One. Quilts
Patchwork quilts. Clothes made from patchwork quilts. Anything patchwork. I can’t get enough. The image above is of a beautiful Seven Sisters pattern quilt I was able to find for $5 at the thrifts. It needs some loving care to fix a few rips, but it’s so lovely. I’ve found another patchwork quilt that I love (mixed plaids!) but I’m still looking for my Holy Grail: Ralph Lauren’s vintage (80s) patchwork clothing.
Two. This outfit
It’s Ralph Lauren, of course. It so perfectly encapsulates the Historian avatar of 2022. I don’t wear berets, but I am almost tempted to try. I’ve talked a lot lately about my preferred skirt length, and this is a perfect example of what my current ideal. I think it was a fairly popular style in the 90s, so I am keeping an eye out for them at the thrift stores. I am probably rather late to this game, as 80s and 90s items are starting to become more and more rare, but better late than never. In coming years, I expect thrift stores will be completely overrun with fast fashion … but that is a story for another time.
Three. Neoclassical
I am still in full nesting mode, and thinking a lot about interior design. I’ve started watching home & garden type shows again (a change of pace from murder mysteries) and it’s interesting to see the design trends as well as “average” people’s decorating choices. I can safely say that my (and my husband’s) taste is something of an outlier, which I am okay with. Seeing very different houses and design aesthetics doesn’t make me question mine, but it does help me look upon it with a more critical eye which is helpful for refining my aesthetic. Interior design is a lot like fashion in that sense.
Four. Iris season
It snowed again last week. I am so tired of this weather seesaw. As much as I am enjoying this sartorial season of wool blazers and skirts, sweaters, leather, and all the layers, I also long for summer. I want my garden to be green and blooming again. I want to see my irises. Since we are not planning any travel until the late summer, for now I have to be content with waiting and looking at other people’s images of spring.
Five. A moat!
A couple of weeks ago, I posted some stories on IG from a book of English interiors. One of them was taken at Eltham Palace in London, which is open to the public. One of my friends who lives in London decided to visit, and sent me some more photos of the grounds – including this amazing moat. So dreamy! I have no desire to live in a castle (or even a very large mansion) but I kinda want to have a moat.
Amazing that you found that lovely quilt for $5 – I really like the color scheme. (Thrifting near me doesn’t contain such gems, or at least not without far more effort than I’m going to put into it). I love the softness of the cotton on those old quilts.
And I can say with certainty (i.e. experience) that that skirt length and style was quite popular in the 90s 🙂
I know, and I keep hoping that I will find more pieces from the 90s but they’re becoming vanishingly rare.
That is such a gorgeous quilt, the colors and the pattern, all wonderful! I have a massive collection of old fabric pieces (tshirts, things I loved) that I’ve always wanted to turn into a quilt, but alas, my sewing machine sits gathering dust in storage. Always afraid to mess it up and then have “ruined” these precious pieces of fabric. Ah, the dilemma!
I wish thrifting was better (or just, available) here, because something like your star one would be a delightful alternative!
I feel so lucky to have found it. The skill that went into making it is something I definitely don’t possess. I’m just too intimidated by sewing machines. Which is too bad because I have so many things I would like to make.