Sunday, December 20, 2009

My Uniform

It's getting to that point... the Winter closet woes... for those of you who are familiar with this - it's bad. Very bad.

I'm a Spring and Summer gal - a dress, and shoes - that's it! No need to worry about the complications of wearing two pairs of tights under leggings, +/- a slip to make sure your skirt doesn't get all wonky with the friction of tights and then the sweater you wear with your normal clothes in combination with the sweater you wear under a jacket ... Then add a hat, scarf, and mittens and you get a very complicated winter wardrobe! ... And don't even get me started on the Winter Coat dilemma ...

You'd think living in California I wouldn't have to worry about this... except it's worse in San Francisco. It seems to always be this weird in between temperature. Never really hot, never really shockingly cold and not many places have heat. Do you know how complicated this makes things for me?!? In New England you bundle for outside and then inside you can kind of slack a little - heck, you can even have short sleeves if you want... San Francisco = dressing for the outdoors, indoors - all the time.

So, since it's only December I've been thinking of ways to cure my insanity before it gets ahold of me. What have I come up with? Uniforms... No, no - no oxford shirts in varying colors with pleated skirts and sweater vests. But, just a simple kind of outfit you wear every day. The type of thing that makes you feel nice and un-frumpy and comfortable... and it's also good for finding just a few pieces to be able to mix and match... My uniform ... ?

The Cream Lace Dress

My Uniform

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My favorites are the heavier lace 60's dresses (the two on the left) But - I can't deny I was happy to find that 40s lace slip which is the perfect thing for mixing and maxing ruffley blouses and fur trimmed cardigans.

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The one I'm wearing here is my favorite. Long sleeves and the perfect winter length (I always feel better wearing knee and mid calf lengths with bare legs in summer and then a shorter hem line when you have 3 pairs of tights on in Winter)

My Uniform

I think my favorite thing about this kind of dress is that whenever I wear one I feel like a cross between a sweet little 60's gal and a crazy old rich lady - all depending on the accessories of course. And I think both are very good things.

44 comments:

Jen Hsieh said...

i'm absolutely in love with all your cream lace dresses. and i have to say the long sleeve one is my favorite too. the sleeves are so delicate and the length is perfect! :)

Chaucee said...

OH I love getting dressed in the winter because it's an excuse for more and more layers, which is what I LOVE to wear! You should check out some cute clothes over at Ruche or Mod Cloth (they have some cute heavy sweaters and coats that you can wear overtop a dress).

Q's Daydream said...

oh, I know just what you're talking about! I think my legs are fat to begin with so adding layers of tights and boots and all that jazz makes me feel tons worse about them! I like summer and just dresses with sandals, ahhh, wonderful! I really love your uniform!

Amanda said...

I know what your talking about! In Texas, it gets just cold enough to never want to leave my bed, but apparently not cold enough for anyone anywhere to put on a heater. It's like perpetual coldness until I can get into the bath.
Those dresses are quite lovely for your uniform!
-Amanda

nath said...

gosh, you look lovely. that is a grrrreat uniform, i favour a shorter length in winter also.

Lexie said...

i wouldnt think to own more than one of that type of dress ... it's so fancy! but i agree, it is important to feel comfortable and unfrumpy in the winter! anything to fight the winter doldrums!

"hi, i'm ginnybranch stelling and i love love." said...

oh francesca! i wish i could look as lovely in the wintertime as you! you still look like a proper lady!!! very proud!

Roxanne Rosensteel said...

You're amazing!! I have the same sort of weather dilemma, living on the coast of California as well. I absolutely adore your lace dresses though, what finds!! I adore the second one from the right, with the pleats and such. You're so beautiful, and creative.

Fabiola "Fab" said...

could your uniform be any more perfect I love all things lacy as well. YOu look so lovely!

muchlove said...

those lace dresses are a dream!! Love the peachy cream colour! I'm a spring/summer girl too. Layering up for the colder weather is an art I have yet to work out! I always end up looking frumpy and boring in winter. Thank goodness it's summer in Australia :)

Katherine said...

