House of Widow

I have to admit that these photos were taken in summer but given that Scotland is in a state of perpetual winter, I doubt you would have noticed!  I actually don’t enjoy winter in Scotland much – it’s cold and dark and wet without being snowy and it lasts forever. It’s funny, then, that I have so much love for autumn. I know many that see autumn as the depressing bringer of winter, a sign that our two weeks of yearly sun has passed. To me, it’s always been the most exciting time of year. It reminds me of new starts and new stationary and a new winter coat. Autumn is the most romantic season. It’s nostalgic and it evokes a deep sense of longing for me, that feeling that you really want something but you can’t quite put your finger on what. A reminder of autumns past, of moving city and starting term, of meeting past friends and starting old projects. The sunlight is never more beautiful than on an autumn evening. And my god, I just love the way autumn smells. I love the smell of rain on stone paths and of bonfire smoke in the air.

This evening I was walking home from work in the rain, the wind wrestling with my coat and the bag on my shoulders, but it felt amazing to be outside. The air is still warm and I’m excited for the year ahead. And the clothes are so much better in autumn – you can wear “A/W” outfits before December arrives and drowns your style in never ending layers of jumpers.  I was listening to a podcast of Women’s Hour where the guest describes making resolutions in September not January. It makes so much more sense – autumn is a natural time of reflection and no one has the energy to be resolved in January.

Outfit Details: Dress, House of Widow / Slip, Vintage (Dolly Mix Vintage, Leicester) / Jacket, Unif via Depop / Shoes, YRU via ASOS
Photos: Oscar Acton

This dress is a dream come true, it definitely speaks to the 14 year old goth inside me who always wanted to look like a vampire at a ball. The sheerness is difficult to style though – the models on the Widow site wear it with just underwear but it’s too cold for that here. I’m struggling to find an undergarment that can deal with the low cut top, and the fact that the skirt comes in at the under-bust, not the waist. Oh well, I’ll keep scouring the lingerie section at Armstrong’s Vintage Shop, good things come to those who wait. It’s also too fancy for most occasions in my life – I don’t mind being overdressed, but sometimes I just want to fit in. This is not a dress for one of those days. I wonder if people dress more casually now, or if it’s just a sign of me growing up. It seems common for people to scoff at girls on nights out “tottering” around in platform heels, “skimpy” skirts and a lot of makeup. If that’s not for you then that’s cool, but it’s quite frankly unfair to criticise those who want to dress up. If you can’t wear your fancy clothes having drinks with your friends on a Saturday night, then why can you?