Friday, January 4, 2013

Sew What?! A 1950's Starlet Ensemble

Do you ever crash parties?  Do you ever plan to crash a party and then realize the day prior to the event that you were actually invited to the party and now you have to plan something to wear because the pressure increase in the paradigm shift between party crasher and party guest is like that of being thrust from the crest of wave to the very depths of the ocean floor?  Why, when it comes to the same exact party, is it so refreshingly simple to be a party crasher and so stressful being formally included?  For Mr. Tiny, the answer to that question can best be answered by his sponsor at Neurotics Anonymous - for which he has yet to find a regular group due to the problematic design schemes/chair arrangements and snack options at the meetings.

The above situation, as described in question number two, happened during our recent seasonal celebrations and left me scrambling for something to wear that was appropriate for a formal, adult, cocktail party.  It easy easy to see why we would have missed the invitation; we never drink cocktails, we rarely act like adults, and our usual concerns lean most definitely toward the informal.  If you're Mr. Tiny, options are decidedly limited.

Amber & Mr. Tiny
You can see that left with little time and precious few options, Mr. Tiny was forced
 down the Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous route - silk ascot and navy blazer.
Formal? Not really - unless it's for shipboard drinks on Thurston Howell's yacht.

If you're Mary, on the other hand, you will no doubt have an ideal ensemble (handcrafted by Mr. Tiny several years ago that you have NEVER worn before).  I guess it's true; what's old is new again - for the sartorially spoiled!

Mary & Amber
I like to think of this as an All About Eve moment...hahahaha!
It seemed to me that Mary's outfit was fitting of a young starlet
with aspirations.

Mary's party ensemble consists of a pencil skirt with
asymmetrical peplum and matching, lined bolero.
The vintage material for the skirt and bolero was inherited from
our centenarian neighbor; it has an ivory ground with slubs of
metallic threads.  Her blouse was purchased at the 99 Cents
Only Store - no joke!  Her matching brooch and earrings are
heirloom jewelry that belonged to our great-grandmother

While I was a little disappointed that Mary waited years to wear this outfit, I am glad that she remembered to bring it out of moth balls for the occasion (she actually got a chance to wear it again when she played a few songs in an opening set for Wanda Jackson!!!).  To be perfectly honest, even I had forgotten that I had ever made the darned thing.  The party was lovely, the host and hostess were gracious, and the guests were quite clever and extremely talented.  Now that I think about it, I am still not entirely sure that we were invited to a party of that caliber...

Now that we have begun a new year, it might seem regressive to reflect on the festivities of last year.  Nevertheless, we ask, did you crash any awesome parties?  More importantly, does a formal invitation change your attitude of dress?  However you party, we hope you did it in haute wacky tacky style!


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

19 comments:

  1. WOW, Mary's ensemble is exquisite!!!!!!!! Happy New Year!!

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  2. "Peplum" always makes me giggle. But just a little of it, with nutmeg, would be really good right now.

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    1. I never had the stuff. We had to rely on Cheerios.

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  3. Wow! For two people who really don't like "formal" - you step out quite smartly!!! Mary's outfit is FABulous and she indeed looks like a starlet. The Starlet and the Yachtsman ... coming soon to a cinema near you ...!!!

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    1. Hahaha..it sounds like a B-picture at best! Thanks RS!!! Happy New Year!

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  4. 99 cent store?!? Amazing. Great job Chris! Mary, you look like Grace Kelly!

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    1. Thanks TC!!! You never know what you'll find at the 99 cents store. We're always on the lookout!

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  5. How smartly you and Mary clean up!
    There is something wonderfully entrancing about a formal invitation. Now more than ever in an age of text, and Facebook event pages. At the Casablanca we send out very formal invitations for two of our four parties each year. The first being our Annual Spring Break Dance. Its the one time of year our friends and members are required to dress to the nines and turn every head in the "Hillbilly Hamlet" where the Casablanca is located. (Before we came along the thought of someone wearing a Tux or and Evening gown to Lake Diversion was nothing short of absurd!) The group picture from that party is always my favorite. (As we grow and get fancier it makes us look classy and prosperous.) I never fret receiving a formal invite, because I have a signature "look" of black pants, patten leather loafers and white shirt with a white tuxedo jacket and black bow tie.
    The Second party is our Costume Ball the invitations always read "Your Presence is Requested" I think its a wonderfully Vincent Price/Macabre way of saying "Please come to our party!"

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    1. As fearful as I am, I think formal invitations and parties are imperative to keep us on our mettle. One of these days, we're going to crash one of your parties and take notes on how it is supposed to be done. Your parties sound great!

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    2. Crash?! We would LOVE to have you guys come to one of our parties, It would be a honor. Someday Mr.Tiny, some not so distant day!

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  6. Mr.Tiny, you are so funny & TALENTED! That is so cool that you got the fabric for Mary's dress from your 100 year old neighbor! I love the dress & she looks gorgeous. Do you ever make dresses for money? I would pay you to make me a pink glittery western wiggle dress. You look handsome in your get up! Happy New Year.

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    1. There is far too much pressure in sewing for pay; Mary just takes what i give her and is allowed no complaint. Hahahaha!!! Thanks and Happy New Year to you too!

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  7. You make such wonderful outfits! Looks like a fun party! :)

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  8. That is such an amazing outfit you crafted for her! I'd love to crash (or even legitimately attend) a party with you folks. We hosted a holiday cocktail party and a few days before I realized I don't even own cocktail party gear (likewise not being very adult nor formal), so I did my best with a green wool dress, red shoes and a red hostess apron. I figured the holiday matchy matchy would make up for the lack of 'cocktailness'. ;)

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    1. Thanks Tasha! You are always invited to our shindigs. If you and Mel ever find yourselves in our neck of the woods, we will throw a real windindger! I'll bet you looked just perfect in your holiday duds!

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  9. Mr. Tiny, could you please email me?! It is URGENT!

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    1. I emailed the address that came up on your profile; I hope that worked.

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