Monday, November 23, 2020

All the Dots, and Grey Westwood Flashback

Happy Monday! Today's outfit probably won't come as a huge shock - I was inspired by some of my recent Flashbacks. 

Since I now have dotted blue trousers, and I had a dotted shirt and bowtie, of course, I had to wear them all together! 


  • Blazer: Vivienne Westwood Red Label, thrifted; last seen here in January with punk plaid and roses
  • Shirt - J. Crew, thrifted; last seen here in April for some Men In Black weekend silliness
  • Trousers - J. Crew, thrifted; purchased here for $34.99
  • Shoes - Truths Pilgrim, Fluevog; last seen here in September for a shopping expedition
  • Sleeveless coat (below) - Only, thrifted; last worn here a couple of weeks ago

I also took the opportunity to wear my Vivienne Westwood grey wool blazer - and we'll have a wee Flashback on that in a bit. 
It's a longer blazer, but I adore the classic cut of it - the shoulders are cut really well too. 
Today's the first time wearing these trousers, and yes, they are a titch large on me, but I wouldn't alter them as they have no stretch. 
I did undo the side pockets, though - ah, lots of room to put my hands. 

Jacket off - I didn't wear it at all like this, but I thought you might like to see the trousers better. 
They were lovely to wear - I adore the colour. The office was nearly empty today, but my colleague Niran gave my outfit a thumbs up.
I am fond of the menswear look - I've always dabbled in it, including stealing my dad's clothes when I was a teen. 

Masked up - this is a pretty red and white paisley one of Mom's.
Outerwear - it's been mild, grey and rainy. 
Just right for a sleeveless coat. 

  • Hat - vintage, thrifted
  • Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff: 
Easy shoes for a Monday. 

Matchy bling: 
I love my silk bowtie - so classy. 


  • Bowtie - John Comfort for Harry Rosen, vintage, thrifted
  • Earrings - thrifted
  • Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes


Flashback: Vivienne Westwood Red Label Grey Wool Blazer


I lucked out at Flavour Upstairs in November 2017 (here), scoring a Red Label blazer by Vivienne Westwood. 
Her Red Label line was a sister line to the main "Vivienne Westwood" line, and ran from February 1999 to 2016. 

Even secondhand, her Red Label items run from a couple hundred dollars into the several-hundred-dollar range, so you can imagine my delight at finding this for only $27.99! 
I get a kick out of the "Holy Hand Grenades" on the buttons. 
Even the lining has them, woven in! Over the past year, I have found a couple of small moth-holes in it, but that doesn't take away any of my glee at finding such a rare item locally. 

I first wore it shortly after my purchase, in November 2017. 
I'm all "Business on the top; party on the bottom" with this outfit. We saw the shoes in Flashback here.

I did a bit of a funky look with another designer piece in January 2018, this L'Wren Scott blouse. 
I find this colour and style of a blazer to be useful in my wardrobe, as it lets my more "out there" pieces shine. 

We just saw these trousers in a Flashback here, and those red shoes here
This was in March 2018, and I mostly copied this formula with different pants, shirt and shoes. 

I liked this shiny blue leopard skirt with the blazer; I paired them again in November 2018. 
I do still have that skirt (and the sparkly top), but I let go of the shoes. 

This is a very "profesh" look for me, from October 2019. However, if you look carefully, you'll see that my lapel has a bug pin and a snake brooch on it. I'm still spooky!
I did let go of this green pencil skirt, as it felt too much like a uniform, like I should be working in a fancy hotel or something.  

And here is the last time I wore the blazer, in January 2020. 
Same plaid pants as above. I'm not terribly creative with this blazer thus far - what would you wear with it? 

Mathy stuff: I'm on my 7th wearing of this jacket, bringing us to $4.00 per wear. As long as the moths don't feast on it, I have plenty more wearings in it. I should probably invest in some moth balls! 

32 comments:

  1. Since this is such a Very Serious Jacket, I'd go for maximal juxtaposition with something shiny, foofy, crazy, patterned.. Might it work with the dragonscale skirt? Tulle skirt? Also florals or the silver leather jeans?

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    1. Yes, good idea, Ismay! I would not put this dark grey with all the amber tones of the dragonscale skirt, but I do have other longer skirts with pattern that might work. Thanks!

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  2. Hi Sheila would it work over a dress? LOVE the red Pilgrim shoes,

    stay safe

    Lynette

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  3. Morning there Sheila, I have let a lot of clothes go over the years one was a grey blazer and I gave it to my mum! She wore it for years after. I know you rock all colours I cannot do a dark grey near my face. I love the "man look" but you always look like a classy lady. Love those shoes Have a good day Shazxx

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    1. Shaz! Good morning! I've had many grey blazers myself. There are lighter, warm greys that might work better for you. Aw, thank you, my dear!

