Autumn Corduroy

These were the first attendees I stopped at the fair, drawn by the rich browns of the gentleman's outfit. His corduroy pants and vest really suited the earthy vibe of the place, and I like how the lady's bracelets pick up on their color, whether intentionally or not. The embroidery on the shirt was a nice touch.

Most practical was the hat! The sun beat down considerably that day, and I wished for one myself.

Common Ground 2013!

Thank you to Arielle for the introduction, and welcome to Common Ground style 2013! The fair this year was as lively as ever, featuring seminars on topics from vermiculture (that's worms, folks) to "women's tyre repair." One of the things that sets MOFGA's annual fair apart from other country fairs is the openness and variety of the attendees, the willingness to share information and knowledge with others. I love the culture of learning (a holdover from my homeschooling years), and the diversity of experiences on offer: ethnic music, contra dancing, animal husbandry, family activities, wildcrafting, and much more.


Easily as diverse is the dress sense of the fair-goers, and it’s a joy to wander, taking in the beautiful, creatively expressed outfits. As Arielle has pointed out, the fair is no fashion show- and I loved the lack of competition or cockiness as I asked permission to take photographs. Almost everyone was confused at first, a little embarrassed, and then smiling shyly as they posed naturally for my camera.

 And really, where else can you find a woman in a magnificent cabbage costume?

We have a guest blogger for the 2013 edition!

Hello everyone!

Join me in welcoming Hannah as our Guest Blogger for 2013. 

I was sadly only able to make it to the fair for one day this year, and decided not to try to take photos, since I was already so short on time with all I wanted to do and see.  As luck would have it, though, I got an email out of the blue only days after the fair from lovely Hannah, who said she was taking pics of great country fair style and was asked by fair-goers if she was "the girl with the style blog."  She did some research, found me and this blog, and got in touch, and I invited her to be the guest blogger for this year.

With any luck, maybe she (and others?!) will join me for future editions as well, and we can keep this document of everyday, rural cool alive and well for years to come!

Thanks, Hannah!

Jack Sparrow?

Not quite.

But this guy is possibly cooler than Johnny Depp.

Just really an amazing look, head to toe. (Note to self: if you are going to go for a full-on pirate look, perhaps best to do it monochromatic-ly.)  And he's working it.  And I mean, I have never approved of a fanny pack, but I do not question it on him.

He wanted to make sure the photo I took would not be used for commercial purposes. I guaranteed him no money was to be made from this venture!

All That Glitters

It's a little hard to see, but this girl's floor-length skirt is made up of tattered brown and blue ruffles adorned with gold sequins.  She said she'd been getting a lot of compliments on it. No doubt!  I love that she pairs this messy/dressy skirt with a cable-knit sweater that matches in color scheme but not at all in style.  Nice hair wrap, too!

Me, First Day

So here I am, in my first day of the fair outfit for this year.

There are always so many considerations: the weather (today was cloudy and chillier than usual, in the mid-60s), the activities (I volunteered at the info booth today, so I had to wear something over which I could layer my official volunteer t-shirt, but I had no kids with me, so I could wear slightly more delicate things than usual, and a shorter skirt, since I would not be sitting on the ground), the footwear (see comment below about the need for boots).

I also like to select all three days' worth of outfits at once, so I can get out the door quickly each morning. 

So I have on an antique Victorian white cotton lawn camisole under a vintage 1950s olive wool cardigan, a denim mini-skirt I found at my favorite local consignment shop for $5, over-the-knee cotton socks with bright flowers up the sides (from Anthropologie awhile back, I think?), and the cowboy boots I bought in Austin, Texas six years ago.  Oh, and a woven tote bag that belonged to my mother.

Knit Wit

Another lovely style one can spot every year at the Common Ground Fair is elaborate handmade textiles.  The fair is a hotbed of activity for knitters, spinners, and all manner of yarn and wool fanatics.

This gorgeous woman is wearing a long blue shirtdress (I don't know that I've ever seen a shirt maxi-dress before!) that looked like it was made of men's oxford shirt cotton, a great striped cord belt, and a fuzzy electric-blue vest.  She offered to put on her incredible technicolor dreamcoat sweater, but instead she is just holding it over her arm.

And is that a coral necklace? Coral and pale blue! What a great combination!