August 8, 2014

What one wears when it's 42C




Outfit details

Hair flowers: Assorted sources
Dark plastic tortoise shell sunglasses: DKNY
Black and clear rhinestone earrings: Save On Foods (Sadly, later in the day I discovered I'd lost one of these beautiful, vintage looking earrings. We went to the store where I'd bought them a few months ago in case they were still in stock, but unfortunately they weren't. At least I'll always have the photos from this day to remember them by.) 
1930s glass bead necklace: Maejean Vintage
Fitted red top: Urban Planet (I think - bought it years ago now)
Black quadruple buckle stretch belt: Forever 21
1950s style leopard print circle skirt: Big Beautiful Barbara Brown
Black plastic rose bead stretch bracelet: Thrifted (Value Village)
Vintage Saks Fifth Avenue black patent purse: MK Retro 
Black sling back bow flats: Payless
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red


Photography by Tony Cangiano
(Car thermostat photo taken by me with my phone)
















{Let's just ignore the multi-chins that this harsh July sunlight and the shadows from the trees in front of me are creating in this photo - and most of the other snaps here - shall we! Thanks! :) }
































Sunglasses, for starters!!!

Beyond that, when the temperature soars to 42C/108F, most other items of clothing become seriously negotiable. For those of though who aren't keen on, or don't believe in, as the personal case may be, baring nearly all no matter the weather though, options like itty-bitty bikinis and Daisy Duke worthy denim shorts are out. In their place, I prefer to reach for, counterintuitive as it may sound, a lovely long skirt.

It doesn't have to be heavy, and I frequently skip a crinoline in such sweltering heat, but the airiness that is created when the breeze whips up and rustles through its folds is so immensely refreshing.

On this day, I partnered my beloved 1950s leopard print circle skirt (from UK reproduction seller Big Barbara Brown, who, and please don't quote me here as I can't say for certain, may have shut down, as their online shop is gone and their Facebook page hasn't been updated in a few months) with a thin, breathable red cotton stretch top, my favourite belt I've ever owned (by a long shot), which looks decidedly mid-century, but is in fact a budget-friendly Forever 21 piece bought several years ago in Toronto, sling back black flats, a few fun hair flowers, and lightweight jewelry. That's it, folks.

The Okanagan Valley, where we live, routinely gets some of, if not "the", warmest temperatures in Canada each year and though I do madly love the heat (draining, admittedly, as it can be at times), I'm not going to suit up in suit, if you will, or five layers when the mercury is making a beeline for the nearest deep freeze to try and cool off. No, weather like this, which poofs/swells your skin something fierce (or so it does to me at least), calls for simple, light, classic pieces that weigh little and don't take themselves too terribly seriously.

In addition to breezy skirts, capris, peddle pushers, halter tops, playsuits, sundresses, wide brimmed straw hats, feather weight shoes, and simple, unfussy accessories are, take it from someone with many years of experience with wildly warm summers, the way to go when the days feel as hot as the surface of the sun.

On this particular recent Sunday afternoon, Tony and I made our way to the shade bedecked shores of Shannon Lake, a relatively small (for the area at least) body of water on the outskirts of West Kelowna. A favourite local fishing hole of many, my angler husband very much included, it was - shockingly - virtually empty that day. Clearly the masses had flocked to the bigger lakes, such as Okanagan, and the sandy beaches there.

We weren't getting in the water, so Shannon Lake served us perfectly well and was as gloriously tranquil local retreat as one could ever hope for. And as we'd not yet taken snaps at this particular lake, naturally the camera came out for a spell, before we both sank in a heat induced stupor onto the verdant, slopping hills and took a moment to, once again, reflect on just how blessed we are to live in this stunning, lake strewn part of the world.


36 comments:

  1. gorgeous like always ! <3

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  2. I'm not sure I could go with a long sleeved shirt like you did in that kind of heat! I do love skirts for hot days--it is very hot and humid here and all I've been wearing have been my collection of 100% cotton, short-sleeve dresses with full skirts--they're working well for me!

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  3. Lookin' lovely, dear. That belt is a winner. And a ducky!

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  4. Whoa, I think we've swapped weather - you're having what we should have right now here in Toronto! I'll be sure to try and send a little rain your way - but not too much, I promise - and some cooler temps. That sound OK to you?

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  5. Oh dear! I would be dead in that temperature. Usually around this time of year we get about 20-25C here in Finland, but this year we've had about 30C now continuously for about 3 weeks. I am completely knackered! My body just can't handle these kind of temperatures very well. But I try to cope with it by wearing breezy, very light weight cotton dresses and sunhats. And yes, sunglasses of course. But I have to say by-bye for my lovely vintage clothes until the cooler weather comes. They are just way too thick materials and/or too delicate to be worn in this weather.

