Project Sister Act

I'm delighted to be taking part in Project Sister Act this month. My blogging friend Sheela of Sheela Writes is the host of this project - see here for the very first feature. In her words "Project Sister Act is very close to my heart.  It advocates how women across all age groups (I’m talking about teens to 60s, 70s, 80s), are united in showcasing that style knows no age boundary. That style is indeed an expression of one’s personality, no matter if one’s a product of the 70s or 90s. And that the one same motif can be stylish on any and every woman, regardless of the year she was born."

The collaboration covers a group of us ranging from teens to 50's and the item we've all been asked to model is a maxi, so let's not waste another moment.  

Our teenage fashionista of the group is Eve from The World According to Eve.

Representing the 20's is Lizzie of Lizzie in Lace. 

For the 30's we have Vanessa of What Would V Wear.

Our 40's model is Sheela, the creator of Sheela Writes and also Project Sister Act.

So there we have the motif as Sheela calls it: the maxi dress as worn by women across the ages - teens, 20's, 30's and 40's. All such gorgeous young things I have to say, all wearing beautiful versions of the maxi dress. Follow the links to each blog for their own feature and outfit details. The final reveal, the 50's, is my offering. But before you look, I'd like to tell you a little story. 

The dress I'm showcasing was a purchase from eBay last winter, destined to be worn on holiday, but that didn't happen. The vintage piece has no label, is machine and hand sewn, finished to an exceptionally high standard. The colour is a lime green, almost an acid green due to the sheen of the satin. The reason I bought it is, I think, because it reminds me of a ball gown my mother wore when I was only about 12 years old. In those days my parents used to go out once a month on a Saturday to a dinner/dance with friends. On Saturday mornings my mother would go to the hairdressers for a shampoo and set, returning home with hair immaculately held in place by half a can of hairspray. 

By early evening my father would be home from work and the primping and priming would begin: I was enrolled to press my father's dinner suit, iron his shirt and polish his shoes - skills which would later earn me badges at Brownies for my prowess in all things domestic. I can remember as if it were yesterday, the moment when my mother appeared in her lime green silk dress looking like a glamorous movie star. The dress had a scoop neckline which was bejewelled in sparkling diamante stones that twinkled and reflected light onto her face. How radiant my mother was that night, resplendent in her shimmering green gown. Her make-up comprised of blue eyeshadow, black mascara and red lipstick. She rustled past me in a cloud of Coty L'Aimant, this Hollywood version of my mother, heading out to dance the night away.

My green ball gown pays homage to the magic of that evening of over 40 years ago: the night the seed of glamour was sown in a young girl's mind. I love to wear vintage as I'm a true romantic at heart.  For me this vintage dress and shoes bring with them such a sense of nostalgia, a reminder of days gone by. As the 50's representative of the group, I'm happy to portray the matriarch, the old fashioned glamour of the day. My thanks go to Sheela for inviting me to take part in Project Sister Act, thanks also to all of the contributors.

Once again, thank you for joining me here. I love to have you to write for, regardless of whether you feel the need to comment or not - just keeping me company is fine. My aim is to include you in my little world, this island life, the idyllic backdrop that also happens to be home. 

Details are -

Dress: Vintage, handmade

Shoes: Bebbou

Clutch: Leko London

Necklace, bangles and rings: all thrifted.

Linking with

Dawn Lucy of Fashion Should Be Fun

Anna x