Year in Review: What Wendy Wore in 2019

I started out 2019 with a fashion choice that was simultaneously rare for me ... yet typical. What was rare that I wore a dress that I'd never worn before. What was typical for me is that I'd owned the dress for four years before wearing it once.  And this wasn't even the longest I've waited for a piece's "right moment." [caption id="attachment_44265" align="aligncenter" width="498"] Click my NYE dress to see the price tag.[/caption] I was disappointed that I didn't go for a literal heart theme for Valentine's Day in February, but looking at this photo, I'm so happy with this outfit! The red jacket is practically heart-shaped itself, and I love the person who gave it to me. [caption id="attachment_44266" align="aligncenter" width="498"] Click to find out who gave me this vintage H&M jacket.[/caption] As I've said several times, activism has cut into my blogging. (Are you in New York City and thinking, "I'm not doing anything -- what can I do?" send me your email. I've published a weekly action newsletter for a total of 140 weeks so far.) I didn't do an outfit post in March, even though I wore super-slow-fashion for what was supposed to be an "organizing meeting" for Elizabeth Warren in Long Island City, N.Y. I figured I'd go and find out what new all-consuming work I could be doing for free. I didn't expect to meet Elizabeth Warren! [caption id="attachment_44267" align="aligncenter" width="498"] Click for more photos.[/caption] I was dressed in entirely pre-2005 clothes. The top is a faux-corset style by Versace. The skirt suit by Cacherel is one I used to wear to Lehman Brothers. I was dressed very seriously because I'd just come from an interview for my local community board that was held at City Hall. I kept the jacket buttoned up there, but I still didn't get the position. Oh well! I believe Elizabeth's jacket is by Nina McLemore. When I went to a journalism awards dinner in April, I wore one of my favorite vintage Ossie Clark dresses. The dress is beautiful and interesting and has the all-important Celia Birtwell print, but I also rate it highly because of the excellent vintage dealer I bought it from. [caption id="attachment_44268" align="aligncenter" width="498"] Click to find out who the lovely vintage seller is.[/caption] For another journalism event -- the Columbia Spectator's annual fundraising dinner -- I wore secondhand Gucci purchased in 2015. I need to wear those shoes more often! [caption id="attachment_44269" align="aligncenter" width="498"] Click for the original post.[/caption] Oh, how unexpected! In June I wore another Ossie Clark to another journalism event. This is one case where I'd worn this exact dress to the exact event once before. I have no fashion-repeating shame. None at all. [caption id="attachment_44270" align="aligncenter" width="487"] Been wearing this dress since 2004, and I'll wear it as long as I can squeeze into it.[/caption] July was another month that flew by without a full-length outfit photo. I went to D.C. with Never Again Action to shut down ICE headquarters. All I know is that I wore the one Phillip Treacy hat I always wear in the sun, and I can see my Keith Haring Reebok sneakers. I don't know when I got those, but it was online, they were already out of production, and I got two pairs. This is my second pair. [caption id="attachment_44271" align="aligncenter" width="498"] Click for information about this protest.[/caption] MrB's birthday in August was celebrated in homegrown vintage -- Alexander McQueen from 2010. I'm not sure how many layers of Spanx I had to wear to get into this, but breathing is so overrated. [caption id="attachment_44272" align="aligncenter" width="498"] Click for an old photo of this dress.[/caption] September is still summer, so it's the month during which I wear every dress that I feel like I should have worn in June, July, or August. [caption id="attachment_44273" align="aligncenter" width="498"] Guess when I got this dress ... then click to see if you're right.[/caption] I went to see Madonna twice in October, and of course I wore my concert t-shirt from 1990. [caption id="attachment_44274" align="aligncenter" width="498"] Get the details on the rest of the look by clicking![/caption] Designer Anna Sui admired this Ossie Clark dress in November, and I nearly lost my mind from the excitement. [caption id="attachment_44275" align="aligncenter" width="498"] I also met designer Zandra Rhodes! What a great day.[/caption] Finally, for December, this is what I wore yesterday, when author Abby Pesta took me out for a birthday dinner.

CLICK HERE TO BUY ABBY'S NEWS-MAKING BOOK.

I never feel comfortable with tops tucked into pants or skirts. I think I look better proportioned with a longer look on top. Last night, I thought, "Fie with that silly self-consciousness! I'm sure that's all in my head."

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I think this @moschino skirt is from 2005 or 2006 even though the earliest picture I can find right now is from 2011. #slowfashion #slowfashionmovement #rewearreuserecycle #homegrownvintage #ootd #nowandthen #wiw #moschino

A post shared by Wendy Brandes (@wendybrandes) on Dec 28, 2019 at 7:35pm PST

Yeah, I totally don't like the tucked-in look. The tops from the other three years -- look how consistent the length is! I'm a little impressed by that. The velvet bodysuit I'm wearing in last night's photo is new this year and by Commando. I got it specifically to wear with the Moschino skirt from 2005 or 2006. I'm sure I'll find plenty of other uses for it, but this particular combo doesn't do it for me. The boots are from 2002 and by Jil Sander. [caption id="attachment_44277" align="aligncenter" width="498"] Thanks for dinner, Abby![/caption] Have any favorite lewks from this post? Let me know in the comments. Or tell me what you're wearing for New Year's Eve, even if that's pajamas. I have an old dress I want to wear, but I've got to see if I can squeeze myself into it. Time to get out alllllll the Spanx.