Modern Modest Elegance Goes in an Art Deco Parade

DECO DALLY: BLUE SERENADE

This weekend was the Napier Art Deco Winter Festival 2023, an event that people travel from overseas and around New Zealand to participate in.

A storm was forecast, but happily it cleared up in time to allow for the street parade in honour of first responders and everyone else who has chipped in to help in the recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle, which devastated the region and prevented the summer Art Deco Festival taking place this year.

Following the parade, folk wandered through the streets enjoying live music, dancing, games, vintage car rides, and a host of other events. Many were dressed in costumes of the Prohibition and Depression eras (1920s and 1930s). There was much to see, and it was lovely to meander slowly, stopping to chat with any friendly person I encountered, acquaintance or stranger, taking time to offer praise for costumes I particularly appreciated.

As I was leaving the Soundshell, the always dapper "Bertie", Art Deco ambassador for Napier, approached me with a light in his eye, saying, "You look wonderful, darling." (He addresses all women like this.) "Why did I not see you in my Fashion Flaunt?"

"I'm sorry, I arrived late and you were halfway through."

"I would have stopped the show for you," he said gallantly. "Where did you get your hat?"

"I made it."

"I like it very much."

I chuckled. "The first time I met you, about twenty years ago, you were hosting a beauty pageant at the Municipal Theatre. I was there as a journalist. We met on the steps and had a wee yak. I was wearing a hat and you liked that one too. You told me I should have been in the competition."

He laughed. "That was a strange show."

"Yes, it was. I was sitting centre front, fourth row back. I got sprayed by the flammable liquid from the fire eater on the stage." I didn't get to hear what aspects he thought were strange, because he had to rush off to compere another event.

Near the archway exit from the Soundshell, I met a picturesque Gary in vintage motorcycle garb, keeping an eye on his shiny red Indian motorcycle parked across the road, which was attracting a lot of attention. He crossed the road with me as we discussed motorcycle things, like how many cycles can you fit in a standard garage in comparison to the narrow-chasis Model T Ford like the one chugging past us giving rides. Gary owns twenty motorcycles.

A lady clad in pleated wool cullottes with a white fox around her neck asked to have a sit on the bike. Gary coached her in the best riding position, and invited her to try the horn. We bystanders chuckled and shook our heads at the rude sound. I said, "That would get annoying very quickly."

An eager Asian man stepped up to me. "Please may I have picture with you?"

"Sure," I said, wondering who was going to take the picture for him. He stepped in beside me, up in the air went his phone, and click!

"Thank you!" he said.

I smiled, blinking in astonishment. A tourist just took a selfie with me!

Next thing I knew, a tweedy-looking gentleman was saying, "Hullo!" like we'd met before. Which we had, but I didn't know he was an Art Deco tour guide. While we were discussing the interesting combination of four tweed patterns in his outfit, a man with a large modern camera hanging around his neck said, "Excuse me, may I film you?" We obliged, and adjusted our position so he got the best background to represent the Art Deco capital of the world.

"I love the colour you're wearing," he said to me as he filmed. "By the way, it might be on TV. Would you like me to take some photos of you with your phones?" We presented them, and he quickly took a series of pictures on both phones at once, looking like he'd done it many times before.

After that, a group of ladies gathered me into their company and took me for a leisurely browse at the Antiques Fair and then Decorum Vintage Store (Decorum of Art Deco Napier New Zealand) where we considered aspects of vintage feminine apparel and how to orchestrate them for modern comfort and delight.

When I do Art Deco outfit parades like this, I use regular items that are already in my closet. Modern clothing styles abound with vintage influences. It's not hard to dress with echoes of times gone by, but PLANNING IS KEY if you want to pull it off with pizzazz.

When putting together an outfit, especially when you want to look spiffy and leave a good impression, give yourself a trial run. Put on all the pieces you intend to wear and photograph yourself in them. Looking at the photos will help give you a "third eye" perspective which will make it easier to see if you've got the combination right. I photographed four versions of this outfit to find the right combination.