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  6. Adorei o look, esta muito linda, a saia é maravilhosa, gostei muito dos óculos.
    Beijos

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  7. Oh goodness, that was a HOT day! I love your outfit, the hair flowers are super cute! And iff it's really hot out, I'll also find myself wearing a long skirt. If there is a breeze, it can and will help a lot.
    Hopefully the next days cool off for ya.

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  8. You look fab! I love the leopard print skirt. I so need to sew myself a circle skirt or dress in that print. Last year, my mom found some retro looking earrings at Forever 21. I don't shop there since all of their clothing is very small and the nearest one is over 60 miles away.

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  9. jess - you look fabulous in that heat!!!!
    and you are right, better then go half naked is to wear a generous layer of airy fabric. and if it´s such a cute wild print like your skirt then one can enjoy the hot days in style :-)
    our summer is a hot one to, not that hard for me sitting in all the greenery. you and tony found a beautiful green and fresh spot too at the shannon lake!
    stay cool my friend! <3

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  10. 42°! that's hot! how did you manage to wear a long sleaved top? but the top look fantastiv with the loepard spotted skirt. what a great colour combination - makes me thing of fall.

    big hugs!

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  11. I'm impressed that you can even build up the resolve to move about in such high heat yet alone put together such an adorable outfit! Right now where I live it's hitting the 100s and I barely want to move an inch (the crazy humidity and the fact that, like you said, short-shorts aren't really my thing, don't help motivate me much either)! I am waiting so impatiently for cooler weather- I cannot wait to break out a sweater and coat. I do love that leopard skirt and the belt which I totally thought was vintage! Forever 21 has some great classic pieces mixed in with their more "throw-away" type of fashion items sometimes! :-)
    -Melissa

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  12. I dont know how you bear this warmth in some ballerinas ! My feet would have exploded haha

    Very Nice in léopard Print Jessica :)
    Xxx
    Lorna

    HTTP://lornasharp.blogspot.com

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  13. Very lovely outfit dear Jessica! We've been lucky "knock on wood" that our weather has not been to bad here. You have so many nice parks and places near water where you live. Oh, and I just love your purse!

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  14. That is crazy!!! You look fantastic for a 42deg day! You'd probably see me lying down at home with aircon on in my undies haha. I love the classic red and leopard combination - really flatters your coloring!

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  15. That's really awfully hot, even for a summer person like myself. I agree with respect to the long skirts-they're much more comfortable than a pair of shorts in extreme heat. I look at photographs of people in the 1800's working outdoors in multiple layers of clothing, and wonder how they did it without collapsing. Sure, you can get acclimated, but good heavens, it couldn't have been comfortable.

    Sorry about your earring. I have a nice drawer filled with singleton earrings where I've lost the mate. I always think I'll do something with them, but thus far haven't. Maybe you'll be able to turn yours into a tie-tack for your husband or something.

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  16. It's getting warm here in Brisbane and winter is almost over!
    You look great! Love the best and the flower!
    http://balearaitzart.blogspot.com.au/

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  17. You look fabulous! The colors are very flattering for your skin and hair, the warm red looks terrific on you! One of my favorite colors.
    The thing I love most about your outfit: despite the hot temperatures you decided to stay decently dressed. I dislike people getting more and more "naked", as temperatures rise. No matter how young/old or slim/well built you are, to my opinion you should be properly dressed when you are in public. Of course that is my personal point of view… :-) A lightweight circle skirt is, according to my experience super comfortable and breezy.
    Gorgeous pictures, you definitely had a splendid day!

    Kind regards from rainy Switzerland…
    Doris

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  18. I just love that belt, it gives you such a beautiful figure! I used to have a similar one, but I have lost it! It is a blessing to live somewhere so beautiful.

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  19. oh my that is quite hot. i wasn't sure just how 42 c was, and then i was flabbergasted when i read that it was the same as 108f! i did not know that it got that hot where you are from. it's been quite hot here, as well. i guess we both will be appreciating that cooler weather once it comes.
    sunglasses! yes, that is a definate must during these months. and of course i have to compliment you on your outfit and wonderful figure. i would feel rather conspicuous in that skirt, but you pull it off so effortlessly and gracefully. here's to hot summer days and beautiful afternoons at the lake!
    -Abigail

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  20. I'm all for a lightweight circle skirt when the temperature is on the rise! Your outfit is beautiful as always (sorry to hear about your earring) and that lake looks like a wonderful place to go for a relaxing day. That duck is awfully cute too!

