Jaci Dawn

I’ve been putting together a little outfit over the past few months. it’s rather frumpy and retro, but it’s also something I’m excited about. I may even wear it to something other than a cosplay event, although my inspiration was “Dot” on “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” crossed with “Mrs. McCarthy” of the “Father Brown” series. Different eras, I know. I think I ended up more Mrs. McCarthy, but that’s quite alright.

I picked up the dress for $6.99 and the hat for $3.95 at two different stops, but on the same day last summer when out and about “thrifting” with friends. The dress will require that I move the buttons a bit (my middle no longer sports a waist), but it’s entirely doable with minimal trouble. The hat is absolutely vintage velveteen GORGEOUS.

I love that hat! I love that it fits my small head – hats rarely do!

I found this purse a few months later when exploring a new thrift store in town. It was love at first sight, but I needed an excuse to buy it. $8, never been used that I can tell, vintage style, large enough to use as an overnight bag, flashy, and just generally outrageous. The lining isn’t torn, stained, or worn. It has pockets upon pockets. It’s just the right amount of gaudy to go with that dress, don’t you think?

Today, I finished it off; all I needed were a classic pair of pumps to wear, somewhat practical and low-heeled.

Enter the last casualty of Internet shopping: Payless for Shoes. They started their clearance sales today, and I – with many other patrons – arrived at opening time. I spent a lot of time trying on shoes (I have funny shaped feet: need wide shoes, but can sometimes make do with not wide shoes, wear a 7.5(US) but can sometimes switch it up to an 8. 20% off wasn’t doing it for me, but these had a flat price of $25 on them (regular $39.99) which made them even cheaper than the 20% off sale.

I’ve no idea when or where I will wear this outfit (after I move those darn buttons on the dress), but I do think it’s splendid. Only the hat is actually vintage, but the whole thing cost less than $44.

Last, there was a bonus on the dress. An unusual pin.

I’m not familiar with the symbol. It’s not Masonic. It does appear to be religious. Any ideas out there?