Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Double Flashback: Cream Pencil Skirt and Burgundy Shoes

Blerg, Wednesday. I had this outfit already lined up and ready to go, and today's as good as any for wearing it. 
It features my new-to-me mohair cardigan, and we'll have not one, but TWO Flashbacks on other items in the outfit. 

  • Cardigan - LL Bean, thrifted; purchased here for $15.00
  • Blouse - Le Chateau, thrifted; last seen here in July 2020 with a denim vest and pink skirt
  • Skirt - J. Crew, thrifted; last worn here in March 2020 with zigzags
  • Shoes - Napoleoni, thrifted; last seen here in January with secret satin
  • Coat (below) - Auckie Sanft, vintage 60s, vintage fair; last worn here in February

I'm starting to think about my wardrobe swap-over, which will be in late March/early April - it came so quick! I wanted to get this skirt worn as well as this blouse. Due to my fewer work outfits this year, I am happy with getting in only one wear per season on some of my favourites this year. 
So when I have a new-to-me item, I try to reach for the as-yet-unworn items in my closet to go with it. How do I know they haven't been worn? Simple! Anything hung up on a hanger that hasn't made it into an outfit yet has a backwards hanger. I set them all up this way when I do the closet swap-over. It ensures I wear the bulk of my wardrobe - no stragglers! 

I'm eyeing some of the backwards hangers now...hmmm, what outfits will I make? 

But I digress. This deep green mohair cardi was lovely to wear - I liked it worn open, as buttoned sweaters always ends up gaping and looking sloppy on me. 
The blouse is sleeveless, but I was fine in my snuggly cardi. I don't find mohair itchy, although I know many do. 
We'll be looking at the skirt in a Flashback shortly - it's deliciously thick and luxurious.

Masked up - this is rose petals. 
It goes with the whole floral motif. 

Outerwear - it felt like a day for the Fuzzy Flamingo. 
And my Emma Peel hat (the hat is by the company that made her hats). 
All done up - it's gotten warmer out, thank goodness. I like spring weather. 

Outerwear stuff: 
My mask is dark there because it's wet from my washing it after work. I had everything lined up in the morning, then forgot to take the danged picture! 


  • Hat - Edward Mann, vintage 60s, thrifted
  • Silk scarf - thrifted
  • Gloves - Parkhurst
  • Scarf - by Mom

The stuff: 
These shoes were a good purchase - I love the odd colour of them and the gold accents. We're going to Flashback on them too! Woo!

Gold bling: 
I loathed the earrings - they killed my ears. After 5 hours, I took them off and angrily threw them in my bag. Gone! 


  • Chain bracelet - thrifted
  • Eelskin bracelet - faux Gucci, Italy, gift from Mom and Dad, c. 1994
  • Brutalist ring - vintage 70s, vintage mall
  • Silver/smoky topaz ring - Anneli Neumann, Sweden
  • Bracelet - thrifted, Sidney
  • Earrings - RFM, thrifted; purchased here for $10.00

And now....




Flashback #1: J. Crew Wool Pencil Skirt


After veering into the mall briefly on one of my many after-brunch weekend shopping trips, I caught and reminded myself to Shop Second-Hand First, and headed off to the Patch. This expedition was back in July 2017, and I found many good things, including this gorgeously thick wool skirt by J. Crew.
I swooned over the classic pencil shape, and the nice details. 
A metal zip to make a walking slit in the front. 
A real pocket, although it's guarded by another metal zip, so I tend not to use it. 

What a score! $19.95 for a wool pencil skirt. 
I like a pencil skirt with interesting detail - as I've noted with this skirt previously, my Always Be Upgrading personal mandate has been fulfilled with this skirt (until I stain it/wreck it). 

As it's too warm to be worn in the spring/summer, I stashed it away for fall/winter wear - this is my first outfit with it in October 2017. 
As you can see, it's utter Class. I always feel very business-y in it. Shoe Flashback here

Armoured up here in January 2018 for a corporate event. 
I look forward to wearing that top again...someday when it's a bit less boob-smushy. Shoe Flashback here

I tend to wear it with my "orphan" blouses: tops that are funky patterns or tricky to style. 
This is a lovely pale pink equestrian-themed silk blouse, worn in March 2018. Shoe Flashback here

Sometimes it's the "cake" when the rest of my outfit is "icing", as shown here in October 2018. 
A cream pencil skirt is a very handy item! I grounds all the colour really well. Boot Flashback here

Another fancy blouse gets shown off here in January 2019. 
I let go of those shoes - they were so worn out! 

A tricky jacket to style got the pencil skirt treatment in November 2019. 
Another boob-smushing piece - this jacket is vintage and very tiny/hard to button. Shoe Flashback here.

