Friday, November 27, 2020

Lacroix Dress Flashback, Guest Star, and a Present Under the Tree

 Happy Friday! It's been a quiet couple of days here, with L and I mostly watching football (yesterday) and Netflix (recommendation: Derry Girls), and playing board games. 

I really needed to get groceries today, so I headed downtown only to find the police arresting someone outside the store for refusing to wear a mask and threatening the staff. Unfortunately (unrelated to the arrest), the store wasn't doing deliveries today, so I caught a cab home with my groceries after. 

  • Dress - Desigual by Christian Lacroix, thrifted; last seen here for my birthday week in October 2019
  • Boots - Matisse, consignment; last worn here in November
  • Leather coat (below) - Danier Leather, consignment; last seen here (4th outfit) in February

I easily would have worn this dress before now - it's a regular work and/or weekend shopping dress - but with fewer days at work, and choosing to shop less, it's taken me a little longer to get around to it. 
Although it doesn't have any pockets, it's firmly in the "jammy dress" category. One and done! 
We'll have a Flashback on it shortly. How many different ways can you wear a dress like this? We shall see!

The dress is a Desigual piece and shockingly, the back of it is not solid black. 
That's a constant beef I have with that company (and any other designers who do that) - I hate when the back of a patterned garment is solid. We're seen on all sides! Carry that pattern around, please! 

Masked up - I went with this leopard one from Lazy Susan's. 
I was out for less than an hour. 

Outerwear. Oh, yes, I re-purpled my hair in the shower this morning (it'll fade - it's not permanent colour). 
My lovely thermal insulated leather coat gets its first outing. It was a good find last year.

I'm also wearing a new pair of olive green fleece-lined tights (I bought everything Dots had). 
By the time I got to town, I was already overheated, and unzipped the jacket and shoved my gloves in my purse. 

  • Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff: 
I took my boots off when I got home and switched to slippers, but I'm leaving the rest on all day/evening. Poor L usually is subjected to my much more casual "around the house" clothes when we hang out, so he deserves a nice outfit for a change. 

Weighty bling:
The belt is leather and chain mesh, with massive brass decorations over a sisal-type of material. It weight a ton. 

  • Belt - Sand Castle, thrifted
  • Amber ring - c. 1996
  • Feather ring - Fossil, thrifted
  • Earrings - thrifted

Before we get to the Flashback, I have a special guest star - Ally of Shybiker
We had a Zoom video visit today and chatted for over an hour! So great to see you again, honey! Let's do it again soon! 


Flashback: Christian Lacroix for Desigual Dress

I found this dress at the big WIN (Women in Need) store in January 2016, so it's nearly 5 years old in my closet.
I spotted the amazing pattern immediately in the slew of black dresses. What is this interesting creature? 

I adore the abstract floral/honeycomb design, most of which is just printed on the dress. However, it also has some nice embroidery detail on the front mid-chestal region section. 
Outlined yellow leaves and the red leaves directly below them are embroidered and beaded. The areas that are near them and look beaded actually aren't - they are just an optical illusion. You can also see the stripes of sparkly gold thread that run through the entire garment.

My original picture of the label and price tag are rather fuzzy, but I knew that face from previous research. Lacroix left haute couture in 2009 and has been collaborating with Desigual since 2011. 
At $24.00, this seemed a bit pricey at the time, but now feels  like a bargain. Funny how you get used to dresses being $9-10 in thrift stores and higher prices feel outrageous. I'm so out of touch with retail pricing, don't even get me started on the sticker-shock I have in actual stores! 

This dress is from 2013 or slightly before (I found this post here from Vancouver's Angel Boutique - hey, it's supposed to have a beaded belt! - link 'cause I love) and it likely would have been around $150-200+ new. 

I wore it right away in January 2016, pairing it with my lovely caramel boots. 
I nearly wore those yellow sparkly tights today! I still have them, and that tooled leather belt too. 

I think I'm wearing a gold belt here in March 2016, but "someone" is blocking the shot. 
"I'm more important than your belt, Woman. Also, your earrings look tasty." 


Ooh, I'm all Legs McGee there! Those shoes were Flashbacked here

I basically just pick out colours from the pattern for my tight/belt/shoes, as I did again here in April 2016. Same tights as above. Wow, my hair is short there! 
I can tell I'm going shopping because I'm not wearing a belt to cover the elastic waist. It's a great piece for shopping because it just pulls on over my head. Boots Flashback here

Same tights again in November 2016 - I have actually never worn this bare-legged as it just feels too short to expose my thighs in.
Hello, L! We are going out for brunch, and I'm totally going shopping after (no belt, walking shoes). I don't have those shoes anymore, but they were awesome for many years - I do remember I only paid $2.00 for them, and they were Italian-made leather. 

I really grooved on those rust-coloured tights for a long time (and I just checked: I still have them!). 
This is a work outfit (you can tell by the belt and my "profesh" hair) from November 2017. After my initial flurry of outfits in my first year, I relegated it to fall/winter only. Why? The tights thing and the more autumnal colour palette. 

