I feel a bit like Joe Friday in this outfit.
The detective hat, handcuffs, drab color. Maybe not the hot pink belt, but you get the idea.
Even though this dress is a drab color, it is still a fun little number. It is pretty unassuming from the front, but the deep V in the back adds an interesting twist.
A vintage menswear hat {with notes from the previous owners!} and handcuff necklace thicken the plot.
Throw in some unusual, er… for me usual, suspects like crazy tights and shoes and you have just upped the drama of this mystery.
Speaking of mysteries…
As I was researching my hat to determine its age, I discovered some writing under the brim.
Turns out my hat was a gift to Harold H. Johnson of La Crosse, WI, from Hjalmar and Helen Johnson of Waterloo, IA. It even has their street addresses!
Naturally, this piqued my curiosity. I thought I could do a little detective work and track down Harold. You know, discover the story behind the hat.
So far the internet has turned up very little information. It looks like I may have to do some real life sleuthing to solve this mystery.
- Hat {The Antique Center}
- Necklace {Amazon
}
- Dress {ModCloth
}
- Belt {Target}
- Tights {Target}
- Shoes {purchased locally at KICK} {also available at Endless.com
& Amazon.com
}
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
You always have the cutest legwear! I love a good hat or two or 25! I have quite the collection, new and vintage. They are so much fun to wear.
Yeah, I’m not sure which one I have more of hats or tights. I’m addicted to both!
♥ RJ
loving this outfit, those tights and shoes are so gorgeous! just my cup of tea! and how sweet is the notes in the hat… i love finding details of previous owners, it makes vintage pieces even more special!
First that dress looks so comfortable and of course the shoes are amazing! But the note in the hat brim…well, I had a grandmother that wrote her name on everything (wicker baskets, chair backs, everything) when she was older and paranoid. I’m thinking Grandma was maybe onto something!
Rebecca, I love this dress! You look amazing in it.
I’d love to order from Modcloth, but I’m concerned about the size. Would you be willing to share details of how this fits? True to size, small, or what? I’m always right between a small and medium, so unsure…
Thanks for any help you can provide!
No problem, Marcia. I too, am always between a small and medium.
I ordered the small. I am just under 5’5″ tall and weigh 125-130 pounds. I have a 34/36B bust, 25 inch waist and 38 inch hips. The dress is certainly snug, but not tight. The arms are a little tight on me, but it’s that way with everything. It has a high waist, hitting just under the bust. ModCloth’s description states that the dress is 33 inches long for a small and 34 inches for the medium. I normally shy away from anything under 35 inches long, but am not self-conscious in this dress. Although I wouldn’t suggest bending over too far in front of company. Bend at the knees! You can see that it does hit several inches above my knee and I’m not tall by any means. It is really comfortable and stretchy. I wear it with a longline strapless bra. The deep V in the back and wide cut of the neckline show regular bra straps. I like how basic it is, making it an easy piece to pair with many different accessories. I have worn it several times now, styled differently each time. It’s a great piece to throw on and go. I definitely recommend it!
♥ RJ
Thanks so much — very, very helpful! I’m gonna order!
Those shoes are fun!
Part of the fun of vintage is imagining who owned it before you, right?
SO CUTE! I love the hat and tights! I don’t think I could RAWK the tights but you sure did!