The Dressed Aesthetic

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Just Swimmingly

Just Swimmingly - The Dressed Aesthetic

There is always a certain time of year that feels a bit like the eye of the storm. While summers are supposed to be relaxing, mine was chock full of book chapters and editing and teaching a summer class that nearly did my head in (but I can’t even ask you to feel sorry for me…it was all totally self-inflicted). Grades for the summer class were submitted last week and our fall semester doesn’t start until next week. So, for today at least, there is an eerie, blissful calm on the surface of the water…

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{Sewing} The Bees Knees

{Sewing} The Bees Knees - The Dressed Aesthetic

When I was young, my sister and I would go away to camp every summer for a week of morning calisthenics, capture the flag, and (to this day) some of the best food I’ve ever eaten (I think food just tastes better outdoors). This one summer, my sister was assigned to be counselor for the same cabin I was assigned to. And, while you might think chaos would ensue, I think it was one of the most magical weeks of camp I could ever remember. We had that perfect combination of people bunking up to our cabin, where everyone got…

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The General Store

The General Store - The Dressed Aesthetic

When I was young, Sunday was Candy Day. We weren’t allowed to eat candy any other day of the week, so this day was held with a special reverence. On Candy Day, my sister and I would be given 50 cents a piece and were allowed to traipse two blocks to a local general store. Even though the selection never changed, we spent ages poring over the choices every time. Candy, gum, chocolate – before you officially made your selection, there was always this unbridled anticipation in knowing you could have anything in the aisle.

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Moth to a Flame

Moth to a Flame - The Dressed Aesthetic

Have you ever noticed that it’s human nature to be drawn to things that are bad for you? Be it an ex-boyfriend, a bad habit, a vow after a particularly raucous night to “never drink again,” only to find yourself woohooing on the dance floor a week later. Despite seeing many who have flown to their fiery doom before her, the moth simply can’t ignore the allure of that bright, magical flame beckoning her to a promise of intrigue and light (and occasional debauchery).

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{Review} Cherry Picked by Maison Murasaki

Cherry Picked by Maison Murasaki - The Dressed Aesthetic

One of the reasons why I love vintage so much is because I feel like, in many ways, it finds me. Although I am always on the hunt, finding the perfect dress in the perfect moment never feels like an accident. Rather, it always seems fated that we would meet. Like I was somehow cherry picked from the crowd to be her temporary guardian, before she gently passes to the next chapter of her story.

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Head in the Clouds

Head in the Clouds - The Dressed Aesthetic

Have you ever noticed that a certain degree of frenzied madness is almost always followed by what I will affectionately call The Blob Phase. I’m sure you know what I mean… Where you push yourself to the limit, shocked at what you are able to accomplish, only to subsequently devolve into a pile of goo. On such occasions, I find myself with my head in the clouds more often than not, where even the thought of writing an email feels like too much.

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{Sewing} Grapes of Wrath

{Sewing} Grapes of Wrath - The Dressed Aesthetic

During quarantine, I think it’s safe to say a lot of us have taken to our creature comforts. My weakness has always been wine – I love coming home from a long day to a beautiful glass of cab sauv, kicking off my heels and sharing my day with my Mister. Now that we’re home all day, there are no shoes to kick off and Mr. D already knows the happs because…well…he was there. But, there is still that perfect glass of wine….

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{Review} Sweet Tooth: Introducing Sock Candy

{Review} Sweet Tooth: Introducing Sock Candy - The Dressed Aesthetic

As clearly evidenced by my love of appliqué, I’ve always been drawn to 3D elements in clothing. Features that hint at worlds hidden in the layer of a garment. Embroidery, appliqué, solids on sheers. It’s probably why I seek out tromp l’oeil prints and love layering – it creates parts of an outfit that stand in sharp relief to the backdrop of the day.

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Rejoining the World

Rejoining the World - The Dressed Aesthetic

We are creatures of habit. I am definitely one who likes to have a rhythm and a routine, with a clear order to the way my world is structured. And even if the order is less than ideal (aka, months and months of isolation due to a pandemic), I will always find away to work within a certain set of parameters. But, I admit I’m less adept at the shift change…

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