Wednesday, May 29, 2019

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

22 comments:

  1. I like that skirt and I'm glad you decided to recover the shoes and keep them in your wardrobe, they are a great shoe even if they aren't an everyday shoe!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mica. Agreed. I have room for these beauties!

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  2. Those shoes really are something else, Sheila! It must be a tribute to Fluevog's quality that you were able to walk around in such high heels for 5 hours straight. Good on you for keeping them, even if you won't be wearing them much. Some things are worth keeping just to be treasured. Obviously I love your circus skirt from good old Dries. Have to think of you every time I walk past his Antwerp shop. xxx

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    Replies
    1. They are so wonderfully balanced, Ann - very good quality, even if I couldn't do a full day in them. Aw, I would love to see a real Dries shop! So cool!

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  3. I love Dries and I love this skirt. And ooohhh those shoes. So glad you took them out of the give-away pile.
    Greetje

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    Replies
    1. He is one of my very favourite designers - I treasure my Dries items. Me too, thanks, Greetje!

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  4. Oh keep the shoes!!! Love that gorgeous skirt!!

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  5. It might be time to find a lovely lighted display case for your "retired shoes". Then you can still look at them while your grateful feet are thanking you!

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  6. Love the circus stripes!
    The shoes look great with it but I'm with you on the high heels - they look fab but I hate how much I ache after I've worn them. All but my two pairs of vintage platforms have gone back to the charity shop. xxx

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    Replies
    1. I do have a thing for the theatrical - I love the drama! Aw, it sucks, doesn't it?

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  7. I totally understand. Beautiful shoes are art and you want to appreciate them as such. But... discomfort is discomfort and, unlike most men, I've felt that physical pain from wearing high heels too long. I have beloved shoes I'll always keep but never wear again -- I plan to build a shelf to display them on.

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  8. Wow, you did 5 hours of walking in those shoes? Amazing! I wouldn't have lasted. X

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    Replies
    1. Sitting, standing, walking, stairs - it's a mixed bag of that. A lot on my feet.

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  9. The shoes are truly lovely and deserve a reprieve. 5 hours is pretty good going. I have shoes that only work for half a day, but I still love 'em and keep 'em; that half a day validates their existence. The skirt is cute and I agree with the choice of plain top as sometimes that's the only way to go x

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  10. Wow I want to touch that skirt. It looks lovely and YES we need to find a word for those things that we go back for from the giveaway pile. The "comebackers"?

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    Replies
    1. I'm calling them "regret-me-nots" (like the flower, forget-me-nots). The skirt is a gorgeously soft wool.

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