Thursday 19 January 2012

the wards in jarndyce

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The lovely and thoughtful Rosalind recently asked who among her readers uses literature and film as influences in getting dressed. I'm guessing many of us, but I will say that I love literary inspiration. I have already dressed up as a Victorian orphan (here) but sometimes the influences are more subtle.

In Charles Dickens' Bleak House Richard and Ada are pulled before the courts in Chancery Lane, as claimants in Jarndyce and Jarndyce, a case involving a fortune which has dragged on for so long no one can see the end of it. They become the wards of Jarndyce, and go to live in the paradoxically idyllic Bleak House, but the long shadow of hopes and aspirations, always thwarted by the dithering ways of the Victorian British courts, already has a deathly hold upon one of them.

If you're wondering what on earth this has to do with my outfit... a Miss Flite lives in a tiny dreary flat in Chancery, herself a former ward of the courts, herself waiting for a settlement that may never come, and keeps in her room flocks of caged birds-- named Hope, Joy, Youth, Rest, Peace, Want, Ashes, Life, Waste, Dust, Madness, Despair, Death, Words, Wigs, Rags, Folly, Cunning, Jargon, Precedent, Sheepskin, Gammon, Plunder and Spinach--to be released upon the "day of judgement." And through the course of the story she adds two more little birds to their number, named "The Wards in Jarndyce."

Ah Dickens at his long-winded, sentimental, delightful, nonsensical and profound best. I hope my robin necklace and empty-birdcage skirt do Miss Flite a modicum of justice.

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Photos by Albert

skirt: Snoozer Loser, sweater: Ralph Lauren circa 1998, vintage beret, scarf: gift (for someone else), boots: Camper, necklace: gift from my sister

36 comments:

rose japan said...

Que Belas fotos emily linda saia, o Cachecol scarf Sueter ... e o seu look AMEI
besos rose jp

islabell said...

Damn Albert. These photos are so good. Loved the inspiration too lady. x

Miss Tallulah Porkchop said...

You look fantastic. I have commented on that skirt before - divine print - matches with the necklace!! Jaclet is adorable and your beret is inspiring me to wear mine.

x

Penny said...

wow girl!these pictures are so beautiful!you are so beautiful!!!

on the main subject of whether i m getting dressed based on literature- i wish i was. But dressing for work every day makes me really boring with clothes :( i need more ideas...

Abigayel-Bryce said...

that is the cutest skirt i think ive ever seen : )

and as always, really great post !!!

xx

Abigayel-Bryce said...

and totally! literary inspiration is the best! i often try to capture the spirit of jane eyre in my outfits... or pioneers. some days i am inspired by sherlock holmes...: )

Annalise said...

Great inspiration!! I just did a post about my inspiration from the book "Bridge to Terabithia". You look lovely in this dress.
XOXO

Closet Fashionista said...

I really need to read more...my only inspiration would be from lord of the rings, harry potter, narnia, and pride & prejudice XD
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

Caitlin said...

beautiful photos. the beret looks perfect on you!
and i think i've seen a blog post with you wearing that skirt before and i gushed about my love for it... i am tempted to gush again! love it.

maggie said...

such a cute outfit, I love your skirt! very pretty. Getting inspiration from books sounds like a great idea, I will make sure to try it ^^ I would most likely base it off of Norwegian Wood by Murakami, the way he describes Midori visually is definitely a way I'd dress~

xx maggie
saltandleather.blogspot.com

bridechic said...

Super chic and truly one of a kind! Great post . . .

Anonymous said...

I love the photos of your face in this post. There's a demure quality...

Eloise said...

You look great, not many people can pull off the beret that well (I know I just look rubbish in them) but you deinitely can!

xx

sweet harvest moon said...

Love this post! Love the bird theme here with the birdcage skirt and bird necklace :)

Niki said...

love it! the skirt is adorable. and you are gorgeous :)
~niki <3

Kallie, Happy Honey and Lark said...

Wow, that is some serious inspiration! I feel very humbled because I'd never even heard of this book. I will be searching it out soon!
Love the look, especially the necklace!

Caitlin of doverpeak said...

What a GORGEOUS photo shoot. So lovely, my dear.

Rosalind said...

What a skirt! I loved the references immediately - as I am currently making my way through Bleak house, alongside various other books. Dickens' characters are always so intriguing, and often inspiring too. Have you seen the excellent BBC adaptation? Thank you for referencing me, and what a fabulous set of photos!

Valerie Enríquez said...

What a darling outfit! I love the colors together and your hair looks lovely :)

Is It Secret, Is It Safe said...

I love your skirt so much! Your outfit is so adorable!
-Katie

Zane said...

amazing ensemble

Ashley said...

Smashing! Bird necklace+birdcage skirt is PERFECTION! I will always love that skirt and if I ever visit Barcelona and meet you, I'm going to devise ways to steal it...mwahahaha!

Che said...

I love that skirt!

Unknown said...

This look is so beautiful. I love your birdcage skirt. It's fantastic. I just got a scarf from Snoozer Loser and I'm obsessed with it. They create the most beautiful prints and fabrics.

http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com/

Natasha said...

That skirt is gorgeous and I love the Dickens' reference. xxx

Amber said...

you've done Dickens proud. that skirt is beautiful and I just love the lighting in these shots.

Katie Burry said...

I love that skirt! So pretty. One of my favorite of your pieces! <3

The Semi Sweet said...

Ah, I'm liking the inspiration for your outfit!! I haven't read a Dickens book in forever. May need to pick this one up :)

Annebeth said...

These pictures are ABSOLUTELY stunning, probably the most beautiful I have ever seen on your blog. The light is exquisite. Love your inspiration too!

his_girl_friday said...

I love this look and its literary inspiration.

Little Tree Vintage said...

pretty in love with that skirt, it's amazing!

Jul said...

Literary inspiration for an outfit, so cool! I love this look by the way, that skirt is just wow and your necklace is so LOVELY! I think I need one too :)
Life is a romantic poem

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

Emily, Emily, Emily. Your Snoozer Loser skirt looks sooo good with those boots! Literary inspiration is always fun. While I've never read Bleak House (or much Dickens for that matter), I'd say from your description that you have indeed done Miss Flite justice.

Monique said...

you just keep styling that skirt better and better each time. it was a great investment in deed. way to pair your outfit with literature, it was quite seamless. cheers

caitlin said...

i love this--you look so pretty! albert must like you. :p

i haven't read much dickens. okay, i'll admit, i've only read "a tale of two cities" and though i liked it at the time (10th grade) i haven't been inspired to read him since. this book sounds much more my style!

Virginie's Cinema said...

This look is very "Une Bande à Part" too! I adore this skirt and your hait looks specially fabulous here my dear! A great great winter outfit!

Virginie ♥