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.
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
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!
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.
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!
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
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.
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
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.”
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.