As it is a highly unusual design, I bought this Dries van Noten sweater with black ribbons. Was it wise? Will I wear it a lot? Hmmm, time will tell. It is one of my biggest pitfalls when buying clothes. So far I managed to have a wardrobe filled with unusual pieces and every piece demands all the attention, making sure you can never combine them as they would compete with each other. Basics are so much more sensible.
Alas, I am not a sensible woman and very impulsive, which means not the smartest shopper in the world. And there is another thing “wrong” with this sweater, it is white with black, my worst colours. To avoid my face being drained completely I looked for earrings in vivid shades. The bag is a lovely and simple addition of a pop of red but it is nowhere near my face. I already have one pair of earrings like the ones in this post and knew where to look: laradesign.nl. Although there are hundreds of earrings on this site, the one I was searching for wasn’t among them. I sent an email asking whether she would do custom-made earrings? YES, she did. In a FaceTime conversation I told her what I wanted and she composed it. Simple and it didn’t even cost more.
Below: I think the shape of the earrings goes really well with the sweater and the colours (bright pink and red) are a delightful clash, brightening up my face.
Kitty and I planned a shoot on a very cold and rainy day. Blast!! In order to have some protection from the elements we went back to the cathedral of Haarlem, de Saint Bavo. We were out of luck as there was a service in the cathedral and there were posters and banners everywhere advertising an exposition. We therefore couldn’t take really lovely pictures, but if you want to see more of the cathedral, click through to a previous post.
Below: The cathedral is rather majestic and lovely as background when the sun is out.
Only it was freezing cold, the wind blew and often it rained.
Below: You might like this look below, but I don’t. I am wearing my thick winter coat with hood to protect me from the elements.
Below: We could use doors, cellars and so on as backgrounds, as long as it didn’t rain and the wind wasn’t blowing me apart.
Below: Sometimes I swiped a ribbon from front to back….
Below: …and sometimes the ribbons just fell as they liked and gently moved in the wind.
Below: Talking to Kitty behind me who is trying to get the cathedral in the picture with me. It is a huge building.
Below: Kitty walking towards the side entrance.
Below: Kitty with new trousers, a new shirt and a new batwing jumper.
Below: Innocently walking around the cathedral…
Below: …we stumbled upon this statue: ‘grieving woman’.
Below: It turned out to be a memorial for 10 resistance men, randomly picked from the Amsterdam prison, who were shot by the Germans in the second world war. It was a revenge for the death of a German policeman by the resistance. The names, dates and places of birth of the men who were shot, are on the tiles around the statue. On the 4th of May we traditionally commemorate victims of that war which started in 1940. On the 5th of May we celebrate our freedom.
We stopped and paused for a while.
Below: As I said, huge building.
We shook off the sadness, the photos were taken and we headed to a café.
Below: Kitty, enjoying her coffee at the Wapen van Kennemerland. We both had cake. (More about this café and its rural surroundings in this very old post and this post.)
Below: Wapen van Kennemerland is what we call ‘an old brown café’. You can see why, but it doesn’t really apply to this place anymore, as it is a good restaurant now as well as a pub.
Below: Masks are now obligatory in shops, confined spaces, public transport, preferably all the time.
Below: A last close-up of the ankle boots.
What happened in my life this week
Not an awful lot happened really. We did have dinner at my stepdaughter’s, really good Italian food.
At the beginning of the week I met my ex-colleague Wendy Tuns. We hadn’t spoken each other for 15 or 20 years, we couldn’t remember how long ago it was. Thanks to social media, we knew a little about what was going on in each other’s life, but that was it. We live quite far apart so agreed to meet in a town in the middle. Wendy recognised me from afar (at least 100 metres) and called me to check whether it was really me. We chatted, drank coffee, had lunch etc etc. from 10.30 a.m. till 15.30 p.m. There was a lot to catch up on. Thoroughly delightful day. Wendy ventured into a new career, an unusual one. She gives speeches at funerals on behalf of the deceased or their loved ones. She is bloody good too. A warm and caring person. Her job is a sort of storytelling and there were so many stories leading up to the funeral services which she felt needed to be told, that she wrote a book. How about that. When we met I totally forgot to take photos, but below a photo of her, proudly holding her book. I read her book and it is touching, warm, a bit like a book of short novels.
