We'll Wear Again Grand Finale

The ladies from cultural institutions across Canberra got together today for a good ole fashioned clothes swapping at the Irish Club in Weston. It was our way to say good bye to Frocktober with a big she-bang and a last chance to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Research.

Many ladies (and a few gents) paid their $10 and came away with armfuls of clothes. The Gossips entertained us for the afternoon with some lovely jazz tunes, whilst we sipped bubbly at bar prices. Great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Many of us who bought along bags full of clothes broke our promises and ended up taking home some excellent items of clothing for a new lease of life.

Thank you to Eric Pozza from the Canberra Jazz blog for posting about We'll Wear Again and for the group shot of the clothes swap organisers. We raised over $400 all of which will go to Frocktober and Ovarian Cancer Research.

Day 31: Full circular skirt

Officially today is the last day I have to wear a frock. Libby and I helped out at a clothes swap called We'll Wear Again. The theme was 1940s as it was organised by The Darling Sisters who have done the mammoth task of wearing 1940s inspired clothing throughout Frocktober.This dress is probably more late 40s, early 50s in style, however I thought the style suited the day. It is a wrap dress with an extremely full skirt. Many times today I reenacted Marilyn Monroe over the steam vent, as the wind whipped up my many layers of frock. I came away with some excellent clothes including a gorgeous shirt dress (which I might wear tomorrow, even though I don't have to wear a dress), a pair of silver shoes, the little black cardigan I'm wearing in this photo and a pair of RetroSpec'd jeans.

The pattern on this dress is made up of circles within circles within circles... on a circular skirt. The pattern is very similar to a doona cover that Libby owns. Not sure what that says about my dress.

So what now? I think I have broken one of my best friends Libby with all this blogging business. I'm actually going to miss it, but seriously how boring would it be if I posted something like this on a daily basis...
Today I didn't leave the house. I sat on the couch watching dvd's and eating chocolate biscuits. I wore my Target trakky daks, my Threadless hoodie and red ugg boots.
Well, that's what I intend to do next weekend. I've enjoyed posting my daily songs for you to watch or listen to whilst reading my post. The final song for Frocktober is All Of Me sung by the amazing Ella Fitzgerald. This version was recording in 1984 in Italy and it is amazing. The Gossips performed it today and I think it sums up my Frocktober.
Thank you to everyone who supported Libby and myself throughout Frocktober. I raised just over $500, which is more than I could have ever expected.

Day 31: Fabulous 40s

Today is the last day of Frocktober and we celebrated with our 40s themed frocktober clothes swap. I got into the spirit in this beautiful frock lent to me by the ever-so-lovely Laura. I'd been waiting for the right occasion for this frock when I realised just how '40s' it could be. All it needed was some red lipstick and my mother's raccoon stole.

The great thing about a raccoon stole is after you've skinned the raccoon you can make a pie with what's left. So economical.

Now that Frocktober is finished I realise how much I'm going to miss it. Putting together an 'outfit' each day (as opposed to just getting dressed) is really fun. As is the funny smile you get from people who see you're overdressed but appreciate it. I think Frocktober has brought a lot of smiles to the faces of Canberrans. And more importantly, done a great service for Ovarian Cancer Research. Thanks to everyone who's supported us, checked our blog, tolerated my bad outfits and complimented the great ones. Together I think we have made a difference.

Day 30 - Almost there!

Due to technical difficulties (commenly known as 'Libby's incompetance) this post is super late. Sorry for the keen fans who are keeping careful notes.

Day 30 of Frocktober saw me with a bit of a hangover and almost a bad mood, I'm sorry to admit. But a dress with slits this high has to lift your spirits, right?!
Most of the day was spent watching Mad Men and eating dumplings. Which was pretty satisfactory. Wore this dress right through the day, because even though it's pretty slinky it's also super comfy. Jersey is very forgiving like that. And I love this sage green colour. If it suited me (which it doesn't) I would wear it every day.
In the evening Daniel and I went out to a blues gig at The Front in Lyneham, to see the charming Owen Campbell. If the dress didn't lift my spirits enough the banjo and turkish pide surely did!

