The ‘WTF’ fabric….

I suspect that I have moments in charity shopping where afterwards, even I will go ‘WTF?!  Why did I just buy that?!’  I’m not sure whether someone slipped something a bit naughty in my coffee and then I wandered into the nearest charity shop and basically came out with this size 16, lo-ong button down skirt in what can only be described as the ‘WTF’ fabric.  It’s quilted.  It’s shiny.  It’s floral.  It’s the brightest colours that you can combine together.  All in all, you look at it and go ‘WTF?!?!?’ 

Actually, that would be awfully cruel of me to accuse someone of sneaking something in my coffee.  It was my own doing.  I take full flack.  I really looked at it and thought I could somehow do something with this monstrous fabric.  I stowed it away for the longest time to prevent it from blinding both my boyfriend and I.  Today, I just took it out, chopped it down and thought to myself ‘Hmmm…why don’t I just let the WTF-ness speak for itself and just let it do its thang….?’

I didn’t cut it too short and I didn’t belt it in.  I just let it be and somehow…some way… and this could be my own brain that is sloshing about with too much mulled wine… it doesn’t look too horrific?  Elevated by some ankle boots, toned down with a tux and dulled down with heaps of grey…my word… I might even be able to bring myself to go swishing down the streets in it without fear of small children in the streets pointing at it and laughing themselves silly….

54 comments

  2. ay ay, I’m not sure how to describe this.. Let’s name it… funny?. Unlike D’Rae, I’d wear it on skin. Sorry, I take it back; I wouldn’t wear it. Only you could pull this one off! ;D

  4. I’m completely prepared for some of you to have the desire to come over to London and hit me on the head with a hammer whilst shaking my shoulders saying ‘What are you doing woman!?!?’

  6. I think it looks rather fab as a dress with the black jacket and shoes! sometimes you really have look at things creatively!

  8. It looks fab on you! I like all three, but I would recommend for the last one either get rid of the gray tights or the gray shirt… one or the other but together its too much gray.

  10. LOVE! No wtf here! Fabric is wonderful! I would snatch that up in a heart beat! Looks fab!
    Love from mpls!

  13. so balenciaga spring 08! i like the idea of quilting structure into drapey fabric. love the vivacious print.

  15. i love it with the black jacket…but if you don’t get up the nerve, you can always make it in to a throw pillow.

  16. I really like it, it’s a great dress all on its own… I think the WTF factor has a huge charm. And the colors and sheen are somewhat mesmerizing.

  17. Oh, dear, that’s something my mother would have bought during the maxi skirt phase of 1971, for “hostessing” bridge parties with the neighbors, and do note this kind of faux pu-pu Hawaiian chrysthanthemum print that was popular at the time, something I think I am going to have to write about and link back to, just because there are more out there like it. Lurking in Indiana somewhere.
    Susie, that’s your Trader Vic’s skirt. It worked with the gray.

  19. it’s an awesome skress [skirts that are better as dresses…] i’d still hem it though and i’m not so sure about the faux balenciaga ankle boots with this one. it has potential though, i feel like u should play around with it a little.

  21. wao it looks great in grey! how do u have that much imagination?! really impressive, as per usual really…

  25. I LOVE IT. I really don’t like the V hem (I hate V hems- reminds me of those handkerchief style backless tops that were popular around 1999- 2000) but I REALLY like it teamed with the grey and the black jacket.

  26. Hi Susie Bubble,
    First of all, I would like to tyhank you for your great insights you share on this blog. I really enjoy reading them everyday. I have a question, I have a dress up party coming up, the theme is 1920s, I am not a fashion expert at all and wonder if you could give some suggestions of what to wear??? Thank you so much! Wish you have a good christmas and happy new year!

  27. It looks cute with the jacket. I can’t say I love the gray too much though. Nice job on pulling it off.

  29. As always, you do it justice, Susie.
    Love it best with the gray. 😀

  30. I like it best worn as a dress with the black boots and tux jacket. It has personality, a lot of it. I see why you gave in to it.

