The Clothes Off My Back (plus a Shabby Apple review)

Good morning!

Clothes...still wearing 'em, thought I should talk about 'em. I was messing around with Instagram, and now I know why all you fine people put such stock in their photo filters:

1) Stevie:

Good Lord! I knew my hair and my dress were fierce in this photo, but I look like Stevie Nicks on the back cover of Rumours (the highest compliment I can pay a person, even myself)! Thank you, Instagram, jeez. I found this seventies' halter maxi-dress, with saucy cut-out-lace insert, at Goodwill last Friday before the half off sale ($7.99). You should see the bottom of the dress, too; there's a goddessy flow to the skirt. I haven't yet mastered the art of wearing polyester sun dresses in above 70 degree weather, but I'm going to make an honest effort of it this summer. This dress can't wait to go out on the town!

2) Freebie:
An online retailer contacted me a couple weeks ago to ask if I was interested in reviewing a dress from their online collection-- uh, does heck go with yes*? Shabby Apple's latest collection features retro-inspired, vintage clothing inspired numbers. I was a little put off by the styling in some of these photos, but the dresses themselves looked simple, breezy, and ready to be amped up or styled down with whatever accessories you choose, so I sent off for this dress:

The shipping was lightning fast, and I was excited to open up the colored tissue paper enclosed package. My first free dress! In the past, I've been burned by retro-styled online dressmakers who sent me a TJ Maxx or Forever 21 quality dress (no shade, TJ Maxx or Forever 21, but you know I shop there because you put the "disposable" in "disposable fashion") at actual department store prices. BOOO! Even with the $84 retail price tag, I didn't know what to expect. I was surprised to see that this dress, in spite of being polyester, is FULLY lined, and well-constructed. The only thing I would mention as a drawback, which might apply to any and all online, not-in-person shopping, was that the length appeared to be all out of proportion to the model in the picture. I know I'm six feet tall, and I can't expect every dress to be the appropriate tailleur when there's an extra eight to four inches of height on me when compared to the average American female. However! Aren't models tall? How is this hemline knee-length on her and short enough to necessitate an under-skirt for me? At this length, I feel like it would be more suited for casual wear, but the material itself is more formal-occasion oriented. What's a gal to do. I will say I like the color and material!

3) Today's Own Outfit:

Serving Orphan Annie Realness (phew, my hair! What are you doing? It doesn't look any better as I'm typing this, let me tell you). I have come to the conclusion, after standing in front of my closet and heaving through the over-burdened hanging rack inside, that my closet is mostly 1970's-1980's sequined dresses/tops/whatever else (I can't stop....someone make me stop!), polyester long sleeved dresses, and strappy summer sun dresses. None of these are appropriate to an at-work environment, so I'm just going to start wearing the sundresses as jumpers, I've decided. Here's an Ann Taylor dress from Goodwill, with a Gap T-shirt from Goodwill, with the same black underskirt I wear with everything (seeing a pattern here?). I'll have to tell you how my experiment works out, but I already got a compliment in the elevator about "my style", so I'm just going with it, tangled hair and all.

What have you been wearing lately? Have you had similar experiences with online retro-retailers? What kind of break-up do you see in the kinds of clothes you stock your wardrobe with? Let's talk!

I have to get back to work, but I'll see you guys back here tomorrow. Til then!

**Disclaimer - Shabby Apple provided me with the item mentioned above,  free of charge,  for review purposes. The opinions stated are my own.