Double Velvet and Bag O' Shoes

You guys are the best - I so appreciate your good wishes, advice and positive vibes. I kinda feel like now I'm getting sick (like flu sick), but I'm willing myself not to be sick. NO.

Carrying on with being comfortable and cozy at work, I played the double velvet card today. Velvet everywhere!

• Blazer - Vero Moda, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in October 2018 for some weekend shopping
• Blouse - Renuar, thrifted; last seen here under my $1000 sweater in December 2018
• Skirt - Yves St. Laurent Rive Gauche, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here in March 2018 with a tweed vest and ruffled shirt
• Shoes - Queen of Prussia Louise, Fluevog; last seen here in November 2018 on a discombobulated day
• Sleeveless coat - Only, thrifted; last worn here eight days ago

Due to it being really dark out this morning (rain clouds), the colours of both velvet pieces look much gloomier than they are. The velvet "boyfriend"-cut blazer is a rich burgundy (view here for a better look at the colour).

 And the skirt is a dark purple (view here for a better look). It's also Yves St. Laurent, baby! Classy!

I had my coworkers feel both the velvet* on the jacket and the velvet on the skirt and guess which one was better quality. It's the skirt, of course! Some people gasped when they felt the skirt, it is that nice.

*Strictly speaking, the jacket is velour, since it's on a knit vs. on a weave. Velvet is like a mowed lawn. Fuzzy lawn on knit = velour. Fuzzy lawn on weave = velvet. The actual fabric can be cotton, polyester or silk (or a mix), and all of them can still be velvet.

 Ugh, I hate that bad hem on the back of this blazer. That could be a deal-breaker for me. Is velvet still trendy or is that over now? I can never keep up!

The skirt is the real "keeper" item - it's gorgeous, and it has pockets! Big ones!

 It's absolutely wonderful to wear.

Outerwear - I was overheating right and left all day. I'm not sure if it's hot flashes or feverishness.

 Our bout of warm-ish weather continues. At least there wasn't any rain today.

• Scarf - thrifted
• Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

 I love these shoes. They are awesome to wear.

Crystal bling:

 I have a set, and it's even by the same maker: Myka. They are very glittery under my office lights.

• Necklace/bracelet/earrings - Myka, gifts from L
• Brooch - c. 1999? from the Bay
• Amethyst/gold ring - Frances Jewellers, c. 1965, Dad's

I wore the brooch pinned at the top of the blouse's neck.

Reader Cathy asked yesterday if my velvet boots held up in the rain. No way for that to happen, because I never wear them outside!

Most of my good shoes are "office only" and I am extremely careful with them - I very, very rarely wear them out on sidewalks, aside from weekends and Fridays. I might dash out for a quick errand or to grab lunch, but it's Bag O' Shoes for me otherwise.

I double-bag my shoes to make sure they stay dry (from both weather, and my drippy coffee mug), and I wear my Doc Martens leather floral boots in autumn/winter to walk to and from work. For this coming spring/summer, I'll be wearing velvet Vans that I recently thrifted (pic here) - Docs are too hot in warm weather, but they're fabulous in rain and snow.

Take care of your shoes and they will last for years!