Monday, August 11, 2014

As Boho As I Go


On the fly today with plenty of excuses why I'm still absent in from my usual haunts in the Blogosphere (only one of which is any good: I've got to redo our business website from scratch with a program I'm still learning and it's slow going. I've added that to trying to figure out the best use of various new-to-me social media as a replacement for traditional advertising. Whew. Yes, indeed. )

What I Wore yesterday for the Sunday trip to the Big-ish City



This is about as Bohemian as I've gone in recent years. In the late 60s and all through the 70s, I had periods of folky-ness with everyone else, and a full-on-but-brief descent into an Earth Motherish period in the 90s. But since then, not so much. So, just a touch of Boho here with the print and paneled construction of this feather-weight skirt. It has a smocked-elastic waist that goes several inches up under the crop top, so no cami is necessary for modesty. Nice for the summer heat and flattering at the waist.
The crop top is made with a substantial embroidered lace front that holds it's structure. It's also very soft and cool with a tee-shirting back panel. Easy-peasy and casual.



However, I did have to take up the hem 3 and 1/4 inches, which was a pistol because the skirt is made of curved hem panels, lots of them. But that little challenge pales compared to the amount of fabric that had to be hemmed. I measured it twice just to make sure, 'cause I didn't believe it the first time. The hem measures just a little over 33 feet around. Whew, again. I'm no fool. I used the machine to hem this mother.


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Back to the virtual grindstone. But first, I'm popping over to Perkily Printed Patti's Visible Monday .

Stop by if you can ... it's so much fun!


39 comments:

  1. Okay, I just have to say this.....33 feet?? Holy cow, that's as long as your average colon. ;) See, I was so tempted I couldn't resist.
    The skirt is very pretty, I imagine I would have worked hard on it too, rather than end up not wearing it. I did recently buy a skirt though that I thought I was going to hem but the bottom is done so sculpted that I just don't think I could replicate it. I'm sure I'd ruin the look. So, I've resorted to tightening up the waist and pull it up for a tube top type thing. I just loved the fabric too much to toss it.

    I hear you on the re-building the business challenges. I recently crashed my computer and lost everything on my external storage drive. But I'm so happy with the new bookkeeping system I have started through GoDaddy. I guess it takes a disaster sometimes to head in the right direction.

    Good luck to you!

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  2. I SO need a skirt with a 33 foot hem! Looks great.

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  3. Wow, I'd use a machine too! (Though I used to hand-hem Renaissance costume skirts with probably a comparable amount of material...but I was young then...) It's a really cute look!

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  4. I'm always so impressed with your sewing skills. Such a beautiful outfit on you!

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  5. Patti_NotDeadYetStyleAugust 11, 2014 at 5:13 PM

    Wow, biggest hem ever! I love this look, and you look fab, Jan. A full skirt is one of my favorite things in the world. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xox.

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  6. Well, the website-building sounds like a challenge, Jan, but if you can hem a 33ft skirt, you can do anything! Thank goodness you didn't try and do it by hand, we'd never have seen you again!
    But so worth it, it's a great skirt. You know, I'm not getting boho at all - I get a super-chic 1950s vibe, especially with the lace top. You look lovely. You always look lovely! Now - back to work! xxx

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  7. You represent the NEW bohemian. One that is more refined and less hippie, but still has that free-spirited vibe. I likey!

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  8. I know that my web provider, Squarespace, has several templates that are tailored for restaurant use. Their prices are very reasonable if you're looking to move to something you don't have to code from the ground up.
    Yeah, I dressed like Gaia for about 10 minutes in the '90's. That was after my Grunge phase - which has made a glorious comeback, too. These days I (mostly) keep my Inner Witch to myself.
    These recent alterations and pairings are really taking your style to a whole new level. I see the Boho, but Chic-Boho, not Infantile or Trend-Du-Jour. Keep 'em coming! ;-)


    Alicia
    spashionista.com

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  9. you have more patients than me, hemming that baby, well worth it though looking at your pictures

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  10. I love black and white together. And that's just how I wore a crop top yesterday. I love these skirts that are out now that you can wear as a maxi...or a midi...or a dress...all because of that long waist/top. You are very styling...love those shoes with it, too. Good luck on your website. And the social media. I always hate those learning curves!! Debbie @ ilovemylemonadelife.com

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  11. Laurie @ Elusive OnionsAugust 11, 2014 at 10:32 PM

    That skirt is amazing! So flattering with the crop top, though I would have worn it dragging on the ground before I hemmed 33 feet of fabric. Yikes! You rule!

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  12. Good luck with your website, with all your talents you will be fine. Your skirt is very impressive, almost as much as your hemming skills. I`m with you on the boho thing , maybe because I have worn too much of it before. This is stylish boho at its best.

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  13. Websites are a pain... Good luck, and lots of patience, with that. I'm European, so measuments in inches are a bit undecipherable for me, but looking at the picture it looks like a lot of hem... You do like to take on big projects, do you?

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  14. Ah, you look adorable, love that skirt, great pattern!

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  15. Hi. I really have to say, I like the skirt, but I love your haircut.... Some day I will "wear" a similar one.
    Both thumbs up. Have a good time. Sunny

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  16. Yes, I'm with Curtise, that outfit is yelling 1950s to me! great job on the skirt and cute crop top. I should be working on the website, too but blogging's distracting me! x

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  17. Great boho ensemble, Jan. I like the elegance you add to the boho flavor. This ain't sloppy boho. This girl knows how to dress with class! You look wonderful.