Here's another work outfit in March 2018, and it's the first time I layered a jacket over it. 
"Who are we talking to again?"

I am wearing nylons there. The dark bottle green jacket was passed along to Caro. 

A rear view from October 2018. 
Nothing exciting to see - just brown tights and cowboy boots. I'm going shopping.

I tried a different colour of tights in December 2018 - the pattern has tons of colours in it, but I tend to default to rust, brown, and yellow. 
I don't think the wine colour quite works. Those boots got a Flashback here

That didn't stop me from wearing the same tights again in February 2019 for some Weight Watchers in-person training (I really don't miss that!). 
I added my matching leather obi and my dark red walking boots - L and I went for lunch after. 

And here's the last time I wore it, to work in October 2019 during my birthday week, when I wore all my most favourite things. 
The shoes are browny-burgundy, and again, I'm wearing nylons. 


Mathy stuff: Today's outfit marks the 11th time I've worn it, bringing me to $2.18 per wear. Excellent! And it still has oodles of potential. 

What would you wear with it? I'm intrigued by finding out it originally came with a beaded turquoise-patterned belt, but I'm not sure how blue or turquoise would go with it.


And now, I will leave you with this present I discovered under one of the trees yesterday. I hadn't even plugged the tree in yet (I do it once it gets dark out). 
"What? Where's the present? Is it for me?"


Vizzini has mostly been good about the lit trees so far, although he's experimentally tried chewing on the branches to see if he gets a reaction from me (no, but I've gently shoved him away, and have also distracted him with a brush). 
"Oh, I get it. I'M the present. What a rip-off."

I'm a little nervous - L and I will be unpacking all the ornaments Saturday after brunch, and there are some very tasty tempting things that I'm sure he will want to bite. Wish us luck! I'll have loads of pics from the final decorating surge for your bigass Sunday wrap-up, so please pop by later on this weekend to check it all out. 

Take care, my friends! 

29 comments:

  1. Hi Sheila,
    Big bundles of luck with unpacking ornaments and having Vizzini sit by like a passive though interested observer only! 'Tis definitely the season - our grandchildren facetimed today to show off their tree and holiday Village. Aw :-) Our decorations were going to come out this weekend but the weather is so warm it doesn't feel like winter, and even less like holidays are coming!

    I LOVE the Desigual dress. When the company gets it right, they really get it right with patterns, colors, and covering the front, sides and back. To my eye each of the outfits with taller boots is a grand way to highlight both the dress and you. As for what I might wear with it - how about leaving it unbelted (or else a loosely slung belt) over a pair of skinny pants, maybe in one of the colors of the dress, and again with tall boots or with a smashing pair of heels.

    It is super special that you and Ally hung out for a video chat!
    Cheers, Laurie

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    1. Hey, Laurie! We lucked out - Vizzini totally hid the entire time we were unpacking the ornaments! How fun that you got to see your grandkids' tree and village. I hope you get your decorations out soon - it's December tomorrow!

      Thank you - I love it too! Yes, they are very hit-and-miss with their products - they seem to be either cheap or VERY expensive (in price and quality), no middle ground. I've worn it unbelted (it has an elastic waist, so it will never hang loose), but I like the idea of a skinny pant with it. Thank you!

      I know, it was so cool! If you'd ever like to Zoom with me, drop me an email and I can book it. :)

      Delete
  2. A truly fab dress and it looks wonderful in every photo. My favourite is with the gold patterned tights...

    Good luck with the Christmas tree decoration and you know who. I shall be buying ours next week when our lockdown is over...

    Take care
    xxx

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    1. Aw, thank you so much, Vronni! I really should wear those tights again soon!

      Thanks! Good luck is definitely needed, ha ha! I hope you take lots of pictures of your tree! I want to see it!

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  3. Yay! Thanks for the fun chat. It may seem superficial of me but the biggest take-away I have from our conversation is, "Oh, my God, Sheila has so many masks!" Leave it to you to respond to a global pandemic with style and grace. :)

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    1. It was so cool to talk to you "in person", Ally! Ha ha! I've fully embraced masks - I think they will stick around through our flu seasons in the future.

      Delete
  4. I think dresses are a great find-so simple, but can look so good changed up. Yet, surprisingly, I only have a few dresses really-not bright ones like your fabulous version.

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    1. Thank you, Sam! I like a printed dress in a t-shirt fabric that is easy to wear - the "one and done" is key!

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  5. That dress is fabulous, so good to see that it doesn't have a plain back! You've got a cracking pair of pins, young lady!
    What a to-do, that man being escorted off the premises for not wearing a mask, wish they'd do that here.
    Good luck with protecting those precious decorations from Vizzini's clutches and have a fabulous rest of the weekend. xxx

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    1. I have had at least one other Lacroix for Desigual dress that had a solid black back. It annoyed me so much, I put it in the giveaway after only 1-2 wears. Thanks, Vix!

      It was so bizarre! I'm glad the staff at the store was safe.

      I know, I'm terrified to see what the tree looks like when I get home from work on Monday!

