Blue Monday (With the Fulvia Ring!)

I couldn't resist wearing my new-to-me cerulean blue shell today - it went so well with my grey thin wool skirt. Of course, that meant lots of blue! Blue everything!

I may have been humming "Blue Monday" by New Order all day...

The top was just purchased yesterday (here) for $8.50. It's by I. Magnin, a chi-chi brand from the 80s.

With a boxy top like this, you've got to define the waist. Classic 80s looks with those bigass shoulder pads were all about creating a V to the waist, then having an exaggerated hip (hello, peplums!) to emphasize the waist even further.

Pencil skirts are never really out of style, but high-waisted ones, like this 80s wool skirt (last seen here with mint green), were designed to counter the wide, bold shoulder look. A real 80s belt of this era would have been snakeskin - very luxe and expensive-looking.

Yeah, I know, I missed zipping all the way to the top - I caught it in the morning!

Part of the "power dressing" look of the mid-80s was about women gaining a measure of equality in the workplace. Men's power suits were translated for women, with the addition of "take charge" elements like big gold buttons, epaulettes and other trim. Skirts were a little longer (we wanted to be taken seriously, not treated as objects!), and shells (like this one) and blouses with neck bows covered up the cleavage (cf: taken seriously).

We take much of our freedom in workplace clothing for granted now, but a woman in a managerial, directorial or vice-presidential position (who wasn't a secretary, basically) was a Big Deal back then, and in order for her to earn her place and the respect of the men around her, she had to put on her armour, her uniform. For a big blast from the past, check out the movie "Working Girl" to see how Melanie Griffith's character takes on this transition. Women were figuring out how they could "have it all" against a lot of resistance from the old guard. And there was a lot of resistance. We've come a long way.

The stuff:

My shoes aren't vintage, but they have 90% of the look of 80s shoes. Real 80s shoes have higher vamps, whereas modern shoes show more toe cleavage. Again, with trying to look serious and powerful, but not overtly sexy. I last wore these shoes here with my blue and white painty blouse.

A close-up:

L gave me that pendant for Christmas this past year. I also wore my Wendy Brandes lapis lazuli ring, my Scottish ring, my vintage snake ring, and my circle ring, along with my St. Paul's Cathedral bracelet.

Oh, and mustn't forget my vintage 70s/80s belt. No power dressing elements here; this is 100% disco, baby!

Not bad for the couple of bucks I paid for it.

Blouse (I. Magnin, thrifted), skirt (Bianca, thrifted), shoes (Feet First), belt (vintage, thrifted), necklace (gift from L), lapis lazuli ring (Wendy Brandes), snake ring (homegrown 80s vintage), circle ring (Nine West), sodalite ring (holiday in Scotland, 1996), cuff (St. Paul's Cathedral gift shop).

I think I scared the mailman to death when he dropped a box off on my desk today - I squealed so loud, I may have shattered glass. I treated myself (because I'm worth it!) to another Wendy Brandes Jewelry item*.
*all links because I love - I paid for it! 

Ta-dah! The Fulvia Ring! From Wendy's page is the description of Fulvia:

Of the Roman noblewoman Fulvia (wife of Marc Antony), the historian Plutarch wrote, "She was a woman who took no interest in spinning or managing a household, nor could she be content to rule a husband who had no ambition for public life: her desire was to govern those who governed or to command a commander-in-chief."

So, see? It's all about women's equality. Although I am a classic secretary/receptionist, you know who really runs the office, right? *wink wink*

Well, duh!

This is a blue topaz set in brushed silver. I gave it a light scrub with soap and water and a toothbrush to make it gleam.

It's ready for its close-up:

I love the size and weight of this piece.

The topaz looks gorgeous in the natural light.

I like to wear statement rings on my index fingers (plus, I have skinny fingers, and that's where most rings fit me).

This is a major statement:

A real knuckle-duster.

As I plan to wear this a LOT, it's bound to get scratched up, but I strongly believe in wearing your good stuff. Jewelry is meant to be worn. I figure 2 years and I'll have my cost-per-wear down to about $1.00 a day.

Of course, it is stamped.

I note that the one on Wendy's site has the stamp on the inside of the band (at the narrowest part). There's still one left, and it's half price, so be my Wonder Twin (Wonder Twin powers - activate!) and treat yourself to something nice.

Did you check out the pictures of the model wearing the ring? She's doubled it up with...my other Wendy Brandes ring!

My rings are famous, yo.

I bought this ring in February 2012 as a treat for myself, and you can see that the original matte finish on it has rubbed to a shine from the amount I wear it. I am down to about $2.00 per wear on it, because I wear it all the time.

Two friends, reunited again.

Thank you so much, Wendy! I really treasure these and will be wearing them every opportunity I get. Now, about that Marie Antoinette ring...(when I win the lottery!).

While I was having a grand old time taking lots of pictures of my new ring, someone was Up To No Good.

"Is it L? Is he watching another hockey game?"

 No, you little devil, it's not L. Get away from those shoelaces.

"But I like shoelaces! They're so good for biting!"

Vizzini is incorrigible.