Dress: Lemon Tree Dress, made in May 2010. Belt omitted for comfort.
Jewelry: Seashell bracelet, gift from my first boss
Shoes: Sadly discontinued Simple peep-toe flats
Unmentionables: Nude bike shorts and a nude bra.
Sunglasses: plastic rhinestone cateyes, gift from a friend
Readers, the nude bike shorts are a revelation. I bought them yesterday at American Apparel, even though I dislike shopping there for a number of reasons that I won't go into right now. They were $24, which is ridiculous. I hope you won't judge me when I say I've made a pattern from them (with a few fitting changes) and am planning on making a bunch.
It's become clear that I need more comfy shoes. Any suggestions for casual peep-toe flats? I really like the Keds/sneaker style ones.
Oh, I should mention the sunglasses are non-prescription, so I can't actually wear them out in the world. But I adore them. They're just cheap plastic ones, not the kind you can put a prescription in. Any thoughts on similar styles that can be taken to an optometrist?
Three posts a day from one of my favorite bloggers is not too much! Looking forward to all the things I will learn from you.
ReplyDeleteYou look so cute! I love your posts so I don't think 3 are too many.
ReplyDeleteCan I ask what may be a silly question though? Why the nude bike shorts? I mean I understand the nude part but any reason for the shorts part?
I was just about to say the SAME EXACT THING, GirlSpazDog! Hurrah for Gertie's new freelance lifestyle--it's definitely making my work days more interesting already!
ReplyDeleteHey,
ReplyDeleteI got some cant eye ray bands. I origninaly got them as just normal glasses but i loved them so much i put perscription lenses in. I ve blogged about it here.
http://blog.boobookittycouture.com/2011/05/shaheen-dream.html
Love that style dress, i have just started to get into bullet bras and am looking to make some dresses like that to bring out the pointiness!
Ais x
www.boobookittycouture.com
If you're looking for some fabric for bike shorts to wear under skirts and dresses, I highly recommend Under Armor Heat Gear. It's super cool and comfy in the summer. I like to refer to the pairs I've made as "boxer briefs for ladies."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rockywoods.com/Fabrics-Kits/Under-Armour-HeatGear
Thanks, ladies!
ReplyDeleteChristi, the shorts are really comfortable because they're cotton, come up to my waist, and have the slightest bit of compression for a little shaping. Plus they eliminate the "chub rub" when walking!
Boo Boo Kitty beat me to it. I was going to say Ray Bans too! I'm obsessed with their New Wayfarer's right now and am buying a pair as soon as I save up a bit.
ReplyDeleteNice.. I two have bought something in store for a pattern its a smart thing to do and fun. : )
ReplyDeleteI have and love these Simple Shoes peep toe flats but they're unfortunately not making more right now. I'm about to wear mine out, so I've started harassing Simple to bring the style back.
ReplyDeleteNice outfit! I need to either get some kind of bike shorts like those -or- make some split slips so I can wear more skirts.
ReplyDeleteHave you considered split slips, Gertie? (Or anyone else)
I'm wearing a split slip at the moment, but have to admit, I'd rather have comfy cotton knit. Nylon in a warm spring, soon-to-be summer is not pleasant.
ReplyDeleteI am so torn about AA to. I like a lot of their products, and their "Made in the USA" beliefs, but boy, Dov seems like megalomaniacal monster. I hate the way their ads and branding "talk" about women and female sexuality. It's incredibly distressing. And they seem to have had a huge influence on 20something women, and how their view themselves, their bodies, and their "value" to men.
ReplyDeleteDid you eliminate any outside seam on your bike short/pettipants pattern? That's my favorite since not only does it make it one piece to cut out on the fold, I don't like how the outside seam looks...
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the lemon dress with your high pony!
cute flats suggestion: not peep-toe, but fossil maddox flats come in all kinds of solid and printed canvas and leathers, plus they are very comfy!
ReplyDeleteLove the lemon tree dress. And I like the idea of wearing the biker shorts to elminate the "chub rub".
ReplyDeleteC
So cute, I love outfit posts! :)
ReplyDeleteAshley x
ps, I recommend Luvees to eliminate chub rub, they're really nice and breezey as they're lace. I wear normal underwear underneath too and its so nice not to have sore thighs at the end of the day! x
very cool, I've always wondered what you wore day-to-day what with all the pretty dresses you're always making.
ReplyDeleteLove the dress. I have a pair of Toms shoes this spring and they are super comfy. I think they work with skirts and dresses as well. Plus a kid in Africa gets a pair when you buy a pair. Mine are the gray but I'm thinking of getting the neutral and doing some embroidery on them. I'm more into the hippy dippy trippy look then you though I think.
ReplyDeleteOMG! You look so friggin' Cute!
