Frocktober Dress Diary - Day 31 (Hooray!)

Where I got it: Finders Keepers Market, Docklands - This year

How much I paid for it: About $80
Frocky features: This dress is made from organic cotton and is all kind of cute (in my opinion). The dress also came in brown (the one I really wanted) but some chick with a nasty look (not really) got in first...
Something else about it: It's a size too big (I was that desperate for it) so I sewed a button onto the back to hold it together.

Frocktober is (and was!!) awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary - Day 30

Where I got it: Salvation Army, Torquay - a few years ago.
How much I paid for it: About $5
Frocky features: It's brown and has a yellow pattern of stars. Wraps around and artound until it can't wrap no more. At least I think that's what you're supposed to do...
Something else about it: This was one of my very first op-shopping successes. If I'd stopped there then I wouldn't have such issues with fitting it into my wardrobe now.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary - Day 29

Where I got it: Salvation Army, Torquay - a couple of years ago.
How much I paid for it: About $8

Frocky features: It's got a blue and green print, and originally it was way too big but I took it in. High fives all round (between me and me).
Something else about it: I've worn this dress to a couple of weddings now and they have both ended in marriage. Must be a lucky-charm dress.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 28

Where I got it: An op-shop in Darwin

How much I paid for it: About $5

Frocky features: It is a pretty light pink, and has giant pockets, which could fit my whole life’s needs into them (including band-aids for my feet which are looking very sickly poorly today after having walked me around Melbourne for the last couple of days.. I should really dish out for a tram ticket).

Something else about it: I was determined to buy something from a Darwin Op-sop, and luckily found this in the last one (of not vary many) that we went to. I wore it to the Aireys Inlet Open Mic Festival last year and felt great.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 27

Where I got it: Rhubarb, Torquay

How much I paid for it: $30

Frocky features: It’s long and fitted and olive green. What kind of underwear are you supposed to wear with these dresses?

Something else about it: My anonymous friend Kerrie talked me into buying this dress after work one day. I can’t remember what her selling points were, but I do remember she said them in a very convincing tone. I wore it to visit my Anonymous sister in Perth earlier this year. We caught the train to Fremantle and ordered the best lunch ever (and gave each other high fives afterwards).

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 26

Where I got it: At a Frocktober dress-sale, last week!

How much I paid for it: $10 (which was how much I took with me, minus $3 for a lemonade)

Frocky features: Where to start… it is made of navy corduroy, with hot pink spots that seem to be puff paint or glue or something. Also it has navy lace on the sleeves and hem. And hot pink buttons down the front that serve as both comedy and function. I think the picture might not show all these points, so if possible I think you should make the effort to see me in person.

Something else about it: I think this may be my most amusing frock so far this Frocktober. Thank you to those who talked me into owning it.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 25

Where I got it: Dangerfield in Melbourne, about 4 years ago.

How much I paid for it: About $50

Frocky features: It has ties at the shoulders. It’s about as girly as you can get.

Something else about it: This was the first dress I ever had as an adult. I wore it to Uni feeling very self-conscious and pretty, because dresses weren’t really in fashion. Even though it’s now slightly tighter, I don’t think I could throw it out.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 24

Where I got it: K-Mart, Belmont (Geelong)

How much I paid for it: $15

Frocky features: It has a confused-granny-zip-inside-out-zip, and is quite (quite) snug at the waist. It’s a dark olive green colour. It’s a shame when people tell you that pukey Kmart-green is ‘really your colour’.

Something else about it: One of those times you go into Kmart for one thing and then come out with a thousand things you never knew you needed…

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 23

Where I got it: Witchery, Melbourne CBD

How much I paid for it: About $60

Frocky features: This dress is in a tiny size, but is mostly strapped on with various ties ad zips, so I’m pretty sure that one size fits all. 'Friends' call this my tea-towl dress for obvious reasons.

Something else about it: I originally saw this dress in Witchery in Torquay, and then proceeded to think about it constantly until it would be mine. When I went back though, they were out-of-stock… But eventually I found it in Melbourne, and I was complete. Yes, I am dress-pathetic.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 22

Where I got it: Salvation Army, Torquay – a couple of years ago.

How much I paid for it: Maybe $4…ish.

Frocky features: Well, it’s like a t-shirt, but has a skirty bit added at the bottom… purely to make it Frocktober friendly I think.

Something else about it: This dress is perfect for moving one million boxes from one place to another. Say, in a truck from Torquay to Fitzroy. This picture was the one where I looked the least grumpy…

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 21

Where I got it: Salvation Army, Torquay (Yes, I know… they should give me some kind of membership… which would probably defeat the point of an op-shop.)

How much I paid for it: About $5

Frocky features: It seems too big for me, but the size tag says it fits me, and so I believe it.  Also it has massive pockets.

