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).
Speaking of a moth to a flame, we all know that vintage is the light forever beckoning me forward. I am literally powerless not to make a beeline for a Juli Lynne Charlot, fiery doom and all. I will say, though, she hasn’t burned me yet (though admittedly my Visa card has gotten a little singed on occasion). This particular skirt I’ve had in my repair pile for ages to sort out a few tiny moth holes (ironic, no?). I’ve only ever seen it in Nina Leen’s famous photograph of “Conversation Skirts,” and was incapable of doing anything but add this beauty to the collection.
Boasting a black base and a red ruffle, there are moths fluttering around her skirt, drawn to the candle that will inevitably be their downfall if they get too close. Trust Juli Lynne Charlot to take such an iconic idiom and turn it into wearable art.
Sure we are all inexplicability drawn to fashion, but how much better is beautiful fashion when you win it?? Ages ago I entered a competition on IG hosted by the Vintage Smalls, who was raising money to help raise funds to get supplies for a teacher of special needs kids. I thought of it more as an effort to throw some support to Jennifer’s wonderful cause, as I never win these kinds of things (seriously ever. even in the raffles where they pull out a hundred tickets so that every kid gets a prize, I was always surrounded by piles of tickets and no joy). But I did look longingly at the seriously amazing prizes, which included a handmade blouse, stunning floral fabric, and an adorable vintage dress pattern.
Lo and behold, to my incredible delight, I actually won! I freakin’ won!! The kid in me looking forlornly at my empty bingo card rejoiced. Among my prizes was this absolutely magical blouse by Monica J Veronica Designs – Monica makes the most beautiful clothing with a vintage old Hollywood vibe. Enter this polka-dotted taupe blouse. From the puff sleeves to the maximalist bow, it’s everything I wanted in a blouse.
As with most things in my life, this one sat in my tailoring pile for about 12,000 years – it needed the tiniest nip at the waist, but life did her thing and the last year flew by in a flurry of lockdowns and online lectures. But as the Fashion Fate Fairy is wont to do, I was reorganizing the pile one rainy Saturday (which will topple over and drown me one day), and this blouse was tucked beside this JLC, as if they were always meant to be together.
I think we are all a moth with our own “flame” that we are inexplicably drawn to. Be it good or bad for us, it’s impossible to resist. And I have to wonder why we keep going back to something that will inevitably zap us in the end. Perhaps part of the allure of the light is the fact that you can get burned. As if the danger that the thing you crave might cause your undoing is part of what draws you back again and again. Perhaps we need the dichotomy – we need to know what will burn us, so we can appreciate the feeling of safety.
Or in some weird way, do we want to test our own resiliency? Push the boundaries, go to the edge. See if we will burn in the flames or simply walk among them.
Thus hath the candle singd the moath.
Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, 1596
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Top: c/o Monica J Veronica Designs
Skirt: Juli Lynne Charlot via eBay (similar modern or vintage here, here, & here)
Handbag: gift, Modern Millie Vintage, sold out (similar)
Shoes: Shelly’s London (similar here & here)
Lip Color: Dior Rouge 634
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Any items marked with a “c/o” (courtesy of) a retailer mean I was provided with an item for free in exchange for a review and/or feature on my blog. I always provide my honest opinion of any item I’m reviewing, regardless of whether it was sent to me as a courtesy item or if I purchased it myself. In addition, this post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links or ads on this site, I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase at no cost to you, which helps with the day-to-day running costs of my blog.