I hope you found some inspiration here today.

Until our next Deco Dally, wishing you a Happy Hattitude.

Narelle

#BoutiqueNarelle

#HappyHattitude

Eleven Ways to Keep Your Legs Warm in Winter

How to Stop the Cold Air from Breezing Up Your Skirt

Let's talk about cold legs. Actually, no. If you suffer from cold legs, you don't need to know about cold legs. What you need is solutions. Let's talk about ways to keep your legs warm.

I made this dress for an inland valley region of New Zealand which can experience lows of 8°C during the day and -2°C at night. Typically we only heated a couple of rooms in the house. Wearing layers was key for comfort.

Long Hems, Warm Fabric, and Linings

This dress is made of medium denier cotton corduroy. The skirt is lined with premium cotton flannelette. The bodice is lined with smooth cotton gingham for that helpful slippery effect when pulling one garment over top of another. I added a hem extension of doubled cotton sateen, stitched to the lining, so the dress reached the top of my sheepskin slippers (Snugglefeet from Classic Sheepskins).

Wool, Multiple Pairs of Socks, and Leg Warmers

In that climate, I would wear a mid-calf length brushed knit chemise (BN design) underneath the dress, merino wool socks, and chunky knitted wool leg warmers bunched around my ankles.

When I moved two hours north to a Mediterranean seaside climate (lows of 11°C to 1°C, but typically 5° warmer than my hometown), the hem extension was excess to ankle warmth requirements, so I removed it, which also made my more active life easier.

A short, store-bought chemise is sufficient now, but I still wear merino socks, and the leg warmers if it's a very cold day.

I don't need the sheepskin slippers now (which is a relief, because the wool was wearing thin and the price had risen by NZ$100). A second pair of socks is sufficient indoors.

There are three places I typically wear this dress.

It's great on a beach excursion, for which I wear two pairs of socks inside my aerated crosstrainers, or rubber boots if I'm planning to get damp feet. The hem is weighty enough that I'm not worried about the wind blowing it up around my waist.

The same garb works for a visit to my neighbours in their unheated, uninsulated house, where I sit on the floor to play with their young children. The dress hem is full enough that it doesn't impede my movements. With my shoes off, I'm very grateful for the wool leg warmers.

The dress is a flexible style. I also wear it to meetings. It's easy to elevate it from casual to smart by changing the jacket and the footwear, and adding some pretty accessories.

Further Layering Tips

Five other ways to keep your legs warm

• wool or thick denier nylon stockings
• wool or cotton knit leggings (footless tights)
• thermal leggings (long underwear)
• wool or cotton knee-length socks
• fleece track pants

Now you know eleven ways to keep your lower limbs more comfortable in winter.

Look out for more Boutique Narelle posts detailing liberating modest fashion techniques.

Fiat lux!
Narelle

Spit-Spot Waterproof Clothing for a Lady Cyclist

Practical Solutions for Active Women who want to be Modest and Stylish

When I moved to the city, a bicycle became my primary means of transport in all weathers.

Modesty Challenge

How to stay dry, covered, safe, and comfortable while cycling, taking into special consideration rain from above, splashing from below, and wind from any and all directions.

Functional Challenge

The bicycle that started me on my adventures was 22-year-old Plum, a step-through Town&Country mountain bike adapted for urban living. She did not have the safety features of chain guard and rear wheel cover that vintage ladies bikes are often equipped with, allowing modest ladies to cycle safely in long skirts.

I put great effort into finding a clothing or equipment adaption that would allow Plum to accomodate the long hems in my wardrobe, but I was unsuccessful. Even stovepipe jeans (worn under a tunic) were a hazard without ankle clips.

My everyday garb became knee-length dresses with ankle-hugging trousers underneath and an acceptance that, while riding, very often the dress would be rumpled up well above my knees.

That is, until I welcomed a new steed into the stable. Angel is a modern urban cruiser. She doesn't have a vintage chain guard and rear wheel cover, not even spray guards on her wheels, but the design is sufficiently protective to the rider that I can re-explore options in ladylike cycle wear.

