Nutcracker Jacket and Green Pleats, Plus Trin in Purple Velvet

And the race to Friday is on! The office was predictably dead today, but I dressed up nonetheless. It's what I do. 

Colleague (not cat) Vizz snapped my outfit and shared it on Insta and said it got much love. Who doesn't love a nutcracker? 

• Velvet corded jacket - Zara, consignment; first seen here in May with a painty skirt
• Acrylic sweater - Fair Set, vintage 90s, thrifted; purchased here for $14.95
• Skirt - Zara, consignment; purchased here for $39.00
• Shoes - Super Fine Cardinal, Fluevog; last seen here in October with suede pants
• Leather trenchcoat (below) - no label, vintage 70s, thrifted; last worn here in November

I am a fan of this gorgeous black velvet/gold corded jacket. 

I forgot to take a picture showing the red lining! AGAIN!

I loved the green pleated skirt.

The fabric is thick and makes a sound like sails when I walk, that snapping of fabric. 

Without the jacket, although I didn't take it off. 

Oh, Monday, you're so blurry! 

And yes, I will be showing my new glasses (and my old glasses) soon - the whole point of having a 4-pair wardrobe is to match them to the look. These glasses are the ones that worked.

The jacket is the most nutcracker when it's done up. I love all that gold braid.

This is the best coat for avoiding Velvet Rage - it's got a full nylon lining so the velvet doesn't cling. 

I'd nearly forgotten that I even own this green hat! It's the same colour as the skirt! Woo! 

Accoutrements: 

I've had the hat for a long time. 

• Silk scarf - Pierre Balmain, vintage 80s, thrifted
• Wool hat - Fairweather, vintage 80s, gift from Mom & Dad
• Wool gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff: 

The actor Doug Jones has these shoes! 

I spotted him wearing them again in this season of "What We Do In The Shadows." This is a screen-grab from the article here (linking 'cause I love), where he actually mentions them! The wardrobe department let him keep them.

Doug, you have great taste in shoes! 

Bold gold bling: 

I wore the bee on the collar of the jacket.

• Belt - Sangiorgio, vintage, consignment
• Bee pin - consignment
• Jeweled/enameled cuff - Lauren G. Adams, consignment; purchased here for $103.99
• Hinged eelskin bangle - vintage 80s, thrifted
• Brass ring - vintage 70s, vintage mall
• Brass/glass ring - Raphael Canada, vintage 70s, consignment
• Earrings - thrifted
• Gold-plated enamel pendant - Robert Larin, vintage 70s, consignment; purchased here for $40.00

Some of you may remember my colleague Carol - I've worked with her for over a decade and she's one of my closest work friends, and is a wonderful human. She's mom to Trinity (aka Trin), who I've also known since she was a wee one. 

Several weeks ago, I got an email. 

Hey Sheila,

My dear Trinity came to me last night all teary because she'd missed some info when she was home sick and was stressing about the winter formal.

Short version, less drama: We have paid for the tickets, now she needs something to wear for the Dec 12 event.

I asked if she would like some help from Sheila, and she said, "Sheila would be good."

We can chat tomorrow and see if you have any capacity for a thrifting quest or some such venture.

Thank you muchly <3

Carol

P.S. In case you forgot, "My God, you're beautiful!"

The P.S. refers to the FedEx guy's reaction to my outfit on this day here. 

Well, I wasn't going to leave a girl hanging! 

I immediately knew I had the dress for Trin...in my own closet! I knew she loves purple, plus I knew her size from my last Limbo Sale, and that she would appreciate the swoosh and Drama of my Betsey Johnson velvet dress. 

Carol said she put it on, twirled, then, as she discovered them, "POCKETS!" 

My heart is so full of love and pride when I see these pictures, which Trin gave permission for me to share/post. She looks so serene and beautiful...with an impish twinkle in her eyes.

It's been an honour to loan this dress to you, Trin. It will always carry part of your history together with mine - we are forever related by a purple velvet dress.