The Dressed Aesthetic

{Review} Alice in Vintageland: Ebone & Ivory Alice Dress

Alice in Vintageland - The Dressed Aesthetic

It’s funny how life imitates fairytales sometimes. As we’re winding down the semester, I can’t help but feel as if I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole. That I’m constantly running late (for a very important date) or ending up at tea parties (serving adult drinks) where everyone, myself included, seems a bit mad. That no day is complete without a bit of an identity crisis, with an endless croquet match I can never seem to win. Needless to say, with the end in sight and these final few weeks upon us, I’m feeling like a headless Cheshire Cat more than…

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Pants For the Girl Who Doesn’t Wear Pants

Pants For the Girl Who Doesn't Wear Pants - The Dressed Aesthetic

As many of you are probably aware, I don’t really “do” pants. I sprouted up like a beanpole when I was 12. Pants were always too short on me and I could never find any that made me feel amazing. Even as an adult, I find them terribly uncomfortable and there are only very few pairs I have ever really seen eye to eye with. Don’t get me wrong – pants are sometimes a necessary evil. I’m not going to wear my vintage dresses on a 36 hour flight across the world or to paint our living room. But those…

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Belated Birthday

As I’m sure is the case for most bloggers, we start out with the best of intentions. We want our blogs to be an extension of us, and therefore try to write in real time. Sharing moments as they happen, photographing our day to day. And then you actually start a blog, and the reality sinks in. That life – from deadlines, to unexpected inclement weather, to the blissful call of your pillow – can creep in and throw all of those best laid plans at the fan….

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{Giveaway} And the Winner Is….

{Giveaway} And the Winner Is.... - The Dressed Aesthetic

As you may recall, I just recently celebrated my 4-year blogaversary, my own birthday, AND the milestone of hitting 20K followers on Instagram. To celebrate, I partnered with Etsy to offer one lucky winner a $100 Etsy gift card (!!!). I know many of you have been on pins and needles waiting for the results (as have I!). Firstly, I would like to thank Etsy for sponsoring this amazing giveaway. They have been huge supporters of my blog from the start and I have loved working closely with them over the years.

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{Review} Introducing Splendette

{Review} Introducing Splendette - The Dressed Aesthetic

Like most women I know, I’ve got a thing for accessories. And because my penchant veers towards things of the past, I’m always on the hunt for beautiful vintage pieces that won’t break the bank. Unfortunately, this is becoming harder and harder, particularly for those stunning carved bakelite bangles. So, you can imagine how excited I was when I discovered Splendette, a vintage-inspired jewelry brand that makes stunning bangles with matching earrings, necklaces and rings of the midcentury persuasion…

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{Review} Go Lightly into Spring: Unique Vintage Golightly Swing Dress

{Review} Unique Vintage Golightly Swing Dress - The Dressed Aesthetic

Most days, a bit of dichotomy is what keeps things interesting. A warm breeze on a cool day. A splash of salty and sweet. Stripes mixed with polka dots. As we’re in that glorious transition between cool and warm weather, I’m reaching for contrasts more than ever. I can’t help but crave mixed prints, cardigans and sundresses, and a bit of yin to my yang.

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{Review} Mad Hatter:
Vendula London Milliners Grab Bag

{Review} Mad Hatter: Vendula London Milliners Grab Bag - The Dressed Aesthetic

Truth be told, hats and I have always had a tricky relationship. We’ll eye each other up across the room, but it’s rare that we ever make a good match. While my sister seems to be able to wear just about any chapeau dropped upon her head, I can never seem to find the right one (save for a select few). I’ve always just considered it a category of fashion that my closet is a little lean on. But, trust Vendula London to swoop in and prove that all the things I think about myself were really just marking time…

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Ad-vantageous

Ad-vantageous: Vintage Ads - The Dressed Aesthetic

One of the biggest buzzes I get is spotting a vintage ad for the garments I own. In some weird way, although they’re made of fabric and I can actually hold them in my hand, vintage somehow still feels unreal – like it could disappear at any moment. But, when you see the ad for the dress, there’s something that takes it from the abstract and into someone’s living room. A thing that existed in a shop window or a catalogue. It’s not a piece of the past, but was once very much a piece of someone’s present.

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Annual Review

Annual Review - The Dressed Aesthetic

Last week everyone in my Department received the email that we all dread: our upcoming Annual Review is nearly upon us. This simply marks a time of year where we have to meet with our Chair and discuss areas where we’re hitting our milestones and areas where we need improvement. This also means we have to flex our typing fingers and start putting our Annual Report document together – basically listing out your academic accomplishments for the year across predetermined categories, distilled down to 6 pages of text. No more, no less.

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