My first experiment was with rainwear.

Action Challenge

It's raining.
I have to go out on the bike.
How can I stay dry?

Solutions

1) Parka in a Pkt by Denim & Co, a thrift-shop treasure found at SaveMart for NZ$10 -- light, portable, windproof, surprisingly waterproof.

2) BoutiqueNarelle rain skirt made from PUL waterproof fabric (sourced from a DIY nappy company). Designed to cover ankle-length skirts, its Velcro fastener tabs also make it easy to wear hitched up shorter.

The trial was conducted on a frigid wintery day (forecast high of 10°C). I wore the above waterproof layers over top of a thick knit tunic and tee shirt, fleece jacket, heavy denier stretch jeans, two pairs of socks, and leather ankle boots. When I reached my destination, I was able to shed the parka and skirt to drip at the door and take care of my errand in a dry and comfortable state.

It was a calm, almost windless day, so the skirt remained covering my knees for most of the journey. I think I flipped it back down twice.

My basket cover is made from PUL, the same fabric as the skirt. More commonly used for reusable baby nappies (diapers), I've found it keeps liquid out equally well as keeping liquid in.

I hope you've found something fabulous and inspiring here today.

Fiat lux!
Narelle

Happy Hattitude: stylish, feminine, and adaptable Fleece Beanie

I made something!

This weekend I started and finished a project.

And TADA! Here it is.

Are you acquainted with this two-fold joy?…the powerful delight in the act of creation, and then the urge to share that delight with someone. I wonder, is this how God felt when he introduced Eve to Adam? …No, I’m sure the ecstasy was far beyond my comprehension, for no-one in the whole wide world had made an Eve before.

My creation isn’t unique. Many others have made hats, and certainly hats in this round-top, beanie style, but I’ve never made a brimless hat before, so I think I’ll call this my Eva Hat. I based it on the free pattern from Fleece Fun*, adding a cotton knit lining, turning up the lining to create a brim, and doubling the ribbon trim to moderate the strong colour block look.

*The Fleece Fun blog and video sewing tutorials show the hat in baby size, but the pdf pattern I downloaded is in adult sizes of small, medium, and large.

The first two images show the hat worn without the threaded ribbon. The fabric flower is a purchased one, from which I pulled out the stem and hot-glued a metal crocodile clip to the back of the flower head. It’s proven to be a wonderfully flexible ornament.

I added the cotton knit lining to the hat for softness, consideration for my curly hair (which doesn’t get on well with polyester fleece), and extra warmth (New Zealand’s winter winds are piercing). It’s been so cold here that I was prompted this week to check I had a hat suitable for sleeping in. The best we had was a tight black wool beanie with a brown kiwi embroidered on the front. Not my idea of comfortable head covering.

But with Eva…yes, it’s Happy Hattitude with Eva.

Do you have a topper that brings on a Happy Hattitude for you and the people who look at you? If not, is it time you provided yourself with one?

As modest Christian women, we can joyfully pursue dressing habits that bless others and signpost our unique personality and royal position.

Fiat lux!
Narelle

Dress Express: 3 steps to getting that "new dress" feeling

"YIPPEE!"

How do you feel when you get a new dress? Maybe like me, a little floaty and a lot smiley punctuated by extra twirls and peeks in the mirror?

When I got home from a church meeting, before I took off my outdoor layers, put on my apron, and put my hair up for the tasks of the day, I stopped to take some photos for you.

This dress is the result of me coming to an executive decision at the end of June, when I'd been back home after the fire for a few weeks.

 1. ADMIT YOUR NEED

I came to recognize three things.

1) I did not yet have the tools, space, and strength to sew for myself.
2) I was tired of making do with what I had.
3) I live frugally so I can pay for others to do what I can't, i.e. solve my problems. Result: I set out to find a local solution.*

*You may recall that two years ago I imported my Suzannah Solution from Australia to sew as many winter garments for me as she could manage in 18 days. I was desperate, she was available, God met my need.

