I had a good check-up at Johns Hopkins early last week and enjoyed the balmy weather along the east coast, stopping for a couple of days in Williamsburg VA. When we got home to Asheville it was still nearly 70 degrees and stayed that way until early this morning when it went down into the 40's.
When going from the mountains to the east coast and back, especially in early winter, it's hard to plan so I check the ten day forecast and take layers. I decided to buy myself these fun and fancy lace-up ankle boots with ruffles from Anthropologie when all their sale items were discounted another 20%. I never get tired of comfortable ankle boots.
Here's my layered "Lagenlook" outfit that can go from the 40's to the balmy 60's and higher by adding or removing layers. I didn't sew any of these pieces but I routinely travel with and wear similar layered outfits from pieces that I have sewn over the years, adding interesting belts, shoes and accessories.
For this Lagenlook, I start with this swooshy bias cut Viyella (cotton/wool blend) skirt and a multi-tiered cotton petticoat by Laura Ashely I've owned since my 26 year old son was a little boy - and it's not an elastic waist skirt either! In cool weather I wear textured tights. I love its moss greens and pinks and warm hues of burnt umber and how I can wear tops of many colors and weights with both or either. Layers add a bit of weight but done correctly you look put together, not heavier, plus you are warm. The skirt is slimmer looking when worn without the petticoat layer.
The pink top is fine gauge cotton knit by Moth from Anthropologie that I bought it on eBay at least 7 years ago. It has a ruffled peplum and knitted on lace at the neckline. I like how the unhemmed, trumpeted sleeves roll to peak out from the jacket sleeves. It also looks great worn by itself just with the tiered white cotton petticoat. I pulled out one of my multi-pocketed Safari look jackets in a a green/beige cross dye wool/linen blend also from Doncaster I bought in 2003 (with matching slacks). You see this classic jacket interpreted by designers every year and every season. I can wear the olive leather belt layered over either top.
So that's one of my Lagenlooks. If you're interested, there are more outfits and photos of this skirt and others on my Long Casual Skirt Flickr Set. I'm sure you all have your own versions that you enjoy wearing!
