December 29, 2013

In which I pose like a pool player, sport a lovely mustard cardigan, and show you my parents' rec room


 photo VintageAustrianglassplumfruitbroochmustardcardiganandplaid50sshirtwinteroutfit_3_zps63cef4b7.jpg


Outfit details

Red and navy blue mini hair bows: (Probably) Claire’s
Red plastic rose stud earrings: Claire's
1950s/early 60s plaid short sleeve skirt:
Divine Vintage
Mustard yellow cardigan: Loft by Ann Taylor (bought on eBay)
Vintage (c. 1950s) Austrian glass plum fruit brooch: eBay
1950s corduroy bucket purse: etsy seller
Rue 23 Vintage Clothing
Vintage button front denim skirt (c. 1980s): etsy seller
Sempre Vintage
1950s blue gloves: eBay
Brown round toe pumps:
Pipsqueaks and Damsel's Consignment Store
Nude seamed stockings: eBay
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red
 

Photography by
Antonio Cangiano

 




















Five handy ways in which to tell that I'm not, even if you exclude the fact that from a health standpoint, I'd have a very challenging time shooting an actual game if I wanted to, a real pool player:

1. I'm wearing vintage gloves, indoors, while holding a pool cue.

2. I had to ask my mom to show me how to position my fingers properly (or roughly so) to hold said cue.

3. One of my beloved Austrian glass fruit brooches is pinned to my cardigan, where in theory, it could risk getting damaged if I was actually shooting a game.

4. I haven't chalked the the tip of the cue.

5. See number one again, it really tells you everything you need to know.  :)


I highly doubt I'll ever do much, if any, in the way of more pin-up/cheesecake/glamour girl style photo shoots, it's just not something I personally feel comfortable with taking part in (zero qualms with the genre, I just don't feel pulled towards being a part of it), but every now and then it is fun to take some pictures, even impromptu ones in my parents' basement, with a prop or two that evokes a super subtle pin-up vibe.

As winter bares down ever harder, and more and more days (and nights) are spent indoors, wrapped snugly in multiple layers, steaming mugs of cocoa or hot apple cider never far from hand, it only seems natural that a post in which the photos were taken in this particular location sprang to life. Living mere minutes apart, Tony and I frequently spend time at my folk's house (and vice versa), and when the mercury plummets, we often make a beeline for their lovely (finished) basement, which boasts a terrific wood burning stove.

For those who do more than just hold a pool cue and smile for the camera, there's a table to enjoy, and that my parents and Tony (who really developed a love for the game last year, and is quite the natural at it) regularly do, as I happily watch from the sofa, stocking the fire blazing in the stove (which we hadn't turned on yet that day) every now and then and listening to the icy wind hum, wail and sing outside.

These are the kinds of get togethers that call for casual attire, often in the form of separates, and a heavier weight skirt + a shirt or blouse + a cardigan or sweater is one of my very favourites for just such an evening.

In this case, I partnered my favourite cardigan buy of the year (a lovely mustard yellow Loft number that I bought, new with tags, on eBay for less than half its retail price), with a great 50s/very early 60s plaid short-sleeved shirt that I bought on our recent travels to Calgary, button front denim skirt, wide red belt, gorgeous vintage plum shaped Austrian crystal brooch (interestingly, and entirely coincidentally, the last time I wore one of these kinds of brooches on camera, it was here, at my parents' place as well), those dead-giveaway-that-I'm-not-a-real-pool-player blue 1950s gloves (a gal should never be glove-less anywhere in the winter!), and classic brown pumps.

Easy as pie to put together and just as comfy as comfy can be to wear, whether one is decking the tree, baking festive cookies, playing cards, getting ready to ring in the new year, or pretending to shoot a game of pool just for the good, old-fashioned fun of it. :)

39 comments:

  1. These photos have turned out absolutely terrific considering they were taken indoors - such great lighting!
    It must be so nice and cosy to be rugged up indoors in front of the fire - not that I would have a clue what that would be like - today it got up to 39C and we were hiding indoors with the air conditioner blasting away ;)
    I hope you've had a wonderful Christmas Jessica and I wish you and your amazing blog all the best in 2014!!!
    I also hope that darling little Miss Annie makes a swift recovery in time to see in the new year :)

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  2. Its a really cute outfit. Your gloves are always adorable Im hoping to expand my collection of vintage gloves this year. Im not a pool player either, to say the least, but my late father loved pool I always feel bad he never ot to enjoy his own tabe.

