A Milestone Birthday at the Wadsworth Atheneum

Milestone Birthday at the Wadsworth Atheneum

Danielle looking out to the first floor gallery at the Wadsworth Atheneum. Photo by Pixie

This year my birthday was particularly special because I turned another decade older. Believe it or not, I am now forty years old. It may be hard to discern this in the fashions that I wear sometimes, because many of the pieces are inspired by children's clothing of the Victorian era. I sometimes wonder why I am drawn to wear these pieces with such fervor. Perhaps it is a reconnection to my inner child as I have spent significant time and energy working on healing that part of myself through the usual methods like cognitive behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. The planning of a coordinate, actually getting dressed up, and going out to various places just to have fun and be whimsical are in essence another type of healing modality. 

For my birthday this year, I really wanted to focus on more adventuring and dressing up, but I still wanted to get together with friends. I offered a Sunday at the Wadsworth Atheneum complete with snacks at the cafe, 2-3 hours in the galleries, and a conclusion at Parkville Market (an international food court about 8 minutes away from downtown Hartford).  I invited friends that I've met throughout the last 12 years or so, so there were new faces for everyone (some more than others). It was a wonderful way to get everyone together and to enjoy spending time with each other and not having to worry about things like cleaning my house or what food to prepare or order.  

Danielle full coordinate on the balcony. Photo by Pixie

For my coordinate this time, I am wearing the Sailor Tiered OP in black and gray with silver buttons by Japanese brand Metamorphose with the matching hat as well. I had found the set on the Japanese used website Wunderwelt, and my partner purchased them way before my birthday this summer (because we wanted to purchase before the end of the de minimus exemption and before the custom duties went into effect). The OP is made of lightweight cotton, has a pocket on one side, detachable sailor collar, and removable front bow as well as a waist belt. For an OP, it is pretty customizable to swap out or add other accessories for the look. I am also wearing short white socks, white lace wrist cuffs with black bows, and shiny black tea party style mary janes. In fact, the brand's comment, "The cool feeling lining has a light and soft texture, and has breathable-moisture-absorbing and quick-drying. You can dress it comfortably even on hot days", was imperative to me as we were going on this outing the first weekend in July 2025, and it was starting to get hot and humid in my region.

Some of the group looks at this very large painting. Photo credit to Pixie

My friends know that I like to dress up and encouraged me to give them a dressing prompt for my birthday. I pretty much told them to dress whatever felt comfortable for them on a hot July day. Some asked me what I was wearing, to better match me. Pahl went ahead and also dressed like a sailor, but like one of the crew to my more tailored officer looking role. Since my outfit is black and gray, some interpreted that as goth, and about half the folks that came were wearing a mostly black outfit. However, most of the outliers are pictured above, with the exception of my friend Kirk who had a lovely outfit that echoed the complementary colors of orange and blue that I also enjoyed. 

Officer and First Mate looking at a scene of capsized horror. Photo credit to Pixie

I was delighted to find a number of paintings about the ocean, sea-faring, or boating that Pahl and I were able to pose with throughout the museum. In this photo, we are aghast with horror as we look on at the shipwrecked boat and survivors. 

Standing in front of Claude Monet's The Beach at Trouville. Photo credit to Pixie

In an idyllic off shore moment, the officer obliges the crew member and feels how strong and muscular he is. 

Standing in front of Frederic Edwin Church's Coast Scene, Mount Desert. Photo credit to Pahl

Kiss at the boating party, Photo credit to Kirk

It was Kirk's idea for us to be kissing in front of this painting. Pahl's striped shirt and the degree of tailoring in my outfit, echoed different elements of the scene behind us in the painting. 

Jax with some of the porcelain. Photo credit to Pixie

Of course we worked hard to match other folks outfits with the art inside the museum. The Wadsworth Atheneum has an extensive European porcelain collection. We were in it for over an hour and I still don't think we saw all of it. I loved looking at all the porcelain characters and their garments of the era. It was inspiring to see what people wore preserved in the porcelain perhaps better than actual garments of that era. 

Colleen with the water lilies, Photo credit to Pixie

Colleen's flower crown and light pastel bodice echo the colors and flowers in this Monet water lily painting. 

Walking back to the garage after the museum. Photo credit to Megan

Overall it was a very fun day juxtaposing fashion with art, introducing my friends to one another, and living my best sailor life. I look forward to more adventures as always and more ways to coordinate this new piece.