Listen Up Regret-Me-Nots and Circus Stripes

Today's item that I'd put in the giveaway pile but then retrieved (seriously, this needs a word!) is a pair of those that I've had for 8 years. 

 I was rushed for time this morning - one crappy stair picture comin' up! Isn't that always the way? When you're in a hurry, the pictures don't quite work.

• Coat - Club Monaco, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) earlier this month
• Sweater - no label, consignment; not tracked
• Skirt - Dries Van Noten, consignment, San Francisco; last seen here in September 2018 with lemon yellow
• Shoes - Listen Up O'Hara, Fluevog; last worn here in February 2015 in a horrendous mish-mash of an outfit (go ahead and look - they can't all be winners!)

I was flustered over what top to wear with this skirt and ended up with this plain cream sweater. It was fine, nothing special - sometimes we need basic pieces to make everything else work.

I'd also forgotten that this skirt - which is wonderful! - is very low on the hips.

I had intended just to wear this light lined jacket as outerwear, but I ended up wearing it all day.

 It is a gorgeous piece, and worth wearing just like this.

Without the jacket.

"Let me in the hallway, Woman!"

I like this look, but yeah - from behind I was exposing a lot of bare lower back (and the top of my underwear!).

"Fine, I'm leaving."

But you do get to see how well this amazing skirt fits. It's Dries Van Noten and it's a wool blend (with pockets) and a lovely silky lining - don't you love the circus stripes?

Jacket done up. I put my little S pin on after these photos and wore this as my outfit for most of the day.

 More pockets!

The stuff:

I had to stuff the ankles of these shoes to make them stand up for the photos! These are the first pair of Listen Up shoes that Fluevog made with their "new" heel (these shoes - my very first pair of Fluevogs! - are the old heel).

I fell in love with these when I tried them on with coloured tights, when L and I went to Vancouver on our annual anniversary "pilgrimage" to Fluevog in 2011; I first wore them here in March 2011. I loved them in the outfit I wore to my company holiday party here (3rd outfit) in December 2013, and just before that (in a slight variation) for my nomination in the local 'Unlimited Woman Awards' (here, in November 2013). I wore them a few times for work as well, for about 8-9 wears total (click here and scroll for a walk through memory lane circa 2011 to 2015). And then they languished in my closet for 4 years.

It's hard to face the fact that a 4" heel won't cut it for me anymore - I'm getting older and my feet are too. However, I just love these shoes (especially with tights), and they feel special. My review of them is still posted in Fluevog's archives (here, linking 'cause I love), and they are even in the Fluevog "museum" (here).

So - obviously I wasn't wearing them, and they went into the giveaway pile, but then I couldn't stop thinking about them. They are a "regret-me-not"! And I wore them today, and they were good for about 5 hours of working, running around and some standing, before I took them off around 3pm and switched back to my runners.

They are staying in my closet, and in my heart, as a true work of art. I may not wear them much, but they are special and definitely keepers.

The stuff:

I hated that pin. Gone!

• Yellow cuff - thrifted
• Cage cuff - Bauxo
• Earrings - vintage fair
• Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
• Crystal/silver ring - Soul Flower
• Pin - vintage fair