What To Wear To Indian Movie

When I was a little girl, probably younger than my daughter (she's 11), I used to love to go to our small town movie theater. It was a little theater by the woods that back then felt almost like out-of-town. The theater had a cute name, "Brook" ("Родник") and later became a place where young people would go dancing (disco club I guess). As a kid, I usually would attend either a morning or an afternoon showing, and watch cartoons, fairy tales, and children's movies. But at some point, I discovered the joy of Bollywood movies. I did not know the word "Bollywood" back then (and probably did not know the word "Hollywood" either) - we simply called them "Indian movies" (индийское кино) and were captivated with the bright colors, costumes, music, singing and especially with the exotic dancing of these movies. I can't remember titles any more. I remember there was a movie about a girl named Bobbie - that one was probably my favorite as I still remember her! My friend, a neighbor girl Nadya and I, would come see something like "Bobbie", laugh and cry our eyes out, then come back home to our little apartments next to each other, draw little red circles on our foreheads, put on skirts and imagine that we were exotic Indian dancers. There was nothing else in the world we wanted to become - just these gorgeous dark-haired, dark-skinned Indian girls wearing brightly colored exotic clothes, a little sparkle in our noses and a red dot on our foreheads, who dance! I think soon after that I started going to a local dance studio and learn contemporary dancing.

You have probably figured out by now that indeed I went to see an Indian movie this weekend (it was probably the first Indian movie I've seen in 30 years). There was not so much music and dancing in it, but a very touching, very human love story which I highly recommend to see. It is extremely delicate storytelling, and one of the best of its kind (my taste for storytelling has changed just a bit since I was 9, and that's all I am going to say). Acting, directing, writing - everything is superb!

I used my thrift find from last year, a silk blouse by Spiegel in this glorious eggplant color, as a layering piece for my outfit. You can take a better look at the top in this post.

I was very pleased when an elegant lady who works in our favorite old theater noticed my outfit. 

- Do you wear this skirt in honor of the movie? - she asked me.

She made my day. Yes, I actually did! I thought what would be a perfect outfit to wear to an Indian movie on a rainy day in Seattle. This skirt came to mind almost immediately. I have a little story to share here too. I bought this skirt about two years ago, when my daughter attended a theater camp for a month in the Summer (they were rehearsing Oz! and she got three little roles in it, one of which was a Fighting Tree - Anna was the best fighting tree ever, and I am not just saying it because I am her mother). Anyway, there was a woman who brought her daughter to the camp every morning as well. Every time I saw her, she wore a maxi skirt or dress, her hair was always in a perfect condition, and she was radiating health, confidence and happiness. I felt very exhausted back then and had barely energy to throw something on to cover my naked body. That woman sparked some joy-of-life in me, and one morning after I dropped Anna at the camp, I went to Lane Bryant and bough this gorgeous maxi skirt with Indian flair. It made me think again ... We never know how we affect other people. When we blog and receive comments, or walk outside and get compliments, it is all very dear and important to us, isn't it? But how many times do we affect others when we don't even realize it? I have never told this woman that she inspired me to dress differently and take a better care of myself. Today, I would. Back then, I did not. How many times has it happened, I wonder, the inspiration which someone provides to us, and the inspiration we provide to others? Countless, countless...

Do you think there was also Indian food involved in the movie? Do you think it made Justin and me hungry? Do you think we were starving for Indian that evening?

You betcha!

Justin had chicken and mushrooms in a mild tasty Masala sauce, and I had something called Saag - pieces of tender lamb meat in a thick flavorful  spinach and ginger sauce. We even had left overs. What can be better than delicious, aromatic Indian left overs for lazy Sunday lunch?

Skirt - Lane Bryant (about 2 years ago). Blouse - Spiegel, thrifted. Denim jacket - Chico's. Shoes - Dansko.  Purse - B Makowsky. Jewelry: Italian glass ring (boutique), bead earrings (festival), and Indian brass bangle (thrifted).

Linking up with Bella's Secondhand First