HOW TO STYLE A PLEATED SKIRT? MINA BAY (JELSA)

Today I'm sharing a spring outfit in a neutral colour palette that I wore a couple of days ago. This styling consists of an ivory pleated maxi skirt, a lava grey 'baggy' top, a pair of camel heeled boots and a puppytooth pattern coat. This coat is actually black and white, but it looks grey (probably because of the smallness of the pattern). Correct me if I'm wrong, but I googled this pattern and I think it is puppytooth (a smaller version of houndstooth). Anyhow, I liked the relaxed but still feminine vibe of this outfit. The silhouette of this outfit reminds me of an outfit Sheila from Ephemera recently posted. Interestingly, while I normally appreciate a defined waist in my tops and shirts, when I wear a longer skirt, sometimes I also opt for a 'loose' top. It makes me think of the 1920ties fashion which was (in my opinion) one of the most comfortable and feminine fashion eras.

THE STORY BEHIND THIS OUTFIT - THE TWENTIES

Not that my outfit is an interpretation of the jazzy period, it is definitely more 2020 than 1920. However, a lot of items labelled as 1920 are far from it. A lot of people think of a cocktail mini dress when they think of the jazz era, but in reality most women wore either bellow the knee, midi or maxi length back then. Mini length wasn't invented yet and hence very short skirts wouldn't be considered respectable and certainly not for everyday wear. It is true that this is the era when the skirts got shorter, but bellow the knee was as short as they got. 

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE 1920  MINI DRESS IS A MYTH? 

Take a look at this illustration from 1920 Canadian Home Journal (source: wikipedia) for a more realistic view of nineteen twenties fashion. While on the subject of the 1920 fashion, it is also worth mentioning while dresses were a bit wider around the waist, there was still some waist definition and women still wore belts (they just weren't very tight and were typically lower). It was a fabulous fashion era. It's a bit odd realizing that it started exactly a century ago. What to say of today's fashion? What will 2020 look to future generations? What will they identify as key trends? Cake face make up and tracksuits? Let's hope not.

MY CURRENT WARDROBE SITUATION AND THE REASON FOR NEUTRALS

When I packed my bags to move to island Hvar, I brought mostly neutral colours because I wasn't sure of the dress code at my new work. There isn't a strict one, but I didn't know that at the time. However, I find myself enjoying the light neutral shades. One of the neutral colours I really embraced lately is grey. I don't remember wearing it that often in the past, but these last two years I wore it more and more. I do occasionally miss my vibrant items, but I can always browse my blog archive to remember and reminiscent about bolder colours. I didn't bring that much clothes with me to the island in general, so this is a time to really put my shopping one's closet skill to the test. With the epidemic there is no way for me to send for my clothes and I don't fee like buying new items (even if ordering them online is a possibility). It was easier to shop a larger closet, I must say. I'm definitely not the type for a capsule wardrobe, I like to have options. I'm not a shoppingholic, I prefer to hang onto my clothes, but I definitely prefer having a larger wardrobe. My ideal wardrobe is not too big but definitely not a capsule or a minimalist wardrobe. I think with years I found a good balance of having neither too little nor too much and I was happy with the one I had. Too bad I had to leave it behind.  

It was fun chatting clothes with you about clothes, but let's stop the fashion talk for a second and let me tell you something about the lovely location where this outfit was shot. I like to show you beautiful beaches and bays that island Hvar has to offer. Mina is the best known and the most popular beach in Jelsa. It is a sand beach with beautiful pristine sea water. There is plenty of greenery around. I remember visiting it as a kid. You might remember that I prefer pebble beaches, but I like this one. Plus, I have fond memories of going here. So, it makes sense to visit it often.

HOW TO GET TO BAY MINA (JELSA)? 

Getting to Mina is really easy. It's only about half a kilometre from the centre of Jelsa. You can walk there in no time, just follow the road. It shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes on foot. You can also drive there. Another way to get to Mina is to walk near the sea. There is a pathway near the sea, but it's a bit narrow. If you prefer to be more comfortable, you can just walk on the road. There isn't much traffic here. What else can you find in Mina? In the summer, there is a beach and lounge bar opened as well as an aqua park. There might be more activities in the summer, I'll keep you posted if I'm still here when the summer arrives. Right now, it is very peaceful here.

