Beene and Boots Suit

It's been a tumultuous week, at home and worldwide, and I'm emotionally exhausted from it all. 

Clothing As Armour is in effect! 

I was so excited to wear my new-to-me vintage Geoffrey Beene suit. Today was the first time I tried it on not over my clothes!

• Vest jacket - Geoffrey Beene, vintage 60s, vintage fair; purchased here for $18.00 
• Turtleneck - Wanko, thrifted; last worn here (4th outfit) earlier this month for a walk with a friend
• Skirt - Geoffrey Beene, vintage 60s, vintage fair; purchased here for $22.00
• Boots - Rockport, thrifted; last seen here with blanket clothes in January
• Leather trenchcoat (below) - vintage 70s, thrifted; last worn here a few weeks ago

I was reminded as I took my stair picture this morning, that Nature continues on despite what we humans get up to.

"This seems like an excellent spot."

The neighbourhood seagulls are scouting for nests.

But back to the suit - isn't it amazing? I found another excellent write-up on its American designer Geoffrey Beene here (scroll down, it's worth a read, link 'cause I love, of course). I love the following quotes:

Clothing from Beene is made for movement and never restricts or binds the wearer...His designs display a sensuous appreciation of the body and always permit movement.

I totally agree with that - I move around a lot in my work, going up and down stairs, reaching up into cupboards, bending, stretching, carrying things, crawling under desks - and this outfit was a champ.

 I especially liked the generous cut of the armholes, which did not restrict at all. I styled this in a very 70s way, belting it and layering a turtleneck under it.

...one can approach a Beene composition in black and white close up with the same scrutiny of a Frank Stella black painting: there is a fascination up close even more gratifying than the sign from afar. In Beene's case, texture is an important element, and the distant reading of graphic clarity became far more complex when disparate textures were mingled. Like reversibility, the near-far dialectic in Beene was provocative: utter simplicity from a distance became infinite technicality up close.

This suit has so many wonderful details - check back via the link above to see some of them (I took a ton of pictures, as I'm a total details person).

There weren't a ton of people in the office today - many are starting to work from home - but those who were there really admired the details in the fabric and the construction. 

Also, that's a pencil skirt with no slit, but I never felt constricted or that I couldn't take a full stride.

 I loved the nice deep pockets too! This is one of the most comfortable suits I've ever owned.

Outerwear - we've had rain, wind and sun, and it's been cold and warm today. Must be nearly spring!

Of course I had to go with some of my vintage pieces, like this wonderful leather trenchcoat, my vintage designer fedora and my new-to-me horse scarf.

• Fedora - Edward Mann, vintage 60s, thrifted
• Scarf - vintage, vintage fair; purchased here for $16.00
• Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

I spy a bare foot, heh.

I really liked these simple dark brown boots with the outfit - I have boots that match the suit better, but I preferred the slight difference in browns.

Brown bling:

My belt and the earrings are the only retail items in my entire outfit. Everything else is thrift or vintage fair.

• Belt - Club Monaco
• Earrings - Aldo
• Bracelet - J. Crew, thrifted

My friends, be safe, stay calm, wash your hands, and take care of yourselves. I'll be back on Sunday with tales of adventure! Thank you so much for stopping by.