Same pinafore…
I am really throwing it back with this one! The only time I wore this on the blog was here. It was something like my twelfth post ever! I didn’t even know how to link items then. I just posted the entire URL! It was September, and the weather was warm. I have to admit I miss those front porch photos! I actually miss that entire house, but things change. We really are lucky we had the foresight to build this condo given Nigel’s hips. One of the biggest things I notice between that post and more recent ones is my confidence in taking photos.
Fond memories…
Sometimes, I think my blog is more of a way of remembering my life. Some might say it’s also therapeutic! But, since this is a fashion blog, we’ll talk fashion from my Memory Lane! My older sister and I were not the same size so I didn’t get hand me downs from her. I did get them from an older cousin and was thrilled when a bag of clothes came home with us. But, when I was in sixth grade, my mom bought me two jumpers. I really should get out my photo album to see if I have photos of the clothes I remember. I know I wore one of the jumpers for my school photo that year.
Pinafores…
It appears pinafores can be different things. I think I first read about them in the Little House on the Prairie books. But, when I googled pinafore, it seems they can be two different things. One of them is an apron-like piece of clothing designed to keep clothing clean while cooking and cleaning. Another definition is a sleeveless and collarless dress designed to be worn over something. We always called them jumpers. I know people in the UK call sweaters jumpers. So, UK friends, do you have sweaters at all? I wonder what they call pinafores. Isn’t language weird sometimes?
My sixth grade pinafores…
My mom always surprised me when she bought me clothing because I honestly don’t recall ever going shopping with her. Wait, I lied. When I was joining Job’s Daughters, an organization for young women under the Masonic umbrella, she took me shopping for a really good dress. I’m sure it cost a lot of money (for back then) because we got it at one of the chi-chi stores in my hometown. Mom would just randomly buy me dresses. You have to remember, up until I was in sixth grade, girls couldn’t wear pants or jeans to school. Anyway, these two pinafores/jumpers were the exact same style which is another thing my mom did. She would buy me two of the same thing but in different colors. That must be where I get that from! My jumpers were a tweed like material, and the straps had buckles. One was in shades of brown, but I cannot for the life of me remember what color the other one was. Knowing my mom, it was probably also in dark shades because I was a bit of a messy person. The other thing I don’t remember is what I wore underneath them. I really do need to pull that album out.
A little more…
I’m not sure if I’ve ever really written about this on the blog or not. My parents were not into PDAs (public displays of affection). I don’t recall ever seeing them kiss. And, while I’m pretty sure they cooed and baby talked at me and told me how much they loved me when I was a baby, I didn’t ever hear those words until the day my mom died. I know I’ve written about what a brat I was when I was growing up, but they treated my siblings the same way. Please don’t get me wrong. My parents weren’t mean. They just didn’t feel the need, apparently, to tell us they loved us. I think they strongly believed in showing not telling. I had absolutely no doubt both of my parents loved me and my siblings. It never occurred to me to ask my friends if their parents told them that. It may have been a cultural thing…my mom’s parents were first generation citizens of the US. All of their parents had emigrated to the US from Germany. I’m pretty sure my mom was raised the way I was…though she was probably not the brat I was. That would have been her younger sister! My dad, though, was the only surviving son. I know, for a fact, he was doted on by his mom, my Grandma Rose. He probably heard “I love you” so often he was sick of it!
The outfit…
So, as you can tell this April Cornell pinafore is older. I think I’d had it for a couple of years before the blog so it’s maybe six years old. The turtleneck is one I bought from J Crew Factory this winter. I got away from wearing turtlenecks, and I’m not sure why I did. I really like not folding them down and just letting them droop. As you can see, this pinafore is very lightweight. You can see the stripes through the fabric. Because I love print mixing, I added a polka dot slip. I maybe should have unbuttoned some of the bottom buttons on the pinafore for more of that Little House on the Prairie look.
The Lewk!
The pinafore has undertones of grey, and the dots in my slip are grey so I wore my Miz Mooz Calla Captoe boots. I really am so pleased with all three pairs of Miz Mooz boots. They are comfortable, and the leather really is scrumptious. I bought all of this Kendra Scott jewelry (multi strand necklace, single necklace, cuff) in October last year! I used my birthday discount for the most expensive piece and then added the other pieces when they offered additional discounts. I don’t have any affiliation with Kendra Scott, but I noticed they’re running a sale right now. The earrings are from Premier Designs, I think. I’m not sure these pieces actually work with this outfit. And, we took these photos so long ago, I completely forget why I chose them!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I know I could just write a post comparing and contrasting the two looks. I’m just not that kind of blogger, I guess. I seem to always want to tell a story, too. So, can we talk? Do you call these types of clothing jumpers or pinafores? Did your mom or dad ever surprise you with new clothes? How did your family handle PDAs? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
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Here in Australia , we follow the U.K. and a sweater is a jumper . I had forgotten about the term pinafore , it does take me back to Little House on the Prairie. Here it would be either a tunic or simply a sleeveless dress. Regardless of the name , it looks lovely on you Marsha.