ReplyDeleteHa. I forgot to add that the whole point of saying I have the same shoes as you was to encourage you to join me in harassing @simpleshoes about it on Twitter. Maybe they will bring them back!!
ReplyDelete"Plus they eliminate the "chub rub" when walking! "
ReplyDeleteOH my goodness YES! Houston's heat and humidity has been the bane of my skirt wearing existence.
I didn't know bike shorts came in nude.
Regarding the abundance of posts, keep it up. I love reading what you have to write!
Love this dress! Gorgeous!
ReplyDelete$24 for bike shorts made in this country is quite reasonable. I think Anthropoligie is far more overpriced. Especially when you see the amount they steal from etsy... Buy American people! Lets keep our money here! Even if it seems more expensive, you are paying an american and it will all come back into our economy. Also, how many washes do you get out of your $5 tee shit? I counted 2. That's no deal to me if I still have to buy a new one right away.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I would normally agree if the company's treatment of women were better. They need to make a lot of changes before I would shop there on a regular basis, even though I like that their clothing is made in the USA.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's something I could make well myself for a lot less.
I always always wear shorts under skirts and dresses in non-tights weather! I started doing it when my kids were babies and I spent a lot of time on the floor with them, I didn't have to worry as much about flashing people! Then I realized it was just really comfy- like you said, a bit of compression and eliminates thigh-rub!
ReplyDeleteI wear Spanx, because I wasn't able to find nude bike shorts - but they work just as well!
ReplyDeletePower to the bike shorts. I bought my first spanx style shorts this spring, and love them! No 'chub-rub' is revelation as you said. Cotton jersey under-shorts is exactly what I needed to hear to calm my pre-summer panic of wearing those expensive spandex spanx in the summer heat! Perhaps a tutorial?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, the more posts the better!
LOVE the dress! And it's comfy too? I need one!
ReplyDeleteThe chub-rub elimination via the cycling shorts is genius! I tried mens cotton woven boxers before but the fabric in between my thighs kept bunching up into a wad as I walked down the street (not a comfy feeling :( !). Last summer I came across some cheap 'n' nasty light beige cotton leggings, so I cut them off to cycling short length - but because I hadn't finished the hems (I didn't know at the time how to hem them and keep the straight-stitch from breaking - as it wouldn't be able to stretch, I now know what to do LOL!) they stretched out and then rolled up my legs.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should buy a pair of cycling shorts or some Spanx (but in a bigger size so it's less about the compression & more about the comfort)!
I bought mine from walmart. Granted they only come in black or gray, but they get the job done. They are cotton with a bit of lycra in them. I am on my thirs summer wearing them and they have held up nicely.
ReplyDeleteThree posts a day in fine with me. Thank you for the bike shorts tip and enjoy your new freelance work life :)
ReplyDeleteYeah! I miss Gertie, Girl Reporter!
ReplyDeleteBC footwear has some cute flat peep-toe type shoes. I haven't bought any of their shoes lately, but I have some from a few years ago and I'm still wearing them and loving them! They're super comfy, but like I said, not sure about the current lines as I haven't tried them yet, but the brand has treated me well in the past.
ReplyDeleteYou look so good! I think you're going to be really great at this freelance work thing.
ReplyDeleteNude bike shorts sound really comfortable for "unmentionables".
And you can't have too many posts for those of us who love you!
i'm a huuuuge fan of the bike/volleyball shorts under skirts and dresses.
ReplyDeletei love these:
http://americaismakingit.stores.yahoo.net/
american made - dov charney = awesome.
You must know by now that you can never post too much, we will eat up everything you give us! With relish! (I haven't had lunch yet, obviously.)
ReplyDeleteBike shorts are an excellent idea -I tried pettipants a while back, but they felt a bit too loose and breezy.
I loved your lemon dress so much that I had to look up your original post. Silk cotton, huh? I was just over on the Fabric Mart site where they have unbelievably luscious silk cottons, plus a sale. You've given me that little nudge I needed to buy a bunch instead of just drooling over them.
Keep the posts coming!
wow, I love the outfit. I'm a spectacle wearer too, and am currently searching eBay for similar styles but for normal rather than sunglasses, but there are loads of 50s originals on there, you just have to have them glazed.
ReplyDeletex
I wear SAS sandals. Very comfortable and the sandals don't look orthopedic like some of their styles.
ReplyDeleteAnd chub rub is the bane of my existence. I am always wearing some chafe protecting garment.
Check out the flats at Delia's. The clothes are far too young for me, but the shoes are faaaaabulous!
ReplyDeletehttp://store.delias.com/frontpage.do?topnavTrack=frontpage&incmpid=TB
Never too many posts. I'm always interested in what you're up to. Besides, not long from now you'll be pushing the deadline for your book and we might have to go without posts for a while. Let's enjoy what we get when we get 'em!