The stand-up comedy course is over for me. Two reasons: I really didn’t feel Covid-safe in the ‘classroom’. Last Wednesday the class split into 7 on the premises and 6 in a Google hang-out. But really, it is impossible to do this kind of course, theatre with expression, through internet. The second reason is: it is so very much harder to become a stand-up comedian than I imagined. Going on stage isn’t my biggest worry but writing your own material and jokes and having to perform time after time to get even 10 minutes of stuff that works…. I haven’t got the creativity for that and neither the passion nor the perseverance.
I also had to cancel yoga class. Again, I didn’t feel Covid-safe and because I have a bad left knee, I cannot do half the exercises. Even with alternative exercises I managed to hurt my knee and had to go to the physiotherapist 4 times in 2 weeks. Yoga…not a good idea for me.
Other courses which I would like to follow are cancelled or will have the same Covid problems, which means it might become a lonely autumn and winter. Fortunately I have husband Ron, dog Watson, cat Sophie, lovely neighbours, nice house and garden…I will not complain. So many people have far bigger problems.
Friday was a day with a star. Ron took me to Amsterdam early in the morning for a photo shoot (he is a darling). The shoot went very smoothly, we were lucky with several things. Afterwards we looked for coffee-to-go and found a terrific place, had a lovely chat with two young ladies, school teachers, went to the beach to walk Watson where we had French fries with Froukje and Petro (friends who live in our street). And then, on our way home, we bought fresh fish in the harbour and delivered a portion to our friends Georg and Marla. They spontaneously invited us to dinner to eat the fish which was lovely. A great day.
Now for some outfits of this week.
Below: My wide green trousers from the Max Mara outlet in Turin. You can see more of this outfit when you click through to the original post. I have elongated the trousers and am wearing them with my pink EIJK boots. Not sure whether I will keep them this way or hem them up again.
Below: I still really like this outfit. I bought it at the Max Mara shop and not in the outlet. Only the shirt was a size too small (see the original post). Then when I was at the Max Mara outlet, I saw the same shirt in my (bigger) size. I didn’t hesitate, bought it and gave Daniela (my Italian friend) the smaller size. So glad I swapped it.
And in the category miscellaneous, Ron found this picture below. That’s the Dutch for you haha: we are stickers for time (very punctual) and are always riding a bike.
See you next week to see the result of Ron’s photo shoot.
Greetje
LOVE THE OUTFIT!
I do NOT DO YOGA EITHER SO AT LEAST THERE ARE TWO OF US IN THIS WORLD THAT DO NOT DO IT!
XX
We probably aren’t the only two not practising yoga haha. I am glad you like my outfit. It is not everybody’s taste.
Dear Greetje, the black ribbon sweater is quite interesting. I always like black and white combinations. I was also interested in the wide leg trousers. I am seeing them in stores but have not purchased any yet. I am not going anywhere to dress up (thank you pandemic!) but may add a pair later. Your photos are great as usual. So the stand-up wasn’t your cup of tea. I am sure you will find something else that interests you. And you are a lucky duck to have so many dear friends. Have a good week.
I also like black and white combinations, it is just that they don’t like me. I am trying to dress up every day, but I am sliding towards jeans all the time.
The stand-up was fun, but I am not creative enough to write my own jokes.
I agree that I am very lucky to have so many lovely friends. I hold them dearly.
Love your sweater, such a cool and original piece!, and love your style and great ideas to cheer it up wearing colourful earrings!. Those earrings and the fabulous bag make a difference!. Lovely accessorizing, lovely photos and lovely to see you looking so fab!
