So... Don and I don't always ride our bikes. Especially when I'm wearing an awesome hair piece! I guess this is cheating on a bike blog, but this is the two of us on the bus. The 7 stops pretty much right in front of our house so it's super convenient! We were on our way to the U of A's centenary alumni banquet.
I was discussing the definition of "formal" with somebody the other day and I complained that even when an invitation says "formal" or "black tie" people here in Edmonton inevitably end up showing up at events in business casual or other disappointing ensembles. I have particular qualms with the following:
- Bare legs and open toe shoes when it's colder than -10 degrees and there are several feet of snow covering everything.
- Exposed dingy white or even dingy nude bra straps that become unearthed under black dresses.
- Summer dresses or sun dresses with flip flops being passed off as formal evening wear.
- Velveteen pantsuits. Particularly the ones with glue/sparkle appliqué
- A shoulder bag doubling as an evening bag. I hate seeing this at clubs too (they always end up hitting people on the dance floor)
I know this is super judgmental. I'm sorry. I just wish people would take more pride in getting dressed up and going out.
Evidently "formal" also denotes long in terms of hem length. I hate hemming and tend to buy a lot of dresses that don't require it. Although I may be subverting traditional parameters of "formal' (ironic, I know, after my griping), I am content that the degree and manner of presentation is paramount. After all, ankles are totally kosher now!
10 comments:
Mr. Don
The tie is sharp--
Cheers--Bruce
and why do all that biking and not show off some killer legs? canadian buses sure look a lot cleaner than chicago buses.
This is my first visit to your blog. Very impressed. You're a cycling and fashion inspiration.
Karen,
Please come by again, and often! We're both Albertans and have to stick together:)
S*
Been following your blog for awhile now and its great!
With all due respect, that is a great shot of your legs..um you..
Would love to see a picture of you on your bike in that dress hiked up as in this shot; any possibility?
anon,
Hey! Thanks for liking my legs! I'm surprised because I've never really paid much attention to the legs... my mom always told me they were thick and short. Sometimes moms with super high expectations can be mean:)
Anyway, the skirt isn't hiked up so much as it's a bubble skirt that is all puffy, short, and gathered in places so it kind of resembles a cupcake. It's hard to see with me sitting down. Sorry to get all 'fashion' on you:)
I'll be dressed up and on the bike for other occasions too, will try to get lots of shots that are fun for the blog - thanks for being a fan!
S*
Bruce,
Glad you like the tie, I found it on sale last spring and think it's a modern way to do a deconstructed 'black tie' without having to wear a tux. It's hard to see, but it's a gorgeous alternating shiny/matte satin in silver/white with silver thread stitching. Yay for ties!
S*
ridonk,
Haha! I laughed so hard when I read your comment! That bus was pretty clean, and that's not always the case. There are times when I'm on the bus and I'm like "Mmm my bike doesn't smell like pee... maybe I should have taken that instead!"
S*
I heard once that denim on top and denim on the bottom is considered the alberta tuxedo! You should add that to your list of qualms... Thanks for your blog, I ride my bike almost everywhere (often in a skirt) and more people need to think that is super cool.
Jessica Fern
(PS: I recognize this hair accessory from a wedding which I recently photographed! It was you!)
So cool! Thanks for recognizing it:) After our move I can't find ANYTHING. Particularly a whole hat box I have full of awesome ornate hair pieces that I've collected over the years. I'm so upset:(
So anyway, I didn't have another option so I decided to wear the same outfit from the wedding. Good things bear repeating!
And good for you for riding your bike, and in whatever the hell you please. Yes!
S*
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