Fantastic in every way, Gertie! I check your site a million times a day, anyway, so no of course you can't have too many posts.
ReplyDeleteTotally off-topic, but do you have some new ink...? Is that too personal for you to talk about? Love it!
I have some Olga bike-type shorts. They're an elastic mesh.
ReplyDeleteKeep your eyes open at Marshalls or TJMaxx, that's the kind of thing they'll often have for less than $24.
Well now that you said it seems incredibly obvious! haha! I will definitly have to try that out. I don't care for AA either though so maybe I can find a cheaper alternative.
ReplyDeleteYou look awesome as usual. I second your nude bike shorts x1000. They are AWESOME! I use a Jalie pattern though, the shorts from the skort pattern. As for glasses- The Slapdash Sewist has turned me onto zennioptical.com and I've not looked back. You can put all kinds of lenses into all kinds of things and the glasses are cheap enough that you can treat them like accessories instead of investments. I think I generally get out of there for about $20-$30 per pair for single vision. NAYY by the way. Shipping is slow though.
ReplyDeleteLove this dress. Looks airy and comfortable and stylish all at once.
ReplyDeleteDon't know about peep-toe flats, BUT..Tom's has some super cute peep-toe wedge's that are out, not too high. And with a reputation for comfort - plus a pair of shoes goes to a child in need with each pair sold....
Bike shorts under a dress! Absolutely! I've been wearing them for a while now and I'm so glad I discovered them. So comfortable it's like wearing nothing, and holds in the jiggles!
ReplyDeleteOh I am defiantly all for making stuff myself to save money. In fact, I'm afraid I always think I can do everything myself. Clothes, bread, bicycle repair, free form polyurethane carving...
ReplyDeleteThree post in one day too much you ask?? NO No and No! I wish i could get that motivated to dress stylishly at home!
ReplyDeleteHey Gertie--for shoes, if you haven't been to a Nordstrom Rack, give them a try. Their shoe selection is amazing. I like Puma Sport (though they don't look very vintage), but Anne Klein also makes "iFlex" shoes with a little more arch support. I've been getting cute pairs of both for under $50 at the Rack here in Wa.
ReplyDeleteYAY I love Gertie Girl Reporter! Congratulations again on your new freelance life, I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new lifestyle! I also am on the lookout for fabulous prescription sunglasses. The only time I wish I had contacts is when I see some cute cheap sunglasses in the drug store and wish I could wear them and still see!
ReplyDeleteCan I ask a silly question? Do you wear underwear underneath the bike shorts, or are they your underwear?
ReplyDeleteMy summer wardrobe is so NOT ready!
Please!!! 10 or more posts would even be fine....I'm addicted to your lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteOn the glasses, check out zennioptical.com. I havent seen rhinestones, but they have cat eye glasses in a super cute selection. Browse through all the womens glasses. You can make them sunglasses and the prices are including the rx lenses! Seriously! Check them out, I buy all my family's rx eyewear from here!
ReplyDeleteI think you need to make a pattern for longer knit undies (ie bike shorts)since the summer heat and inner theighs don't mix well.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I am loving this dress!
ReplyDeleteGertie, I just made the same shorts discovery! I layered a pair under one of my shorter, tighter dresses (truth be told, I was out of underwear... sometimes laundry laziness results in wonderful fashion discoveries), and the shorts eliminated the dreaded visible panty line without fear of flashing. I will definitely be using that trick more this summer!
ReplyDeleteI love your lemon dress! Might be one of my favorites you've made.
Sorry to blather on... I'm now reading through the rest of the comments.
ReplyDeleteI agree that a lot of the AA ads are problematic, and some stories I've heard about the owner seem kinda skeezy; however, click through their online women's section. I find that the models represent a much greater variety of both body shapes and races than A LOT of other stores/magazines.
They are still mostly thin and portrayed in a very sexual manner, but they're definitely encouraging an image of female beauty that goes beyond the typical white waif we see so often in fashion advertising... so, still room for improvement, but that's something at least.
LOVE this outfit, Gertie!!! :) Especially those sunnies--so cute!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute post! I am taking time off from my job and now I have time to read your blog :-) I am curious as to what your previous job was and what the freelance one consists of! Well, I'll have to read the previous posts... :-)
ReplyDeleteOne question about the "unmentionables" - the bike shorts - do you use those as underpants? Personally I find it uncomfortable if they have a seam right through their center.
Love your blog! Good luck in your new freelance way!
I'm another fan of Zenni Optical. My lenses alone would be 400$ if I bought them retail; I paid 13$ for my current pair.
ReplyDeleteI'm wearing Privo Nitrons now because of my terrible, flat feet. They're stylish enough to be cute with dresses or shorts and I'm not in horrible pain after walking around all day.
Love the style. So sunny and summery.
ReplyDelete