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  4. I love the pop of red in these outfits. The shoes from the first look is gorgeous.
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  5. That is such a fun outfit with all the polka dots together! You look great and I like the touches of red :) That blazer was a great find too and it's so nice to see the different ways you've worn it. I'm really enjoying your flashbacks! :)

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  6. *sigh* I wish I had your panache. Is there somewhere I can get it?

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    1. Alas, my panache is self-developed over decades of experimentation. I wish I could bottle it and sell it to you! ;-P

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  7. Your outfit is absolutely delightful. Polka dots extraordinaire! I don't mind trousers being a titch too large, especially if there's no stretch, as they can feel a bit constricted if they're a perfect fit. And I love it when they have pockets!
    It's mind-boggling that you found that Vivienne Westwood blazer for only $ 27,99! Those buttons are fabulous, no wonder you're getting a kick out of them. And that lining! Investing in moth balls sounds like a great idea, we can't have those pesky moths have a field day on a Classy (with capital C!) jacket like that! xxx

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    1. Thanks so much, Ann! I've learned my lesson on non-stretchy garments and will always go a little big vs. a little small.

      I know, that was one of my best scores ever! I do get a giggle from the buttons. I need to get moth-balls!

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  8. I love the circus vibe of your fabulous outfit, it's wonderful with the new trousers and the bow tie. The red shoes are fantastic, too.
    The final outfit is killer, I'm mad about those red boots.
    How would our Viv wear that blazer? Probably irreverently with hot pants, a mohair jumper and bovver boots. xxx

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    1. Thanks, Vix - I should have added my top hat and tails, eh? :)

      Thanks, I love them too!

      Ooh, I can picture it! Ha! Love it.

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  9. Oh what a joy! A Vivienne Westwood blazer! Isn't that woman so incredible. And indeed those shoulders are so sharp! What a luck to find this one!

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    1. It's just gorgeous, Nancy. I'm still amazed that found it so cheap!

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  10. Now, this is what I call a fun outfit- and yet at the same time it looks professional. I love the dotted white shirt and blue pants combo. The bold red pointy shoes are so pretty and obviously a great match with that beautiful vintage bowtie. The VW blazer just ties it all together perfectly. What a great find that Vivienne Westwood grey wool blazer is - I obviously enjoyed your wee Flashback with this lovely grey blazer. I think my favourite looks are with the tartan pants, but this blazer also looks great with a leopard skirt- as you said, business on top, party on the bottom. It is good to mix styles, this blazer being so professional and classical in cut, it looks great paired with fun pieces. I like to do the same btw, pair my classical blazers with fun patterns. I feel like it connects outfits well...and you know I love grey blazers, they are so practical. Last year around Christmas my sister in law gave me two old grey suits of hers and I've been wearing both of them very often, especially the blazers. I even wear blazers when I'm just chilling at home, that's how much I love them.

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    1. Aw, thanks so much, Ivana! I like how the red shoes and bowtie popped against the more subdued colours. The VW blazer was such a great find - I was pinching myself! I like the contrast of hard/soft, masculine/feminine, party/business in my outfits sometimes. Blazers are great for that, as you've discovered! How nice to get two free suits!

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    2. Yes, it is nice to get free stuff. I think most people that know me notice that I like old and vintage clothes so they probably remember me when they are cleaning out their closets...I often get handed down clothes by family members and they always tell me: I know you will wear it...and so I do.

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    3. I have had that a couple of times, and I always feel honoured, like they know I will appreciate the good stuff. I also have had jewelry given to me, which I also love - every time I wear it, I think of the person who gave it.

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  11. Love this outfit and I think it's the neck tie that makes it pop! Fab blazer - a family heirloom if ever there was one!
    xxx

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    1. I agree - it would be a pretty boring outfit without the bowtie. I don't know about "family heirloom" - I've told L that if I die before him, I want my friends to have first dibs on my clothes, then donate the rest. I like the idea of someone coming across a bonanza of cool clothes from my closet.

      Thanks, Vronni!

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  12. What a gem of a blazer. So elegantly cut, timelessly stylish, and versatile in both its hue and length. In other words, a real wardrobe workhorse, in my books.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Thanks so much, Autumn! It is indeed a workhorse, and I can't see it leaving my closet for years.

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  13. Ever such a nice outfit. And Vivienne Westwood. I never get such bargains.
    Greetje

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    1. It takes a lot of looking and shopping to find bargains like this! I don't see Vivienne Westwood stuff every day! Thanks, Greetje!

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  14. The blazer was a good score, and I like your Dotty outfit! I have found the occasional Vivienne Westwood piece secondhand - a cool black velvet miniskirt I gave to a friend, and a pair of jeans with an exposed zipper which don't fit me very well, but I can't bear to give away.

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    1. Thanks, Shelley! Ooh, I would have hung onto the jeans too (I have a Versace pair that don't fit that I'm hanging onto).

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  15. Excellent polka dot comboing! Those pants were a nice find.

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