 2. EXPRESS YOUR NEED TO SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP

Providentially, here in my own town I connected with an 80-something-year-old "Dorcas" who trained in tailoring and pattern drafting 60 years ago and has been sewing for community and missions ever since. Despite having a challenging remedial wedding dress situation on the go, she was willing to help me immediately.

I sketched what I wanted and discussed with her how we could make it work, and she did nearly everything following, including contributing some lining pieces from her own fabric stash. My replacement sewing machine arrived Thursday, August 21st , and I went to collect the dress the day after that. During the next week I acquainted myself with the new machine and put the finishing touches to the dress.

Bluebelle Bliss: the joy of a modest dress

Yes, a drapey knit fabric can look modest -- if it's gathered in the right places and appropriately lined!

Narelle is wearing:

• "Bluebelle" Dress by Carol, self-striped polyester knit, lined with cotton knit(skirt) and miscellaneous polyester pieces (bodice)
• Cotton Drill (Denim) Jacket from Ezibuy on clearance.
• Suede Lace-Up Shoes, lined with lambs wool, handmade by Dannevirke's Cobbler Strong in the 1990s
• Flip-brim "Charmagne" Cap by Narelle
• Wool-blend Gloves from Victoria Hill
• "Ivory Tower" Reversible Shoulder Bag by Narelle

 3. ADORN YOURSELF WITH HER WISDOM

Yes, I'm thankful to be prettily and elegantly clad, but just as much am I grateful for the opportunity to be invited into the home, life, and retrospectives of someone with such skill and experience.

She allowed me to explore and ask about her dedicated sewing space, a large closet in a spare bedroom, equipped with gown-length closet hanger poles at each end, fluorescent lighting above, vintage tailoring tools I've never heard of before (brilliant and desirable), a sturdy Husqvarna machine (only the second she has owned), and the sewing table her father commissioned a local carpenter to make for her over 60 years ago.

My Dress Express experience sparkled with her kindness and generosity.

I'm passionate about encouraging older women to share their knowledge and skills with those younger than they. It's foundational to why I run this blog. One of the things that drives me is my own need to know and learn. Another is that I recognize there are women and girls like me who want to know and learn, but who struggle to connect with or ask the women who can help.

I want to encourage you: if you have knowledge or a skill, find someone to share it with. Somewhere, there's a lady or a lassie longing to experience what you have to offer.

If you long to know or learn something in particular, I pray that you'll be led to connect with someone who can give you the answers. May you have the courage and tenacity to ask the questions that'll get her started in the sharing. God help you express your need so that you soon get to that "new dress" feeling--a little floaty and a lot smiley.

Here's to you and I learning to "dress express", and may we enjoy a lifetime of "new dress" adornment of lightness and joy.

Fiat lux!
Narelle

Tips for Wearing Wool Fabric

WOOL GARMENT TIPS
(courtesy of newCreationApparel.com)

• Invest in a good wool garment. It will serve you for years.
• Fine wool is naturally insulating, supporting, and resilient, offering great wearability.
• Wool is comfortable and wrinkle-resistant; it breathes and wicks away moisture from the body.
• Never bleach wool. Never put wool clothing in a dryer. Never use strong detergent or direct heat when pressing.
• Best hang in a steamy shower or washroom to refresh a wool garment.

newCreation Apparel is excellent at providing detailed information about the style and fabric content of their garments and how to select the appropriate size, plus an image enlargement option. But if you're not planning on trans-oceanic shopping, take a tip: keep an eye out for wool garments or fabric in stores near you!

More Boot-Buying Tips

If you're shopping for boots, you may find the following reader comments helpful.

