The Circle Skirt Strikes Again (With The Hell Bunny Melissa Top)
Apparently I wasn’t kidding when I said that my Roman Holiday inspired circle skirt was going to be a versatile addition to my wardrobe. I’ve already worn it a few times, and here it is again; this time paired with my new Hell Bunny Melissa top.
I rarely ever sew or buy neutrals. I’m always drawn to the patterns: the florals, the ginghams, the stripes, the abstract prints. My sewing stash is full of patterns (most of them florals) and my wardrobe is bursting with them too. As much as I love patterns though, there is something to be said for a nice neutral solid. Neutrals are just so easy to pair with everything- I guess that’s why they are “wardrobe basics”. I have been endeavouring lately to add some more neutral pieces to my wardrobe- after one too many times of trying to pair my separates and coming up with “pattern clashing” rather than “pattern mixing”.
Both my skirt and my blouse here, are recent additions to my wardrobe, to try and fill in the voids and create a more mix-and-match wardrobe. Strangely enough, this outfit is so neutral and monochromatic, and the only pattern comes in from the feathered clutch. Apparently it’s either “all the patterns” or none 🙂 I got this Hell Bunny Melissa top a few weeks ago, from Rowena, since I had a store credit to use up, and decided that a black peasant blouse would be a good option. This blouse originally had a keyhole in the front, but as that was too revealing for comfort, I just sewed a piece of black fabric behind the keyhole, and now it’s perfect. I really like this top as it is just a bit dressier than a t-shirt, but the cotton fabric makes it comfortable and still cool for summer. This outfit makes me think of something you would wear to a picnic in the 1950’s: wildly unpractical- but it looks nice!
So, as I don’t have much else to say about anything, I will stop talking for now. Oh, but one last note- these pictures were taken in front of our plum tree. Isn’t it beautiful? Or rather, wasn’t it? It’s finished blooming now. But, now the lilacs are in bloom, and after them, then it will be the peonies. . . isn’t it nice that flowers bloom at different times?
Do you lean towards neutrals and solids, or patterns? What flowers are blooming for you right now? (if you are in Spring/Summer where you live.)
ps: I might be smiling, but in reality I was being eaten alive by mosquitos!
June 7, 2017 @ 7:56 am
I strongly tend towards neutrals in my sewing. But I love to see vibrant colors and patterns on other people. I find the most highly patterned and colorful items in my wardrobe are my scarves and shawls.
There are magnolias blooming in our area, and roses, and lots of smaller flowers like geraniums and nasturtiums. I love to see the landscape in your photos—it is do different from where I live!
Your photos look beautiful, and so does your outfit.
June 8, 2017 @ 11:36 pm
Thank-you! I love your neutral wardrobe- it has been quite inspiring to me as I love how your outfits always look so put together, and never boring.
And, I don’t think I have ever seen a magnolia- I believe it is too cold for them here. But we do have geraniums and nasturtiums as annuals.
June 8, 2017 @ 1:05 am
You’re completely right, basic neutral items open up a world of wardrobe possibilities. I too have realised this!! You do look picnic-ready, what a pretty look. Our peonies have been and gone, and the roses have begun to flower.
I hope your mosquito bites aren’t too bad! I get badly bitten, I’m actually glad that we don’t see mozzies in Wales! X
June 8, 2017 @ 11:31 pm
Yes, you are very lucky to not have mosquitos!!! 🙂
And yes- it is so tempting to have patterns all the time, but you really do need those neutrals to balance things out.
June 8, 2017 @ 5:29 am
Oh, what a gorgeous skirt. It’s great to have something neutral in colour, but it’s hardly neutral in shape and style! The photos of you sat with the skirt like a fan around you are gorgeous. Kx
June 8, 2017 @ 11:29 pm
Thanks Karen ♥
I really like how those photos sitting turned out too, but I really debated at the time whether it was worth sitting in the grass with the mosquitos! Yes, it was worth it 😉
June 10, 2017 @ 10:06 pm
Such an elegant look! I really do love the twirling photo. And you are really championing neutrals here, which is great. I’m often drawn more to the neutrals and don’t see them represented a lot in blogs.
June 19, 2017 @ 4:27 pm
Thank-you Tanith!
I too feel that often bloggers are drawn to bright coloured patterns and prints. Maybe we do have neutrals, but don’t show them on the blog for fear of being “boring”?
June 16, 2017 @ 6:01 am
Lovely outfit…you look so pretty 🙂
June 19, 2017 @ 4:28 pm
Thank-you so much!
June 18, 2017 @ 10:35 pm
hello,ciao Nicole…what a nice post full of lovely photos!…your style is breathaking ….the photo .back.jpg and full sitting are very nice…cheers!
June 19, 2017 @ 4:30 pm
Thank-you so much Aure! ♥
June 20, 2017 @ 12:14 pm
This top is my absolute favourite staple item – I have it in white and the gingham print and I’m seriously tempted to buy all the other colours because it’s so cute and easy to wear and looks great with everything. My peep-hole is a bit more gappy, but it somehow still doesn’t look OTT… Lovely classic look you’ve got going on here
June 23, 2017 @ 9:08 pm
It is such a cute top, I agree- I want it in so many other colours too! 🙂 As for the cut out on the front, it really depends on who is wearing/body shape, as for some people it works, and for me it just felt uncomfortable! haha.