About that party

Wearing the oldest thing in our closets

When I returned from this end-of-summer party at Jonelle's home last Tuesday, I realized I had left my camera behind, and I was unable to post any pictures to explain this picture (which was sent to me byAl that same evening). The picture in my camera that was making everyone smile is this one of all of us. Peggy's bridal veil kept getting in someone's face until we thought of this creative solution. The theme of the party was to wear "the oldest thing in your closet." Here's the story of each one:

1970: Army uniform

Doug didn't actually wear this hat with his uniform, but he found this one years before and it just went perfectly with the outfit, don't you think? Looks smashing to me!

Jonelle, Rita, Amy

Jonelle is wearing a dress from 1939 that belonged to her mother. It's an exquisite velvet item, set off with a beautiful necklace that was also her mom's. There were a few spots on it that she thought might have been from her spit-up when she was a baby. Rita is wearing a silk punjabi that she had made while in India in the 1960s. Amy is wearing a beautiful two-piece outfit that she had made in Hong Kong in 1966. (I'm not sure of the exact dates, now that I'm writing this post. I'll correct them if they're wrong.)

Peggy, her husband Lyle, Jonelle

Peggy is wearing her wedding veil from 1969. She said she also has the dress hanging in her closet, but it was just a wee bit snug. The veil still fits, though! Lyle is wearing his high school letter sweater from 1965; Jonelle is holding his arm so the number would show.

Jonelle and Al

Al didn't know the exact date of this ensemble, but you can certainly tell it's got a few years on it. The width of the tie, the burgundy shirt (which is coming back in style) and the jacket tell an interesting story. I don't know what Jonelle was exclaiming about; by this time I think I'd already had at least a half glass of wine.

Udo and Diane

Udo said he can get into these old pants only because he lost some weight recently. His cool hat makes the outfit complete (along with the suspenders). Diane definitely got some use out of those old jeans, don't you think? If they are STILL in her closet, which made me wonder if she wears them around the house even today.

Ward and Linda

Ward's jacket is made of wide wale corduroy, and Linda is wearing a scarf from a long time ago. I don't remember if I learned any dates for their old items, but I was pleased to see their smiling faces at the party. They were leaving the very next morning off on another camping trip, so I wasn't sure if they would be there.

Me in my dad's Harris Tweed

When I was about ten or twelve, my dad came back from a trip to Hong Kong with a Harris Tweed jacket made especially for him, with his name in it and everything. When he died, my mother had the jacket remade to fit her, and when she died, I inherited it. It's very heavy and a bit scratchy, but it still is quite wearable. I bought the hat at a secondhand store; I was looking for a fedora, and this is as close as I got. My dad always wore the jacket with a bolo tie; I wore a silk scarf, since I didn't have a tie.

We had a great time and I'm already looking forward to next year. We discussed what kind of a theme we might come up with for end-of-summer 2014, with some ideas already percolating in our heads. Last year, we all dressed up. Apparently I didn't write a post, though, since I can't find one.
:-)