Day 30: Lazy Saturday

I had the most beautiful brunch at a friends house this morning. It was such a lazy and warm Saturday in Canberra, we sat outside, eating amazing food, drinking coffee and picking flowers from their gorgeous garden. My lovely lady friends wore frocks to celebrate Frocktober with me and we all slightly matched in blue and red. We posed with the two poodle boys, Moscow and Manny. Moscow freshly clipped, Manny in need of a haircut.

One of the jobs I've done in the past is wedding photography, so we thought it'd be funny to replicate some wedding poses and traditions. This is as closest I'll ever become to being a bride. I've been bridesmaid three times for each of my sisters and you know how the saying goes...

We had to do the bouquet toss/scrag fight shot! It's a nice day for a White Wedding!

Day 29: Frocktoberfest

Libby and her housemates had a little housewarming Halloween party tonight. I decided to combine many of activities that are happening around town, including Octoberfest. I picked up this dirndl from an op shop in Yass for $9 and it is a bit of a classic.

One of my favourite groups from the early 90s is Kinderzimmer Productions. They are from Germany and mix hip hop and some interesting samples. Have a listen to Doobie.

Day 29: High tea with Nicole Kidman

My frock for today's high tea comes from Jamison Y buys. But before that it seems it was worn by Nicole Kidman in the film Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus. If you check out the film still above and my shots below I think you'll agree the resemblance is uncanny.

How the same dress - well, two versions of the same dress - could end up in such disparate locations is beyond me. But I have always said they have lovely garments at Jamison Y buys. Often older and/or handmade pieces. So I'd recommend checking them out next time you're in that neck of the woods.

Also, a detail of my 'high tea' ring - given to me by my sister. What a sister, huh?! Two of my favourite things - tea and rings - combined as one (also ladies in green dresses)!

Final frock up Friday

For the last work day of Frocktober we decided to have a morning tea to celebrate. Thank you so much to Rachael, Briony, George, Samantha and Matt for wearing a frock or tie and other such accessories.

Matt and Rachael in 1950s mode!

Day 28: All aboard the Polynesian Princess!

Welcome to tropical Canberra! I said I'd be bringing out the big guns as we head towards the end of Frocktober and this one is another highly flamable frock from the 1970s. It's so bright I hope your retina's are still in tact. I feel like I should be fronting a somewhat dubious covers band on a crusie ship, but the closest thing we have is a big lake with a paddlesteamer called the PS Enterprise.

I added the flower in my hair just for the photo and my photographer Almaz asked me to do a polynesian style dance. Too bad my poi from my childhood are no longer in one piece. When I was a youngster I hit myself in the head so many times whilst practising my moves. Lucky they were made of grass - the poi, not my head.

Song for today? How could I got past the Love Boat theme sung by Jack Jones.

Day 28 - Heidi

My family calls this my Heidi dress, because it looks a bit like something a German milk maid would wear. It's been to a lot of costume parties in its time - it's always a bit awkward having to admit your 'costume' has actually come out of your closet. My sister has always hated this frock for some reason (I think it's the bodice she find particularly offensive) but I think it's very fun. What's even more fun are the two cute rings with it. The love heart one is a beautiful glass one from the lovely Hannah. And the red one I got for myself as a Christmas present one year from Bilk in Queanbeyan. When I was with Hannah actually. I'm beginning to think Hannah might have something to answer for when it comes to my addiction to rings!

Day 27 - Old favourite part 2

Looks like Alison and I really are on the same wave length - since we were both in 50s style old favourites yesterday. Mine is a baby blue floral frock I got in a homewears store, of all places. They had a tiny rack of clothes in a corner and this dress was on it. I still remember the sales assistant saying 'it would be a shame not to own something that fit you so well'. That said, I met a woman in Darwin a few years ago with a very Joan from Mad Men figure who was wearing this exact dress and she looked INCREDIBLE in it. Since then I've always felt like I don't quite do it justice. But that hasn't stopped me and, like Alison's favourite, it goes everywhere with me, including a trip to Hawaii last year.

Day 27: Old favourite

This ensemble is a a bit of a favourite, especially when role playing as a 1950s housewife! This outfit is mainly about the shoes and the cardigan today, but the dress is another frock from my collection that features black broderie anglaise fabric with cream lining. The shoes are my sequined peep toe Keds which match my pale blue nana cardy perfectly. I added my A love heart brooch that my Aunty Alma gave me for my eleventh birthday, bless her sweet soul.
I've worn this outfit to numerous events including to see The Detonators at the Australian Blues Festival in Goulburn and to visit Rose Seidler House open day in Sydney.