Something else about it: This is one of those dresses I am proud of finding. It’s brand it Katherine{Something} and it’s a brand I really like. I often wonder when I find expensive dresses at the op-shop. I imagine some rich lady buying them and then taking them straight there… driving a car made out of money.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 20

Where I got it: St Vincent De Paul in South Geelong – this year

How much I paid for it: $10

Frocky features: I gotta say this is a pretty ugly dress. When I bought it, I think I was too busy high-fiving myself for fitting into a bubble-skirt to notice. It has writing on it, as part of the pattern - which I think is my main issue.

Something else about it: Even though it’s ugly that’s not to say I’m not enjoying wearing it. I feel like a teen on my way to The Lyric (…used to be an underage disco in Geelong …? Don’t worry about it.)

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 19

Where I got it: Salvation Army, Torquay - this year.

How much I paid for it: $5

Frocky features: Stretchy, and apparently looks like a nighty.

Something else about it: I got two Metalicus dresses for $10 in the same day (this being one of them). This would run a close contest for the happiest day of my op-shopping life.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 18

Where I got it: Target, Geelong – a few years ago.

How much I paid for it: About $20

Frocky features: It’s made of a magical material that never creases. And a horrible colour, that for some reason looks quite nice on me. I’m not sure what this says about my skin tone.

Something else about it: I took this dress when I went to Spain a couple of years ago. I wore it on a pub-crawl with some travellers I met at my hostel. Unfortunately, I chose to share my hostel key with and Scottish girl, who turned out to be reasonably promiscuous… and then got locked out. Don’t worry Mum, I got back in eventually.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 17

Where I got it: A clothing swap in Torquay at Café Moby – last year.

How much I paid for it: Nothing

Frocky features: Frills (definitely not a common occurrence for me!).

Something else about it: My anonymous friend Rochelle and I ran a clothing swap at a local café last year to raise awareness living sustainably. We advertised it in the local paper thinking no-one would come, and then about 50 people rocked up! People swapped their clothes using a swap-system we designed ourselves. It amuses me that I love second hand clothes just as much as new ones. Sometimes more, because they come with an inbuilt story to wonder about.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 16

Where I got it: The Mill Markets in Geelong, this year.

How much I paid for it: $30

Frocky features: Well first off it’s see through, so you basically have to wear another outfit underneath in order to be able to go out in public. I love the autumn colours and waistline. It treads a fine line between cute and hippy which I wasn't sure I'd like, but when I tried it on I loved it. This was the first time I wore it, and the experience included friends pointing out holes, and the material ripping at various moments. 

Something else about it: The dress was made in California. And because I have weird sentimental feelings about that area (because my anonymous father is Californian) I cant help but imagine wearing on the sunny streets of Santa Monica. 

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 15

Where I got it: Oaks in Highton,  about 4 years ago.

How much I paid for it: About $100. But I had to save my pennies because I was a  student.

Frocky features: Its main features are that it’s bright red, and it has a nice shape.

Something else about it: This was the first nice dress I ever got, and it was a big deal for me to buy it because I didn’t have too much money. When my friends and I were in Port Fairy a couple of years ago, I saw it in a shop for $10, and forbid my anonymous friend Lisa from purchasing it. Because I'm just that kind of friend, you know?

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 14

Where I got it: A tiny shop in Madrid, about 2 years ago.

How much I paid for it: 50 Euro

Frocky features: Pockets! And a cute pattern of parrots. And it’s made of magic stretchy material that you put on like a t-shirt and it just stretches to your body shape/size.

Something else about it: Today I am going with a theme, and wearing it with my yellow Camper sandals (not pictured) that I also bought in Madrid. I wrapped those sandals so lovingly in a scarf and carried them around Spain as precious cargo in my backpack. I would have strapped them to my stomach in a skin coloured wallet if they’d fit. 

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 13

Where I got it: The Rip Curl seconds shop in Torquay, last year-ish

How much I paid for it: $20

Frocky features: Two functional buttons, and two non-functional. It is denim, and has pockets. Pockets somehow make a dress about a million times more fun.

Something else about it: This dress has a surfer/sailor look about it, which could be confusing for anyone searching for a theme. 

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 12

Where I got it: Witchery, Torquay, last year

How much I paid for it: About $60

Frocky features: Pockets. I like this dress, although it’s started fading a bit. Although maybe it’s ‘made to fade’ like those tracksuit pants that Rip Curl used to make and my anonymous sister had and I didn’t. I so wanted some of those…

Something else about it: This was one of those dresses that I justified to myself by saying words like ‘sensible’, ‘work’ and ‘practical’. And although it has indeed many of those qualities… mainly I just like it, ok?

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

How I.T. is Like Cathy Freeman.

