Copse and Spinney

Originally published on February 27, 2024 for Natural Posh Vintage.com: |Artful Clothing

Some clothing evokes the memory of favorite stories. When I came across this gorgeous vintage, Indian cotton skirt, I immediately recalled a book I had as a child.  The majestic shades of ruby, lilac, pumpkin, and pale yellow, were unexpected together and exciting!

The book I recalled was “Cinderella or “Little Glass Slipper” adapted and illustrated by Marcia Brown.  The book received a Caldecott medal for illustration in 1955. Some of the artwork resembled pointillism, a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots to form an image and a simple color pallet, which was similar to the intricate designs in the Indian cotton skirt.  I remember how I used to pore over its pages in a world of quiet imagination. 

Like the book, this skirt captures the eye. You can stare at the designs and become immersed in its mesmerizing patterns, or just twirl around in it like Cinderella. 

The skirt is so versatile and comfortable, because it is made of natural, one hundred percent cotton and is free flowing with an adjustable size. A perfect choice to wear to a “Fairy Frolic”.  Which is another way of saying a Valentine’s party hosted by a local art group. There we celebrated by making arts and crafts, meeting new friends, and enjoying cuisine fit for the elves of Rivendell, along with some forest themed cookies made into the shapes of hedgehogs, acorns and red capped mushrooms! Leah painted some deer and a bunny that evening.  I think the mice and deer fit nicely with the book’s theme, as Cinderella was fluent in all of the animal languages!  

Leah models the skirt (below) with a vintage Bohemian blouse and silk scarf and earrings of the same color scheme. 

Do you see what I see?  Do some clothes ever remind you of an illustration in a book you once read, a painting you saw at a museum or a movie with beautiful costumes? Please tell me about it. I would love to hear from you!

Laura