The Detonators song for today's post is You Sexy Thing (a cover of the Hot Chocolate classic done in true rockabilly style) but have a little listen to their CD Top Night Out.

Day 26 - Traffic light

I am back in the land of the living. I will indeed proceed slowly and I am still coughing enough to send my poor colleagues scuttling away from me in fear. But at least I'm out of the house. To make up for my drab outfits for the past few days I've got one of my best and brightest frocks on today. A full length green silk one with a fishtail skirt. I picked it up at the Y-buys in Kingston. The bust is too big for me (story of my life) and I haven't yet finished taking it in. So the white shirt is to hide that fact and is also an attempt to make me look professional. I don't think I'll ever pull that one off though.

I don't know if you can see them but I'm also wearing my gorgeous bright blue ceramic earring from Portugal via Daniel. There used to be a rule that blue and green should never be seen. But what are rules for, if not breaking?

Sorry for the squinty eyes in the photo. I tell you, it was super bright and shiny out today.

Day 26: Snail Mail Suprise

I came home from Brisbane to find a parcel from my eldest sister which included this great 1960s frock. In her note she called it a mou-mou and although it is a little too big for me (no need to undo the zip to get it over my head) I'd hardly call it a mou-mou. It is an a-line number with a crazy amount of darts around the bust, which makes me think a lady with ample bosom must have worn this dress at some stage. And it goes so nicely with my green handbag and aqua shrug.

Driving home from the supermarket tonight I heard Green Onions by Booker T & The MG's on the radio. What a classic 60s tune to go with a classic green 60s dress!

Guys Wearing Ties

It seems the boys at another cultural institution in Canberra are getting a bit jealous of all the frocking up and have taken Frocktober head on with Guys Wearing Ties.

Fellow frocker Emma has documented the men of her work place in various ties and poses. Something makes me think they are making fun of us or maybe it's a case they just want to frock up too.

Day 25: Living in the 70's...

My friend Catharine gave me this lovely 1970s frock. Even though I hate brown, I love orange, the other colour from the 1970s. I had to wear my white petticoat (sticking out the botton of my dress) underneath as it is a little see through, but a girl can never have too many petticoats or slips. My mother taught me well and I have numerous vintage petticoats in my wardrobe. Plus this dress is a bit scratchy and I'm guessing highly flamable too. 100% polyester!

It goes so nicely with my orange Polka Luka bangle, which a bought a few years back. Not sure if they are still a Canberra based company, their jewellery is so good, I think they've got big in a big way!
I'm preparing for a World music program I host on community radio. To fit with the 70s theme of today, I decided to do a program of 1970s afrobeat and funk from Nigeria. Koola Lobitos was the band formed by Fela Kuti in the 1960s. How cool is the photo of the band!

Day 25 - Does a dressing gown count?

Does a dressing gown count as a dress? Because that's what I've been wearing for most of the day. As you can see from these drab photos I took, I'm still feeling under the weather - and I have to say it is draining my enthusiasm for frocking up.

But I had to duck down to the chemist for more supplies. And since the only people in Campbell who are allowed to go to the shops in their dressing gowns are the gorgeous oldies from the retirement home next door, I took the time to thrown on a frock. This one is a 20s style fringed one that my friend Louise pulled of the tip -literally. I can't imagine who would throw this out. It's so fun and great for dancing in (not that I was doing any of that today). I'm so glad Louie was generous enough to pass it on to me.

Day 24: Flame Trees

Brisbane looks beautiful at the moment full of flowering Jacaranda and what I thought were known as Flame Trees. I took this photo yesterday on Southbank. My friend and I had a long discussion today as to what 'Flame Trees' actually are and according to the great oracle Wikipedia it seems 'Flame Trees' is a generic term applied to many trees with red flowers.

So I put on my red sun dress to celebrate the beautiful flowering trees, whatever type they may be.

