That secret group…
Many years ago, I was discussing a dress I had with my friends in a secret group I’m in on Facebook (read more here). Made from a gorgeous shade of lavender with a gold pattern, this dress featured a V neck, long loose sleeves, and was extremely loose and flowing. One of my friends, who is a master of words in many ways, called it a schmata. I’d never heard the term before and asked her to tell me more. My friend, who is Jewish, told me it was a Yiddish word for a house dress. The connotation was not positive!
Schmata…
If you google schmata (or schmatta), you’ll find a few articles and posts about this interesting Yiddish word. Here is a delightful article about the schmatta (and how to tell if you’re wearing one)! So, a schmata, for our purposes, is a housedress which fits loosely and swings in the breeze! Given the heat and humidity we’ve been having, a schmata is perfection!
Muumuu
When I was growing up, my mom frequently talked about muumuus. In my head, I was thinking more along the lines of moomoo, though! Remember, when I was a kid, I often went to my grandparents who raised cows! But, I digress! Although my mom died without a single dress to her name, I know she had dresses (cuz I played in her closet when I wasn’t supposed to)! Now that I think about it, I think she was often referring to the housecoat type thing she would wear in the hours before going to bed. My mother wasn’t extremely prudish, but I do remember her wearing a housecoat quite a bit. That must be when I heard the term muumuu!
In any event…
At this point in my life, I’m going for comfort rather than sex appeal! That’s not to say I don’t want to look attractive because I surely do! Given the choice between a dress that is form fitting and requires those pesky pieces of shapewear (just the thought induces a hot flash) or a dress where I only need shorts for chub rub prevention, I’m going for the chub rub preventing shorts. And, given the temperatures we are currently enduring, I’m also going for the dress with the most air flow!
Not a put down in any way…
This seems a little derogatory toward my poor dress! I certainly don’t mean it that way! I love this dress. In fact, when I saw it in J Jill, I was pretty sure it was going home with me! I love the colors, the print, and the fabric! I’m not sure if you can tell from the photos. This dress is a really pale lavender, and it has pockets!!! And, I really, really like the asymmetric hemline! I just wanted to forestall any comments about how shapeless this dress is. I know it is, and that’s why I like it! Could I add a belt? Maybe! Will I? Maybe!
The lesson…
There’s really no lesson here at all for anyone but me! My mantra has become: “Wear what you want if it makes you feel good, pretty, fabulous, sensational, or all of the above!” If you follow me on Instagram (and, if you don’t, you can right here), you’ll soon see a couple of dresses (to fulfill Sarah Flint requirements) with that bodycon look. I borrowed those dresses from my daughter because, as many of you know, most of my clothes are packed away (foolish, foolish me)!
The Lewk!
I decided to wear clear “topaz” jewelry with my schmata! Now, I’m not sure if these are really topaz stones or not. I bought them years ago on eBay. I like them, and that’s all that matters. The sandals look like they have black “stones,” but they’re really more clear than black. They’re by Carlos Santana and are not necessarily good for long hikes! I bought mine years ago at Macy’s. It looks like you can find Carlos Santana sandals on Amazon, but they don’t look anything like mine.
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Wrap it up, Marsha!
Have you ever smacked your head in exasperation and uttered, “Oy vey”? How about referring to an expert in something as a maven? Do you have a little nosh late in the afternoon? Did you mom wipe a little schmutz from your face with her thumb and spit? Or, have you admired someone’s tush? Do you often find yourself verklempt? If you’ve used one or several of these words, you have the Yiddish language to thank! So, can we schmooze (talk)? How are you getting by in the heat? Do you bypass shorts and jeans for the schmata? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise to answer as soon as possible!
Thank you!
A special thank you to all of my subscribers…you make me so happy! And, to those of you who don’t subscribe yet read my blog regularly, I appreciate you, too! My hope is you enjoy my posts and maybe giggle a time or two as you read! Thanks, again and always!
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, Being a Wordsmith, and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I’m a co-host on the Weekend Traffic Jam (here). I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I also co-host Final Friday Print Mixing with Michelle on the last Friday of the month. I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties! Boy, that’s a lot of co-hosting!
This dress is beautiful. The print is lovely and your sandals are perfect with this dress.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thanks so much, Lovely! These sandals are quite old, but they’re just so perfect with so many outfits!
I do think it’s a lovely dress and can see how it would be nice and cool in the hot summer heat.
Thanks, Joanne! It is very cool especially in the heat and humidity we’ve been having!
You know how I like all things flowy in the summer! Love the print on this dress.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! It is definitely flowy!!
I’ve never heard the word “schmatta” before, although I’m familiar with a bunch of other Yiddish words, so thank you for the education! I know muumuu because I’ve been to Hawaii three times. I think your dress is lovely on you, Marsha! Your smiles lights up your whole look (the red lippy helps!).
Thank you so much, Sheila! I love this dress because of the color, the pattern, the shape, and, oh, yes, the pockets!!! Oh, I envy you for going to Hawaii! I’ve never been even though my brother-in-law lived there for several years!
My grandma had a ton of housedresses, but hers seemed more of the shift kind…and shorter. But I see nothing wrong with a flowy dress. It’s good to have options,
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
My Grandma Rose (my dad’s mom) had a stroke so I mainly remember her in pretty lacy, quilted bedjackets. My Grandma Luderman always worked (as far as my memory goes) and wore shirtdresses. I think I look a lot like my Aunt Lou who was my mom’s oldest sister! She would have loved this dress!
Thanks for coming by, Jodie!
This house dress looks so nice on you I wouldn’t even call it that. But, it does have a nice airy flow and isn’t restricting… which is so nice as it has been SO dreadfully hot here!
Thanks so much, Carrie! It really is very airy and cool. Luckily, the temperatures have gone down here in Central Indiana, but the humidity is still high!
Thanks for coming by!
I don’t think I’ve ever heard the word schmata before but I certainly don’t think your dress is one! It seems to be a pretty, midi summer dress in my opinion. I’m with you, no body con pieces that require any type of shapewear – the summer is way too hot for that!
You look lovely Marsha!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks so much, Kellyann! That is really sweet of you to say! I had forgotten about the word until I was writing this post…it worked perfectly! And, shapewear is a definite no in the summer!
That’s the most perfect dress for very hot weather and the shapelessness absolutely contributes to the flow of the dress. Love it and it’s such a nice colour. It suits you so well – have a lovely and cool rest of the week!
Thanks so much, Penny! There are times I don’t mind a shapeless dress…as long as it’s pretty! I do hope your weekend is a little cooler. Ours is supposed to be cooler, I think. That means lawn work, of course! How are your plants growing? Hope to see an update soon!
I love your schmata, Marsha! It’s pretty, flowy, and perfect for summer. I have a few myself that I wear belt less around the house, but belt them if I go out. Two outfits for the price of one! And thanks for the introduction to the word schmata! Maybe I’ll share one of mine unbelted as well. I love your attitude.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thanks, Michelle! I love this dress, too! I was actually in the store today, and one of the associates said she had just the dress for me (she’s been on vacation)! It was my schmata! I am going to try it this weekend with a belt since none of those are packed away!
Give me a loose and flowy dress any hot summer day! It helps with airflow! I have so many similar dresses and could not care less about how they look. Although personally I think they are all darling. This dress is super cute on you!
Thanks so much, Laura! I love a loose and flowy dress almost all year long but especially in the summer!
Have a fabulous weekend!