I don't want to damper any discussion, but I'm going to go ahead and address this here, since it somewhat applies to both this and the make-up thread (I'm seeing it mainly here, though). Essentially, it comes down to this:

Please Respect The Respect Rule

Please, be careful about downing people who believe in wearing no make-up or jewelry, or who feel that your frumpy is their modest. As some of you know, I work as a make-up artist, however, I do not usually wear make-up because I wish to respect my church's standards. Does that mean that some days I look pretty bad because I didn't get enough sleep and I have a dozen zits or white heads? Yeah. However, in the culture of my church, it is not looked down on. Modesty changes from culture to culture. For example, neither of these suits would be considered modest in Indian culture, because the skirts do not fall to the ankle (on the other hand, some would vehemently argue that this is not modest, either). The same applies to the cultures with a larger culture--all will have different views on modesty, jewelry and make-up.

Does that mean they are immodest and we are modest? No. Does it mean that we should deride them for the way they are dressing? Nope. Does this mean we can't discuss jewelry, modesty or make-up? Of course not!

Yeah, you're right Mel. So sue me. Actually, I think the sleeves don't come with the dress....

Wow, Nionel, those Gibbous skirts are amazing. I would not know where to even begin if I wanted to make something like that! And I agree with you, that skirt inspired by Gibbous is absolutely beautiful! I love how the girl styled it, and the colors are gorgeous!

I know, they're beautiful! I'm so glad someone agrees with me that they're amazing. I've no idea how one could make a skirt like that but I'm planning on trying.... one day.

I bought myself purple tights the other day and *sob* they don't look purple when I put them on. Instead they're a strange fuchsia colour. It was a sad day...

These two dresses are my absolute favourite Modcloth items.

I think the sleeves don't come with the dress....

Detachable sleeves are kind of a neat idea, though. They're like a backwards sweater or something... I once saw someone wearing a practical calico longsleeve version. The only thing that's stopping me from trying them out is that I'm afraid they'll fall down and bunch up around my wrists. So I'll be relying on my wristwarmers.

Mel, I somewhere have a careful plan of zippering sleeves like they do for cargo pant legs on Arwen's Dying dress. I've yet to make the dress, so I've yet to try zippering the sleeves. I think it would be great to be able to change up your sleeves depending on your mood, though.

I think I have that pattern for wristwarmers...lol! Recently, someone got me a pair of fingerless fishnet gloves. They look cute, but I've discovered that they're great for keeping my hands warm. They'll have to do until I can get around to using that pattern. May I inquire as to the yarn type you used? I see you marked it as sport weight, but I was wondering about type.

I somewhere have a careful plan of zippering sleeves like they do for cargo pant legs on Arwen's Dying dress.

Brilliant idea! I've been toying with the idea of lace-in sleeves. Um, partly because I've been considering making this bedjacket (or robe) from The Secret of Moonacre (oh so pretty costumes ) and haven't actually looked at it in a while... I thought it didn't have sleeves and so wanted to make some. But, uh, the thought still stands because tight sleeves could be overwarm in the summer. *nods* Lacing was the least obtrusive thing I could think of.

For the wristwarmers, I used an acryllic I found in the stash. It might have a bit of angora or mohair in it, though, because it's slightly fuzzy. Or maybe it's just softer than the rest of the cheap yarn...

Ooo, pretty pretty, Mel. I like that jacket, although for personal taste, I'd probably use a similar fabric with blue instead of red. I just don't have flaming hair. lol about the yarn.

Okay, so, ya'll can yell at me for being a bad girl, 'cause I forgot to post the contest idea for this month on the first. Anyway, this month's theme (courtesy of Princess Mia) is...

October's Polyvore Theme
Monet

I'm quite excited to see what everyone comes up with. I wasn't able to do last month's because of my personal schedule, but I hope I can do this one. If you need inspiration, I'd suggest googling Monet and seeing what paintings come up. He has some amazing ones.

Also, remember that you can send polyvore theme ideas at any time in the month to either Val or myself. Thanks!

Meltintale, I've got to say, the jacket was sooooooo adorable! I would love to have that, if only it comes at a cheap price. Haha.

sandy, I don't think the jacket would be cheap. They sold some of the costumes from that movie, and they were well over what I was interested in paying.

But if someone was interested in doing replicas, that'd be really cool.

Oh, Too bad. That jacket really is astonishing. Hey, do you have some advice on what type of clothes does Maria in Sound of Music could wear in our generation?

Wow, great idea for a Polyvore challenge, Mia!! This was a tough one, and I don't really think I was able to capture the essence of Monet in either outfit, but oh well, they're pretty-ish. It's not a complete loss.

The romantic outfit on the left is based on a Monet painting by the name of Water Lilies. I actually really like it; the colors work pretty well together, and I love the shoes and the earrings and the shawl.

Impression Sunrise is the inspiration for the other outfit. LOVE the shoes. The skirt resembles the water in the painting, the straw hat matches, and I'm not sure what I was thinking when I chose the blouse, because there is no red in that color palette.

I think these outfits are more what you'd expect to see in such a scene, but not exactly successful in emulating the landscape itself. Anyway, it was fun to try! Really clever challenge theme.

sandy, I'm sorry I didn't get back to your question earlier. I have been thinking about it, though. So far, I keep coming back to the idea that she'd be wearing jeans. However, from what I remember, she was dressed in things that the girls who wanted to start their novitiate in the Abbey wore, so I would think that you'd want something quite conservative; no wild colors or stripes, but maybe a floral dress from the late '90's?

Rose-Tree Dryad, there may not be any red in the painting, but it's very complimentary; it makes for a really cute skirt/blouse combo. I think I'd pair it with some wooden bangle bracelets.

Thanks Mel! . I like the floral dress idea. Haha. But the boys in the movie wore suspenders right?

I think they wore leiderhosen in most of the scenes, which are slightly different than suspenders.

http://www.fanpop.com/spots/the-sound-of-music/links/4271017
http://www.fanpop.com/spots/the-sound-of-music/links/4269914
http://www.fanpop.com/spots/the-sound-of-music/links/4268944 - well, not this scene; this scene would probably equate to suits and ties.

^Thanks Mel! That really will help a lot.

http://www.polyvore.com/monet/set?id=24230719

I wasn't so inspired this time around I really don't like it, the colors aren't quite right. But I'm tired of fussing with it! I love the skirt!