Again, the skirt is acting as a base for a lot of fussy stuff, here in February 2020. 
I nearly wore those tights today. Vest Flashback here, and boots Flashbacked here

And this is the last time I wore it, right as pandemic lockdown went into place in March 2020. 
Nearly a year ago! Shoes Flashbacked here


Mathy stuff: From my original $19.95, I've now worn this skirt 9 times, so that's $2.22 per wear - I'm really happy with that! 



Flashback #2: Napoleoni Burgundy and Gold Flats

I don't often find shoes in thrift stores - the ones that tend to show up are either crap quality or very worn. However, once in a while, a pair appears as a gift from the Thrifting Gods. I was in the big WIN (Women In Need) store in August 2019 here when I spotted these beauties. 
I love a pointy toe, I adore flats, and I drool over nice details like the shiny gold heel and gold details. The strap over the arch has two snaps for adjusting it over the vamp. I love the raised bit at the heel, which happily does not dig into my ankle. 

These are leather, and had only a bit of wear.
They were marked down to $16.95, which is a bargain for leather shoes! 

I tossed them into the fall/winter pile due to the colour (a dark burgundy/brown shade). 
I first wore them here in October 2019 with one of my favourite jammy dresses (Flashback here). 

I have a large contingent of reds, browns and burgundys in my wardrobe - they've been very handy. 
This outfit is from November 2019, all shades of burgundy. I've moved those L'Wren Scott for Banana Republic jeans into my at-home wardrobe. 

I've worn them with trousers more than skirts so far, as here also in November 2019. 
I need to wear that Balmain jacket again. Jeans Flashback here

I like this outfit from January 2020, although that patterned top induced Velvet Rage when I put a this cardigan over it. 
I miss my Big Lady Boss pants! They'll return in a month when I do my Closet Swap-Over. 

I love this version of the velvet top, worn in February 2020 to the theatre with Cat, her mom, my mom and me. 
I must get another wearing of that pouffy tulle skirt in before it gets packed away for the season again. Belt Flashback here

I love this orange/burgundy outfit from March 2020.
I'm looking forward to getting reacquainted with those spotted cropped trousers again. 

I wore the shoes again in March 2020 with a cashmere sweater. 
And I'm wearing my own sunshine in my yellow pencil skirt. 

They worked really well with this shopping outfit from November 2011. 
Burgundy, brown and orange is such a great colour combo! 

And here's the last time I wore them, in January of this year, with my groovy satin jacket. 
I noticed that the shoes are the same colour, so I'm sure I'll be wearing these two pieces together again. 


Mathy stuff: Today's outfit marks the 10th wearing of these shoes, which brings us to $1.70 per wear. I know these will get worn a lot more, so I'm looking forward to getting my cost-per-wear down to pennies!


What's your favourite outfit? Would you wear any of these yourself? 

34 comments:

  1. Superb skirt. I've never done a wardrobe swap-over but can see sense in it.

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    1. Thanks, Ally. Yeah, the sense is, "Gee, I have too many clothes. How can I keep them all?" Ha!

      Delete
  2. Pencil skirts are a staple in my wardrobe. I particularly enjoy interesting details like zippers etc on skirts and side seams of skinny ankle pants. Your cream skirt is divine and a great wardrobe staple. Loved all the outfits in your post. I remember when you first posted about the shoes, love pointy toe stylish flats, good score! Nice to see blossoms appearing, and warmee weather around the corner.

    Hi Ally!

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    1. I love them too, Dar! Yes, I'm always looking for those special details - I've bought plain J.Crew and other brands of pencil skirt before, and I nearly always end up getting rid of them because I find them boring.

      Thanks so much! Yes, I love the pointy toes. I know, spring is coming!

      Delete
  3. Always be upgrading! that's my wardrobe philosophy, too.
    That skirt does look very posh and lovely on and tones beautifully with the Fuzzy Flamingo and the rose petal mask, Spring is a-coming!
    I'm a big fan of the burgundy, brown and orange colour palette! xxx

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    1. It was a revelation to me when I figured that out, Vix. Thank you so much - spring is coming! Woo!

      I like that combo too.

      Delete
  4. What a terrific skirt. I liked all your combinations. How often do you wear the peach or salmon coat? Gorgeous.

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    1. Thank you, Sam! I think I wear the pink (it's cotton candy pink) coat about once a month? I love it.

      Delete
  5. What a wonderful cream pencil skirt. I also loved your floral blouse. I am sure it looked lovely against that dark green cardi. I am very partial to dark green as I think it is a underrated colour. The shoes are so pretty and feminine!!!! It was great seeing the flashback with them. The flashback with the cream skirt is fantastic as well. I also really liked the bracelet you wore.

