Week 17

  

Outfit consists of:

Necklace: 1940s book locket found at Jean Jean Vintage

Sweater: acrylic sweater from Romeo & Juliet Couture found at TJ Maxx

Shirt: gray tee found at TJ Maxx

Jeans: dark wash skinny jeans from Domaine found at TJ Maxx

Boots: brown A2 by Aerosoles boots found at Kohls

Week 17 of this pregnancy and I'm frustrated. In my real life, my husband kindly calls me militant about my political views (but I emphasize I don't bring this into my classrooms) so it's no wonder that larger scale issues associated with pregnancy and parenting have more than set me on edge.  I've been lumping these issues together into a category I call the politics of pregnacy, but they really touch on issues of social, political, and medical views of pregnancy and parenting.

What exactly has me angry? Well the issues are broad, but they really boil down to the core issue of how the female body in general, but specifically in relation to child having and raising, becomes public.  In crafting the female body as a publicly accessible entity, women are constantly bombarded by social, political, and medical controls. Already during this pregnancy I've questioned fear-based medical practices associated with prenatal care, the invasion of personal space by strangers while pregnant, and the near constant litany of advice-forcing by every person you've ever known. The last one is yes, a bit tricky, but there's a marked difference between "Hey have you tried this? It worked for me and it may help!" and "You have to do this." or "You absolutely cannot do that."

There's been a few heated and lively discussions on my personal Facebook page about these issues and I've really wanted to have a forum in which to continue them and engage with a broader audience.  I debated starting up a new blog specifically devoted to it, but I barely have time to keep up with one blog. I've also debated writing a series of essays, and I may still do this, but I'm hoping this sporadic series of posts will start as a proving ground for my ideas and concerns. 

Least you be concerned that a vintage clothing blog will devolve into heated political debate, I doubt you need to worry.  I intend for these posts to be infrequent, perhaps once or twice a month to start and if they prove successful I'll schedule a day for them.  What does it actually mean in terms of content, well I'm hoping you'll help with some ideas.  To begin with some topic ideas I've been thinking over, I've come up with:

1. Why has there been a shift in the American medical system wherein pregnancy information relies on fear (food lists, habits that will harm you and your fetus) rather than relaying health and wellness empowering practices? What can I do about this?

2.  What is it about pregnancy that allows for strangers to feel the need to monitor and approve your individual behaviors? How do I get people to mind their own business?

3. How do I raise a child without gendered stereotypes or hetero-normative expectations of love and relationships?

So ladies (and gents if you're reading!) what about pregnancy and parenting have you struggled with?

Monday Road Trip

I can't remember the last time I went to a concert. Wait, yes I can. Four years ago, Death Cab. It's been an embarrassingly long time and since I've been feeling so edgy lately my husband looked at my long concert list I handed him and is trying to put a dent in it. He's not usually so quick on such things, but I middle of the night messaged him a list and by morning he was waking me up to tell me that we were going to go see Cold War Kids.  I confess they aren't extremely high on my list of must listen to bands, but a portion of their songs are enjoyable.

Since I do live in the middle of nowhere, we had to drive to Vermont to see the concert.  And since this is the frigid north, the roads looked like the photo below.  Of course this also has something to do with VT's heinous road policy.  I can assure you the NY side of things looked much better.

To get to VT, we have to travel by ferry. Travel time is often dependent on catching the ferry and we were out of luck since they were roping it off while we were at the ticket booth which meant a wait until the next one.  Fortunately for the wait and the ride I amused myself by taking photos of us.  My husband hates when I do this, but look, he's just so darn cute (and please ignore my snow-frizzed hair)!

And because there is a marked difference between my casual wear and my work wear, I've included a full outfit photo below. There's only a bit of vintage present mostly because I abandoned my other outfit choices after realizing the snow wasn't going to stop.  What's significant about this outfit is two things really: 1) my tunic, but more on that shortly and 2) leggings, apparently this is the first outfit that was legging approved by my husband who keeps calling them tights and was weirded out by them when I tried them on several times before. He never usually mentions anything about my clothing choices, so I think he's trying to politely say too much of my butt was showing. 

Outfit consists of:

Sweater: drape front black cardigan by Joie found at Last Chance

Tunic: cotton green and black empire waist tunic by Magazine found at Marshall's

Belt: 1980s black belt borrowed from a thrifted dress

Leggings: gray leggings found at H&M

Socks: black and silver sparkle socks found at TJ Maxx

Boots: black suede buckle boots by dv found at TJ Maxx

So what's so interesting about that tunic? Meet my 2007 Marshall's purchase. Light and airy it seemed perfect for travel.  As in China/Tibet 2007.  Some evidence below:

The thing about packing a medium sized half-full suitcase (saving room for purchases) for a five week long trip is that eventually you'll have to wear the items in there over and over and over. This tunic (or maybe it was a dress then? it seems longer) saw much more wear than these pictures would suggest.  By the time we both limped back into Phoenix, we managed a bit more wardrobe rotation together before it was relegated to the back of the closet because I was sick of seeing it. 

Then the move of 2008 happened and the house buying of 2009.  I'm still unearthing treasures I've forgotten about (please tell me this doesn't only happen to me) and discovered a space bag stuffed with clothes from grad school.  And there was my tunic, super soft, slightly faded, and ready to be welcomed back into the fold.

