On Friday, MrB and I went to our gorgeous friend Kim Barker’s book party. The New York Times raved about Kim’s book, The Taliban Shuffle, calling it “…hilarious and harrowing, witty and illuminating, all at the same time.” So buy it now!
I wasn’t sure what to wear that night. I considered a plain black dress with my big leopard bag so that I could finally take an outfit picture with the latter. But I decided the bag was so enormous that was unsuitable for a cocktail party. While I’d be able to stash whole trays of pigs-in-blankets in the bag — and I do love a pig in a blanket — I feared I would send people’s wineglasses crashing to the floor.
I looked in the recesses of my closet for something I hadn’t worn in a while. That brought me to two Ossie Clark dress-tunic-shirt-things that I feel are too short. I’ve previously worn them with tights, with bare legs and with shiny leggings, but was never truly happy with the look. I thought a pair of black jeggings might be the answer but when I tried the combo, I hated it. I like dresses with pants on other people but not on me. I switched back to opaque tights and pondered my reflection unhappily. Then I thought, “Why am I even worrying?” I’d just come back from Miami where women were wearing scraps of spandex that barely covered their chimichanga regions. Could my outfit be more offensive than what I’d experienced for a week? I doubted it. So off I went, even though I felt like I was missing my pants.
What Wendy Wore
Dress-tunic-shirt-thing: Vintage Ossie Clark
Tights: Can’t remember
Boots: Prada (2008)
Ring: My own onyx skull design
Lip color: The usual
Separately, gorgeous blogger Collette of Statements in Fashion picked me for her Twitter Tuesday feature so go visit and leave her a nice comment. And thanks, Collette! I’m very honored! Also, Luxury Daily wrote about my use of Facebook for e-commerce.
This is not too short – you look killer.
The Taliban Shuffle has been on my Amazon Wishlist since I read an article on it in the Chicago Reader a few weeks ago. I should have known you’d have such cool friends, WendyB!
Looks like a respectable mini to me, but I’ve worn stuff so short my husband blushed! But no ass cheeks hangin out, that’s where I draw the line! You look great!
You look amazing in that – what were you doing, worrying about the length? Pshaw, I say! Besides, it’s not like you’re sitting a lot at a cocktail party and that’s the only time a short skirt is really risque.
I laughed at your Miami post – when I was there at Xmas, I was in culture shock over the clothes. I felt very staid, ha ha!
No way is that dress too short. You look fabulous. xxx
You looked fantastic, I like the proportions of the Ossie Clark piece on you
xx
Marian
I think that dress tunic thing rocks…definitely NOT to short at all…work it girl:)
Thanks for being on Twitter Tuesday this week!!!
You look fabulous- thank you for the book recommendation. I’ll get this one. I love Afghanistan and its people and the fact that every day was like falling down the rabbit hole- oh wait, that part was sometimes not so lovely, but it was always exciting. Wonderful wonderful people who deserve so much better.
That emsemble is smokin’ HOT! I can’t do dresses with pants as well. It seems a bit much for me.
Hi Wendy, I do love the Ossie on you, it’s not too short at all!
Love that dress!!
In what world is this dress too short? It looks perfect with the tights!
Great … it’s so fresh and perfect on you.
Hi my dear-the Ossie is no way too short, you look incredibly gorgeous and its a fabulous length to wear more regularly too!! xxx
Not a single person here thinks it’s too short. Crazy how we feel uncomfortable in things other people love. Go figure.
The opaque tights and knee boots really make it work.
I think the length of that dress is perfect. Mini, but not too mini.
I would totally call that a dress, not a tunic and the length is fine, especially with tights! And you look lovely in it!
Although… my anti-spam word is “easygirl”
It is a perfect length! You could even reach down and tie your shoe laces with out displaying your um crown jewels.
What a gorgeous dress!
I third, fourth, hundredth the comments that say that your length is not short! In Miami the look would be positively modest! (And flattering, in *any* city.)
Not too short at all, although that’s always a question I have to ask myself as well. I think black tights make many things okay. And I love the print!
I totally don’t think the dress is too short – I love it! And I’m swooning over the amazing boots that you paired it with.
My mom told me that when she was in school in the 60’s the administrators would determine if a miniskirt was too short by having the girl hold her arms straight down to her sides — if the hem came down at least to the tips of her fingers the length was ok. I’m betting this dress is downright conservative by that standard, although since you always have your hands on your hips, we’ll never know…
Love the dress, so urban and funky!
what a beautiful ossie frock! love his work, actually my latest post is about him 🙂
You look beautiful in it!
Great outfit, sounds like an interesting book.
That is definitely in the dress category. Your blog title made me laugh. Reading that in the UK, it means you went out without any underwear. Ha ha. Lost in translation?
Or maybe I skipped the underwear. I’ll never tell!
Another new word, chimichanga!
That dress is not too short. No way. It looks great with those boots.
The book sounds really funny — and it’s available via audible.com, a definite plus, since I can listen while working out.
I love that dress, it’s super cute – especially with the patent boots!
This last month I’ve been worrying that everything I’m wearing is way too short! Is this what happens as you get older?!
At my parents, they buy these pigs in blankets from Trader Joe’s (we don’t have it in CAN). I ate 16 of them last time I was in NC.
As a restless native in a land of cougars and sunshine, the OC, and a former Catholic school girl I am very aware of the rise of the too short syndrome, that would have earned me a seat in detention,and the threat of losing my skirt wearing privileges. Fearing a fate of heinous pleated walking shorts we CSGs had a keen eye for just exactly how short was too short. Technically, it was anything more than 3″ above the knee but as long as the tips of your fingers didn’t go past the hem of your skirt you were safe. Using my highly trained eye (I was only caught once!) to glance over your photo I don’t see anything that would earn you a seat in detention next to me.
P.S. Have you seen Rihanna’s Rolling Stone cover? If so what are your thoughts on the chain mail cootchie cutters?
Even though I was never a CSG, I somehow have that fingertip rule in my head and it did indeed cross my mind when I was contemplating the Ossie!
I’m finding that Rihanna cover very sex-ay. I think it’s one of the best pix of her ever.
Haha! I thought it was a secret of the Holy Roman Empire but after seeing it noted in other replies I’m beginning to have the vague feeling that such wisdom was imparted to the devout followers of women’s fashion magazines several years ago and has since been passed down generation to generation.
*I winced when I saw the photo. All I could think was how do you not get pinched in those shorts? No one wants her chimichanga regions becoming carnitas.
Love that Ossie!!! Just spotted this over at Kerry Taylor…
http://www.kerrytaylorauctions.com/detail-test.php?id=1814
Someone needs to buy it and do the twin thing with you!
Chimichanga regions… this nearly had my morning cup tea coming out of my nose! Not good when you’re still half asleep. Permission to use this expression and spread among the British public? Looking fab as ever Wendy! xx
Yes, please share the expression “chimichanga region” with the world!
I love your dress! So unique 🙂
OHGOODLORD
STOP worrying about exposing yourself.
1. You have great legs!
2. There is NO WAY this is too short.
3. I love the Miami attitude. (apropos: my captcha was “rome,” so when in Rome . . . . )