Bindaring Red Cross
Clothing Sale

Bindaring Red Cross Clothing Sale - The Dressed Aesthetic

A few months ago I was contacted by the organizers of the Bindaring Red Cross Clothing Sale to see if I wanted to be involved and help them promote this wonderful event (taking place on 14th May at the Claremont Showground). If you’ve never heard of the Bindaring Clothing Sale before (I was admittedly a neophyte as well), this is a charitable event, selling new and vintage clothing and accessories, and all funds raised go to support local Red Cross services. Vintage and charity? I didn’t even hesitate.

Best of Both Worlds

Best of Both Worlds - The Dressed Aesthetic

A few months back, I went on a shopping adventure with a friend of mine and she asked me, if I ever had to choose between fashion and science, which would I choose? As most of you know by now, I’m a marine biologist and I love my job. Like, get-up-and-be-stupid-excited-to-go-to-work kind of love. You know that feeling of discovery you had when you were a little kid? Being a scientist basically means that part of you never has to grow up. Although there’s a bit more red tape and bureaucracy involved than when I was digging up critters in my…

Chantilly Lace

Chantilly Lace - The Dressed Aesthetic

It’s no secret that I have a weak spot for border prints…but a vintage border print masquerading as eyelet lace? That is definitely something I can get behind. I love the concept of art imitating life imitating art, and this might be one of the most beautiful pieces of vintage art imitating floral printed lace that I ever did see…

Queen of Hearts:
The Magic of Mixing Prints

Queen of Hearts - The Dressed Aesthetic

I’m a huge fan of mixing prints and rather enjoy trying to push the boundaries of fashionably acceptable on a daily basis. A lot of ladies ask about the basics of combining two seemingly disparate prints, which can be intimidating if you don’t do it often. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to mixing prints, but I have the best success with a few basic guidelines.

{Giveaway}
Shopping Small on Etsy

{Giveaway} : Shopping Small on Etsy - The Dressed Aesthetic

As a self-proclaimed vintage huntress who prefers to wear clothes older than herself, I’m a huge fan of “shopping small” (it kinds of comes with the vintage territory). So, it’s no surprise I’m a frequent visitor of Etsy, which is a veritable treasure trove of vintage and handmade goodies that I would like to find their way into my home and into my closet. Like pronto.

Slipstream

Slipstream - The Dressed Aesthetic

One of Mr. Dressed’s and my favorite down time activities is to curl up on the couch, pour a glass of top shelf scotch, and kick some serious butt in Mario Kart (the degree of butt kicking often directly corresponding to amount of scotch). We recently acquired a Wii U thanks to our last tax returns, and despite the plethora of options when it comes to the superhero/street fighting/crime solving games out there, I admit I’m a bit of a traditionalist. Mario & Luigi all the way.

Barbershop Quartet

Barber Shop Quartet - The Dressed Aesthetic

I’m not sure why, but the stripes on this dress have always reminded me of the pole that sits outside of old school barbershops. When the barber’s striped pole spins, it creates a visual illusion, where it appears as if the stripes are moving up or down the pole. I kind of like the idea of a dress in constant motion, as if by spinning and spinning you’re never risking stagnancy. Always moving forward or backward, but never staying in one place for too long.

{Upcycling} : Peek-a-boo

Peek-a-boo - The Dressed Aesthetic

This dress was (and still is) a bit of a wounded bird. She has definitely been worn and very, very loved in her time (which makes her all the more beautiful, in my opinion!) There is some color beed from the red panels, scattered pinholes holes here and there, and several popped seams that needed reinforcing. There was also a fair bit of wear and tear and staining on the shoulders from years of love and (I hope) some serious time spent on the dance floor. As she was a bit on the petite side for me anyway, I decided to pull…