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  3. Loving the mustard and plaid combination - it works very well!

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  4. Oh my gosh I LOVE that bold plaid shirt, especially paired with the mustard cardigan! You have a real talent for putting together an outfit :)

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    1. Thank you very much, honey. That is one truly awesome compliment.

      ♥ Jessica

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  5. So cute! I love creative photoshoots like this one. Your outfit is delightfully colorful.

    I am a billiards player so, before I read your prose, I instantly said, "Hey! She can't shoot pool in gloves!" Glad to see you have a sense of humor about that. For fun photos, anything is fair game. When I took pictures of myself riding my motorcycle in a pink tutu, I nearly rode off the road out of distraction. But the end-result is worth it. Kudos on your creativity here.

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  6. thats cool to have a pool table in the house!!!
    i play a little bit, but not very talented ;-)
    love your outfit, exactly what i would wear aprés ski......
    <3

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  7. you look gorgeous as usual! i love that mustard cardigan paired with your plaid shirt and the thick belt. and even if you not really playing pool you look amazing!!
    kiss,mary

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  8. That is one of the nicest photos I've ever seen of someone pretending to play pool in vintage gloves (actually, it's the only one, but you really do look lovely). :) The color combination of the gloves and cardigan is beautiful.

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  9. As always, I love your brooch. You have the best brooches! I love playing pool, but I am horrible at it. They are fun props for photos though!

    Deborah
    Hellcat Vintage

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  10. Great photos and I wouldn't have known that you had to be shown how to hold the cue! I'm not much of a pool player myself either though I've given it a go in the past. I'll be leaving it to others though as I'm rubbish at it.

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  11. Denim + plaid + mustard = Perfection!

    I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Xmas lovely lady and have the most fabulous of new years.

    xo

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  12. Oh Jessica you look amazing and having lots of fun too...... Have a Great New Year 2014 ..cheers

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  13. Cracking photos Jessica! I love you as a pool player, maybe that's something to practice for 2014?! My younger brother and I were given a collapsible pool table one year when we were children, and we used to play a lot of pool. We then moved on to playing it in the pubs when we were older. I haven't played now for a very very long time, so I'm not sure I'd be any good anymore!

    Love those cute hair bows, I have some, never have the courage to wear them generally!

    P x

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  14. Hello there!
    Last days of 2013.. I, for one, can honestly say: I'm looking forward to 2014. And I could not care less about people mentioning that "one year older" saying. :)
    That particular cardigan colour is the one (THE one) I'm looking for. I've got bright yellow, I've roamed through many camel-colored.. but I'm on a quest to find myself mustard-yellow cardigan. That is the color I'd like to bring into my wardrobe in 2014.

    Hug
    Marija

    P.S.
    At least you can POSE as a pool-player. I couldn't even manage that. :)

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  15. I just started following you about a week ago. I found you through Pinterest while searching for vintage outfit ideas for a New Year's Eve banquet I am attending that is themed 1950s. I literally sat for about three hours, reading and looking at all of your adorable outfits. You have inspired me to try my hand at it and not just for a party! I am a school teacher, so there is a certain level of "professionalism" that I am required to abide by, but I think I can pull it off given your terrific ideas. So glad I found you!

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    1. Hello lovely ladye, thank you very much for your fantastic comment. I adore knowing how people find their way to my site and really appreciate that you shared that with me. I wholeheartedly believe that anyone who wants to can (and should!) wear vintage or vintage inspired styles. It's just a matter of finding the ones that work best for your lifestyle, budget and tastes. If you'd not read it yet, I think you may find this post especially helpful when it comes to putting together a vintage appropriate wardrobe with modern pieces: http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/2012/12/a-beginners-guide-to-buying-and-wearing.html

      If you ever have any questions or just want to shoot the breeze about vintage fashion, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm always here to try and help however I can.

      ♥ Jessica

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  16. Greetings Jessica! very pretty as always! My best wishes for the next year! Feliz Año Nuevo! :)

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    1. Thank you very much, sweetheart!