So jealous! The dresses are perfection with those colored tights!

The Cat and The Cow said...

Wow! All of those are amazing and have sent me in a search for the perfect cream lace dress for myself

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness I want one!
Where could I get a dress like this?

Ashley said...

Amazing! So adorable :) I completely understand and wish I could live year round in dresses and sandals.

What we four say said...

I have been searching for a cream lace dress forever, I have lots of the shirt versions but none of the perfect dress version. I think I just need to shell out some bucks for a good one! Yours are all gorgeous!

calivintage said...

you are so right about the weather here in sf. my house is always just as cold as it is outdoors because there is no insulation! and sf weather is so schizophrenic.

but the lace dresses are all incredibly beautiful. i so love cream in the winter!

the spectator said...

Soft and dreamy.

Amy P. said...

Uniforms are such a perfect idea. All those lace cream dresses are dreamy! And you look so cute with that 60s dress and those tights. I hope your winter woes lighten!

Faux Naif said...

gosh, those are just beautiful! i'd be far too afraid to wear anything so delicate... i have a few lace petticoats that i just like to look at because i'm so scared of damaging them. you look lovely!

Ringo, have a banana! said...

This is like my dreams come true! Every last dress is amazing.

Sarah Elizabeth said...

Love those dresses! And the tights look perfect with that one.

Coco said...

WOW! you own all these wonderful lace dress!? Lucky you! It look amazing on you, very pretty. :)

-Coco From Our Paper Moon

Smaggle said...

I always wear two pairs of tights in Winter. I never wear pants. I feel like an imposter in them! But I have to say I much prefer Winter to Summer. I love dresses and tights and cardigans!

M. said...

I love cream lace so much and have been looking for a dress like those for forever! I love your blog very much

lovelove,
http://marissaexplains.blogspot.com

Ashley said...

OMG, i love lace dresses! How did you manage to find so many beautiful ones! *Envy*! You look so lovely in the long sleeved one.

Gracie said...

These are absolutely beautiful!
I love them, and they look lovely on you!

Gracie said...

P.s; I was just wondering if you wouldn't mind giving us an interview for a magazine we are creating. xx

Casey said...

Oh wow! What a lovely version of a "uniform"! lol. I just adore lace dresses; seeing these makes me wish I hadn't sold one I had in my collection (but, admittedly, it was about two sizes too big for me ;). They're so beautiful just to look at... :)

♥ Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com

Lacey Starr said...

This reminds me of my wedding dress. What a perfectly lovely uniform!

Paloma said...

oh, tell Me about it! I hate the winter blues when it comes to clothes...and I am supposed to always be prepared, living in Omaha!

Harlow said...

I like these. I like them a LOT!

reckless daughter said...

those dresses are a dream!

I've been looking for one like the 60s one you have on here. I used to have one very similar but it ripped under the arm and was basically beyond help :(

Bucca said...

these are really cute - I love this - will have to try out this look :)

Kellie said...

Oh my goodness, those dresses are beautiful! :) I'd be perfectly happy to wear a "uniform," if it were that pretty!

http://playingdressupwithkellie.blogspot.com/

Removalists Melbourne said...

LOL! That’s funny. You have the same floral patterns but different designs I like that.

Wedding registry said...

Nice uniforms. You look lovely on your favorite long sleeve uniform.

sew nancy said...

those are so gorgeous. i love them to bits
have a merry merry

Rebecca Jane said...

these are all so very beautiful!! where ever did you find them all??

Kennedy said...

with your perfect hair, those cream lace dresses couldn't have found a better home.

Anonymous said...

those dresses are beautiful!
where did you find them?

rebekka said...

Man, but how do you FIND all the cream lace dresses?@? You have the bestest luck :)

kate maggie said...

those dresses are magical. i love everyone of them.

Cynthia said...

You have so many wonderful dresses! I'm jealous!! But you wear them so well, I'm not jealous anymore...

Kjrsten said...

"sweet little 60's gal and a crazy old rich lady"

...both good things indeed!!!

~kjrsten
Haveacuteday.blogspot

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