Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Hallowe'en Week: Business and Spooky Bling

It is so dark out in the mornings right now! So, do not adjust your monitor, this is very orangey and blurry, sorry. 
Continuing my Hallowe'en Week theme, I'm not wearing Hallowe'en colours: I'm doing scary accessories!


  • Blazer - Vivienne Westwood Red Label, vintage, thrifted; last worn here in November with sparkle and leopard
  • Blouse - CABi, consignment; last seen here in January under green velvet
  • Skirt - J. Crew, thrifted; first worn here in May with circular shapes (one of my coworkers was wearing that blouse today!)
  • Shoes - Truths Makena, Fluevog; last worn here (2nd outfit) earlier this month for a weekend shop
  • Coat (below) Sfizio, consignment; purchased here in April for $75.00


My outfit completely confounded my coworkers - I don't usually look this "businessy". I took the jacket off a few times when I overheated/hot-flashed.
I had a very physical day, running around and counting socks (sock drive for the needy - we raised 1700+ pairs!).

Jacket on. It's a gorgeous wool piece - real Vivienne Westwood Red Label! - and is always a joy to wear.
 I like how it shows off the pleated ruffles of the blouse, both at the cuffs and down the front.

The skirt is amazing quality. I'm still boggled that I only paid $6.95 for it! These retail for close to $200!
I love these tights, but they are done.

There are holes in them right on my shin.
 I've had them for years, so I don't feel too bad - I always seem to find some fun black lacy tights.

All buttoned up, totally profesh.
 I happily pointed out all the spooky bugs and critters I was wearing.

Outerwear - first wearing of this new-to-me coat, picked up way back in April. I'm always shopping out of season.
 It was lovely to wear, although snug with my cami + blouse + blazer under it. Of course I was overheated by the end of the day! The sun was shining and it felt so good and warm, though - I'm not complaining!

The stuff:
I had planned a higher heel, and I'm so glad I swapped to these this morning. This is definitely in my comfort zone.

Spooky bling:
Most of these pieces are several years old - three of them are 35+ years old!


  • Necklace - Myka, thrifted
  • Bug pin - Le Chateau, c. 2006
  • Snake brooch - gift from Mom & Dad, c. 1984
  • Spider ring - gift from Mom & Dad, c. 1986
  • Snake ring - BC Museum Gift Shop, c. 1985
  • Spider earrings - don't remember


The snake brooch used to have a red "gem" hanging from the tip of the head. I cut it off and sanded it immediately (I remember Dad helping me cut it); I never wore it that way.

26 comments:

  1. You look very smart in this look! Beautiful skirt and blazer pairing. The blouse is just to die for. Lovely shoes and scary accessories as well. So great you raised so many pairs of socks for charity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ivana! My coworkers are always shocked when I'm all classy like this. I love the blouse - CABi makes wonderful ones, with great details.

      I know, isn't that amazing? Thank you!

      Delete
  2. Lovely outfit, you look so elegant (I can see a retro vibe too, which is fab) and love those classic scary accessories!.
    Your new coat is really cute!
    besos

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  3. Very smart, Sheila! Love the scary accessories especially. That jacket is such a class act (as are you!)
    1700+ socks? That's amazing! xxx

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    Replies
    1. Yup, they're the best part, Vix! Thank you! I wish we could have raised more.

      Delete
  4. I love how you did a subtle Halloween look with the accessories - all such fun touches to a formal outfit. I like how you said your coworkers were surprised, as I think this outfit still has a lot of your personal style in it with the lace, the prints and the ruffles!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Mica! I like the little surprises from the bugs and snakes and spiders. I agree, but my coworkers are very used to my "out there" looks.

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. Aw, thank you, Daniela! I'll check on you whenever I see you!

      Delete
  6. Isn't it a bore when it's too dark for proper outfit photos? Now that we changed to Winter time, I'm having to make do with inside outfit photos during the week, and artificial lighting is far from flattering, it makes things blurry and bleaches out the colour. Oh well. Back to you: I'm loving your business-like outfit. It's clear that both the skirt and the blazer are quality. The frilly blouse makes it playful and less stark, and so does your spooky bling! The coat is gorgeous too. Out of season shopping is the best! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's the worst! I am dreading the depths of Dec-Jan. I've been playing with my camera settings, which has really helped.

      Thank you - yes, the quality is evident. I like the contrast of classy with silly/spooky. I know, you find the best stuff out of season!

      Delete
  7. Oh, well done on the 1,700 pairs of socks - how astonishing!

    I love your 'business' look. The blouse is lovely and feminine and I love the VW blazer. As for the bling it was brilliant and I am in love with your bug brooch; it's simply beautiful!

    I do out of season shopping, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Vronni! We did over 2,000 pairs last year, over a longer stretch.

      I enjoyed this as a fun change from my usual wackitude. Not bad for a cheap little brooch, that bug has served me well. Out of season is the best!

      Delete
  8. Vivienne Westwood! Oh sigh..... Love that woman! But that blouse is fabulous too!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! Yes, I love her stuff. The blouse is a favourite.

      Delete
  9. This outfit is indeed very surprisingly businessy for you. I was admiring all the pieces and you had me totally cracked up when I read you still wore the tights with the holes in it. Hahaha.. that is something I would never have done, but I like you "I don't care" attitude.
    Greetje

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sometimes like to dabble in very professional looks, just to mix things up. I did wear them, holes and all! F**k it!

      Delete
  10. Love the ruffle shirt and the spooky bling. X

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  11. I thought that this was a suit, but can see it's just a clever bit of matching, haha, hee, well done! The out of season purchasing appeals to me too - fab coat btw xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like grey and green together - I always shop out of season!

      Delete
  12. That's a lot of sock counting Sheila !
    That green skirt fits so well but my fave is the outerwear.

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    Replies
    1. Gosh, tell me about it! I'm glad it's over. I love the coat too - I need to wear that again!

      Delete

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