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  21. Beautiful! I enjoy your blog and outfits so much, you're always inspiring me to try new outfits and color combinations :)
    http://teenyboppinalong.blogspot.com/

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  22. Hello,Ciao Jessica...ah so lovely photos and background!...Your outfits is breathtaking...so fabolous look!
    best,peace and joy

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  23. Hello my sweet dears, thank you each very much for the thoroughly lovely comments and compliments - and for your thoughts on how crazy how it was that day. I loved the mad heat though, I really must say, and know I'll miss it something fierce come the dead of winter.

    My apologies if I'm not able to reply to/visit each of you to thank you for your comments here this weekend. It's been an incredibly busy week (one of the busiest of the year), as I've been putting in 18-24 hour days, nonstop, getting ready to sell my vintage wears in person at a small local show in Kelowna today called Okanagan Shop and Swap.

    I'm sure I'll be discussing how that went here in an upcoming post and am super excited about it, as it's actually the first time I will have sold vintage in person at a public venue.

    Thank you again, everyone - I hope you're all having a stellar weekend!

    Big hugs,
    ♥ Jessica

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  24. Whatever weather, you always look like a million dollars Jessica. Really lovely.

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  25. Not too easy to be elegant when the temperatures are high...but a long, airy skirt is a good tip! You are very elegant elegant also in summer, Jessica! The leopard printed skirt with the red top are delightful together!

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  26. This is such a glam outfit, and you look as cool as a cucumber! I start to melt once it gets into the high 20s, so I'm impressed that you can still wear closed toe shoes and sleeves in that heat!! I have to go for sandals, loose fitting items (no tucking in tops for me - too sweaty!) and like to have lots of room around my armpits!!

    I love the colour palette - a glimpse forward to Autumn colours perhaps x

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  27. That heat is just insane. I saw your above comment about how you like it, but I wouldn't even be outside with that kind of heat. I'm so pleased that the weather's been really mild here in Chicago.
    But not only did you weather the heat, you did it with some serious style. Love the outfit, and you're right that covering up can be the way to go when it's really baking outside. Love the leopard and the red on you, it's really lovely.

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  28. Wow, Jessica. It's hotter up there than it has been in Florida! But I must say I'm loving the leopard with red. That is always a fantastic combination. And I totally agree with you on the skirt issue with the heat. I find skirts to be so much cooler to wear than trying to squeeze my sweaty body into shorts or capris.

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  29. 42C, that's HOT! Wow, I'm glad we do not have those kind of degrees here in little Denmark, although we think it has been very hot this summer. Very unusual for Danish summers, but we enjoy it trying not to complain over the heat. May I add cotton as the best material for such degrees. I have thought about sewing myself a cotton petticoat for my fifties dresses, since I think it will be more comfortable than the nylon ones I have. Red and leopard is a great colour combo for you, dear. :)

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    1. Thank you very much, lovely Sanne. A cotton petticoat would be a splendid idea for summer. In fact, it's almost surprising when you stop and think about it that none of the repro companies are really creating such a thing. I'm sure there would be an eager market for it amongst all of us who adore a good, full 50s skirt.

      ♥ Jessica

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  30. Lovely circle skirt, I agree, a swishy skirt is nice and cooling in hot weather. I would be melting in those temperatures though! Your cluster of hair flowers is a fabulous addition to your outfit.

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  31. super duper cute look midst the heat! leopard print really, though a print, goes so well with a number of colors. and looks smashing with red. i really need a circle skirt.

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  32. You look fabulous!! So nice to have some one comment on wearing a long skirt when it is HOT, I love too, but people comment to me, Isn't that just way to hot to wear, They just don't understand how cool it is under the skirt with cool breezes,I love it!! Love the flower in your hair!!! Enjoy your column!!!

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  33. Cranberry, leopard print and a cinch belt: what's not to love about this gorgeous outfit? I adore it from top to toe.
    I'm so sorry that you lost your earring. It's so sad when you lose something precious. As you say though, at least you'll have this gorgeous set of photographs to remember them by.

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    1. Thank you very much! It was quite the bummer for sure, especially since I particularly loved this pair, but it's not the end of the world and I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled for a similar nickel-free pair somewhere (if it wasn't for my pesky nickel allergy, I bet I could find similar ones either online or off in a matter of hours).

      Thanks again for your lovely comment - have a stellar weekend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  34. God, that's hot. It is also very hot weather in south france (even now it is around 27 - 32)
    I don't like when it's too hot, I never know what to wear... I went in Scotland at the beginning of september, it was the perfect weather!
    You look great, as always!

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