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  18. What a gorgeous skirt! The hem is 33 feet? You could make a tent out of that. But then you wouldn't get to go swooshing around in it. The outfit is perfect, and it looks so pulled-together but comfy at the same time.

    It's a brave new world of technology every day, isn't it?

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  19. Aaw you look so stylish again :) I have one skirt from the rack that hasn't been altered, it works even tho it is slightly large around the waist. All the others have either been hemmed or nipped at the waist. The latter because my waist likes to wear "S", but my butt prefers an "M". Which is less of a problem than my left foot wanting to wear 38 and my right one 39. I know, I know, some people exchange the shoes from one box to the other in the stores, but that's lame.

    Alex - Funky Jungle

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  20. LoL .. on your hemming story! At least you can sew .. (ok, I can sew, but lazy) .. I head off to the seamstress. I do love the skirt .. it must have lovely movement when you walk.

    Monica, www.pear-shaped-gal.com

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  21. it's a fabulous skirt, love every graphic-print in black&white and love particularly this folk one!, and your top is really cute and elegant! You're gorgeous indeed and love your hairstyle
    And I agree with you, having to hem a full skirt with curved hem panels looks like a nightmare!, 33ft!!! wouu.
    Glad you get it!!
    besos

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  22. What a terrific skirt! The pattern is fantastic: the combo of stripe and circles --very unique! You look wonderful as usual!

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  23. You look very good in this crop top& skirt combo and wear it very well. Kudos! I dislike alterations and usually pawn them off on my Mom. I used to sew a lot and now my sewing machine is just a dust collector.

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  24. Hello there, gorgeous! You do the crop top trend so well. If there´s one thing that I love about this outfit was the elegant way you wore the crop top. It helps too that you chose a black and while color palette and this beautiful skirt speaks volumes, literally, in print and in style! :)


    http://dressingupforme.blogspot.com/

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  25. This is one of my favourite outfits of yours, Jan! I would wear it too just the way you wear it. Love literally everything about it - the crop top, the skirt, the sandals and the monochromatic black and white palette. Just perfect.

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  26. I think pros would also use the machine when the skirt is that wide. At least that is what I remember from way back.
    I think this is a perfect outfit. The fact it is soft and cool too, are big plusses (double s in the middle? Or just one?).
    Looking elegant my lady.
    Greetje

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  27. Loving the cropped tops on you! You seemed to have really nailed the crop top and skirt look of late. Boho is one of those styles I'll always feel reflects the real me but sadly it is hardly work appropriate fayre for a corporate office - sigh. So I have to save it for holidays. I'd love to see some of your 60's and 70's looks - that era that still continues to inspire fashion season after season. You have the advantage of having done the whole boho/folk thing when it first came round, the real deal so to speak and yes I think that's an advantage! I like you couldn't care a hoot for fashion rules about not indulging in a trend if you did it the first time round. If anything you should get first dibs!

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  28. THAT skirt is amazing and you look absolutely fabulous Jan!!! I love the entire look!!!


    xo,
    Janise

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  29. Highland FashionistaAugust 16, 2014 at 7:26 AM

    LOVE those shoes. I like a flattering, minimalistic ankle strap shoe. LOVELY.

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  30. That is a gorgeous skirt Jan! But what a lot of work to hem 33 feet of fabric, even with a machine! I love the print and the style looks like it would be great for dancing! I love a skirt the twirls! The whole outfit is beautiful and you look fabulous!

    Have a great weekend!


    ♥ carmen

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  31. This boho style truly suits you well, Jan, Lovely skirt.
    I also have not been around the blogossphere for a while as my country went though some difficult times. Great to be back...Sara

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  32. This looks great on you. I would dearly love to see you in Earth Mother mode. I think you always look great whatever you wear and I still love your short hair-so chic!
    xoxo

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  33. I absolutely adore that skirt!!! Anything black and white is fabulous in my book and I admire your hemming skills - 33 ft!? whoa! I also have been absent, but my excuse is 1 word: summer! Well, I could add in kids, moving, and no internet but that would just all roll into summer. Enjoy learning new skills and I'm sure you'll conquer it all. Take care!
    xo ~kim

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  34. I owe you! You mentioned GoDaddy, and I stopped by while I was trying to find a new hosting service for the business website. Tada! Well, not quite "Tada!" just yet as I'm not finished building our new and better site, but because of you, I found a new home. Thank you!

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  35. cherie james (stylenudge.com)August 26, 2014 at 12:30 PM

    Hi Jan, I love the crop top and the boho look on you. That has to be a record - 33 feet?!?! Great outfit!

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  36. loving this outfit and wow, what a great job with sewing that skirt hem! Definitely hard work done!! Got the perfect length now, great look also with the wedges!

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  37. Hey Jan! Lovely to see you and hear from you. I'm loving your boho vibe here- not one I usually associate with you! I am particularly enamoured with that fine skirt! x

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  38. Wow! That's a lot of skirt to hem. I love this entire outfit...the crop top is the perfect partner to the skirt. Absolutely stunning my friend!
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com

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