Four Ways - Black Silk Tunic

I have a pretty regular routine down whenever I visit one of my local thrift stores. As soon as I walk in the door I grab a shopping cart (I'm Southern so I actually call it a "buggy" much to the amusement of the Yanks I live amongst). Then I start to fill it with anything and everything that looks even mildly interesting. I don't bother checking for flaws or stains or fit. By the time I get through the store I usually have a buggy full of clothes, shoes and assorted household goodies. Then the work begins. I sort through each piece, looking over it carefully and usually end up keeping about a third of what I picked up. The last time I was there I found this black silk dress. When it was time to sort through my finds I was see-sawing back and forth over whether to keep it or put it back. It was really long and sort of shapeless but the 100% silk fabric and the pretty pintucks kept tempting to put it in the keep pile. It wasn't until after I got it home that I realized it was reminding me of some of the silk pieces I'd been admiring in the Lyell collection. I ended up chopping about 8 inches off the bottom and happily hung it in my closet. Here's how I plan on wearing it...

• For daytime black accessories seemed a bit dour so I mixed in some brown to make it feel lighter.
• The fabric is so soft and draping it's perfect to wear belted as a shirt with jeans.

• It becomes my blouse and my slip when I wear it tucked into a slightly sheer high waisted cotton skirt.
• For a night look (as if I ever go out at night!) I paired it with sheer tights, heels and a little embroidered purse.