The Circus of Life

One of my earliest memories is of a visit to the circus.  It was exactly as the show it in the movies complete with a high dive act, a ringmaster dressed in a red coat and top hat, terrifying clowns, elephants, and tightrope walkers, a little dog for comic relief and pop corn galore.  What a night that was.  I remember certain moments of it so well, but I am the only one in my family who remembered it at all.  When I mentioned it to my parents a few months ago, at first they denied ever going.  As I described the night they did remember, but it doesn't seem to have made the impression on them that it did on me.

After that night I often dreamed of running away to join the circus as a tightrope walker or contortionist.  I read everything I could find on the subject too.  In fact as a teen I devoured all the books like Geek Love, and the work of Daniel P. Mannix like Freaks, We Who Are Not as Others and Memoirs of a Sword Swallower.  

I watched films like Der Himmel uber Berlin (the German film that City of Angels was based on), Carnies (obviously where the character Beetle Juice came from) and Freaked--that Styrofoam cut bit was inspired---, and then It.  I think the movie It put a serious damper on everyone's love for the circus.  A damper, but mine didn't die.

It seems like a lifetime ago that I took my sweet children to the circus and my then three-year-old was brave enough to ride an elephant (while I discreetly tried to keep from hyperventilating) and two lifetimes ago that a very kind and thoughtful boyfriend took me to see Cirque de Soleil in Switzerland.  And although it has been so long since I've been under the big top, and at this point it seems very unlikely that I'll runaway and join the circus, I do still love the circus.  That's why when Collectif collaborated with Top in circus prints, I had to have a few pieces for my wardrobe.

I don't mean to toot my own horn here, but I have been on a creative roll lately.  I don't know if it has anything to do with having spent so much more time at home, but whatever the reason the outfit ideas have been coming to me non-stop lately and I have been so pleased with the results that I have really been encouraged to keep going.  Check out this perfect-for-the-circus theme novelty bag!  I've been home so much and for so long that I've started just wearing whatever is easiest and my brain has entered a sort of fog or creative slump and I feel like I'm finally coming out of it.  I feel like I'm becoming me again.

I'll admit to some nervous hesitation when putting this pencil dress on for the first time.  I bought it at the beginning of quarantine and now I've been home for three months, what if it won't fit?! That sort of thing.  Can you relate?  I know I can't be the only one out there who's feeling that way right now.  I've been trying to take this time to exercise and eat right, but let's face it, it feels really good to sleep late in and to bake cookies everyday to have with tea.  Fortunately I think my daily afternoon walks have brought balance to all things and the dress fits really well.

In addition to this pencil dress, I also bought the Dolores top and I will soon have a splendid outfit to post about with that little gem.   But, I love this print so much that if the swing dress in this print goes on sale, it too shall be mine.  Oh, yes, it will.

I do want to mention a few things about the dress and bolero before this post gets away from me.  So, if you've never shopped at Collectif before, you should know a few things.  First, as far as quality goes, Collectif makes nice things--good fabric, crisp prints, quality stitching, the whole nine.  Second, before you buy, you need to check your measurements against their size charts.  I think this dress fits true to size, but UK sizing is a little different that US or European sizing, so do double check to make sure you are getting the right size.

Great features about this dress include:  the nice thick fabric, and the heart shaped neckline.  This bolero is so lovely, I'm glad I decided to spring for it too.  I have a million cardigans, but none in this bright blue that would be just perfect with a pencil dress.  I did lose a button right away, but thankfully I found it and sewed it back on.

If you are considering shopping at Collectif, I highly recommend it.  I have never bought anything there that I haven't loved.  Each year there are new and inspired prints.  It's all so creative and fresh and made to fit women's bodies the way dresses should.

I styled this dress with red heels from ModCloth and this newly found popcorn novelty bag.  As part of my creative rush, I've purchased a few new novelty bags.  None of them are very expensive but all of them really add that little extra spice to an outfit.  I love them.  

More great outfits to come from this dress and from my other creative streak outfits.  You don't want to miss Monday's post, it's out of this world!

Shopping Info:  

COLLECTIF LOVES TOP VINTAGE JEAN BOLERO, COLLECTIF LOVES TOP VINTAGE KIANA CIRCUS PENCIL DRESS, Why Certainly T-Strap Heel in by Chelsea Crew from ModCloth, Popcorn Bag from amazon.com, Fresh Water Pearl Earrings from Natuloth