      Countless happy New Year wishes coming your way!
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. You look fabulous! Love the plaid on you. Very festive!

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  18. I love the colors, so cheerful and pretty! I especially like that it looks like you were having fun playing the part. Makes me happy to see that. (confession: I've never played pool either)

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Ronda. I love the palette at work here - it marries fall and winter hues so beautifully (I could wear rich jewel tones like this every day and never tire of them) and just a blast to sport.

      ♥ Jessica

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  19. Delicious! I am a big fan of mustard coloured things :) And this suits you a treat :) Happy New Year xx

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  20. You look adorable jn that first photo! I pretended to be interested in pool when starting to date an ex boyfriend of mine. I had to fein interest through our entire relationship of a year and a half (he had his own pool cues and played at least once a week). He was very cute, but needless to say my "interest" in pool and our relationship had to end. lol! I was 19 then…I don't think I've picked up a pool cue since. That photo made me think of that.

    Hope you have a great New Years Eve my friend!
    Lisa.xo

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  21. Such lovely cosy looking photos. I really like the outfit, the mustard and the checks are great. I love mustard, infact, I am looking for a lovely mustard wool with which to knit myself a cardigan. I have just bought some beautiful chartreuse wool for a cardigan which is my other big colour love at the moment! Wishing you a very happy new year!

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  22. this dress is so adorable. you look beautiful ... and i love to see you having lots of fun with playing pool!

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  23. I love your outfit. But I love cardigans and skirts during winter too, easy, warm and comfy. What's more to ask for. I've finished packing away the Christmas decorations yesterday and have decorated for winter today. I have a tiny collection of snowflake related things which look lovely after Christmas. I like that it is not that bare right after Christmas. And what a charming basement your parents have, I imagine it is very cosy sitting beside the stove and watching the others play. Do you knit? I think the scene calls for knitting. ;) Happy New year to both of you. :)

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    1. So do I - that combo is all but my uniform of the winter. I may occasionally reach for a frock, my Freddies jeans (or overalls), or a suit, but for most day-to-day living, a skirt and cardigan (perhaps with a blouse or other top underneath) and usually a pair of tights is what you'll find me sporting.

      No, I don't knit, but I completely agree that this setting suits it so well. I cross stitch though and have enjoyed doing that in front of the fire over the years. It really is so homey and peaceful.

      Big hugs & countless joyful New Year's wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

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  24. Great photos as always. I just love this outfit, especially your mustard cardigan! x

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  25. Well, Jessica, you've done it again. You can sure style an outfit girl! Love the color combinations you put together. And the rec room is great. Our family had one when I was young that also had a pool table. You brought back some fond memories! Happy New Year:)

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  26. Aaaww, again such a fabulous outfit wiith so much lovely color matched details. You are truly my favourite vintage blogger! (and you know for sure that the competition is pretty tough :D)
    And it doesn't matter if you are pool pro or not, as long as you look so fabulous while posing.

    I am always dressing up in plaid shorts, knee highs and golf beret -like a real golf pro- when my boy and me are going to play minigolf. Well... He always beats me - but that's okay, because at least I look like Tiger (rather Kitten) Woods while losing. Thihi :-)

    And: Aawww, the brooch is from Austria! Makes it look even twice as pretty n_n

    A happy new year!
    Saperlotte

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  27. I too know very little about pool, but think it is a fun game. I would like to do at least one or two photo shoots for fun. Though I would have my Aunt or sister take the photos because I want someone I know behind the camera. I do agree and prefer the less cheesecake photoshoots.

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  28. i'm not super comfortable doing the whole pin-up photoshoot style thing either. while i love it when other people pull it off it's not something i really feel drawn to doing for myself either. but anyway, i think you look lovely and there's nothing wrong with posing with a pool cue for a couple of photos. :) and even if you don't play your parent's basement look likes a lovely place to spend time and escape the cold weather you must be having.

    little henry lee

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  29. You look fabulous as always! I wouldn't mind having a pooltable in my house, not that I know how to play pool. :)

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  30. You look gorgeous in this combo of mustard and navy colors <3

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  31. So happy to have found your blog. You look beautiful! Love the outfit.

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Michele. I'm delighted that you discovered my blog and hope you have a great time here.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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