~Just because I'm wearing a blanket......

doesn’t mean I’m crazy!  Here’s the story behind this look.  Monday morning I come home from the gym (I’ve been working out at 4:30am lately) and went to wake my daughter up.  This HUGE scarf, which belongs to me, was hanging on the back of her door.  No problem!  I take it with me downstairs and just started playing with it. 
I read a story one time about Kay Francis, the old clothes horse, film star. 



She’s one of my all time favorites!  Her style is classic, elegant and timeless.  The story, as told by New Yorker, Charlie Baskerville, goes that the two of them took a summer trip to Paris (circa 1920s).  According to Baskerville, “That summer she had no wardrobe, and neither of us had much money.  But she took a paisley –gray, black, and white – Persian shawl and had it made into an evening wrap.  Whenever we were going to any swell place, she would put the paisley wrap over her gown, and she was a knockout.  She carried herself beautifully; her hair was as short as mine, and she wore no jewelry.  Only lipstick.  No eye shadow or anything; she didn’t need it.  People were stampeded by this creature.  They thought she was a maharani on the loose.” 
I love that story!  It’s always stuck with me that it really doesn’t take a lot to look great; simply a great piece.  I thought of that when I wrapped this baby around me.  Given to me by a good friend and never worn, I found that this was a great way to wear it and it’s supremely versatile!



How I did it:
This is a huge rectangular wrap.  I started to wrap it like I would wrap a towel around me.  Instead of wrapping it all the way around, I brought both ends to the front and then tied them behind my neck.  Then I wrapped what was hanging in front and belted it with a secure belt.  Added a short jacket and there you go!  I’ve got a look!  I think it’s one of those things that people either love or are completely confused by.  When I wasn’t looking at it, I would think, “Does this really look as good as I think it does?”.  But then every time I went to the restroom and walked by a full length mirror, I thought, “YUP!  I really do love it!”
Next, I think I’ll try it as a skirt.  I played around with it and really liked the look.  The moral of this story is that you don’t need a lot of money to have a dramatic fabulous look.  I achieved it with a gifted shawl and thrifted jacket and am definitely channeling my inner Kay Francis!

Image source