Feminine and Frugal Dress Friday
Written by admin on February 5th, 2010Delight in Disorder
by Robert Herrick
A sweet disorder in the dress
Kindles in clothes a wantonness:
A lawn about the shoulders thrown
Into a fine distraction–
An erring lace, which here and there
Enthrals the crimson stomacher–
A cuff neglectful, and thereby
Ribbands to flow confusedly–
A winning wave, deserving note,
In the tempestuous petticoat–
A careless shoe-string, in whose tie
I see a wild civility–
Do more bewitch me than when art
Is too precise in every part.
I asked my husband one time if he thought I was odd and he said, “You are pleasantly eccentric.” I had a grandmother who loved hats, scarves, and leopard prints and all sorts of unusual articles of clothing. I remember when she would come and visit, we always waited in anticipation, wondering what she would have on. Actually, I sort of love leopard print too, but it has to be just the right thing for me to wear it. Fair skin and freckles somehow don’t always look great in leopard print. 
I love pairing two very lacy tops together. Having a little bit of lace show through at a collar or neckline or waist is pretty to me, though too much is, well, too much.
The skirt has a story. I bought this skirt probably 10 years ago secondhand. A few years later I was cleaning out to donate some things to a yard sale and my mother saw that skirt in the bag. She knew I had really loved it and would probably miss it one day, so she pulled it out without telling me and put it up. She pulled it out again about two years ago and said, “Remember this?” It was like finding that skirt all over again. I thanked her for saving this pretty skirt for me. It’s got two layers to it, has a beautiful floral print and hangs oh so pretty.
Brown lace top – $3.00
Lacy under-layer shirt – $3.00
Twirly skirt – $3.00
Black tights – $1.00
Sam and Libby boots – $5.00
Apron? The first one I ever made, about 25 years ago, out of fabric bought really cheap at a textile factory I was working at.
Have a beautiful Friday. Here’s to a job at home, hot tea, and God’s beautiful creation just on the other side of the window pane.
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
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Beautiful!! My hubby says Im eclectic
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Dear Lynn,
Wow, you worked at a textile factory~that must have been a lot of fun! You did a lovely job on the apron, way back when
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I’m glad your mother saved your skirt; wise woman!
I donated a dress to a local thrift store last year, and then saw it on the rack later when they were having a yard sale. You guessed it, I bought it back
(Unfortunately, my niece was with me when I did and begged me to have it~at least it’s with family).
I hope the sun is shining for you today; it looks like your snow is quickly melting!
Love,
Marqueta
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p.s. I featured your pins on my last blog post
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You have such amazing hair. I really love the skrt, I am glad your mother pulled it out. Pleasantly eccentric, ohhh, that is what I am telling my hubby I am
xoxoxox Clarice
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Dear Lynn~ Wow! This has been a LOVELY week of feminine dress! I have enjoyed it so very much
Thanks for sharing with us! P.S. pleasantly eccentric simply means God’s variety that He has chosen to place within each of us to share with others 
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today was my favorite, lynn! thanks for the fun fashion week! i’ve been inspired to wear skirts a couple of days this week, too. i LOVE the pin for today!
oh, and my Redhead was thrilled at your comments about her “Annie”. thank you!
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Lynn, you look as sweet as can be!
I wish I had had your mother around a few years ago when I donated a certain skirt to the Goodwill. My children still remember that skirt… they call it my floaty skirt. What was I thinking???
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I love twirly skirts. You look pleasantly eccentric in yours. I love that description, since I left my 30s I’ve always marched to the beat of my own drummer. I’m working on a layered skirt and some batiste underthings.
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Oh, one more thing, what type of fabric is the skirt? Since I’m trying to create something similar, I just need to know. Is it cotton? Is it shear? Etc~Etc
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Eccentric. That’s a good thing. It’s also known as style. You’re an original! Yet another wonderful outfit that suits you perfectly.
Your skirt reminds me of a dress I once had (and with which I sadly parted a few years ago – boohoo). If it shows up at the thrift shop again, it’s going back in my closet!
I love that poem, Lynn. Thanks for sharing it.
Have a blessed day in the Lord!
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I know this is supposed to be about your outfit and it’s lovely, but I also really love your braid! It’s so thick and long, very pretty!
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lynn,
it’s been a lovely week seeing you every day in your outfits that are not only pretty, but so YOU!
i’m also in my 40’s, and by this age we are more comfortable being who we are, which is so great, isn’t it? i love your husband’s description of you!
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I love your entire outfit especially your pin. I can’t wait to receive mine!
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Trinity Mommy, I think eclectic is right up there with pleasantly eccentric!
Marqueta, it was fun working at that factory, though very hard work! I was in my early 20s, in between one school and another, trying to figure out what I wanted to do, so I moved by myself to the big city of Charlotte and worked and shared an apartment with someone. It was good learning experience for me. The factory produced curtains and comforters, so it had the huge looms and sewing machines and quilting machines. I paired things up and boxed them up for shipping at the end of the line. You know how curtains and such are packaged in sealed plastic containers? Well I ran the big hot machine that sealed those packages! You slid it under the hot bar, pressed your foot, and bingo the bag was sealed. It dropped below into a bin where it was pulled out and put into a package. I had really strong arms in those days! Thanks for showcasing my pins! And Marqueta, I can’t believe you bought something back from the thrift! I’ve done the same thing!!
Clarice, my mom was right. And being pleasantly eccentric lets you get away with lots of things.
Jeanie, what a sweet way of looking at pleasantly eccentric! I’m glad you enjoyed the week!
April, that’s neat that you have a red head. I love red hair. One of my favorite girls in the world has red hair. Glad you’re enjoying the week.
Oh, Diane, your floaty skirt. I’ve done that too. Makes me wonder where my mind was at the moment!
Ginger, the 40s shed a new light on life. I’m enjoying my 40s. I’m not sure what the fabric in that skirt is and hubby is asleep and the skirt is around in the closet. It’s not twirly, really, but more flowing. The fabric feels like a soft polyester. You’d think I would know! I’ll look tomorrow when the light’s on!
Emily, thank you. I liked that poem too! May you find your dress again one day.
Tanya, thank you! I enjoy having long hair. I do see more split ends and thinning as I age, but I’m trying to just enjoy it while it’s here and take care of it enough to keep as much as I can!
Connie, yes, I think this age brings a bit of comfort about who we are. My husband has a way with words for sure.
Dana, thank you for your order! Your pin should get to you soon. I love the chicken pin. It’s more rustic. Reminds me of my aunt who sells eggs and has 100s of chickens!
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Hey my beautiful friend (and you are not odd!)!
I hope you are doing well. We missed you and M yesterday! I do hope she is feeling well. I hope you have a great week -end and that I’ll see you on Sunday!
Blessings
Leslie
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Leslie, we missed everyone so much. You are so sweet. I hope to see you tomorrow afternoon. We’ll see how the day goes!
Hugs,
Lynn