Perennial Polka Dots

 
Has there ever been a time in my life when I didn’t have a polka dot dress in my closet?
 
I don’t think so. Maybe college.

 
 
 
Longtime friends may remember I had a dress like this while in law school. That dress was black (this one is navy), scoop-necked and bias-cut with short-sleeves, and I used to wear it with one of my all-time favorite pairs of shoes: black and white Hush Puppies. (The Hush Puppies looked a lot like these shoes.)
 
An ultra-light silk chiffon dress in a dark color is very smart for summer.
 
So smart

So smart am I!
 
 
 
This 2020 installment (actually purchased end-of-summer 2019) is navy, round-necked, and tiered. Perhaps it is too like this dress, but the similarities only occurred to me when I sat down to write this post.
 
It was shown (on a model) unbelted with white cowboy boots. Hmmmmm.

 
 
I had other ideas.
 
I felt the waist needed a little definition — beguilingly elusive definition, since it is partly obscured by the tiers.
 
The definition does not show in this photo. Something about the position of my arm . . .
Suggested waist is a fugitive in this photo

 
 
 
 
Some of you will know that this metallic belt paired with chiffon layers is an homage of sorts.
 
Guess, quickly! The answer is at the bottom.*
Whose style am I honoring (a little bit)?

 
I tried this first with wider belt, but I think narrow is best.
 
This belt has some adornments on it — I don’t know what they are or how to find out. Does anyone know? They look saddle-related. Or possibly military.
What is this square? Does it serve any function?

Despite the length of this dress, it’s a little revealing. The yoke is sheer and the armscyes are elongated. To remain SFW(WWFH),+ I have worn a navy camisole underneath.
 
Unfortunately, it’s a v-neck camisole and therefore is slightly wider at the straps than I’d like. But I am certain to cross paths with a straight neckline at some point in my future. For now, Zoom is very forgiving.
Zoom misses a lot; I am altering clothes with safety pins

 
 
The standards have really fallen while working at home and that’s ok.
 
Soon I will be posting some of my safety-pin handiwork.
I am O.K. with it

 
Dress: Sir the Label; Belt: Pinko Uniqueness from YOOX; Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff
 
* I had an image in my head of Princess Diana in an elaborate chiffon ruffled dress with a metallic belt. She went wide. While many of her ensembles need to remain in the 1980s, I think this dress is more classic. Note: I did not say restrained. I said classic.
 
+ Safe For Work (While Working From Home)

24 thoughts on “Perennial Polka Dots”

  1. Delightful dress with and without the belt. I have always liked polka dots. I have an antique blue and white polka dot sundress and it makes me smile whenever I open the closest door. It has been to beaches and even a wedding. Good memories.

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  2. Your hair! I’m digging it. I think polka dots are timeless and add whimsy to any article of clothing. I applaud your efforts at modesty – as always.

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  3. A lot of girlish charm here with the polka dots and ruffles but all very successfully subsumed into the Directrice’s usual elegance.

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  4. I like it! I had to think about MC’s comment — are polka dots and tiers inherently girlish? The outfit looks chic to me. I do wonder about the length of the dress, might a slightly shorter length look better? Is that even possible with tiers.

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    • It is possible to shorten this — I could simply have the bottom tier removed. In fact, I am remembering now that I did shorten it — it was even longer. The frayed edges on the tiers creates a lot of leeway . . .

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  5. I, too, love polka dots. I purchased a flowy, bias-cut, scoop-neck, cap-sleeved midi dress in navy blue with white dots at the start of the pandemic. It makes me happy, so very happy. Not essentially happy, but you know, shallowly happy.

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  6. How are you all doing? I’m missing my Directrice breaks — even if you’re not feeling inspired by WFH attire, can we have a cat picture caption contest or something? 🙂

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  7. Happy Election Day! Fingers crossed! On one of your posts, you asked for detective fiction recommendations, and someone mentioned the SheDunnit podcast. I started listening to it, joined the book club, and am now enjoying lots of new-to-me Golden Age mysteries. Thanks, commenter!

    The book we just read, “The Crooked Wreath” by Christianna Brand (also known as “Suddenly At His Residence”) had a ballet clue and I wanted to ask a ballerina about it. You are the only ballerina I know. Have you read the book?

    If you haven’t read it, I’m not sure if I should recommend it or not. I personally enjoyed it, but many of the book club members did not.

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    • Jeffiner — Having someone refer to me as a ballerina makes all the effort I’ve put into this blog over the years worth the effort. Me! I haven’t read Christianna Brand — or even heard of her. I’ll put it on my Kindle and let you know what I think. Should I read and find the clue, or do you want to give me a hint now? Totally up to you. Spoilers don’t bother me. Hope all is well with you.

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  8. Just here to echo many others’ hopes that The Directrice and The Photographer are thriving and will be among us again soon! There’s no dearth of stuff to read online, but also nothing quite as nourishing and inspiring as what I find here. Meanwhile, I shall content myself with mining past posts and wish you both the best of the season.

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    • We are fine–thanks for asking, Marie. I keep telling The Directrice that my camera is at her service. She’s super busy, though. And it’s hard for us to shoot during the winter months because the short days limit our opportunities (the sun is the best light source there is.) In the meantime, there are hundreds of posts to look through.

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      • Thanks for replying- I check back every week or so in the hopes of a fresh post (I went through the archives in order already!)

        I would love to see what our fearless blogger wears to work from home… goodness knows I need the inspiration!

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    • Yam back! I posted today. But I’d like to think my extended break has given Directrice scholars (and my biographers) a chance to really dig into my oeurvre, work on their academic papers/presentations/book proposals, etc.

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