HOW I WORE THIS PLEATED MAXI SKIRT BEFORE- MORE OUTFIT IDEAS

 Browsing my archives, I found outfits with this ivory maxi skirt dating back to 2015. I find it quite easy to style both for every day and special occasions. I have worn it paired with both heels and Doc Martens boots. I don't remember how much I payed for this skirt, but since it's a no name skirt it probably wasn't much. I'd say I got my money worth out of this one. That goes for other items worn in this outfit as well. I think you'll be seeing more of this pleated skirt this spring, especially as my closet options are now more limited. Not that is a negative. I actually enjoy thinking of multiple ways to wear something. As I always say, limitations can actually be quite freeing.  Another thing I like about this skirt is that it can be worn as either a midi or a maxi skirt, depending on whether I wear it higher or lower on my hips. That's a definite advantage of elastic band skirts. 

HERE ARE LINKS TO SOME OF MY PREVIOUS POSTS ABOUT ISLAND HVAR IN CASE YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL CROATIAN ISLAND

 1. INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CHURCH OF SAINT STEPHEN, STARI GRAD

2. VISITING BASINA BAY ON ISLAND HVAR

3. ADVENT IN STARI GRAD: TWO OUTFIT PROPOSALS

4.STARI GRAD IN AUTUMN: WHAT TO WEAR FOR SIGHT SEEING?

5.VISIT STARI GRAD ON ISLAND HVAR WITH ME

 6. INSIDE OF A RENAISSANCE VILLA OF PETAR HEKTOROVIC

7.VRBOSKA (AKA LITTLE VENICE) ON ISLAND HVAR

8.TARTAN BLAZER AND A GUIDE TO JELSA

9. A BEACH OUTFIT FEATURING A CHERRY PRINT A LINE DRESS

10. ISLAND HIKING OUTFIT FEATURING A GEOMETRIC PRINT DRESS

 10. ISLAND HIKING OUTFIT FEATURING A GEOMETRIC PRINT DRESS

11.A SEASIDE PAINTING INSPIRED BY BAY TORAC

12.A STRIPED ROMPER AND A CAPER FLOWER

13. MY TOP CROATIAN DESTINATIONS OF YEAR 2019

14. TORAC BAY, ISLAND HVAR

15. VISITING SUĆURAJ ON ISLAND HVAR

16. CLIMBING THE FORTRESS IN HVAR CITY

17. PERFECTLY VALID REASONS FOR VISITING HVAR IN WINTER TIME

18. VISITING HVAR TOWN IN WINTER PART 2

19. VISITING HVAR IN WINTER PART 1

20. CHURCH FORTRESS OF SAINT MARY OF MERCY, VRBOSKA

21. VISIT MALA STINIVA BAY ON ISLAND HVAR PART 1

 22. VISIT MALA STINIVA ON ISLAND HVAR PART 2 

23. THE CHURCH OF SAINT GEORGE, GDINJ

24. BAY TORAC, ISLAND HVAR IN SUMMER

25. NECKLACE INSPIRED BY GDINJ, ISLAND HVAR

 26. IN FRONT OF MY GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE 

27. MAGNENTA COAT (MOST PHOTOS TAKEN ON ISLAND HVAR)

 28. JELSA CITY AND A BOOK RECOMMENDATION 

29. FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: HVAR CITY

30. FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: JELSA 

31. VISIT BAY PRAPATNA ON ISLAND HVAR WITH ME 

32. VISIT BAY SOLINE ON ISLAND HVAR WITH ME

 33. JELSA (MIDI DRESS STYLING)

 34. VISIT SKOZANJE BAY (GDINJ) WITH ME!

35. DISCOVER BEACH KAMENJARA AND BOTA WIND SURF CENTER WITH ME

36. JELSA PARK AND OUTFIT POST

37. JELSA OUTFIT POST AND A BOOK REVIEW

38. TRAVEL VIRTUALLY: VISIT BAY VELA STINIVA WITH ME

39. VISITING HVAR CITY AND STYLING WIDE TROUSERS

40. HIKING IN JELSA (DIY LACE SKIRT)

41. JELSA CITY- LBD

42. FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: TORAC

As always, thank you for reading, visiting and commenting. Have a lovely day!