  31. Wow! it was horrible as a skirt, but it looks LOVELY as a dress! I would definately wear something like that (as a dress, I mean). I like it best on its own, just with ankle boots. Maybe you could wear it to a new years eve party? or maybe it’s not crazy enough for that 😉

  32. The colorful prints look kinda similar to Balenciaga’s new collection..lucky you!!!
    Btw, wear it with grey, but lose the tights I guess….:)

  33. I love the quilting on it.
    On a side note, I know you’re about 5ft 7″ but you look so dinky! So Cute!

  36. whoah! WTF-BALENICAGA-par-NICOLAS-GHESQUIERE. i suppose from now on i’m gonna envy your flea-charity-skills.
    congrats to florals on acid.
    btw i know it may sound crazy, but did you ever think of wearing it upside down. u can fix it with a belt or some kind of bra on the top so it would give some volume on the hips and make you look like wearing a present wrapping. and down the hips it would be very tiny making it look very baloony. maybe you could try and let us know, non?
    and some kind of layering would be perfect for that too. maybe something transparent underneath. the whole candy wrapping theme would be freakishly haute.
    have fun!!

  37. Susie, you look fantastic. My favourite pairing of the fabric is with your black jacket, though (is it the one you bought at the Lanvin sale?)- it subdues the colours and yet helps them ‘pop’ at the same time- I know that makes no sense, but it’s how it seems to me.

  39. It looks great with all the grey! I think it would also look nice belted btw 🙂

  41. I think with the black it pops too much for this season. But it makes a fantastic statement when paired with the soft gray colors and textures. It’s lovely irony.

  43. By itself, it is godawful. With the greys, it actually, miraculously, works quite well. Since that “dress” is already such a loud statement, you should probably pair it with things that are not quite as loud. I must applaud you for making it work, however. If I came across that skirt, it would’ve been the last thing on my mind to purchase.

  44. wow it’s truly miu miu meets balenciaga. love it on you. tres cool.

  45. hahaha….i actually think it looks great on you. very summery… and tropical…makes me want to get a drink.

  46. You clever clever crazy girl. You make that Van-Gogh-on-acid flower print look sleek and TODAY. If that is the future of fashion, I think I might be ready to take the plunge. I love it with the black. 😀

  47. It’s certainly created a strong reacion – good or bad…. thanks so much for reacting…. it is one of those fabrics isn’t it, where you really can’t NOT say something about it….
    Advice taken about losing the grey tights….
    Seems like it’s equally weighted between wearing it with the black tux and the grey… I’ll definitely experiment more with this one…
    Suzanna: That is EXACTLY what how this skirt originated me thinks….
    Blosson: As comfortable as a duvet…
    Natalie: I don’t know where you’re based but you can really go all out with a 1920’s theme and go the whole hog with a heavy beaded drop waisted dress either from your local vintage shop or eBay or the like… or if you don’t want to do the whole shebang… anything drop waisted, sheer and perhaps accessorized with a feather/lace headband and a faux fur stole will do.
    DUDBLANK: Ideas, ideas, ideas…. you have got my mind cogitating…
    Dru: That is indeed the Lanvin tux…
    I didn’t even pick up the Miu Miu/Balenciaga associations but I guess looking at it…it is neon floral-esque…

  48. It reminds me alot of a see by chloé dress that i plan on buying. Only difference is that yours is shorter.
    Cheers!

  50. Hello.
    I like the skirt best when you wear it with the jacket as well.
    I feel when you wear something underneath it (top-wise), it’s more noticeable that it’s actually a skirt.
    Great colours! I hope you’ll be keeping it.

  54. That is definitely a dress that would make me think, “WTF?” But the way you’ve paired it with that black jacket and the “heaps of grey” turn it into something quite fashionable – something that I’d have to be half an idiot not to consider wearing.

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