Thank you so much, Jill! I think of this as a sleeveless dress, but the website called it a pinafore. I wondered if Australians used the UK terms.
A very pretty look. I honestly can’t remember if we ever had something in this style, but I would say no. I do remember what we call “Trägerkleid”, literally “strap dress”, but in my head they all were heavier fabrics and had buckles, but no buttons, more like overalls, but as a dress. I’ll have to ask my sister if I’m right about that.
By the way, at some point in her life, when we had all grown up already, my mother decided that people should be told they’re loved. I think she was inspired by Americans saying it in movies etc., almost like a greeting, because she never said it in German, but in English. It sounds less overwhelming to us maybe? In German, “ich liebe dich” is a notch more than “ich hab dich lieb”. Anyhow, she said it to me at the end of every phone call and visit. I didn’t know my grandfather, but I doubt my grandmother had said it to her. She liked to play the tough one
Oh, Cat! You take me back to high school. I took four years of German because my older sister did and because of my grandparents. I can follow some German, but I will always remember Ich liebe dich. My youngest also took German and retained so much more. I think that’s fascinating your mother would say “I love you” in English rather than German. And, what a wonderful way to end a phone call. I really do need to look at my photo album. Would you believe I know exactly where it is?
Thanks, Cat!
That is a lovely colour and the pinafore looks great on you.
Sweaters are jumpers for me, something with a ‘wool’ feel and can also be called a ‘woolie’, a term used more by the older generation. But then we have the ‘sweatshirt’ for more casual wear which really is a hoodie or a sweater of sorts.
I think I would still use the term pinafore, for a dress like this, but we also have the term apron, but that is more for a well, apron!
Thank you, Rosie! I haven’t heard of woolie. I watch Arne & Carlos on YouTube. They’re two Norwegian knitwear designers that I started watching during the pandemic. They actually call cardigans jackets. I don’t know if that’s just them, or if that’s a Norwegian thing. I love reading and hearing the different words for things in other countries.
I usually call them jumpers or sleeveless dresses. I can remember shopping with my mom all the time and my grandmother would take us for an entire day of shopping too but I don’t really remember getting clothes picked out for me (though I know they must have been!). I had a uniform for school for the first few years when we were in private schools and I know I didn’t “shop” for those.
Thanks, Joanne! I do remember shopping with my mom, but I don’t remember her buying me the things then and there. I’m guessing she had to wait until payday. I sometimes think uniforms would be a really good thing in schools with all the “prestige” labels. And, I think it would be so much easier for parents.
Here we name them just dresses! Haha, we are simple. I remember I had a dress like that when I was still working. I loved that dress and I love the style. It looks fabulous on you Marsha!
Thank you, Nancy! You are always so good for my ego! I think of this as a dress more than anything, but it was called a pinafore on the website.
I love the front porch of your old house – I have always wanted a front porch and I have never had one. I tell my boys all the time that if they need to put me in a nursing home they better choose one with a front porch!
Growing up I remember using the term jumpers and owning a few but I haven’t heard it in awhile. I guess I would think a pinafore is what you described. You’re right, language is funny!
The color of your pinafore is so pretty – it almost has a hint of mocha mousse!
My parents weren’t big on PDA either and I don’t remember hearing lots of I love yous either – different times for sure!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! It seems almost everyone had childhoods with varying degrees of affection. I knew my parents loved me, but it would have been nice to hear it.
I loved that front porch, but we had two huge porches on our house up north. The front porch was 34 feet long and 7 feet deep with six columns. The back deck was cedar, was 34 feet long and 6 feet deep. We used them both a lot because we’d just shift with the sun. I really regret moving from that house. A friend told me not to follow the grandkids because they grow up. She was right. But, there have been so many moments that I wouldn’t trade for a front porch! I hope your boys listen to you…hahaha!!!
I use my blog as a fashion diary all the time! Thank goodness for tags.
At my high school, “pinny” was the term for the sleeveless item worn over a top and shorts for sports. (Not that I ever wore one, I was allowed to use modern dance classes as my athletic activity). I’m sure it came from pinafore.
Thanks, Anne! I depend upon those tags though my first several posts didn’t have any because I had no clue what they were. I have heard the term, pinny. I got to wear a quite fashionable knit number that was white on the top and navy on the bottom. You had to pull it up from the bottom. I hated that thing! Luckily, I had boobs to keep the top filled out so it didn’t flop open. My granddaughter doesn’t have to take PE because she does show choir. We didn’t have a choice, and I think I had to take it two years.
I love all the layers of this look!!
My mom is German and while she was affectionate…there are other traits that nationality brings to the table (can you say stubborn? And lack of Apologies)
Xoxo
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! It’s a very thin dress/pinafore/jumper. I had to wear layers to keep warm! But, I actually like it better, I think. Oh, my gosh! My mom was a Taurus…and it fit! I don’t think my mom knew the words, “I’m sorry” because I was usually the instigator!!! Maybe, that’s my dad’s side coming out!
