The Paisley Effect

Mmmm well, my first of the two pairs of Celeste Stein tights I ordered got worn today...and I have to say Glasgow just ain't ready for Paisley pattern.

I do have a strange weakness for paisley pattern and I always have. I suppose on some level I just can't shake my (much hidden!) inner hippy. Anyway, the tights received many a confused stare. No outright laughs which was good, but there was a definite sense of "what the hell is that on her legs?". I personally don't see them as being even in the slightest bit outlandish, so I'm not sure what the fuss was about. But there was a fuss.

The other pair, I ordered directly from Celeste Stein, so they are yet to arrive. I actually chose a rather gaudy, granny-like, floral pattern.

Now, I ain't a floral kinda gal. At all. But I reckon I could be missing out on something by dismissing florals entirely, especially since it's inevitable the shops will be filled with flora and fauna come spring. So, by way of baby steps, I am dipping my toe (literally) into fanciful flowers.

I have another reason for being so drawn to this particular print however. When I was little I used to collect scraps. Not sure how many of you will be familiar with scraps, but essentially scraps were invented in the 1800's and people used them to decorate letters, diaries, cakes and so forth. They were die cut images which were later embossed, some even having glitter on them. As a scrap collector you basically had a bunch of scraps which you would keep inside the leafs of books and the idea was to swap them with your friends.

Queen Marie still has some of hers from when she was kid. Mine are tragically long gone, but I still remember how I used to love flicking through my book of scraps. My favourites were the images of cherubs, the glittery ones and the huge ones with roses on, particularly white and yellow roses. They were so ornate and beautiful that I could never part with them. The floral tights reminded of the scraps I adored as a kid.

I fully intend on wearing pretty pale colours, like the colours on the cherubs, to compliment my floral tights. And hopefully every time I look down at my legs I'll be reminded of my childhood spent swapping scraps with my friends.

Queen Michelle

Scraps can be found on eBay by sellers like Liz and Darcy as well as others if you search for vintage scraps.

Comments

[WendyB]

I heart the paisley. Send them to me if you don't want them! ;-)

[Cicely]

Those tights are ridiculously amazing. I don't get what the big deal is, I get stares and comments for wearing plain bright coloured tights. They sell them in Primark for goodness sake!

[Drusilla]

I <3 the paisley too! And as for florals, they're good on the legs I say..

[lady coveted]

glasgow may not be ready, but i bet that's because a majority of them get their fashion tips from heat magazine.

i kidding... but if you love it, and you do, you can pull it off.
:)

[lady coveted]

oh btw... i love them!

[Libertygirl]

I had scraps too. From wonderful old wooden flat drawers in Pollocks Toy Museum on Scala Street in London. Blissful place. And they sold tiger tails, those fabulous balloons that shrieked as they flew around the room deflating. LLG xx

[modaRhoda]

Scraps were brilliant, I had them too - loved the glittery ones and the ones with the children in old-fashioned dresses. I want the floral tights but I'm a bit frightened of my legs! Could be a good way to start bringing them out of their trouser confinement though. As usual you've got me thinking..

[buttonsandstars]

Ooh, I adore the floral tights! I'm sure I have some bits of fabric like that, that I rescued from the textiles bin at my college! It definitely looks quite grannyish, but I think they would look amazing paired with something quite un-pretty. I love the idea of wearing the washed out colours from the cherubs with them too.

[missmilki]

Aaaaw! Memories! I remember getting those scraps in my stocking from Santa one year. I was actually wondering recently if there was anywhere you could still buy them...thanks for answering my unasked question!

btw...I like the tights...I suppose Glasgow will just have to get used to them!

[Fashion Fake]

I'm definately a florals girl.. and those tights are amazing!
As for the stares, I get stares in whatever I wear around my conservative/boring country town.. honestly *rolls eyes*

[thealchemist]

some might not be ready but those are pretty awesome! i love how you paired them with those shoes.

[Eli]

I think they look great!

[Molly]

From afar they may look somewhat like tattoos? Just a thought! (I like them)

[niki popcouture]

my mum has curtains just like the floral pair you ordered =) i like them though, the granny look is addictive - starts innocently with with tea, grows with a VW tartan handbag then suddenly, you're wearing a tweed jacket and thick-rimmed glasses! thanks for introducing me to this designer's website, there's a few there that are on my wants list =)

[HNa]

Hi[: im from Singapore and i totally love your blog! love those paisley tights<3

[enc]

That's a nice memory. And those tights are great. Silly Glasgow, they're not used to seeing a trend-setter instead of a trend-follower. Pay 'em no mind.

[uzma mir]

Hey Glasgow is more fashion minded than a lot of other places. I know as I have seen those places with mine eyes, I tell you!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway I lurveeee your blog your highness, keep up the good work. As for the tights the jury's out for me. Although i applaud your attitude they do look as if your legs have been COVERED in tattoes.
Maybe that was what the looks were for?? I love paisley too but i don't know if the tights translate that look so well.

[Héloïse J.]

those are stunning!! and are strongly reminiscent of this photoshoot/ads tendency lately where multicolour+diversity in pattents is the issue.
lovley lovely :)

[evie]

i'm with cicely... why do ppl find bright coloured tights so amusing? and you new patterned ones are amazing!

i tagged this blog btw. do check my blog for details :)

[Suzanna]

I suspect some Glaswegians may have thought you had covered your legs in tattoos (this being a subculture favorite adornment in California, San Francisco especially).

I love the first pair for its subdued use of color with busy pattern. Also, the shoes are fantastic and work wonderfully with them (would we expect anything less from a Queen?).

You are lucky you have the gams to wear these, girlfriend!

[Queen Marie]

The florals are dead ringers for my living room curtains!

[Queen Michelle]

Mmm yes I think the tattoo thing is a possible reason. Oh well, I shall just need to make sure I don a suitably menacing, biker-like stare to match my tattooed legs - shouldn't be a problem!

[the_kitten]

I don't like the paisley ones but the flowery ones the more! it's floral overkill so it's good. And don't you get strange stares often anyways (not that I thought it's deserved)? I do.. Munich ain't ready for just anything..

[vanessa]

I too have a pair of paisley tights and receive a fair few stares but i don't care as i love them. I just don't think people here in sydney are read for them either.

[Bree]

Kudos to you for venturing out of the ordinary and wearing something different and beautiful! There is a blog called poshandpaisley.com and the whole thing is about paisley patterened things. It's cute. I wish there was also one for florals like the one you posted, so great!