Sorry that you had to cancel some activities due to the situation, but totally understand that you didn’t feel safe. I’ve also cancelled fun activities that I loved, but think it’s better to be sensible (even a little bit squeamish)
I think that your green trousers have a magnificent shape and look really cool and elegant!. And love the ensemble you bought at Max Mara, such lovely prints and colors!.
Lovely post!
besos
Thank you for the many compliments! Very flattering.
I don’t think we are squeamish, not even a little bit. It is vital not to catch it. For ourselves and our loved ones.
Keep safe.
How beautiful is this sweater, it has a very original design. And with your jeans … perfect. In addition, the red bag gives a Tommy air to the outfit, great.
The sweater is indeed a very original design. Leave that to Dries van Noten, he is really good.
I don’t understand what you mean by ‘the red bag gives a Tommy air to the outfit’ but I take it, you mean something positive.
Hi Greetje,
Lynda here from California USA. I LOVE the Dries top! Creative, innovative and simply stunning and on you…FABULOUS! I am sure you have some red big bead collar necklace you could wear with it. Love your posts and love that you are impulsive and daring. Don’t change ever!
Thanks Lynda, for the compliments. And don’t worry, it is far too late in life for me to change haha.
I think the Dries van Noten sweater isn’t everybody’s taste but hey…as long as it is mine, right? Glad you like it.
And no, I do not have a red big bead collar necklace but that is easily corrected. They would have to be square beads, don’t you think?
That sweater would be a good match for my Dries Van Noten “pirate” skirt (this one: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58gWNdfndUE/Xu1XTCmATII/AAAAAAABESw/p0gMylopo4wisre69l2VdUMttmHJFCYMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6880.JPG). I love the loose ties – very organic and fun! Great backdrops – and I love Kitty’s dolman sleeves. I’ve finally accepted (or have I?) that that style doesn’t work on me, as I’m too big-boobed and short. You can do it with your height, just like you are rocking those amazing wide-legged trousers. Fabulous, Greetje.
Sounds like a lovely week – take care of Knee!
For me the pirate skirt and the sweater would be too much, but perhaps Dries meant them to be together. I tried the sweater on a black midi pleated skirt… nah…didn’t like it. I will keep wearing it on jeans.
It is hard to accept your body cannot carry off a certain style. I know. I love jumpsuits and keep trying them. They look so horrible on me.
PS Knee is getting excellent treatment from the physiotherapist.
Splendid cathedral! Good picture of you blown by the wind. Dries top is interesting, you can carry it well. Love the combo of fuchsia top and green Max Mara trousers. Perhaps a tad shorter will turn out to be a better proportion for you. Besides, one should see a little more of the boots. The green geometric Max Mara is outstanding. Just perfect. I envy your weather, we in the San Francisco area need badly some rain. Besides, I want to be able to wear my beautiful winter clothes before its summer again. I’m ready for snow, but, no such luck here in coastal California. I drive to the mountains instead,(3 hours) to my house there in a ski resort town, to enjoy plenty of snow. 10-15 feet of snow in a normal season. Sometimes more. I just love it!!!!
Yes, I do think I will make the wide green Max Mara trousers shorter.
I used to complain about the rain falling so frequently in the Netherlands. Until we had a year (2 years ago) when it hardly rained. So many things went wrong that I had never thought about, like the foundation of houses weakened, salt water was streaming into the rivers, destroying the land and the fish. We were able to hold off disasters, but we really need the rain. Since then I do not complain about rain anymore.
We have 4 seasons and I love the change of these seasons. And of course the 4 different wardrobes. You are very fortunate to have a house in a ski resort town. Enjoy the snow.
Reading your update re your sweater, I’m wondering why you bought it.
You don’t seem to really enjoy wearing it…
I chuckled as I read your comment. I am soooo transparent, you can read me like a book, including index and bookmarker haha. Here is my confession.