In one of my last ‘posts’, I mentioned that I had my SIM card stolen out of my USB connector-thingy. O, the lack of Internet.

This event (for details see September entry ‘Stolen Optimism’) led to a series of visits to the phone-shop, which in turn led to feelings of resentment towards all I.T. People who use tricky sentences like ‘Are you on a plan or a contract?’

Because my answer is always a resounding “I’m not sure.”

The epic story of Kathryn & The Stolen SIM took an unexpected turn this week, with my most recent phone-shop visit. Because this time, I remembered to take the USB connector-thingy with me.

Me: Hi. My SIM card has been stolen.

15-Year-Old-Working-At-The-Phone-Place: Ok, do you have your USB connector-thingy? (She definitely didn’t say that.)

Me: Here it is.

**15-Year-Old-Working-At-The-Phone-Place opens up a mysterious compartment in the USB connector thingy, pulling out a SIM card, which is mine.**

15-Year-Old-Working-At-The-Phone-Place: Here it is.

Me: Ok, thanks……… **Kathryn shuffles nervously** ……..Bye!

Damn it, those tricky I.T. People win again.

Don’t get me wrong the 15-Year-Old-Working-At-The-Phone-Place was really nice. All of the above dialogue on her part was delivered with sincerity, looks of kindness and no laughing at all. All feelings of unpleasantness were undoubtedly coming from my end of the conversation.

Which somehow makes it much worse.

Because now I know that in a contest of Kathryn versus I.T. People, I am considered a truly inferior. If this was a running competition, then I.T. People would be Cathy Freeman, and I would be me.

Hey, I’m sure Cathy would be nice about it. She’d probably talk to me about my technique with kind looks that say ‘Hey Kathryn, we’re all just running out there. It’s possible you’ll beat me”. And I’d give her looks that say “Hey Cathy, I’m wearing shoes, and I even put them on the correct feet”.

I think the moral I’ll take from this story is that when I next have an I.T. problem, I will ask an I.T. Person. And I’ll pretend we both don’t notice my own stupidity. Because when I finally am able to use the internets on my own computer, I’ll be the real winner.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 11

Where I got it: In a shop in Santa Barbara, California – last year

How much I paid for it: About $50 US, which equates to some kind of amount of Aussie dollars. Or as those in the US like to think ‘magical play-money’.

Frocky features: It’s blue. With a confused-grandma zip (see Day 8). Sometimes when I walk with a satchel, it scrunches up without me knowing until I realize I’m showing the whole street my underwear!

Something else about it: I bought this dress while my oldest anonymous sister and I road-tripped through California last year. We were shopping after dinner in the freezing cold, and the streets were all lit up for the ‘Holiday Season’ and there were pumpkins everywhere. And people say ‘Happy Holidays’. Oh how I would love Christmas is Australia to be cold enough here to wear Christmas jumpers…

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 10

Where I got it: Jump on Pakington St in Geelong, a couple of years ago.
How much I paid for it: Maybe about $100
Frocky features: It’s really soft, and has a nice grey pattern that looks to me like Australian wild-flowers. I think maybe I should shorten the shoulder straps because sometimes they fall down. But knowing me I’d probably just reck it so I think it’s best if I just keep my hands off.
Something else about it: I bought his dress for a funeral, and think of that person every time I put it on. I’ve worn it for happy occasions and sad occasions and because of that it’s one of my most special dresses.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 9

Where I got it: Rivers, Torquay – a couple of years ago

How much I paid for it: $20

Frocky features: Long sleeves and short skirted with always-flattering horizontal stripes.

Something else about it: I have worn it so often that it’s pilling all over. Don’t tell any of the trendy Fitzroy-ians that I might see today… although they’re probably pilly too. Trendy pill.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 8

Where I got it: Tigerlily, in Noosa last year.

How much I paid for it: I am ashamed of this…

Frocky features: It’s pretty! And it has one of those exposed zips at the back that makes your Grandma wonder “Why do you have your dress on inside out, Kathryn?”.

Something else about it: After traveling around Australia for a month, I was feeling shopping deprived and so bought this dress in Noosa. Luckily, it’s pretty… though at that point I probably would have bought a paper bag if it was my size and had a nice print.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 7

Where I got it: Salvation Army Op Shop, Torquay

How much I paid for it: $5.50

Frocky features: It’s Metalicus, which is one of my favorite dress brands. And it’s comfy, which is one of my favourite feelings!

Something else about it: It’s weird knowing I’ve paid over $100 for a Matalicus dress, and that I liked it just the same amount… I may even like this one more, because it makes me feel op-shopping prowess-y.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 6

Where I got it: Ugly Sister on Pakington Street in Geelong, a couple of years ago.

