Pattern For Life
If someone were to tell me that I could wear only one type of pattern for the rest of my life then I'd choose paisley pattern. I have a terrible weakness for it. It's only by virtue of the fact it's quite hard to come by that I don't have lots and lots of it my wardrobe.
When I was returning my gorgeous, potentially fatal to me, vintage coat I had a rummage around the shop for a good hour trying to find something I liked as much. It seemed to be a fruitless endeavour until I found a gorgeous 70's paisley print sheer pleated dress. It was so beautiful I snapped it up the second I saw it and felt I had come home with a good replacement, plus the rest of my money back.
The colours are so pretty and bright but surprisingly neutral, so needless to say nearly all of my coloured tights work very well with it. Naturally I am currently sourcing some similarly coloured paisley tights to become patterned from head to toe.
I think inside me there is still a teeny wee part hippy; when I used to go to Glastonbury (before it became a trendy celeb fest), wandering around the field of Avalon with a daisy chain in my hair and the sun on my face (before the rain took up a seemingly permanent residence at the Festival. It only ever rained one time I went, the rest of the other times the sunshine was glorious) and go and see the Levellers (no excuse for that really). Ah, such happy innocent times. Whilst I can't go back to those days, I will be content just to channel my inner hippy once more...minus the Levellers of course.
Queen Michelle


so pretty! your boots are fabulous.
Posted by: olla | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 10:15
LOVE that. The blue tights look amazing with it too. Very chic and feminine x
Posted by: Frankie - Swell Vintage | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 10:20
I'm sure you get tjis a lot but you kind of look like Irina Lazareanu (and that's a good thing!)
Posted by: Zippora | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 10:34
Fantastic dress. Love your booties! Kisses ;)
Posted by: Miss Urbanita | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 11:33
The dress is gorgeous indeed!
Posted by: alicepleasance | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 11:41
so beautiful, i love the print and i love the cuts of the dress. especially those cuffs at the elbow.
bex
missspragg.blogspot.com
Posted by: bex | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 11:44
I never thought of you as a hippie, but damn! You are a real clothes horse! Is there anything you can't wear?
I am extremely jealous of your dress, by the way. Perfect can't describe it.
Posted by: lopi | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 12:40
First, love the Margiela-esque Aldo boots, I think I'm gonna get meself a pair :D and for the dress, you have such great taste in pattern and quality, I've seen so many ugly paisley patterns I've learnt to completely avoid, but that dress is fabbulous.
Posted by: Shini | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 12:48
That dress is gorgeous, you're lucky to have second hand shops in the near that sell dresses of that kind. It's fairly impossible in my city.
The combination with the hat and tights is really perfect! Well done, lady :)
Posted by: Akiri | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 13:02
So great- I'm also a big paisley lover- they seem to be easier to find in scarves.
Posted by: janavi | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 14:07
Fantasic!! Im a huge fan of paisley too and weirdly, bought the best navy blue paisley tights from Dotty P's of all places! Not sure they still sell them but worth a look as they are cheap as chips. And oh yes, I remember the Levellers. I used to LOVE them!!
Posted by: Natty | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 14:31
Michelle,
I love the dress with the blue tights.
xox
http://www.ninistyle.net
Posted by: Nini | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 14:51
I would wear that dress!
Posted by: WendyB | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 16:39
i am absolutely in love with that dress. my inner hippie salutes yours.
Posted by: roxanne | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 19:07
I love the metallic looking tights!
Posted by: Ms Constantine | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 20:07
That is a really pretty dress...shame that you had to take the coat back as it was really beautiful.
Posted by: CalamityJem | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 20:37
And here I was thinking I was the only one...But I'm always pushing other people to wear paisley (strange,eh?).
Posted by: Charm | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 20:44
that dress is perfect, perfect, perfect! Lucky score.
Posted by: Shay | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 21:53
Love the outfift, the mix of colors. Always perfect ;)
Posted by: vanessa datorre | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 22:10
Oh agreed. If not paisley, then stripes. If that's a pattern...
You look awesome. & happy.
Posted by: ambika | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 23:23
You look great in this. I love your rock look, but this is very becoming also. I hope you'll enjoy the new dress, and I hope it won't make you ill!
Posted by: enc | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 23:50
So stylish....what more can I say?
http://stylecopycat.blogspot.com/
http://stylecopycat.blogspot.com/
Posted by: StyleCopycat | Monday, 22 December 2008 at 23:53
Paisley is so awesome!!! That dress is amazing and of course, it looks amazing on you. Great find.
Posted by: KD | Tuesday, 23 December 2008 at 00:01
I have never been a huge fan of paisley (even though I do love small busy prints, but I think I've changed my mind now - beautiful!
Posted by: Primoeza | Tuesday, 23 December 2008 at 00:02
I love that dress. It makes me sad though because I don't have any fantastic second-hand shops around. :(
Posted by: truepenny | Tuesday, 23 December 2008 at 07:12