Power Play

There's usually time while instructing that a rowdy class could devolve from an energetic yet slightly obnoxious classroom into something more, well, woolly. I'm trying to avoid such a crisis in my class right now. It's time to refocus and recalibrate and head in the right direction.  I wanted to be a bit more pulled together and professional for today and dreamed this one up in my head while I couldn't sleep last night. Now if only I had managed not to tuck my skirt into my tights things would have gone a bit better.

There's very minimal usage of vintage in this, but I would argue that as a whole the outfit has a vintage feel. I love hints of black and my home decor also has tons of black points spread throughout. I originally had thicker tights on, but wanted more of a semi-sheer look rather than a heavier one.  I really wanted my black patterned tights but I couldn't find them this morning. Despite the skirt fiasco, I think things went rather well.

Outfit consists of:

Blazer: gray blazer by Express found at TJ Maxx

Pin: 1950s circle pin from my great-grandmother { similar here at moxie deluxe }

Top: white cotton tank found at Goodwill

Belt: black tie belt borrowed from a shirt

Skirt: coral Land's End skirt found at Goodwill

Tights: black tights found at TJ Maxx

Boots: black Nine West boots found at TJ Maxx

Day of Failures

So in a day of failures (Prius injury, cranky students, and a poem that won't write itself), I did manage to get my outfit right.  Since I got this skirt, it has been the recipient of many compliments. It's so easy to mix and match since the skirt carries so many lovely muted colors. Today I paired it with my cozy blue sweater and a pin that I've had tucked away for awhile. It was my great-grandmother Albina's and she had a fondness for costume jewelry.  In the next few months I plan to start a project in which I transcribe her diaries and poems (my dad always said I got it from somewhere) and of course, wear more of her jewelry. You'll be able to read about her right here on the blog.

The last time I wore this skirt, I matched it with brown boots and blue tights, but today I opened one of my many shoes closets and took out these beauties. Tonally they work with the outfit, yet provide more impact than brown did.

Outfit consists of:

Sweater: navy blue double breasted cardigan by It's Our Time found at TJ Maxx

Pin: 1970s silver-tone feather pin { the exact same one here at Chatham09 and gold-tone version here at Lydia's Vintage }

Top: stone colored ruffle trimmed tank by Spense found at TJ Maxx

Belt: Brown belt found at Last Chance

Skirt: 1970s textured knit skirt found at The Greedy Seagull { similar concept here at Cool Vintage Finds }

Tights: brown striped windowpane tights found in Florence, Italy

Boots: 1970s cranberry suede boots found at Vintage Shoe Love { similar here at Vera Vague }

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With Love

Trapped at the writing conference, I briefly interacted with another writer who annoyed me. I usually love people from the start, but he was equal parts self-deprecatory and boastful at the same time. A toxic mix really. He was wearing a fatigue jacket, something he probably schlepped to the Army surplus store to pick up. He wore his military jacket the way most floppy haired hipsters do, with a sense of irony and as a way, presumably, to make a statement.

This particular gentleman was annoyed that he had spotted several other young writers milling around wearing similar attire. "This is my thing," he proclaimed, perhaps forgetting the long history of appropriating military jackets by other and earlier floppy haired hipsters.  In speaking with my friend (also present at the time) whose husband served in Afghanistan, there was a sense of frustration that we both felt.  This man, boy really, felt comfortable weraring his military jacket as a way to thumb his nose at those who serve, as a way to say he doesn't.  I promised my fair friend that I would talk about this moment, and indeed wear a military jacket with respectful intentions.  Because when I wear it, I think of all the men and women who have done so much more than I ever will, who have risked so much for all of us.  When I wear it, I think of all the Vietnam soldiers who were spit on, yelled at, and denied a welcome home.

You see, my father served for 26 years.  He joined the Army when he was 17.  He was just a kid, though I'm sure at the time he felt he was ready.  By the time he was 25, my dad was stationed in Vietnam.  He was a medic, one of those brave souls who face death and try to keep everyone alive, everyone breathing. This jacket is not my father's.  It is his friend's. They accidentally grabbed the wrong ones one evening and this jacket stayed with my father. I would like to think the Goodnow family has the Baker jacket tucked away somewhere.

 

Outfit consists of:

Jacket: 1960s Army jacket { similar here at Greatest Friend and earlier, warmer version here in my shop }

Sweater: red drape cardigan by absolutely found at Last Chance

Dress: patterned shift dress by biographie found at TJ Maxx

Belt: brown skinny belt found at TJ Maxx

Tights: gray windowpane tights found at TJ Maxx

Boots: brown boots by BP found at Last Chance

Keeping Warm for New Year's Eve and Beyond

For those of us in northern climes, New Year's Eve outfits include ways in which to keep warm. According to Wikipedia, those who gather in Times Square to watch the ball drop, experience an average temperature of 33.7. This year, the forecast for the event is currently calling for temperatures of around 34 with showers, right on par with average. Last year, it was a brisk 18 degrees with a feels like temperature of 2 degrees. Brrr.

The advantage of snagging a great New Year's coat or jacket is that you can use it for the rest of the winter on a regular basis. Here's some great options:

Rust red coat with fur trim, with an armpit to armpit measurement of 19". Available the etsy store halfCaf for $80.

1960s black and white tweed jacket with a 38" bust. Available at etsy store Light Years Vintage for $99.

Emerald green cotton velvet trapeze coat with a 45" bust. Available at etsy store Mon Desir Vintage for $120.

1960s off white Lilli Ann coat with a bust measurement of 34". Available at etsy store story boutique for $165.

1970s plaid jacket with a bust size of 36". Available at etsy seller Pistol Bazaar for $41.