Frills and Lace

how to wear frills over 50

Out of my comfort zone: frills and lace

This is me, facing my childhood traumas head on. Well, some of them. I’m talking about frills, of course.

When I was a little girl I was dressed in cute frilly dresses on a daily basis. I think there were very few outfits without full-on frills, ruffles or at least some sort of a lace border. My mother certainly went out of her way to prove the old cliché about new mothers wanting to dress their daughters like pretty, little dolls… And I suppose I didn’t really have a problem with that, either; as I recall, I was the ultimate girly-girl. When I wasn’t wearing my own little frilly outfits, I was playing dress up in my mother’s old petticoats and frilly negligees…

elegance revisited

elegance revisited

But then I turned into an angry teenager, with a preference for jeans and a studded leather jacket… And since then I’ve had a bit of an aversion towards anything frilly or lacy.

Well, there were a few experiments with the New Romantic off-the-shoulder tops in the 80’s, and the anything-goes-as-long-as-it’s-trendy fashion school phase, of course… But mostly my outfits tend to be streamlined and simple.

stripes and frills

ballerina flats

over 50 blogger

But then I saw this skirt…

And I just had to get it. It makes no sense. Frills and lace, the two things I usually avoid like the plague, and I just couldn’t resist…

Well, I have worn a lace pencil skirt on the blog before, so maybe this didn’t come totally out of the blue…

Anyway, the skirt is navy, not black, and I thought it would look fabulous with a linen Breton top (of course).

And where did I wear this outfit? Well, first to work (notice the rather heavy tote bag I’m carrying…), and then to dinner after work.

poncho

Outfit details:

skirt: Zara / t-shirt: Zara / shoes: Clarks / Bag: Furla / 

sunglasses: Marimekko / poncho: Marja Kurki

location: restaurant Saaristo (Klippan, Helsinki) 

How do you wear frills and / or lace?

Tiina

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26 Comments

  1. Natalia Lialina
    4 September 2016 / 8:48 pm

    It's just beautiful, Tiina. Love your sunglasses too! And what precious photos of you as a child, such a lovely girl! I am also not big on lace and frills, though I appreciate it on others and experiment myself from time to time as well. I am glad that you acted on your impulse! You look happy wearing this outfit!

    • Tiina L
      7 September 2016 / 5:33 pm

      Thanks, Natalia. I really, really like this skirt, and I'm happy I got it. Yes, I don't really like frills and lace, but I suppose there's an exception to every rule…

  2. Patti
    4 September 2016 / 9:40 pm

    You look wonderful in your new skirt, Tiina! And I really enjoyed the pics of you as a wee girl. It's fun to change up our personal style every now and then! xox-Pattihttp://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • Tiina L
      7 September 2016 / 5:33 pm

      Thanks, Patti. I guess we could say that I'm revisiting my childhood here, in a way.

  3. Shybiker
    5 September 2016 / 4:20 am

    It's funny how you were dressed in frills and lace and disliked it as a child. I was prevented from wearing those clothes and hated that. Too bad we weren't switched at birth. 🙂

    • Tiina L
      7 September 2016 / 5:36 pm

      I didn't mind frills and lace as a child. I was quite a girly-girl, a real little princess: I loved pretty dresses and playing dress up. Maybe I got an overdose of sorts?

  4. Jill James
    5 September 2016 / 7:28 am

    I know what you mean about frills , but this skirt looks wonderful on you. The striped top works so well and takes away the little girl look. Sweet photos of the little Tiina too.

    • Tiina L
      7 September 2016 / 5:37 pm

      I guess there's a way to wear frills for everyone, even me. And anything looks good with stripes.

  5. Nancy's Fashion Style
    5 September 2016 / 7:58 am

    I think this is the most beautiful picture of you I have seen!The one after the childhood pictures! It could be in a magazine! I think, without knowing you really, this is you! You are looking absolute beautiful!

    • Tiina L
      7 September 2016 / 5:39 pm

      Thank you Nancy! That's so sweet of you. Actually, I wasn't sure if I should post any of these pictures as the light wasn't so good (we took the pictures just before sunset)…

  6. No Fear of Fashion
    5 September 2016 / 10:18 am

    Looks really good on you, this skirt. See? Sometimes we have to reevaluate old "rules". Love the pictures of your youth.Greetje

    • Tiina L
      7 September 2016 / 5:40 pm

      I totally agree. This is the 'grown-up Tiina' version of frills and lace.

    • Tiina L
      7 September 2016 / 5:41 pm

      Thank you, that's so sweet of you to say that!

  7. Jessica Jannenga
    6 September 2016 / 11:28 pm

    oooH! I love the lace and the layers of frill gorgeous in navy! I wear lace pencil skirts, shift dresses etc. I love the shape of those pretty red flats too and loved hearing about what you wore as a little girl! I remember polyester pants!Thanks for linking up with Turning heads tuesdayjess xxwww.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • Tiina L
      7 September 2016 / 5:45 pm

      Thanks, Jess! This outfit is a bit out of my comfort zone. Well, lace and frills are out of my comfort zone, but I think I managed to make this outfit suit my own style.Oh yes, polyester pants, I remember those, too.

  8. Coco
    7 September 2016 / 2:52 pm

    I love the nautical vibes of this look! Thank you so much for joining my link up, I appreciate it!! Baci, Valeria – Coco et La vie en rose NEW FASHION POST

    • Tiina L
      7 September 2016 / 5:46 pm

      Thank you. Yes, nautical is what I was going for. And the photos were taken on an island…

  9. jodie filogomo
    8 September 2016 / 12:54 pm

    See…and I was just the opposite—I hated frills & ruffles as a kid!But now…I think they are fun!I especially love the red flats with this—very classy!jodiewww.jtouchofstyle.com

    • Tiina L
      8 September 2016 / 3:20 pm

      Yes, they are fun. In small doses 😉

  10. Alice Warren
    9 September 2016 / 3:26 am

    I love these pictures of your younger days and your great skirt today!Thank you for being a part of TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you soon! Alicewww.happinessatmidlife.com

    • Tiina L
      9 September 2016 / 3:25 pm

      Thanks, Alice.

  11. Anonymous
    9 September 2016 / 10:18 am

    Beautiful pictures, I love this black skirt so much!Alnishttp://alnisfescherblog.com

    • Tiina L
      9 September 2016 / 3:28 pm

      Thanks! The skirt is actually navy blue. Navy is sort of 'my version' of black. It's very dark, but a bit softer and gentler on my skin than black.

  12. Susan R
    9 September 2016 / 4:17 pm

    Wow this is a great outfit for work and then dinner out. It is perfect for that type of day. I'd call it elegant, and casual, but dressed up.

    • Tiina L
      9 September 2016 / 4:24 pm

      Thanks, Susan. That's actually quite a good definition, exactly what I was going for.

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