How I took the Peacock dress from winter into summer

 

Do you by chance remember when I first styled this Peacock mesh dress (by Giselle Sheraton and gifted to me from Artful Home) last winter? I wrote about it in this Anatomy of an Outfit chapter back at the beginning of January. I pulled out all kinds of tricks. First I layered a long-sleeved mesh t-shirt under it to add warmth. I used a leather shoulder strap from a Calleen Cordero bag, turned it into a belt and used it to belt the dress. Back in winter I wore brown fishnet stockings and tall suede brown boots. I layered it with a jean jacket and a shawl for a relatively mild day in Sonoma. I wore gray glasses frames and a brown cross-body bag in leather and fur. I got it just so and loved it!

(Need to see the January styling version of the dress? Here you go.)

 

 

 

When an outfit feels like a beloved blankey

Does this happen to you? You style something and love all the elements of the outfit so much that you wear it the same way for a dozen times or more? You don’t want to change a thing. With each repeated wearing, it feels more and more familiar and nurturing. I call this the blankey phenomenon. That’s how I felt in my January version of the Peacock dress. It was my cozy blankey.

I knew this dress would work in multiple seasons. The time has come. Those suede boots have been packed away and I’m reaching for sandals. Time to style this dress in a new way!

I had the perfect occasion to wear my Peacock dress this last weekend.

My artist friend Ayris and her husband Kip have a ranch near Sebastopol. It’s been mostly a weekend home. They’ve put their creative heads together as they’ve turned their Scenic Knoll Ranch into a haven of beauty and nourishment. Ayris claimed the small barn on the property (for small animals) and envisioned it as her art studio and a gallery. I’d been hearing progress reports and now it was time to share it with others. She had the opening reception of Art in the Barn on Saturday introducing “The Ladies and more” show. You can see her art on www.AyrisHatton.com.

 

 

This space affords her the opportunity to show life size work.

 

 

 

 

 

The Peacock dress gets a change of accessories

The first big change from winter to summer was that I had no desire to belt the dress. It felt heavenly just falling the way it does. I like exactly where it lands, just below my knee. I went with brighter glasses frames. I love using my blue l.a.Eyeworks frames from Uber Optics and to pull out the blues in the dress. I wore my Camper tan sandals to keep my feet neutral so all the attention would bounce up to the dress and my face.

 

 

I did wear a jean jacket, although this one is lighter blue than my winter one. I like wearing this jacket more as a bolero style than an actual jacket. As it turned out the fog rolled in soon after we arrived so I was wearing the jacket and the cashmere scarf I’d thrown in the car just in case.

 

 

I doubled up necklaces. I seem to be wearing this combo a lot! My heart and crystal pendant feel just right. My jean jacket has a beautiful bee pin on it that was given to me by a client. And the delicate one was a gift from my daughter, Erin. Together these jewels make me feel feminine and present, grounded. I feel like me.

When I wasn’t wearing my plaid scarf, I wrapped it around the neck of this lovely piece.

 

 

I wore three small mixed metal bangles plus this stacked button bracelet that I made years back. I loved layering these vintage buttons one on top of the other. I felt like I was creating mini button skyscrapers. I adore these shades and it was perfect with the colors in the Peacock dress.

 

 

I didn’t want any kind of bulky bag so I carried this vintage python bag. It was another layer of texture to play against the dress. It’s the perfect size for a car key, lipstick, phone, handkerchief, pen and small notepad.

 

 

 

And I have to close with a couple of pictures of the Kinsel girls. I had a hunch my daughters would arrive in dresses. Caitlin’s black leather jacket is gathered in the back and at the sides so it comes in against her defined waist. Erin’s skirt is vintage and like her mother, she adds a jean jacket.

 

 

I always love when we’re at the same events. Friends and family mean everything!

 

 

So now I feel like I’ve got my summer blankey Peacock dress outfit. I know I’ll wear this just like I’ve styled it for twelve times in a row.

Do you have pieces that you can style from one season to the next? What are your favorite blankey outfits? Do share!

XO

P.S. The designer Giselle Shepatin has other dresses at Artful Home. Oh, I just checked and the Peacock dress is on sale! You can check her work out here. Ciao for now, Bellas!

P.P.S. Ayris’ show is up through July 15th on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1-5. If you want to visit at that time call 707.795.2007.