Dress Rehearsal

      

I suppose you could call it being in denial but today is the first time I've put any thought into what I'm going to wear at Mum's funeral tomorrow. As I've mentioned before Mum was exceptionally glamorous so I simply have to honour her memory by pulling out all the stops. I'll be in no state to be blogging tomorrow so I thought I'd share my outfit with you a day early.

My hair's just done roughly and I will make more of an effort with make-up with full-on smoky eyes, false lashes and lashings of waterproof mascara.

The jet and feather hairsticks and silver monogrammed brooch are both inherited from my maternal Great-Grandmother. The earrings were a pressie from a friend.

The antique mourning jacket is another family heirloom, it dates from around 1870 and belonged to my maternal Great-Great Grandmother. The main part is of midnight blue taffeta edged with black velvet and covered bone buttons. The bustle is trimmed with jet tassels.

This jacket would have been worn during the Victorian period of half-mourning. Widows officially mourned for two-and-a-half years and then entered a period of half-mourning when they introduced colours other than black into their wardrobes. Mourning was popularised in 1861 following the death of Prince Albert.

This dress is quite short but Mum always reckoned my legs were my best feature and encouraged me to wear outrageously cut clothing to show off my figure.

I found the elbow length gloves at a jumble sale.

The Art Deco bag is leather with a chrome stylised clasp, it belonged to my Great Aunt Florence who passed away in the 1930's and has a black and white photo tucked inside of her wearing it on a day out.

Thanks to everyone of you whose been kind enough to send such touching messages of friendship and support during the last two weeks. It really means so much.

Vix

xxx