding my Asos shoes, my mum ordered them for me as my old pair of t-bars were getting into a terrible state from me wearing them every day. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but when they arrived I was extremely disappointed- they're very bad quality. There were glue marks and smears on the side of one shoe, and the fabric of the straps was starting to fray quite badly already. I've worn them twice and not only are they very uncomfortable, but the fraying is getting much worse and they look old and worn already. What a waste of money. They're the first Asos item I've ever owned, and probably the last too. I'm going to order a pair of Goldenponies t-strap flats in the near future to replace these- the wait is long, but it'll be worth it. I'm sure these will have fallen apart by then!

13 comments:

  1. I love your kitten dress. A novelty print + a peter pan collar is perfect. Oh, I completely understand that feeling. When I turned 20 I had a small crisis about whether I was too old to wear my hot pink Doc Martens because I wasn't a teenager any more. Then I realised that only wearing age appropriate clothes is just as stupid as all those other fashion rules. I pretty much constantly wear weird childish prints and I don't care if they are inappropriate for a 22 year old.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm turning 23 this year and I don't think a number should dictate what makes you happy. I think it's sad that people expect you to submit to certain (boring) trends when you turn a certain age. Who ever said you can't wear kids print dresses past a certain age?! What a horribly demure thought. Look at the blog "Advanced Style", it celebrates older women who still have the balls to wear what they want despite a society telling them that basically once you get old, you have to be boring.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Please - don't grow up and wear boring lady clothes!! I'm 32 and have what would be considered a professional job, I also have pink hair extensions and wore a dress to work covered in sharks last Wednesday. I'm not planning on growing up any time soon - it is possible to have a grown up job and unique style as well. I do love that kitten dress - especially the collar. Humm....wonder where I could buy kitten fabric...

    ReplyDelete
  4. I saw that dress on her blog and entered her giveaway! You're lucky to have gotten your paws (hehe) on it already! x

    ReplyDelete
  5. No way, don't ever give up on your adorable wardrobe!! That's the beauty about vintage, it's timeless, you can't get too old for it! I would say that there definitely comes a point where people should stop wearing cut off jeans where your bum hangs out, or a super clingy Supre dress but a cute kitty print vintage dress?! That should never go out of style!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Don't ever ever stop being you!!!! I am 22 years older than you and I would so wear that kitten dress.
    You are to fabulous to be boring and run with the wolves sweet!!!
    Love V

    ReplyDelete
  7. If clothing is a form of expression it shouldn't be limited by age. Kittens are TIMELESS.

    ReplyDelete
  8. wow, you got so many cute dresses!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Never change stay just as you are!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. At 47 years of age, I would definitely wear that adorable kitten dress. I believe you should wear what makes you happy :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm 33 and, although my tastes have changed a wee bit over the years, I haven't grown out of wearing unusual dresses. The "smart" people at my work often compliment on me on them and tell me they wish they had the courage to wear them, too. You might surprise yourself. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ugh I am just DYING sitting here and looking at that dress gaaahhh it is so perfect and you looks so great in it! It should never ever be age inappropriate! I am the first to say fuck that bullshit when it comes to supposed age inappropriate dressing and I would encourage anyone ever to continue doing that little girl's look (including you and me and men and everyone) but in the end you can never get around the fact that a lot of work places would just not hire your or would fire you if you'd chose to wear this to work. I have about two, three outfits that are work appropriate (for summer jobs) and they make me feel so sad every time I have to wear them. I don't know what I'll do if I have to start working full-time. Except maybe wear more extravagant clothing when I am not working to counteract the drab feelings of grey attire?

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm a new follower! Yippppeeee! I love your dress... you look like a little Winnie Cooper from "The Wonder Years". So cute. I'm posting a blog about kitten print clothes soon and was going to add you and site your bloggy blog. What do ya think?

    http:www.nothingbutapigeon.blogspot.com/

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for commenting! If you require a specific answer to a question, you can find our email addresses on our 'about' page. xo

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...