Franny Gets Frocked: Messing Around in Boats

Monday 15 September 2014

Messing Around in Boats

Dress: Gift

Soft Jacket: Gift

Heels: Novo patent sandals

Bag: Novo patent

Hinged Bangle: Vintage 1940s silver

Twist Bangle: Hourglass Jewellers silver

Pearl Ring: Gift (from China)

Messing around in boats - as Ratty from The Wind in the Willows would attest - was a marvelous way to spent a final day in Brisbane with my overseas friend. After attending a photography exhibition at GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art), we hopped aboard a cruiser for a day exploring historical waterfront homes & enjoying riparian entertainment & refreshments as we traversed the tranquil waters, the hubbub of the city a mere memory.

A seafaring adventure - well, as close to it as I would ever come - required an outfit that was a little bit special & I had just the thing: a gorgeous floral & toile print chiffon dress & jacket combo that had been a gift from the friend who was accompanying me. Cut on the bias, the dress had a floaty, almost dancer-like quality that was pure poetry when caught by the breeze, an effect magnified by the matching "waterfall" jacket's draped lapels, which also seemed to twirl when picked up by the wind.

Anchoring this look (pardon the pun!) was a pair of black patent platform sandals, buckled up tightly so they were safe to wear on deck, as well as the matching black patent bag. Silver jewellery was then added to lighten the look without overwhelming it (after all, the bright, mixed pattern of the jacket & dress together was quite full-on) in the form of a vintage 1940s fleur de lis hinged bangle, twisted silver bangle & silver & pearl ring that my brother had brought back for me from his recent trip to China. A detailed picture of the jewellery is available below:

All that remained was to find a broad-brimmed sunhat that looked stylish while offering optimum sun protection, particularly from the glare off the water. Despite the fact that this black & white striped sunhat added yet another pattern into the mix, it didn't overwhelm the look as picked up on the black of the sandals & handbag (top of head, middle of body, bottom of feet). In addition, the large bow on the back was a whimsical touch, playing on the cute countryside sweethearts scene found on the bodice of the dress. See below for pictures of the ensemble, complete with hat: