Sunday, May 4, 2014

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

22 comments:

  1. beautiful!
    that picture where you´r standing in front of the rhododentron - in all your jewel tones - magic!
    i have a week spot for all "indian" my whole live. the colors, jewels, the delicious spicy food....and the concept of life represented by hindu- and buddhism.
    love how you got inspired to buy that gorgeous skirt - and change your life! next time someone tells me that clothes don´t matter i will tell this story! if i may :-)
    hugs and kisses!

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    1. Of course you may! :)

      I'm so glad you liked it. Thank you for your kind words, my dear friend! You will love the movie, I think. :)

      Hugses!

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  2. Oh yes, the perfect outfit for seeing an Indian film, I love the maxi skirt, and the rich colour of the silk blouse. Our Vix is a Bollywood aficionado, and doesn't she look the part too? I don't know much about the films, but I adore the food! Curries are probably my favourite food, and anything with spinach in is good; I like a bit of fire too, so plenty of chillies please!
    I love how your posts come together around themes, into which you weave memories, family, experiences, feelings and thoughts. And then your well-chosen outfit and Justin's photos all contribute, of course. Just lovely!
    PS. There is that denim jacket again - I knew you would wear it a lot, Natalia! xxxx

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    1. I too love spicy food, Curtise! I ordered the spiciest (5 out of 5) once and was crying!!! :) :) :)

      Such a perceptive, insightful commentary on my writing... thank you my dear! You warmed my heart. :)

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  3. That is a wonderful outfit for an Indian film. I love the bronze accents and the gorgeous baigan (aubergine in Hindi) blouse with the spectacular skirt, you'd give those Bollywood babes a run for their money!
    Love Bollywood films so much, they are our first choice if we want to watch a film at home. So much colour and dramatic twists to the plot and the music is fabulous.
    I'm already wanting a curry for my tea now! xxxxx

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    1. I was thinking of you, of course, my friend! I think of you often, in fact. :)

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  4. What a wonderful story! As I read your words, I could see your story quite vividly in my head...as vivid as the colors you wear. Your skirt.is exquisite, and the pussybows blouse is lovely.

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    1. That is such a dear compliment to my writing, Glenda! Love telling stories... It was fun to dress up like this, pussy bow and everything. :)

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  5. In my 20s I travelled India a lot and watched some Indian films together with Indians! It's such an experiance to hear them participate in the plot. Another movie in eachself. I have a thing about India and I totally like your skirt and denim jacket. I'm on the lookout for one!

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    1. Such an interesting comment about watching Indians participating in the plot! :)

      I can't get enough of this denim jacket... I think I could sleep in it! :)

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  6. That skirt is fabulous and I love the story behind how you came to buy it. Just the briefest of encounters in our daily lives can have a big impact, that's so true. I fancy a curry now seeing your photos x

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    1. Thank you, Jayne! I sometimes think that the biggest things in life often seem small and come fast, and then - look, everything is changed, and we barely noticed how that happened. :)

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  7. I love your pics as much as your words, what a wonderful story and I absolutely agree with you! inspiration can happen any where and any time, it's not just reserved for magazines, and thank goodness for that! your outfits are both gorgeous, you look amazing in everything you wear, whether a vivacious maxi and denim jacket or your more structured pencil skirt and oh my word how gorgeous purple top!
    Indian food is one of my favourite foods, ever! yum! x x x

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    1. Thank you, my dear friend! You are always sooo sweet! It seems there are many fans of Indian food here! :)

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  8. Love your dress! Very appropriate for an Indian movie evening. The nail color is amazing!
    I've not seen any Indian movie in ages :) Glad you had a wonderful time at the movie.

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    1. It was a different kind of Indian movie! Thank you, Oksana!

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  9. Now I am so hungry for some delicious Indian food! What gorgeous colours in the eggplant blouse and the beautiful maxi skirt. I love them both and you know I am mad about green and purple and blue. Your shoes are so cute and just perfect with that skirt! You always look gorgeous but as I am particularly partial to jewel tones I like this outfit a lot. It's even better with a gorgeous and lovely Natalia in it!

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    1. I too love jewel colors, Shawna. Glad you liked it! And Indian food, of course! :)

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  10. The movie sounds good, and the food looks delicious! What a lovely skirt and a great way to get into the mood!

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    1. I now think what other thematic outfit can I come up with? It was fun!

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  11. Ha-ha, it was exactly like that with me in my teens - obsession with Indian movies. Some of them we watched 5-6 times. My love for India started with those movies. "Lunch Box"? Indeed, it is a good movie. I still watch a couple of Bollywood movies every month. As to the Indian food, I have it even more often. What can I say? You look just perfect in this maxi skirt, very in theme to watch an Indian movie. Love your bangle and the ring.

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