Sunday, February 17, 2013

What I Wore Sunday: Unintentionally Liturgical

by Shannon




Where there is charity and wisdom there is neither fear nor ignorance. Where there is patience and humility there is neither anger nor worry.
Where there is poverty and joy there is neither cupidity nor avarice.
Where there is quiet and meditation there is neither solicitude nor dissipation.
Where there is the fear of the Lord to guard the house 
the enemy cannot find a way to enter.
Where there is mercy and discretion 
there is neither superfluity nor hard-heartedness.
~St. Francis of Assisi


(Note: I've been meaning to say this for weeks now, but I want to give a shout out to all you WordPress ladies. I have the darnedest time commenting on your blogs, and I want you to know that I'm checking out your Mass fashions too! I'll comment, and it doesn't show, so I'll comment again, and Wordpress goes all "duplicate comment detected" on me, so I move on, and check back a few days later to find my comment never posted. Does anyone else have that problem? Arg!)


Time for What I Wore Sunday, with the lovely ladies at Fine Linen and Purple!

I decided to pick out my Mass outfit before bed last night. Normally, that would sound like a grand idea, but I was über exhausted after yesterday's craft binging. Nothing in my closet was pleasing me. I laid out four different outfits, none of which were right, and Ryan and I got into an — ahem — discussion over the appropriateness of denim fabric at Mass. It was not a good night to approach that topic (or any other) with me, and I think I won purely because I was moody and. Was. Not. Having. It. 

I ultimately despised the final outfit I chose, but this morning I was much happier with it, especially when I realized it was unintentionally liturgically appro-pro:



I always forget to photograph my outerwear. You've seen the shawl before, and today I used it as it's scarf function. The wool blazer I've worn all winter in lieu of my coat. Yes, I know that sounds crazy. It's been as low as the single-digits, and I have yet to wear a real coat. I just throw this on with a scarf, shove a jacket, hat and gloves in the back of the car for emergencies, and then go on my merry way. I always feel like I'm fighting with a coat — the sleeves are too long, the hem hits too low on my short torso, my seatbelt doesn't fit right, etc. Also, it's a bit warmer here than temperatures run back home, so ain't no thang. 

Deets:
Butterfly earrings: Target
Plaid scarf: TJ Maxx
Wool blazer: vintage, consignment shop I love (I actually think it had a former life as stage wear because it had an odd little ticket stapled inside when I bought it.)
White t-shirt: Target
Purple ruffle cardigan: Ralph Lauren, thrifted
Fuchia snakeskin belt: Target
Purple paisley skirt: Alfani, Macys
Tortoiseshell watch: Fossil
Brown tights: Target
Sloutchy boots: Born, Zappos



I went with the good ol' winterizing the summer wardrobe move. The skirt was recently uncovered while organizing our storage, so I was excited to wear it again. My mother gave me a gift card for my birthday the year after Cruncher was born, telling me to buy something nice for myself. This was my something nice, and I just feel good in it. This outfit was very comfortable, though the almost gauzy-like quality of the skirt's cotton caused it to stick to my tights as I stood, sat and knelt. I had Ryan on skirt-watch, as even the slip wasn't helping things.

While this outfit is a similar silhouette to one I shared a few weeks ago, and I tend to favor flouncy skirts, I do wish the skirt fit a little more straight and less poofy. 


I'm drawn to vintage-inspired, bottom-heavy silhouettes, which isn't necessarily the best for my shape and height. What do you think — does it look a bit better as an A-line or pencil? 



A bit more eye-candy of the accessories. I don't wear these items often, since I favor stud earrings and gold. This was a pretty easy-to-accessorize outfit, which is probably why I ended up choosing it late last night after I had lost my patience. 


Cruncher was a handsome little devil today (luckily not acting as one during Mass). The shirt and pants were gifts (and thrifted), so I'm not sure of their origins. The sweater is Old Navy, and the shoes and socks are Target. I was happy to get him in a decent pair of pants today, as he REALLY favors cargo pants, so I had to chronicle the event. He even butted me out of the frame for his own self-timer photo shoot. 


If you're still reading, and don't think this too personal a question, I'd love to know if you veil and why or why not. I'm currently discerning, and heartfelt thoughts aren't abundant online. Thanks!



20 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, I love your wool blazer-- and I really admire your accessorizing, which is something I find very challenging.

    As for veiling, my two cents (which now rounds down to nothing up here north of the border, where we've dispatched the penny): I have veiled on and off for the past five years, depending on the culture of the parish I've been attending. I have a strong emotional "pull" towards it (perhaps in part because the non-Catholic religious influences in my life have been Mennonite and Orthodox Jewish, where head covering is very important), but I personally struggle with a great deal of spiritual pride (as a convert) and so I try to avoid things that make me look ostentatiously Catholic.

    That's not to say that I think people who veil are proud! It's just my own spiritual danger.

    Most recently, I've been "off" veiling, even though we are in a parish where some women veil, because I can't get a mantilla to stay on my head... and then I can't pray. My own solution for the time being will, I think, be slouchy hats, mostly because I've started to feel awkward about pulling off my slouchy hat when I enter the church.

    So, there you go: more than you wanted to know!

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    1. Thanks for the compliments!

      You're really speaking to me here, lady. I appreciate you taking so much time to lay out your thoughts. I too go to a parish that is veiling-friendly, and one of our three Sunday Masses is a well-attended EF where veiling is the norm. The surroundings aren't the problem, so I'm trying to put my finger on my reservations.

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  2. That blazer is amazing. Looks very J. Crew! I also love the purple ruffles, belt, and boots! Great outfit.

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    1. Thanks, Erica! You would like a J. Crew-ish blazer, wouldn't you? ; )

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  3. Love it all! I can't decide if I like the skirt better poufy or with a slimmer silhouette - you're petite so I think either way works, although poufy requires a higher heel to pull it off, which is tough in winter!!! And I love the purple - perfect for Lent!

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    1. Actually, I do prefer that skirt in the summer with a nude sandal with a pretty high heel. It helps cut down on the cupcake effect.

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  4. I love the skirt both ways but I think the puffy way is cuter. And as usual, I love all of your accessories.

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    1. Thanks, Beth! The poof is cute, I feel somewhat dowdy without a heel.

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  5. Funny that the we both happened to address the issue of veiling in our WIWS posts this week!

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    1. I know! And so did Kelly at "This Ain't the Lyceum"! Must be that Lent feeling in the air. Thanks for your guidance. : )

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  6. You have such style my friend. I think the A-line is lovely on your figure. I also love your accessories. As for the belt with the cardi - twinsies indeed!! Love it!!

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    1. Thanks, Mary! I liked the cut of your skirt better than mine this week, but I do have a thing for Mad Men style.

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  7. You and your liturgical matchiness are adorable :) Both silhouttes are really fun...I think I might like the A-line best on you? Either way, you always look so put together and are an accessories rock star!

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    1. Thanks, Deme! I look forward to seeing purple cropping up AGAIN in the WIWS linkup during the next few weeks. More spring-y looks this time, I predict.

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  8. Your outfit is absolutely awesome. Look at you and all your cute layering. I don't veil, but I look forward to reading the feedback you get.

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    1. Thanks, Kathryn! There were a couple other ladies who discussed veiling in their WIWS posts yesterday. What timing!

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  9. Amazing outfit! I so love your blazer. I need one like that! And your cardigan? Perfect.

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    1. Thanks, Katrina! It was really luck to find a vintage blazer that fit so well.

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