Both “jumper” and “pinafore” seem right for this kind of garment, though “pinafore” definitely sounds more old-fashioned (like Little House, as you said). I had one in grade school that I called a jumper, and I think it was purple. This outfit is cool because the bottom half does seem more traditional “pinafore” style but the top half is more modern, giving it an eclectic style. My dad’s mother never said/wrote “I love you” but would write “You are loved.” In my family, we joked that what she meant was “You are loved…not by me, but by somebody.”
Thanks, Sally! I wouldn’t have called this a pinafore except that’s what it was called on the AC website. I’m not sure I would have called it a jumper, though. I think of jumpers as being rather straight with straps.
Is this the same grandmother who made you polish your uncle’s table before you could have it? In my memories, my Grandma Luderman never hugged me nor did she say, “I love you.” She was a very reserved person. My Grandma Rose, though, was an ornery woman who would have written what you joked…and then said, “But, I really do love you.” Unfortunately, she had a stroke at a very young age and was hard to understand.
I think I have the same turtleneck. They are so soft! I remember that gorgeous front porch of yours! I’m glad my parents have always been good about telling and showing me they love me! It’s interesting how different generations show emotions differently.
I would buy several of these if they had the colors I wanted. I like how thin they are because they’re so good for layering. I loved that front porch even though it was small compared to our house up north. That one was 34 feet long and 7 feet deep. I didn’t know how lucky I was. The back deck was 34 feet long and 6 feet deep. We spent lots of time on both, depending on the time of day. I’m so glad your parents were affectionate like that with you. I’ve tried to be that way with my kids and grands.
Thanks, Laura!
Love the ‘Try It Again Tuesday’ concept—such a fun way to embrace second chances!
Thanks so much!
Hi, Marsha – My, you do reminisce! So that makes me start reminiscing too. Lol! I often got hand-me-downs from my four cousins and I hated that. I wished I had new things. So I was happy when I got clothes for my birthday or Christmas. Maybe that’s why I always liked to buy something new once I grew up and started working. My parents were always smooching right in front of us when we were kids. It was just normal. They were first generation Americans, too. Their parents were from Poland (where it was Poland, then Germany, then Poland again) and Czechoslovakia (actually Austria-Hungary which became Czechoslovakia after they came to America.) And yes, it is weird how English is so different in the U.K. than it is in the U.S. It seemed just slightly foreign to me when I was studying abroad because I had to find out once in awhile what certain words meant. In this Tuesday outfit, I love your jewelry as always. I think perhaps it goes with what you’re wearing because the silver goes with the grays in the clothing. Thanks for sharing another part of your life – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Hahaha!! Yes, I love to reminisce. I think it’s because my siblings are a few hours away, and I don’t talk to them all the time. It’s funny, though, because we have different memories of the same events. If I’d had my choice, I would have rather had new clothes, but I was happy with the hand me downs because they were new to me. I loved getting clothes for Christmas even more than toys, I think! I love that your parents were so affectionate in front of you. I knew my parents were devoted to each other, but I really can’t remember them kissing. See, that’s something I need to talk about with my sibs! When we would visit the UK, I knew some words were different, but, of course, I didn’t know all of them. I can imagine you had to learn quite a few new to you words. You could be right about the jewelry. I usually try to have a reason why I wore it! Thanks, Angie!!!
I love the mix of lilac and stripes with this look Marsha! And the addition of the turquoise jewelry is a fun pop of color. I feel blessed because my parents always told me that they loved me and I try to do that with my kids. But I totally understand the generation your parents came from. I know they loved you because of how you turned out.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Oh, Katherine, you’re making me tear up. I really appreciate that last sentence. I have tried hard to tell my kids I love them as well as show it. I’m glad you had parents like that. And, thank you for the compliments. I love this jewelry, but I’ve struggled to know what to wear it with. It just seems summery to me for some reason.
My parents never said they loved us. My dad finally did when he was terminally ill, and my mom still hasn’t. I’ve always made sure I tell my daughter every day. It’s fun to pull outfits out of the archives, isn’t it? This one’s so cute! I love the layers!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you, Jill! I don’t want to make this a regular feature as such, but it is fun to restyle things. Hugs to you, my friend. It’s hard growing up not hearing those words until the last time. They were the last three words I heard my mom say. Like you, I’ve made sure to use those words a lot, and hugs are just a given at our house.
A pinafore to me is an apron (just a front piece, ties in the back). This would have been called a “house dress” when I was younger, but even then, that was rather dated.
I like the layering, Marsha – the ruffle hanging out the bottom really makes it.
Thanks, Sheila! I think we would have called a house dress a muu-muu. My aunt wore them all the time! Aren’t words funny? The ruffle is actually part of a slip. I’ve collected several of these in various colors. There are some colors I don’t have…yet!