Yes, I have had second thoughts afterwards. I still think the sweater is outstanding design and I like how it looks on me (with the earrings, I must add). When I tried it on, I was wearing wide white trousers and a bright blue jacket. As I put this sweater on the wide trousers, there was a huge contrast in presence, in look and appeal. The trousers with the blue jacket all of a sudden felt frumpy and outdated. The trousers with the sweater was a modern, sharp, design outfit. That is why I bought it. In spite of the colours and in spite of the fact that I cannot wear it that often.
Hi Greetje, great post as always !!
Have a look at the City Lit in London – they have lots of interesting courses, and because of Covid they have put a lot of them online. (I don’t work for them honestly).
Thanks for the compliment. As for online courses, it is just not for me. I spend quite some time on my computer as it is and I am soooo grateful that I retired when we all had to work from home. Not my thing. Besides, I need a lot of one to one tutoring.
Such a nice color on you in the last picture Greetje. The top has the perfect length combine with the lenght of your upper and down site of your body. It shows what beautiful long legs you have.
I think it is rather remarkable that so many women love that blue/green Max Mara outfit (in my wardrobe for years). I suspect, many even prefer it to the Dries van Noten outfit. I could have just shopped my own wardrobe haha.
Another delightful post. I too love the Max Mara outfit. Gorgeous color and looks like it fits you so well. The ribbon top is so you…playful and constantly in motion (or at least I imagine it is so you!). That is a great outfit especially with the pops of color. I too have had to cut back on some normal pursuits because they didn’t feel safe. Hope to get back to it next year at some point.
Lots of lives are on hold. We just have to deal with it. And it is pretty easy for me, really. Hopefully for you too.
I like how you see me and indulge in that image haha. The Max Mara outfit is an unexpected rediscovery.
I really like the sweater and how you’ve styled it with the bright earrings and bag to echo the bold graphic elements. Practical? Maybe not, but it’s really fun and unique. You also have the height to carry a bold piece like that, so why not take advantage?
Thank you Susan for soothing my worries that, perhaps, it wasn’t such a smart choice haha.
That green Max Mara outfit is gorgeous! Great colour, great style, and unique, like all of your clothes 🙂
I sort of rediscovered that green and blue Max Mara outfit. The trousers are Weekend Max Mara. Not sure what the shirt is, Max Mara or Weekend Max Mara. I intend to wear it more often.
I am very much like you in the aspect of having a hard time sticking to buying the basics. I tell myself only basics and then go directly to the non basics when shopping oh well we are who we are. Quick question,,,do you ride bikes all the year long? I live in Northern Alberta Canada and our city councillors are trying to make this a more bike friendly city. In the winter we get many feet of snow and temperatures average -20 to -30 degrees Celsius How does that compare to your winters and do you ride your bikes in winter? We a a city more suburban sprawl then centralized. I have a hard time imagining riding to the store or work in winter. I would love to travel to Amsterdam and then see your country. I had decided to go to Sicily this year but of course cancelled. Maybe when we return to safe travel I will come to your country. Your pictures are so lovely and make me yearn to come and take a boat ride down the canals and coffee in the cafes. Thank you for sharing your home and life..
Yes, my country is lovely, but it is also very green. Be cautious when a place is green…there must be a lot of rain to keep it green haha.
Sicily is a good choice too. Any place in Italy really. We all have our own charm.
To answer your questions: yes, we ride bikes summer and winter but it doesn’t get as cold as it does in Canada. Minus 1 to minus 5. When it is minus 10 we start moaning. We used to have snow, turning into dangerous ice about 4 weeks in winter, but as climate is changing, we haven’t seen snow for a couple of years now. I don’t like riding a bike when it is raining or snowing or when it is dangerous with ice. However, I once saw a mother with one toddler on her bike in front of her and another one on the rack behind her, cycling through iced tracks on the cycle path. I was mortified. No helmets on. If she were to slide…
As this is such a small and densely populated country, there are a lot of people using facilities like cycle paths, hence nearly the whole of the Netherlands has cycle paths.