There’s something rather satisfying about taking an imagined version of a chic geography teacher from the 1950s as style inspiration. All it requires is a knee length skirt, lashings of warm wool, a pair of high-heeled brogues and a token linen-bound book to assemble an outfit full of studious goodness.
In keeping with the devised character behind these photos, a well-ordered list felt appropriate. This blue jumper-clad figure would have a keen appreciation for bullet points or numbers; a love for precisely laid out inventories. So here is a festive holiday activities' wish list for the weeks ahead...
- · Collect old magazines or newspapers before gathering scissors, glue and a large notebook to spend the afternoon scrap-booking.
- · Don a furry hat and long coat to swish around corners and along streets in the drizzle.
- · Carefully choose second hand books for friends and write personal inscriptions on the title page.
- · Discover a parent's or relative’s vinyl record collection, preferably whilst reclining in front of a fire.
- · Invite friends for an evening of films and themed dressing up (cocktails optional).
- · Learn a poem well enough to recite by heart.
- · Complete a long, blustery walk while dressed in Wuthering Heights or Tess of the D’Urbervilles inspired attire.
- · Spend a day getting as lost as possible in a museum or gallery. Unexpected exhibits and objects are often delightfully startling.
- · An afternoon of blankets and books: take it in turn to read out poems and prose excerpts to friends whilst snug under a duvet. Alternately, see how many people can be squashed on a single sofa to speak the various parts in a play.
- · For the very brave – anyone willing to plunge (briefly) into a countryside river or lake for that buzzing adrenaline rush?
- · Construct an indoor den with blankets, elastic bands, laundry racks and towels (younger sibling optional).
- · Tackle an epic novel or text, one chapter at a time.
- · Find new friends. Break boundaries by being the one to begin a conversation.
- · Make like Andrew Logan through taking a mundane object, smothering it in tiling grout/ adhesive and studding it with bits of broken mirror, sequins, beads, tiny ornaments and glitter.
- · Have a (silk) pyjama day complete with red lipstick and heels. No better way to lounge around browsing newspapers and eating brunch.
I felt the spirit of Diana Vreeland and her ‘Why Don’t You’ column peering over my shoulder in the last few, and was tempted to spiral down into recommendations of evening gowns for the weekly shop or theming each room according to a different century. For now the balance remains tipped towards the more practical, if fun, end of the scale. As with my previous set of suggestions here, I’d be intrigued by other people’s additions, ideas or variations.
My skirt is second hand Brora, the high heeled brogues are Carvela, the jumper was from a charity shop (as was both the brooch and belt), the gloves were my great grandma's and the book was plucked from our shelves.
.jpg)
.jpg)
