Modish Matrons #30: Iceland

If you ask me why Iceland even came to my mind when I put together the list of themes for the 2018 Modish Matrons back in December 2017, I couldn't explain - it just did. I have never been to Iceland and I didn't know the first thing about it. Obviously, I had to visit and learn. Or at very least commission sending a photographer to this intriguing far away place. The things we do for blogging, right? 

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Okay, just kidding! I didn't have to do any of those crazy things because by pure coincidence (or shall we say serendipity), as luck would have it, a family of good old friends visited Iceland recently - and Slava, being a talented artist and photographer, generously let me use his beautiful photos for my post. I have to say it was most difficult to choose - they all are breathtaking! And there are many more in his album ICELAND 2018. 

Meanwhile, in another corner of our amazing world (namely Germany), two other dear friends, TINA und BEATE, creatively put together outfits in support of my theme. So with the combined team effort, Modish Matrons virtually travel to Iceland this month! We are happy to take you with us, and you don't even have to buckle up your seat belts - I promise it will be a smooth ride! Just get a cup of coffee or tea (or perhaps something even more invigorating), and GO!

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If you are like me and don't know much about Iceland, then you have to have the most important thing to sort out first: the name. It's confusing! One might think that Iceland is called Iceland because it is the land of ice, and there must be much, much ice over there! But in reality, Iceland should probably be better off with a name like Greenland, while Greenland would certainly be quite fine with a name like Iceland. You can read all about the history of these confusing names in THIS National Geographic article.

Iceland, as you can see from my friend's photos, is really quite green. I've read some information about Iceland, and was impressed by how much there is to be taken in. Being settled in the 9th century mainly by Norwegians, Iceland has an ancient history, and until the 20th century it was considered one of the poorest countries in Europe, but industrialization helped to turn the economy around, and nowadays it is one of the wealthiest nations in the world.

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That's not why most tourists are rushing to Iceland though. What's calling them is the amazing variety and richness of landscape Iceland has to offer. It seems, it has it all: quaint green pastures and rolling hills on the one hand, and dramatic tall mountains, glaciers and geysers on the other. I knew that that was exactly what I wanted to reflect in my outfit - the rich contrasts of Iceland! And I did it - with the whole wide spectrum of colors, patterns and textures.

Both the 100% wool cardigan and 100% silk blouse are thrifted and having a good life in my closet, occasionally showing their beauty to the world (you could see one or both of them in DECEMBER 2016, DECEMBER 2014, OCTOBER 2014, SEPTEMBER 2014 and APRIL 2014). You've seen my embroidered purse (antique mall find years ago), my vintage carpet bag, as well as booties (shown recently HERE) on numerous occasions. All of the above items have folkloric motifs (to honor Iceland's ancient history).

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There are also a couple of new things. First, the wool beret which I bought from ModCloth. I used to wear berets all the time in my 20s, but fell out of the habit since I came to America (I'm sure I've told you before about my refusal to wear any hats at all for the longest time, after a big climate change that happened in my life after I left Siberia). Besides, it's not easy to find them in a size big enough to fit all that extra fluff in my head. Well this Fall, I purchased not one, but three berets for Anya and me (two ended up being the right size for my large head). And another new item is this faux leather skirt by Eloquii which I absolutely adore. I waited till I got a good sale price on it, and I am very happy that I bought it. I have a couple of pleather skirts and like wearing them, but this one is of a much higher quality! It is thick, but also soft and stretchy, it holds shape so well, and I am in love with the rich forest green color (a nod to the greenery of Iceland!), as well as the fit and style.

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And last, but not least, are my tights. I can honestly say that I have never been happier in my entire life to wear tights than the day I wore this pair. You see I experienced a bit of a tights mystery recently. Back in late Spring, I washed all my tights, took them off the hangers where they were drying, and...and then I go completely BLANK. I probably thought that I would put them in a new clever place which would be just right for them. Well, apparently I was correct because they still hide and don't want to come out of that clever place. I'm also a bit stubborn, and instead of ordering new tights, I was holding on to the idea of finding the bunch of old ones...for about 2 months. So in these two months, what I wore when it got cold outside? Oh I had to be creative. I wore pants. And other pants. And some more pants. And on days when I couldn't take pants any more, I wore sporty leggings (the only kind that I have), hence the intriguing strings showing up from my skirts on some previous photos. 

So this is my story for today. Icelandic glorious landscapes and the mysterious disappearance of tights, what can be more natural topics to weave together in one post? And now I am off to read my beautiful friends' posts, they always inspire me! Join us in this fun virtual travel! Or maybe you are the lucky one who actually visited Iceland? Do share!

Outfit photos are taken by Justin, 

in our yard which looks almost exactly like Iceland.

Linking up with Visible Monday and Tina's Pink Friday.

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