Wednesday 2 June 2010

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

38 comments:

  1. You look lovely, thoughts are with you :)

    G x

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  2. you look stunning, my love. the mourning jacket is so beautiful, the detail on the back is lovely. you really do have great legs, you keep showing them off :)

    i hope tomorrow goes well, i'll be thinking of you.

    love, jazzabelle. x

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  3. That is a perfect outfit for your mother's funeral. Just knowing how completely gorgeous and fabulous she was, I have NO DOUBT she would approve with a big smile.

    You look amazing and elegant. That jacket is breathtaking and could not be any more appropriate.

    I hope the funeral goes well sweetie. Lots of hugs from me to you! xoxoxo

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  4. You look wonderful. And you obviously come from a long line of fabulously stylish and elegant women.
    Best wishes for tomorrow and always.
    Jenni

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  5. Oh Vix you look absolutely stunning - the perfect glamorous look for a funeral. You'll do your mum proud, you really will.

    The heirloom pieces are just stunning.

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  6. Perfect outfit - hope everything goes as well as it can tomorrow.

    Lola34

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  7. The jacket is really very elegant and so appropriate. You look very chic:-) Best wishes for tomorrow..

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  8. You look amazing :) I love your jacket!

    Hope all goes okay tomorrow. Your mam would be proud :D

    *hugs*
    x x x x

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  9. You look stunning, as always. Good luck for tomorrow. Much love to you. Lynda xxx

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  10. Your outfit looks as perfect as it sounded when you described it. You will be doing your Mum proud!

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  11. You'll do your Mum proud.

    Hope all goes well tomorrow - I shall be thinking of you xx

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  12. I'm sure your mother was always proud to see what an elegant, amazing daughter she raised!
    xoxo

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  13. Stunning, just perfect!
    I will be thinking of you tomorrow.
    (((((hugs galore))))
    Kandi xx

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  14. I think it is amazing you have such a great family heritage in clothing. To have that touchstone with the past for your mom's funeral...--my thoughts and prayers will be with you tomorrow. I love how you are honoring your mom by dressing how she liked to see you dress! That is beautiful.

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  15. OMFG every detail is utterly divine!!All those wonderful heirlooms-just the sort of things I dream about!! I adore late victorian clothing...oooo,swoooooooon.....delicious!!!Your Mamma is gonna be smiling on you!You look totally beautiful,my dearest twin!!!
    LOVE HelgaXXX

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  16. Perfect. You look beautiful and so lovely that you are wearing so many family pieces. Wishing you slighty cooler weather for tomorrow and hope it goes well.
    VIcki xxx

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  17. You look incredible. What a wonderful outfit and a fitting tribute to your mum. I hope everything goes well tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you. xx

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  18. You look stunning. The outfit is very elegant and it also has a story to tell, which is very special. I loved all the details, the bag, the hair too. You'll do your mum proud.
    Hope it all goes well tomorrow, will be thinking of you.

    PS: I am such a fan of antique cloting and I am amazed with the condition of the jacket. Is impressive for such an old item. Is it fabulous!

    x

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  19. Your outfit is a stunning tribute to your mum and others who have passed before her. I shall be thinking of you tomorrow x

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  20. Vix, it's perfect. You look so elegant (as always) and it's a wonderful tribute to your mum. You'll do just fine, chick.
    Love Jaq x

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  21. This outfit is a perfect honor and tribute to your Mother. I will be sending my thoughts and air hugs to you as well. The story behind the jacket is so amazing. You are truly a romantic and love filled lady. I honestly can't imagine how difficult this must be, you are filled with grace xoxo

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  22. Dear Vix,
    You will be in my thoughts tomorrow!
    Lots of love,
    JEM
    ...xXx

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  23. So sorry for your loss. She must have been am amzing woman.

    Your outfit is absolutely appropriate and stunning rolled into one.
    XOX

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  24. Vix, I'm sure your mum will be looking down beaming with pride at her gorgeous, stylish and amazing daughter.
    I hope tomorrow goes aswell as possible, these times will be tough but we'll all be here whenever you need us. Take care, lotsa love. X xxx

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  25. You look absolutely gorgeous Vix, i'm sure your mum was very proud to have a wonderful daughter like you. I'm so sorry for your loss. *virtual hug*

    xxxxxx

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  26. It's a beautiful outfit, especially the jacket - love the detailing. I hope everything goes well for you!

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  27. I'm such a sucker for the victorian gothic look! black is my favorite color hahaa

    Anyways, this outfit is awesome. If i saw you on the street with this outfit on I would probably think you were the coolest person ever!

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  28. Such an amazing outfit, and I'm sure you'll do your mother proud with that glamour!

    Definitely a good idea to throw in the waterproof mascara. My thoughts are with you, my dear.

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  29. Your mum will be so proud of your utterly fabulous funeral attire. I simply cannot imagine you in a boring black suit - this is you to a tee. And the family stories behind each piece just make it all the more appropriate.

    I hope it goes as well as it can do tomorrow. Lots and lots of love, always. xx

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  30. Aw Vix. I hope today went as well as it possibly could, and admire your ability to stay glamorous and composed at such a difficult time. It certainly looks like you come from a long line of sylistas! xxx

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  31. This is such a special tribute to your mama. She will always be alive in your heart. This is a sentimental way to honour her. There is so much history behind each garment - thank you for sharing this private side of you with us, and don't worry about not blogging, we understand. X

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  32. I love this outfit for your mum's funeral - not only because it is special and individual and looks 'like you', but also because you have so many associations with the different pieces, so that it works as a connection between you and everything that's going on. (and I don't think you are in denial, it's just a terrible difficult thing to deal with, I would imagine, which can probably only be taken in bit by bit.) xxx

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  33. What a wonderful, elegant yet quirky and simply gorgeous homage to your mother and your ancestors!! As Sabine says, that connection and association is special.
    ...I too don't think you're in denial so much as concentrating on other things hon. Sometimes we need to 'shift focus' so that we can keep it together...

    xo

    ps. your Mum was right about your legs but they're just one of many best!

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  34. tres annees 50 j aime bcp !

    bonne journee ;O)

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  36. Hi there. Sorry to hear about your loss. The outfit is really amazing. The jacket is amazing. Love your blog :)

    inbugsdrawers.blogspot.com

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  37. Just catching up on blogs. You look just stunning, Vix, your mum would be so proud. How lovely to have so many family heirlooms to wear as well. Do hope it all went as well as can be expected. xxxxx

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  38. You look absolutely stunning. The jacket is truly incredible. I hope the day wasn't too traumatic for you xxx

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Lots of love, Vix