like that
I recently had one of those formal-ish occasions where I had to dress up and also keep the tattoo on my back hidden. This is always a bit of a pain since you can usually see it peeking up at the nape of most tops and dresses and on this occasion I was really at loss for a while as to what to wear, before I was hit by a flash of inspiration in the form of Clemence Poésy as pictured above. I have a cream silk shirt that would hide my tattoo nicely, and with some tailored trousers and a cuff for a dressier touch, I had the perfect outfit for a conservative evening out.
It worked out quite well; I felt very much myself and I got to break in my new heels. You can't see in the picture here but the shirt is actually too short to tuck in fully so I left it untucked at the back, doing my best to channel a Paris Voguette.
I like this outfit so much that I'm going to pack it along for a business trip next week, since it features the same type of semi-formal occasion with conservative strangers. This way I need not pack a dress that I will only wear once and the trousers easily work throughout the trip. More on packing later...
Picture of Clemence Poésy from vogue.fr
Comments
Turns out this is exactly what I happen to be wearing today since we're having a rare cooler day, there's no meetings on the agenda and a few new silk shirts just arrived from my tailor.
Ammu: Thank you! Really happy with the shoes since they didn't bite my feet at all!
Joy: I've loved that picture ever since I saw it. And yep, I do, it's mostly hidden.
M: That's a very nice thing to say, and thank you!
Pret a Porter P: Thanks. I'm just relieved to be comfortable.
Aissa: Thanks! Rare does "polished" describe my look.
Xannie Nguyen: Thanks!
Lindsay K: Thanks! It's funny that when I dress up it reaches the level of your more "everyday" outfits - it is exactly the samwe with my sisters!
editor: Thanks, and indeed I was very comfortable and relaxed, which is good for work functions.
Eileen: Thanks! Every now and then I do scrub up a bit....
miss sophie: Thanks. And yes that is my reissue 2.55!
Maja H: I actually rarely wear my silk shirt because I find cotton more practical for everyday, and I was feeling like it was a bit of a waste of money, but I've totally changed my mind now that I realised there's a very good use for them.
petrichore: Thanks!
Kate: Thank you! Yes, I think I would have still looked too casual in flats for the crowd..
Chocolate, Cookies and Candy: Thanks! The shirt is from Sykes Silks, which I bought with a hefty discount, and it was a good thing too because worhmanship-wise it's not worth the full price! The fabric is very very gorgeous though, very matte silk of a good weight. The trousers are old Zara, my favourite pair when I was working at a more corporate workplace. Zara doesn't make pants that fit me any more!
http://herribbonsandherbows.blogspot.co.uk/
Lapindelune: Thanks! I find that if clothes don't fit perfectly I don't wear them because they make me feel self-conscious.
I also hate buying clothes or accessories for a one off occasion. I'm attending a wedding later in September and I'm already trying to figure out what dress and shoes I'll recycle from my wardrobe...