Brisbane was quite warm today and I was a little bit of a cranky pants due to lack of sleep (Queensland, when will you learn daylight savings is a good thing), too many lemonades last night and feeling quite sticky and hot. What can I say, I'm a bona fide Victorian. I picked some geraniums from the garden of a beautiful old Queenslander house as I thought it went nicely with the broderie anglaise fabric of my dress.
I got over my crankiness with a nap on the plane trip home and a drop in degrees (by about 10) will help me sleep well tonight. And of course I can't get Flame Trees out of my head, but check out the Sarah Blasko version. It does the lyrics justice.

Day 24 - Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my fabulous sister Petra. Mwa mwa, sweetie darling. I've got the earrings you gave me on to celebrate.

Sadly the polyurethane dress from yesterday didn't have the restorative powers I'd hoped for and I am even sicker today. But I have still frocked up for the cause and struggled off the couch (my home for the day) onto my deck for this shot. Daniel suggested I should take my photo with the blankie I've been wrapped in all day. But instead I've got my grey cardigan, which is more or less a blanket with sleeves anyway. I do love this geometric print dress and it's super comfy - almost as good as a nightgown. Almost.

Day 23: It's Target, darling!

Can't say I'm much of a fashionista today, but I did head into the Gallery of Modern Art on Brisbane's Southbank to see the Valentino Retrospective: Past/Present/Future. This dress came from Target. Anyone who says they don't shop at Target is lying, trust me. It has pale pink spots on black and it's a lovely three tiered Summer dress. I got my photo taken in an uber cool black tiled wi-fi booths at the State Library of Queensland.

I will try to post an entry on the Valentino exhibition within the next few days, it was a great exhibition, but so many beautiful things to look at. Even my underwear matched my dress today. More spots! I tied my hair up in two buns today and my god daughter said I looked like Minnie Mouse, I prefer Minnie The Moocher! :)

Day 23 - Op shop gold

This frock came to me out of the blue today. I was on my way home from pilates this morning and wondering which frock I could wear today (another confession - I don't wear a frock to pilates. Sorry ladies but that's just not going to happen.) I'm not feeling very well so all I really wanted was a day in trackies, in bed or on the couch.

But I stopped in to St Paul's op shop in Manuka on my way home and this dress caught my eye. Only $5! And the best bit - it feels like I'm wearing a nightgown, so it's just the thing for a lazy day. The only thing that worries me about the dress is that it's made with 5% polyurethane. Is that the carcinogenic stuff used to make foam? It feels wonderful so I'm trying not to think about it too much.

PS The lovely ladies at St Pauls asked me to tell you all about their fete on the 6th of November. Hop along if you can.

PPS My kind mother took these photos for me in her garden, and my companion in them is her old, demented dog Aggie. He's cute but he smells sooooo bad.

Day 22: Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Today my transportation needs have included a bicycle, car, plane, train, bus and then another car. Ohh and an escalator (numberous times) whilst trying to figure out which platform I needed to be on at the Brisbane Transit Centre to catch the 131 bus to Algester. I finally reached my destination about 4pm, where my lovely hosts took my photo in front of a giant monstera plant in their garden. Ahhh tropical Queensland. However Canberra was so lovely and sunny I tripped around town this morning without a jacket.

I purchased this skirt many years ago in Melbourne and it's a bit of a stalwart of my Summer wardrobe. It has zig zag stiching in aqua, lemon and pale green which I thought went nicely with my metallic green Catherine Manuell handbag (another favourite of my wardrobe) which is starting to get a bit shabby around the edges, but I can't bear to get rid of it. And my Broad lolly badge is a special feature. I love being a bit of a broad!

My song for today is Spaceship by Phrase. If I had one, I would've got to Brisbane much quicker. Plus I'm having an annual leave day today so this clip is for everyone else at work.

Day 22 - Like it's 1999

Today's frock is a very 90s floral one and, in fact, I pretty sure I haven't worn it since the 90s. Which begs the question of why I still own it. Probably the same stupid reasons I keep clipping bits out of magazines and why I've been saving a 50c piece with a picture of Charles and Diana for weeks now. I guess I was born to work in a museum.

Anyway, the dress is very comfy and just the thing for driving around in the work van and rummaging through the ABC broadcast trailer. The steel caps help with safe rummaging - and also make me look like I'm going to a Smiths concert, according to Matt. Since it's the 90s maybe I'll have to go to Nirvana or Pear Jam instead.