      Delete
  6. Your Desigual dress looks amazing on you, and yes, I had it that printed clothes have a plain back too. That's a definite no-no for me! Together with the belt, knee-high boots and fleece-lined tights, it makes for one funky outfit! I also love your new purpled hair, even if it won't last. Boo to the people who refuse to wear masks when required. Luckily, they would be escorted off the premises here in Belgium too!
    How lovely to have a zoom call with Ally!
    Judging from your flashback, that dress has really deserved its stripes (or should that be prints?) and I'm keeping everything crossed all goes well with your Christmas ornaments! xxx

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    1. Thank you so much, Ann! It's usually a deal-breaker for me - no print on the back = forget it! I love having my purpley hair again.

      I am glad they finally mandated masks - it's been very disconcerting to have non-maskers in the grocery store!

      It was so cool - if you'd ever like to Zoom with me, drop me an email and I'll book one! I'd love to chat with you!

      Thank you! I'm also hoping for no kitty madness!

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  7. That dress was a good find and I love how you've found so many fun and funky tights to go with it - I definitely have some go-to colour combos I rely on and I've been trying to mix that up a bit this year!

    Looking forward to seeing your decorations too, we started decorating yesterday, still have the kid's tree to go now! :)

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    1. Thanks, Mica! I do tend to do the same colour combos over and over - it's good to have those already to go.

      I am excited to get it all up - glad you're starting to decorate!

      Delete
  8. That dress is fabulous, and it looks great with those tights and boots.

    You've inspired me with your Christmas decorating, I'm going to start putting mine up and decorating my tree this weekend. Good luck with your furry friend and your Christmas tree ornaments!

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    1. Thank you so much!

      Aw, that's great to hear. It feels so nice and cozy, and it has really lifted my spirits. Thank you - I hope he stays far away from it all!

      Delete
  9. What product do you use to color your hair these days? I just discovered a color depositing conditioner (Overtone) that I like but I'm always looking for new ones to try.

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    1. Hi, Lorri! To refresh my colour, I use Pulp Riot in Eggplant, and mix a small amount with my regular deep conditioner. I also have Pulp Riot in Lavender, which can go straight into my hair for a solid refresh, but I just picked up that shade, so haven't done it in many months. I dye my hair with Feria Smoky Lavender every couple of months, to help plump out my hair (my regrowth is 75% white).

      I would recommend Pulp Riot - it's a toner, so does not damage the hair (but you need to wear gloves, as it stains like mad!). The Eggplant colour is very dark purple normally - "watering it down" with conditioner makes it lighter.

      Delete
  10. Ahh a quiet few days. That sounds lovely.
    Love your purple hair!
    How nice you got to catch up with Ally. X

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    1. It was, Jess. :) Ah, all refreshed. Thank you so much! It was so cool to Zoom with her - if you ever want to Zoom with me, drop me an email (it's in my profile). :)

      Delete
  11. Have fun decorating! I don't like it either when the back is solid. It's such a weird sight. It geeks the same as not dressing properly when you don't have to go out....

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    1. I agree, Nancy - it feels cheap and lazy to not have the back of a garment the same as the front.

      Thanks! We had a lot of fun!

      Delete
  12. That dress is fabulous. I love the pattern so much, with the vivid flowers and all the details. How nice to see that embroidered bit and to know that the beaded bit is an optical illusion- and a great one, I wouldn't be able to tell and I typically have an eye for details. I agree with you on the pattern bit- it is best when all dress is in the same pattern, when the back is solid black, it doesn't feel the same. If someone loves to wear pattern and prints (and those are the people who buy these items), they probably want it all- right?

    I also love the high boots and the belt you wore with this dress. You look stunning! How beautiful is your hair? I love this shade of purple. So magnetic!
    Great flashback as always. It was fun seeing all the eleven ways you wore this pretty dress. When I go shopping, I also like to wear pieces that are easy to take off.

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    1. Thank you, Ivana! It's a lovely dress - I really like the yellow/brown/olive mix of it, as you don't see those colours in dresses too much. I know, the illusion is a good one, isn't it? I just get so mad/disappointed when an otherwise awesome dress just has a plain back! I want it all the way around!

      Thank you! It's fun having purple hair - I always enjoy when it's a bit bolder too.

      I am glad you enjoyed the Flashback! Yes, nothing worse than a million things to unbutton, etc. when you are trying things on!

      Delete
  13. Aww! I've had the joy and honour of knowing both you and Ally online for several years now and seeing that you two shared a Zoom call recently made my heart beam brighter than shooting star.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. If you'd ever like to Zoom with me, drop me an email, Autumn (it's in my profile). I'd love to chat with you!

      Delete
  14. I love so much your jammy dresses, and this one is particularly amazing, lots of colours, embroidery, beads and totally fab pattern, (I also dislike when the back of a patterned dress is black!, why they do this?). And I love it with anything rusty, red and yellow, particularly those yellow sparkly tights and caramel boots!.
    Lovely to see Vizzini getting used to the trees and other tasty bits!
    besos

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    1. It's a solid dress, and I love that it's printed all the way around. Thank you!

      Vizzini's been fairly good - only a few things bitten/chewed on!

      Delete

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