Sunshine Superwoman

*

Dress: Vintage, cotton tie dye

Sandals: Corelli @ Williams leather lace-up

Bag: Sportsgirl vinyl

Hat: Vintage, straw

Necklace: Eb & Ive wooden bead

Bangle: Gone Dotti wood & ribbon

*

Finally posting some photographs of the outfit I wore for a day of fun, friendship & exploration in Fortitude Valley with the "Retro Ramblers;" a change of venue from our usual haunt of Paddington yet still requiring a vintage hat & sense of adventure.

This amazing vintage, tie dye maxi dress - made out of soft cotton to keep me as cool as possible - was the ideal choice for such a hot & sultry day, the cap sleeves protecting me from the sun's biting rays & the drawstring empire-line waist detail providing shape while visually elongating my petite 5 foot frame. 

The dress' tie dye pattern was so busy & vivid - & done BY HAND by the previous owner, which pretty much blew my mind - that a classic sandals & bag combo was all that was required. Cue these comfortable leather lace-up wedge sandals from Williams mixed with a boxy, vinyl handbag from Sportsgirl, providing edge while blending into the background & letting the dress & statement wooden beaded necklace in a pleasing shade called "papaya" take centre stage. When it came to choosing what to jewellery to wear, this Eb & Ive beauty was a no-brainer - the colour toned in with the tie dye without matching so completely that it disappeared, while the high, slightly scooped neckline was just crying out for something chunky with multiple, layered strands for impact. 

After donning such a busy print & a hefty necklace, this simple wooden bangle with ribbon depicting a sweet looking Red Riding Hood hiding in the Deep Dark Forest from the Big Bad Wolf - handmade by the ladies from Gone Dotti, who run a popular stall at the Southbank Markets - was the perfect finishing touch. It's often these little design details, hidden in "plain sight" when the outfit is viewed from afar that elevate a look by making it something extra special for the wearer...

*

"...sunshine came softly through my window today; could have tripped out easy but I've changed my ways..."

Sunshine Superman - Donovan (1966)

*