I have an inexplicable fear of cheese. Give me a lump of cheese and I would literally recoil in disgust. Add the word ‘cloth’ at the end though, and my interest is perked. Having recently resurrected some cheesecloth (read gauze or muslin) skirts and tops, I have discovered that it’s the perfect material for the summer heat. Instead of exposing as much flesh as possible, the way to keep cool is to wear this material in a loose, billowing fit. Some may turn their noses up at it because of it’s 2005 boho associations but in the right cut and with the right accessories, no one needs to look like a Sienna Miller-wannabe. Here are some eBay options (excuse bad cutting and pasting – I’ve been forced to use Paint…..) and visit vintage stores too as they usually have this fabric in abundance at this time of year.
(From left to right, top to bottom) Hippy embroidered Indian Blouse // 1970’s Linz Age of Aquarius Dress // Blue and White Cotton Sundress // 1970’s White Cotton Blouse with Red Embroidery // 1960’s Yellow Cheesecloth Dress // 1970’s Mexican Cheesecloth Sundress
gauze sounds SOOO much better than cheesecloth. i recoil as well 🙂
Any suggestion on wearing them without looking too boho or hippie? I’m in love with this type of fabric and have tons of gauzy tops but i’m at a loss when i have to wear the ones like the 70’s top with red embroidery.
Zarbi: With the tops, I think the simplest way to wear them is with some very dark denim, skinny or boy-cut jeans. Or contrast them with tailoring like pencil skirts and leather flats to avoid that overly-casual boho look. I would wear that 70’s red embroidered top with a twill cotton box-cut denim skirt in red.
The other thing is to keep accessoring to a minimum if at all. Definitely no leather low slung belts or any jewellery that would suggest boho-associations. Contrast the softness of the fabric with neat leather pumps as opposed to jewelled sandals. Wear tailored trenches or blazers over the tops and dresses as well.
Hope this helps!