I couldn't pinpoint why exactly, but something about today's outfit and / or photos reminded me of my maternal Lithuanian relatives.
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| wool hat: The Snow Lion / Tibet Shop (Toronto, late '80s), shown in old photo - with long hair! - at bottom of post here turtleneck: Sarah Spencer, Winners, 2005 vintage wool / alpaca sweater dress: Lo Ri, Netty Vintage fleece-lined thermal tights: Zellers boots: Franco Sarto, early 2000's |
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| bunching and clinging: side effects of layering static electricity: temporarily (and magically) averted right this second |
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| antique necklace and amber ring: gifts from my mother |
I've often wished that traditional Lithuanian and Ukrainian modes of dress felt more everyday-wearable, but looking at pictures today, I spy some of my favourite outfit elements:
- crown-shaped or floral headgear, "statement" necklaces, bell sleeves, waist definition, wide belts, full skirts, ribbons, fringe, and embroidery, vented peplums, and super-duper pattern mixing, hooray! Ukrainian costume additionally features black accents, red footwear (including tall boots), midi lengths, and giant pants.
Do you incorporate your cultural heritage(s) into your every-day personal style, whether consciously or unconsciously?
I leave you with more Randy from A Christmas Story, who in this scene replicates - with eerie accuracy - my internal dialogue about winter layering:
Hope y'all are staying warm - or cool, as the case my be in your particular hemisphere. Thanks again for all of your comments and input!
i love this whole look -i think it's one of my favorites so far- and am particularly struck by the hat and the ring. thanks so much for being willing to share :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so gorgeous!!! Lithuanian background?! Great genes, clearly!
ReplyDeleteI love LOVE this frock, the necklace and the ring!!! Dribbling over all 3 in fact, and the boots are pretty damned hot too!
XXX
that necklace is divine
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous dress, and the necklace is a lovely complement!
ReplyDeleteInteresting question about cultural heritage, and I'd have to say No. Both my parents are from Danish parentage, and when I was little we had costumes that we wore to the Scandinavian Festival in our town. I had a white long-sleeved blouse, red laced-up vest, and black gathered skirt with an apron. We probably had little hats, too. Unfortunately the festival was always in August (still is), and I remember the costumes being very hot. Even in the winter, there's almost nothing about that style that I would wear today!
No, I don't incorporate my cultural heritage into my every-day personal style, but maybe i should? My mother is from Finland and I live in a region with lots of craft tradition, so now you gave me something to think about.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opened arm embrace! You look gorgeous in that striking dress. It's very unique, and I love the pattern, really suits you. Looks wonderfully cosy too! Keep warm in the cold snap!
ReplyDeletep.s. of course I would say yes to incorporating my heritage into my wardrobe, as so much of my clothes once belonged to my female predecessors! It allows me to feel close and connected to them.
ReplyDeleteI give you the (warm, unlayered) open-armed embrace right back, and you look divine! Love the pattern of your dress and of course the glorious jewelry. Thanks for sharing it all with Visible Monday, and send a few chilly gusts our way, please : >
ReplyDeleteThe colors in that sweater dress are beautiful. Love it. Fabulous black boots and a gorgeous necklace and ring. So unique.
ReplyDeleteStunning! I love how your headwear accentuates your hair and the unique pattern on your sweater dress has me swooning. And of course your boots (you are the deity of foot wear) ground your ensemble with perfection.
ReplyDeleteI have two friends of Lithuanian heritage who, like you, are warm, stylish, creative, extremely bright and endearing. Must be a cultural characteristic. I know little of my Scandinavian background and modes of dress, but you have inspired me to check it out.
Well, I believe I am English through and through, so I have no idea where that would take me, style-wise! Interesting question to consider though...
ReplyDeleteYou look fabulous in that woollen dress. Yes, and it's grey, and I like it - you must be working some magic on me, Amber! In fact, I also have a grey sweater dress (plain though, so nowhere near as stunning as yours) which you may have inspired me to wear tomorrow.
Love the boots, the incredible necklace, and how your dear old hat forms a background for your amazing other-worldly antennae.
