Welcoming Spring’s Wardrobe
1. Vintage denim wrap skirt pattern; 2. Vintage trench; 3. Tortoiseshell cateye sunglasses; 4. Essie Canyon Coral; 5. Gold nail head studs; 6. Floral scarf; 7. Worishofer lace-up slingbacks; 8. Scoopneck t-shirt; 9. Ruched-sleeve striped top
There is some endless pleasure, before the season has really taken form, in imagining what you will look like in it. I remember sitting in the backseat of a friend’s Toyota before spring semester of our junior year had started. “I’m going to wear lots of pink blush!” I declared. Soon enough, I was bare-faced and the resolution was forgotten, but there was so much delight in that moment of ripe potential.
I just opened the window in the living room and can hear birds outside. My husband reported this morning that the high today would be in the ’60s, tomorrow creeping up into the ’70s. But this is the hardest seasonal transition for me–coming out of the cozy cocoon of a home, peeling off layers, baring arms and pale calves. Spring has a dark side, and there’s a vulnerability to the season. Tender green growing shoots aren’t the only ones emerging from the safe darkness and into the unforgiving light.
But for those able to see it, spring is a new beginning and fresh start. Wardrobe-wise, I’m embracing the change with visions of striped tops, airy floral scarves, and the perfect red-coral nail polish. Life-wise, I see more walks in the park in my future, an uptick in smoothies, and more of those daffodils we all can’t stop about.
How do you welcome spring, wardrobe-wise and life-wise? Do you kind of see yourself like Carrie in that episode of Sex and the City where she’s walking through a flurry of falling pink cherry blossoms? Or when she’s ambling down the street on a weekend, tote bag filled with flowers and the newspaper? (I do!)
Kristina Strain: I see… a return to FUN in our life! Fun has been put on-hold, this winter, with the new house to rehab. But. The end is in sight.
When I stepped into this cold wet season of busy-ness, somehow I didn’t think it would ever end. The cold, the wet. The long drives to the new place, and the long drives back. The change of seasons is jarring– yes, this time will end. The work will end. The long drives will soon be a thing of the past. Once we’re moved in, a new season of living will begin, right in pace with the seasons. Relief!1 year ago
Kristina, I think you just described what I always feel this time of year. That feeling of surprise (though it happens every time) when winter is over and things start to bloom and life does seem fun again! Here’s to that–and to enjoying the fruits of your labor in your new house!1 year ago
Cadi: Well, didn’t YOU just hit the nail on the head?! I was just pulling out my bin full of wrap skirts and taking inventory of their colors for new tops, and dreaming of cat eye sunglasses. Last night wen I was out in the yard I noticed that the bluebells are about to bloom any minute now, and that’s when I know for certain spring is nigh.
We have an upcoming 10 days of rain over here in CA, but it can’t get me down because I have a spanking new bottle of red-coral polish (great minds!) calling to me and toenails to paint in preparation for the sunshine that is soon to come.1 year ago
Erin: Great spring choices! I have the identical striped top, but in Navy blue (and actually from Gap), and I cannot wear it enough. LOVE.
1 year ago
Katie: I JUST painted my toenails a bright coral-pink, and bought a new melon-colored scarf. I love that flowery one, though, and the stripey top. So French.
I do always feel vulnerable in the spring – but also excited for what’s ahead. This year, I hope it includes a sense of belonging in this new home of mine. I’m so ready to stop feeling like a stranger.1 year ago
MrsWhitney: My spring wardrobe this year will consist of maternity clothes, all vintage or made from vintage patterns. I’m looking forward to carrying my usual ’50s housewife style over into this new phase!
1 year ago
Also exciting: being able to turn off the heater and open the windows, the smell of fresh-cut grass, and the transition from gingerbread and hot chocolate to lemon meringue pie and iced tea.
MrsWhitney, I wish you had a blog where we could all look at your adorable pregnant self in vintage maternity clothes!1 year ago
wendy: Colors change from darks to lights. The hair gets a tad shorter. The house gets a face lift by a spring clean out of things we don’t need or want any more. And more flowers, more frequently!
Life wise, I try to apply myself to holding those promises I have made to God, others and myself. To apply the new things I have learned from all the winter reading. To open new windows for my life-even though it has not changed all that much.
CREAM PUFFS!!!!!1 year ago
J: So far I’ve swapped my black and brown tights for violet and picked up Benefit’s Posie Tint. And I try to keep the house filled with spring blossoms (this week it’s tulips). Looking forward to preparing lots of beautiful salads topped with poached anything in the weeks to come.1 year ago
MrsWhitney: Sarah, I will be posting photos on the Vintage Pattern Wiki once the clothes are finished:
http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/McCall%27s_4455
and
http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Simplicity_4827
You should post pictures of your wrap skirt, too! The site is a great resource, and pictures of finished projects are really helpful, especially since many older patterns feature drawings rather than actual photographs on the envelopes.1 year ago
Kim: Hi Sarah, you have me salivating at those pretty spring clothes! And so not fair, as I live in New Zealand so am staring autumn (fall to you, heh) in the face. Perhaps I will have another look at the fall posts of yours that I smirked at as we were heading into spring
1 year ago
molly: Alright, I never go in for fancy shirts, but that ruched-striped number is beyond cute!
Happy spring to you, Sarah. May the sun soon return to your part of the world.1 year ago
Anita: FYI::I just shared about your blog on my blog. I’ve been following your blog since 2006! WOW! I know! Still following!1 year ago
Kim, Go back and read these and I think you’ll be appreciating the season you’re in (what I would give for fall!):
http://www.pinkofperfection.com/2010/09/fall-fun-list/
http://www.pinkofperfection.com/2009/09/30-quintessential-fall-activities/
I can’t decide if I should make that wrap skirt of keep stalking ebay/etsy to find the right one. Decisions…1 year ago
Jessica: I am so sharing your Carrie-vibe! Just yesterday the episode when she first meets Jack Berger popped into my head–specifically the short floral dress, light jacket, strappy heels and clutch outfit she’s sporting on their not-date. Definite spring fashion craving. Yum.1 year ago
Roxanne: Despite the fact that there’s still a foot and a half of snow on the ground here, the weather has risen above 0*C!! Spring is finally starting to happen way up north here. More than anything I’m looking forward to hiking, swimming in the creek, and exploring the dinosaur walkways along the way ^_^1 year ago
Kim: Thanks for that Sarah, I just remembered I actually do love autumn/fall as well – time to get out the crochet hook and start reading the cloth-bound edition of `Wuthering Heights’ I got for Christmas! As for the skirt, if you can sew it, then do so, such projects are always so gratifying, plus you can tailor it to fit you precisely. Enjoy your sparkly spring!1 year ago