Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Flower Fields

I have spent more time than is normal lately staring at this wallpaper:

(Blazing Poppies wallpaper by Anthropologie)

wondering if there is some way I could buy it, and then conspire to find a way to use it.   Wallpapering a powder room comes to mind, of course, but we don't have a powder room.  

I have always loved dense floral patterns.  I love it in art:

Untitled no 5 by Kent Rogowski (available on 20x200) 

but most of all I love it in skirts.

(The Sartorialist on the streets of Milan) 

(Prada resort 2007)


(more Anthropologie)

I even know why I love this look so much (and I loved it long before Mad Men came along). It is something to do with this book, which I read as a child:


Because fields of flowers and full skirts make me think of the Swiss mountains.  

Just as children who live in the snow dream of the strange orange dust of the desert, I, growing up with pale green eucalypts and dry hot summers, dreamed of a little Swiss chalet and green fields of wildflowers.   For us, green lawn came for half the year, but tended to dry up over summer.  

When I actually went to Switzerland as an adult, I could not believe how like my imagination the country was.  It was just like I pictured it.  The emerald green, and soft rolling hills.   The little dappled flowers everywhere by the roadside.  Just perfect. 

But back to business.   When, I ask does it become inappropriate to wear a flowery full skirt?  I have been sorely tempted online and in the shops recently.   Does it get to the point where it is a bit silly if one is over 40? 

(Am sorry for my intermittent posts and comments lately. I am flat out at work, and heading up to Queensland for a conference later this week.  Looking forward to the weather (hot and rainy! How can you Queenslanders keep your hair straight?)  Thank you all for taking the time to read and comment over the last few weeks)

14 comments:

Devon said...

Your comments were absolutely cracking me up today.

And, yes, you absolutely can wear a floral skirt. It would look fabulous and unexpected, especially when heading to uber-serious conferences with uber-serious people. I love the Prada look you've got posted and think it would look great at any age.

On the frizzy hair front, I have no advice except to say that piling it on top of your head in a messy bun looks very French chic?

Makeminemidcentury said...

Jane,
do you work full-time? Just curious ... so I can try and piece together one's time management.

And during your Qld visit is your chance to head to New Farm ...

Further, buy a full floral skirt ... it'll make you happy, and I have no doubt you'll look great ... set the trend! You watch, we'll all now want one! I actually made a full skirt out of Marimekko Unikko which I had left-over from cushions - I get a surprising amount of compliments when I wear it ... especially from sofas!

I rarely do my hair, so no help there I'm afraid.

Raina Cox said...

I'm all for a full flowery skirt, as long as:

1. it's a very 1950s-inspired silhouette

2. the top (cardie preferably) is sort of tough-looking

Jane said...

MMMC- technically not full time but in practice kind of. But flexibly. I sadly am not going to Brisbane but to that place called The Sunshine Coast and a little town (?) called Coolum. Otherwise New Farm would be on the list, maybe an Easton Pearson $50 million floral skirt?

Littlemissairgap said...

Coolum is lovely. Had to climb the mountain in the rain once. Not fun. I don't have problems with frizzy hair in the humidity but I do have problems in actually drying it ... and my hair is quite fine and it just seems to stay wet, no matter how much I blast it with hot air.

brismod said...

I think a floral skirt would look good at any age - so I would go for it. So long as it's not big huge tropical flowers like hibiscus...unless you live in Qld. Ha! Enjoy Coolum, it's a great part of the world.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Dear Jane,
Go and buy that flowery skirt NOW.....you are never too old for that style.....maybe mini skirts are now out of the question but the flowery skirt can be worn at most ages in my book.
While you are buying the skirt, pick up a roll of flowery wallpaper too.....I'm sure that you have one wall in your house where it will be appropriate. (I've just read my comment and I sound like a bossy mum....sorry !!!!) XXXX

Charlotta Ward said...

Hello and happy birthday to your daughter today!
Hope your party will be fun and successful!

Hugs from Sydney

x Charlotta

Maxabella said...

You're never too old for a peony skirt, Jane. You really must get yourself one. x

Samantha said...

I remember that exact version of Heidi.

MFAMB said...

i love that wallpaper. i often ponder the possibilities too.

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Oh Jane.. just come back from Queensland.. hot and rainy.. still was a lovely break.. quite relaxing although I'm sure your time will be hectic..

So... flowering and over forty.. not sure.. I think If I found a skirt I liked I would just be wearing it irrespective.... I think mini's and over 40 might be a stretch!!!

Have a great Sunday .. what's left of it.. and a lovely new week.. ciao ciao xxx Julie

24 Corners said...

Yes, yes, yes!! Buy the floral skirt! There are so many modern styles that the prints look new and fresh. Even if it just hangs in your closet most of the year, you'll be so happy you have it (or them). :)
Think updated Laura Ashley...she needs to make a comeback somehow, maybe floral print skirts can start the flower ball rolling.

Please let us know if you do...channeling Heidi and the Swill Alps is a good thing and something the world could use more of!
xo J~

FROM THE RIGHT BANK said...

Oh yes, that paper has been on my mind too. It's amazing. I agree with you about Switzerland too I mean, have you ever seen any place so pristine?

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