Sarah says:

"I have loose ankles (my ankles twist really easily, the opposite of strong ankles, I suppose -- if my shoes don't have a supportive heel, my ankles will be twisting all day) and my left arch is quite high, so I have to make sure that the boot is a neat fit for support but doesn't put pressure on the top of the arch, and that my heel has an adequate platform to stand on. I must have a full zip, otherwise I can't get my foot in. There mustn't be any seams on top of my foot because these create pressure points. I definitely have to stand and walk around in the boots for a couple of minutes to make sure there's no excessive sideways wobble and that I can confidently put most of my weight on my heel. This fact alone makes me hesitant to try mail-order boots, as I might love the look of it, but there's no way you can tell by the picture if boots have too much slope under the heel so that most of the weight is constantly sliding forward onto the ball of the foot. I think that would always be the case once the heel is over three inches, and these are the boots and shoes that give the wearer very sore feet after a short while. The ball of the foot is not designed to carry one's full weight for any length of time.

"The only difficulties I have with high heels is when driving and trying too walk fast! I fix the first problem by having more comfortable footwear along for wearing in the car, and the second just requires practice.

"For the rest of the purchase decision, it's a matter of finding decorations I like [accents such as tassles, studs, or ruching], and a toe shape that fits and suits my foot. A softly pointed tip (nicely rounded) looks good on my feet and fits my narrow foot and tapering toes (second toe longer than the rest)."

An avid boot lover, who admits to owning 7 pairs, says:

"When buying boots, I recommend you go for comfort. There are some lovely flat boots around if you want to be mega-comfortable, but if you want to feel a bit fancier and want a heel, I would say a wedge is a great idea. They're fashionable, but comfortable and they don't have the teeter factor that thinner heels have. I stomp around in mine all day long and don't get sore feet and I have very wimpy feet. Overland Shoes have some of the nicest and most comfortable boots I've ever tried on. They have an Italian brand called "Isabelle Anselmi" and though they're usually a couple of hundred dollars a pair, they last forever and are lovely.

"My favourite boots are the ones I'm wearing now. They're a rich chocolate brown with a stacked wooden wedge heel. I polish them with bees wax.

"I think the look of boots with a mid-calf length straightish skirt and a long coat looks great in winter!"

For expert advice on boot care and how to measure your feet, ankles, and calves to get the appropriate size and style, visit DuoBoots.

When Skirts are Too Cold, Part I

When chill airs and wintry winds get close and friendly, is it possible to wear skirts and be cosy? I've heard many say it isn't, but I know otherwise.

Are you ready to receive impowering information?
How to be warm in a skirt:

1. Wear layers underneath. Undercover solutions discussed below.

1. Line the skirt. Illustrated directions on how to do this coming soon.

1. Wear boots.

Introducing Damart

The heart of the Damart story is a unique fabric called Thermolactyl, which provides lightweight insulation against the worst of weathers. A classy, modern 'long-john' provider, the company is very sport oriented, with a number of sponsorship affiliations, keeping fit young sportsmen warm during the the winter and helping prevent muscle injuries.

The ability of Damart underclothes to provide the best thermal environment whilst still keeping the body dry and able to function normally has meant that Damart has travelled successfully to all corners of the earth and up some of its highest mountains.

But what does this have to do with attractive, feminine modesty?

It's not only the old who feel the cold. Lightweight but wonderfully cosy, a thermal under-layer makes a world of difference to what you can do (or wear) when it's cold! For instance, you can comfortably wear that pretty dress or blouse considered more appropriate to autumn than winter. Long-johns under trousers prevent the frozen thigh syndrome that frigid winds invite so readily. They form a happy temperature arbitration when sitting on cold stone steps.

Notice the different Thermolactyl grades.

The undercover range is dainty and colourful, but there's also a delightful range of outer clothing, some of it incorporating the famous Thermolactyl or a new blend of Thermolactyl and silk. Damart supplies a wide range of sizes and colours, and comfortable shop-from-home features. I have noticed that the website takes a while to display the latest catalogues, so if you want up-to-date product and sales information, go for the mailed version rather than the website.

Browse Damart here:
Damart New Zealand
Damart Australia

Overseas outlets include:
www.damartusa.com
www.damart.co.uk

If you prefer to see before you buy, use the website's Store Finder feature.