You Transfix Me Quite

"You transfix me quite." Rochester (in Jane Eyre)

This outfit came together slowly over time. First, I found the sweater at Modcloth. I love the colours - a "is it brown or is it grey?" background with abstract roses in shades of blue and peach. Then I found the shoes, and much later the skirt, which echoes the base colours in the sweater and adds a contrasting print.

As much as I liked how the pieces worked together, with matching colours but diverse fabrics, I just wasn't feeling the focus or the passion of outfit. And then yesterday I found a necklace on Etsy that brought everything together.

Made with peach aventurine and antique brass, the necklace is the perfect colour and the perfect "mood" for the outfit. And the artist named the necklace "Jane Eyre" which totally explained it all. Jane Eyre (the character in the novel of the same name) was a study in contrasts - romantic and sensible, strong and tender, passionate and restrained.

The outfit also is all about contrasts - the comforting merino wool of the sweater, the sturdy heavy cotton of the skirt, the romantic whimsy of the flowers, the regimented tradition of the stripes, the practical low heel of the shoe,the soft elegance of the necklace.

(And how appropriate to post a Jane Eyre outfit during the week when the DVD of the 2011 version of the story is being released.)

Tantalizing Teal

A vintage 40s style dress in a lovely shade of teal

 

Vintage heels with a fun bow and just a hint of teal

Accesorized with this ultra glam beaded necklace, with shades of orange and teal and a pop of purple.

She Ain't No Angel

This black and brown animal print jacket and corresponding lariat-style necklace get a pop of colour with a blue Dolce & Gabanna silk dress that continues the animal print theme. Lace-up black boots complete the outfit with vampy flair.

i carry your heart

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

~e.e. cummings 

A sweetly romantic ensemble - a cream coloured blouse with ruffled bib (from ModCloth), a black and cream tweed skirt (from John Lewis), both embellished with black rick rack trim. and a basic black pump from Chinese Laundry. A tailored fuschia cashmere cardigan sweater adds a pop of colour, and amber-and-rose chandelier antiqued earrings complete the look.

Of Wildfell Hall

This outfit brings to mind Helen Graham, the protagonist of Anne Brontë's novel "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall," who is solid and practical but also believes in fairytale romance.

A conventional grey and brown  jigsaw herringbone skirt from John Lewis and a practical shoe in the same colour scheme is offset by the ultra-feminine aqua blouse with bow from Miss Selfridge. A fitted curry velvet jacket is both sensible and whimsical. And pinned to that jacket is a brooch that bears what could possibly be the silhouette of Helen Graham, with dangling poetic charms. 

In The Mood For Love

A little vamp, a little poetry, and an ensemble of red....all the essential components of an outfit to wear when celebrating Cupid.

This outfit features a red silk cami with fitted waist and lace embellishments, black Gwenivere jeggings by  7 for mankind, and red snakeskin boots by Christian Louboutin. The "Pocket Full of Roses" steampunk necklace crowns the ensemble with romance.

Gallant in Green

**gallant  - smartly or boldly stylish** 

That's what you'll be in this elegant outfit with a boiled wool emerald green skirt from John Lewis and a LeSaint flowing layered grey tunic cinched at the waist with a rose-adorned belt. A green-and-burgundy beaded necklace from Etsy and basic black ankle boots from Naughty Monkey complete the outfit.

A Dazzle of Zebras

You'll be ready to run with a dazzle of zebras in this zany outfit. A black cashmere sweater with a bell hem is paired with a hot pink wool mini skirt from John Lewis. The outfit gets funky with zebra print tights and black patent leather platform Mary Janes from Giuseppe Zanotti. Add some bling with the necklace from Etsy that has hot pink, zebra print, and turquoise beads.

Time for Tea

This crazy skirt from John Lewis features teapots in dark grey, turquoise, pink, and chartreuse on a grey-white background. Combine that with a sheer chartreuse belted blouse and retro grey heels, both from ModCloth, and a bumblegum pink beaded necklace from Etsy, and you're ready for tea and crumpets.

Completely Condimental

Combine grey-and-mustard Glen plaid trousers (from Nottinghall) with a ketchup-y red cowl neck cami (from Nordstrom), and you have a completely condimental outfit. The real beauty, though, is the very trendy ModCloth drapey grey cardigan. A copper and silver necklace from Etsy and grey ankle boots from Dorothy Parker are all that is needed to complete the ensemble.

The Misty Moors of Scotland

There's just something about this outfit that brings to mind a drafty stone cottage, fox hunters on a misty morn, bagpipes, and hot toddies. 

A riding skirt from John Lewis in brown-blue-green plaid is paired with a mocha sweater with scalloped neckline from Modcloth. Add some unexpected delight with heather blue boots from Chloe. The necklace (from Etsy) with browns, blues and greens pulls the outfit together, and also adds a pop of contrast with burgundy and pink.

Happy Holidays!

Dressing for the holidays doesn't mean you have to wear a green-and-red ensemble, or worse, a hideous Grandma-sweater festooned with ribbons,sparkles, and appliqués.

You can get your holiday on Victorian style with a stunning outfit like this one, with a burgundy jacket from Mechanical Bunny and a black pencil skirt with kick-pleat flare from Veronica Varlow (and let's keep those fishnet stockings, shall we?). Accessorize with a black-and-burgundy Pandora slingback and a stunning steampunk necklace from Etsy.