Keep warm, my dear, sending a hug right back to you! xxxxxx
Amber this is a perfect combination of dress, necklace, hat and boots... the boots! LOVE the boots!!! Btw I also love how your hat frames your crazy hair - you look so gorgeous, hun :)
ReplyDeleteCatherine x
http://notdressedaslamb.com
The dress is sooo beautiful! And what an awesome background to be able to drawn inspiration from. I'm English, Scottish, and (blended) Native American. The Scottish is the only thing that really comes through, I'm jealous because my Mom has all the Native American traits - smokey black hair turning to silver, deep tanning skin, brown eyes.
ReplyDeleteYour hat is absolutely divine with your hair!
I've decided to quickly give up my stylist sweater in favor of a blanket and pajama pants. Once it started spitting ice from the sky I called it quits.
Definitely. You should be winning the prize for best hair with hat, without a doubt. And then take it on down to the whole ensemble, one thing zinging off another like a cubist painting or something like it. Kudos to you on this one, baby.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome dress! I love the swaths of colour.
ReplyDeleteI love how the marvelous spikes of your hair stand out against the black background of your hat - it's kinda like rays of sunshine framing your face! Gorgeous dress, fab necklace and ring - an awesome outfit all around. I have English and German in my background and I'm afraid I don't find either of those cultures particularly inspiring wardrobe-wise. You have been incorporating elements of Lithuanian and Ukranian style into your outfits subconsciously!
ReplyDeleteWhile I always love every single item you wear, as on outfit or individually, I have to say I'm mesmerized by your cool hair against the brim of that hat. Actually I think all the commenters above me said the same thing, and now I'm at a loss for words, except for I love you so much, Amber! You completely made my day :)
ReplyDeleteThat necklace looks so magical! Almost like you could cast a spell with it. Can you please make it warmer??
ReplyDeleteWonderful dress, Amber.
ReplyDeleteI love your first pic and your sweet smile.
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Beautiful everything. Can't quite get over how gorgeous the dress looks on you. What a figure you maintain, lady! Hat, boots, jewels ... all wonderful. I'm Scottish and Irish for the most part. I loved Alexander McQueen ... does that count?
ReplyDeleteYour hair with the hat looks like a crown! And I laughed about the stick arms. I remember those days as a kid in a kazillion layers.
ReplyDeleteYour amber ring reminds me of a spy ring with a secret compartment. All your jewellery is stunning here. And beautiful brows.
When I see you in this, I feel like you are in charge.
I love the bold patterned dress and the complementary accent of the necklace's pendant - was fascinated to read that you have Lithuanian heritage. I have very mixed heritage but as a young teen I tended to shun my own heritage so it would never willingly have played a part in my getting dressed. You wise up with age thankfully and discovering the breadth of my roots has led me to embrace incorporating bits and pieces from everywhere in how I dress. You do look cosy and warm. It is freezing over here in London!
ReplyDeleteWow, do I love this outfit. The print on the dress is wonderful and the necklace, oh man, I do love that necklace!
ReplyDeleteBunching and clinging is what makes me an unenthusiastic layer-er. Clothes moving around have a weird nails-on-chalkboard effect on me! You look fabulous as always though and now I know you are SUPER BRAVE for defying bunching and clinging :-D
ReplyDeleteI am struggling with warmth vs style. Today I opted for cute- a dress and striped socks and striped scarf. My feets are frozen and sore. Now time for the pj's and warm but unflattering looks from the bfriend. It's only 7:30. I love the somber effect of grey with black and they are a perfect pair for layers. Stay warm, dear Amber!
ReplyDeleteThe necklace is amazing!! I am searching for something very similar, but am daunted by prices. My friend is from Lithuania and I love hearing her talk about the country :)
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting to know that you feel connected to your heritage with a particular article of clothing. I feel that way about wild patterned shirts like my dad use to wear, but I haven't thought about farther back in my family line up. I'm going to do some pondering on that idea.
ReplyDeleteI just love the pattern in this dress, and I love what you're doing with your hair!
You have amazing style! The layering looks great and each accessory is beautiful. :) It's interesting to learn the elements of Lithuanian and Ukrainian style you like as well. They sound very romantic. I especially like the waist definition, full skirts and super duper pattern mixing. ;)
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