they do it over there but we don't do it here*

Back in 2014, Jon and I watched David Bowie Is, a documentary about the immersive and comprehensive Bowie exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.  We didn't think we'd be able to catch the exhibition while it toured, disappointed that it would never stop in San Francisco.  Fast forward to 2018, we've moved to the East Coast, and the last stop of the exhibition happens to be in the Brooklyn Museum in New York.  When the tickets were released in March 2018, I immediately purchased them for July, right after my birthday!

We dubbed it the Birthday Bowie Weekender.  Here's the outfit rundown for quite possibly the hottest (like literally, the weather) weekend ever.

help me from melting

- Dress: Alfred Shaheen Blossoms Print Hawaiian swing dress from Unique Vintage | other colorways here

- Cape: Bed Lace Jacket by Anna Sui

- Purse and earrings: Splash Out wicker crab bag and By the Pool pineapple double drop earrings by Kate Spade

at the polynesian - with tangaroa

at ps kitchen - gimmie all the flowers

Looking back at my photos, I should have tied the sleeve ribbon on the bed jacket.  I'm super self-conscious about my arms (a discussion for another time), so seeing them out like that embarrasses me.  I recently rediscovered that Anna Sui bed jacket, purchased years ago when I had traveled to Manhattan by myself and splurged on the piece.  It's perfect for these hot days and covers my arms.

david bowie is my blackstar

- Dress: Hamilton dress from Unique Vintage | other colorways here

- Cape: Bedroom Lace Jacket by Anna Sui

- Purse: Splash Out wicker crab bag by Kate Spade

- Shoes: Sundae wedges by Miss L Fire

- Boater hat: straw boater by Scala (actually a men's hat) | here

at the william vale - summer smells like sunblock and insect repellent


mr. crabs was definitely popular about town

Somehow I lost a button on my Hamilton dress.  The buttons weren't secure to begin with - I had to repair a couple when I received it - and I don't have any replacement white cloth-covered buttons.  That's a shame.  I chose this dress because the vertical stripes reminded me of Bowie's Saturday Night Live performance with Klaus Nomi and Joey Arias.  But imagine my shock when I walked into the Berlin years section and the wallpaper was all black and white stripes!  I nearly cried in happiness.

As for my bag, Mr. Crabs garnered a lot of compliments!  He can carry my phone, wallet, and sunglasses, but what you can't see is that I'm also wearing a backpack (Matt and Nat's Mercy Backpack from Herbivore Clothing, if you're wondering) to carry other travel necessities, like sunblock and insect repellent.

bonus accidental stripe twinning with jon

Planning outfits for these hot East Coast summers have been a challenge.  It almost makes me enjoy the winters... almost.  What do you do to keep cool?

I'll post more on what we saw and ate for Birthday Bowie Weekender - keep an eye out!

*David Bowie - Fashion