How much I paid for it: About $20

Frocky features: A really low cut neck. I assume this means it’s designed to be worn with something underneath. Also it’s quite short and tight fitting. Possibly it’s a long top that I have mistaken as a dress.

Something else about it: One of those dresses that I sometimes put on, and then think that it will be better another day. Luckily Frocktober provides such days in spades.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 5

Where I got it: Ginger Tree on Bridge Road, Melbourne. Last year.

How much I paid for it: About $30

Frocky features: Not many. It’s red and has cap sleeves. Cap sleeves remind me of the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. This dress doesn’t really though - it's far too short for activities such as 'taking a turn about the room'.

Something else about it: I used to wear it to work, before I realized it’s far too short. Lizzie would never have approved.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 4

Where I got it: I made this dress a few years ago

How much I paid for it: However much all the materials cost. Not much, knowing me.

Frocky features: A low back, an uneven hem, and really weird zip function which involves me wrapping it around me, then zipping up half way, then zipping up the whole way, then putting a safety pin in the side.

Something else about it: This is one of the two dresses I have made, neither of which I used a pattern for. This is less about creativity, and more about a lack of patience for instructions. Note that as I have written this, the shoulder straps have fallen down twice. Perfect for holding up giant jars of Nutella, though.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 3

Where I got it: Beach Club in Torquay, last year-ish.

How much I paid for it: More than I am proud of…

Frocky features: A hood AND pockets! It could only be more comfy if it were made out of my bed.

Something else about it: One of my anonymous sisters came over to my house one day and proceeded to show me the awesome orange dress she’s bought, with a hood AND pockets.  Sounds familiar, no?

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 2

Where I got it: Salvation Army, Torquay

How much I paid for it: $6.50

Frocky features: Retro stripes, comfy material (note the theme from yesterday...), a funny drop waist, and button up shoulders (because really, who doesn’t need button up shoulders?).  A good dress for mucking around by the Loddon river.

Something else about it: I bought this in my pre-Frocktober ‘preparation period’, which is mainly me making excuses to go to the op-shop every day for a week.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Frocktober Dress Diary – Day 1

Where I got it: Myer in Geelong, a couple of years ago

How much I paid for it: About $20

Frocky features: It has pockets, and a really weird neckline. Made out of green jersey material that’s main and possibly only characteristic is that it's really comfortable.

Something else about it: Today I am wearing it on a farm in Kerang, Victoria. I think the cows are impressed.

Frocktober is awesome, and raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research! Help me reach my goal of $1000 at www.everydayhero.com.au/kathryn_kelly.

Dresses: The Ultimate One-sy.

I’d always wanted to be a dress wearer.  But I sure wasn’t. In fact I quite clearly remember my sister saying to me in high-school “Kathryn… you don’t really have a style, do you?”.

Anonymous Sister,

I’d just like too remind you about the checked happy-dack/striped skivvy phase of Grade 1. And don’t forget the purple clown-suit I wore to school in Grade 2 (note: a mouse running up your sleeve is no joking matter when you’re wearing a one-sy). And lets not forget my Alex Mac inspired hat/overalls combinations of Year 7.

So my theory when I started at Uni, was that if I turned up on the first day wearing a dress, people would think that I wore dresses all the time, and not make a big deal out of it. I still like this as a theory. Imagine if my theory had been ‘if I turn up on the first day wearing a raccoon hat…’. It’s a solid theory that works not just for dresses. It also works for accents.

So I bought a dress and wore it on my first day of Uni, feeling very self-conscious and feeling certain that everyone was caring deeply (and knowing now that they absolutely weren’t). But I definitely felt great, and have loved dresses ever since. To the point where now I’m getting ready to move house, single-hanging wardrobe space is a genuine and deal-breaking issue.

Some reasons I love dresses are as follows:

1.      They are a whole outfit.

2.      You can wear no pants, and it’s totally acceptable.

3.      They come in a range of styles, many of which are flattering for people of the large-hipped variety (I have heard). Not like pants, which generally seem made for someone without any kind of upper leg.

4.      I have loads of them, so they are convenient clothing option for me.

So this month is Frocktober, and I will be wearing a different dress every day and adding to this blog with pictures and descriptions of their significance to me. Note I am a sentimental weirdo, and EVERYTHING has some kind of significance to me. This includes my favourite purple cup recently broken by my flat-mate. I have since vowed to never again become emotionally attached to crockery.

So this might not be interesting, but it’s what’s happening. I’m aiming to raise $1000 for ovarian cancer research so if you’d like to sponsor me that would be great, and you can do that at http://www.everydayhero.com.au_kathrynkelly/. More Frocktober info at http://www.frocktober.org/.

If you’d like me to a wear purple one-sy clown-suit for a month that would cost you more. But I wouldn’t be opposed. What have you got to say about my style now, Anonymous Sister?