    P.S. I love your method with the hangers, a great way for knowing what you have not worn yet and I imagine it makes plotting new outfits easier.

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    1. Thanks, Ivana - it's been a good basic. Dark green is lovely, but often photographs so dark. I do love a pointy-toed shoe.

      It's a really easy way to see what you're wearing in your closet, and to ensure that you wear most of what you own.

      Delete
  6. P.S two> I forgot to comment on the beautiful coat and hat. They are really lovely.

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  7. Gorgeous (lead) outfit (as are all the others, too, of course!). I feel like it borrows from the best of winter and spring dressing, and is such a chic, inspiring bridge between the two seasons.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Autumn! I love this transitional season and how spring creeps into the winter clothes.

      Delete
  8. Blerg, Wednesday, indeed! And it'll be blerg, Friday, for me too, as from this week onwards I'll be working Fridays too. I am so not ready!
    I'll only be doing my changeover in April, but by then I still won't have worn quite a lot of things in my wardrobe, including a couple of favourites, so I am panicking ...
    Your skirt looks very luxurious and the sleeveless floral blouse and mohair cardigan look gorgeous with it. Of course, I always love seeing the Fuzzy Flamingo, and I love that you have an Emma Peel hat :-) As always, your flashbacks were such fun to scroll through! xxx

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    1. Oh no, Ann! You're back to Fridays again! I think it will be September before I go back to full-time work.

      I might push it back a bit so that I can squeeze in wearings of more of my clothes! I need a long weekend for it, so maybe Easter weekend.

      Thanks, my dear!

      Delete
  9. Very pretty outfit! Your cream pencil skirt is totally classy and you are very lucky you can wear mohair. It's such a beautiful wool, but it makes me itch and little fibers always end up in my eyes - ouch!

    Changing over your closet will really put you in a spring mood! I think spring will be early this year here and I'm SO looking forward to it. I am longing to get outside again.

    Loved your flashbacks as always.

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    1. I'm that way with angora, Nana! The little hairs float around and drive me bonkers.

      It will, but ugh, it's so much work. As I said to Ann above, I might push it back to the Easter long weekend. Thanks so much!

      Delete
  10. that white skirt is so boss-lady-perfect. Why not call it 'take a memo to all staff' skirt.

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  11. I really like the cream pencil skirt although I know it would never work for me, being too clumsy and with the kids and dog - I am trying to add a little more white to my wardrobe but it's mostly easily washable tees at this stage, ha! It always looks so classic, and you wear this skirt so well. I like the extra flashback with the shoes too!

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    1. Yeah, it's totally not a Mum piece, Mica! Maybe when they are older! Thank you!

      Delete
  12. You do look after your stuff. It lasts a long time and keeps looking in excellent condition.
    I like the pencil skirt best in January 2018 with the orange and the lovely shoes.
    I also like the outfit of today but it is a tad too classic for me (yes you are hearing this correctly).
    The outfit with the shoes and the tulle skirt is fantastic.
    Greetje

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    1. I try but it doesn't always work. Yes, I like that outfit too - and yeah, I hear you on that. It wasn't an inspiring outfit for me either.

      Thanks, that is my favourite one!

      Delete
  13. Shiela, you look gorgeous as always. I love your shoes. They look interesting and comfortable- a win-win.

    You are so clever with your backward hanger system. X

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    1. Aw, thank you, Jess! They are excellent shoes, made even better by the price tag!

      I picked it up from another blogger ages ago - I can't even remember who! It works really well - highly recommended!

      Delete
  14. That pencil skirt is fabulous, Sheila! I am a big fan of pencil skirts with interesting details as well. And the shoes are magnificent! That is quite the bargain for leather shoes and they are so beautiful, too. I really like your mohair cardigan as well. As much as I love the look and feel of mohair, it makes my face all itchy and makes me sneezy, too, so I do steer clear of it. Thanks for linking with me!

    Shelbee
    www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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    1. Thanks a bunch, Shelbee! I love pencils skirts, and add a zipper or two? I'm all over it! It was a great find on the shoes - they've been far more versatile than I thought they might be. I enjoy mohair, but keep angora away from me!

      Delete
  15. That is a sleek and chic skirt that will never "go out of style", (not that that is a concern of yours).

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    1. Pencil skirts are eternal! I can only see it leaving my closet if it's damaged/stained irreparably.

      Delete
  16. Lots of lovely outfits in these flashbacks!, I'm amazed by this skirt versatility!.
    Love these shoes, they look like ballerinas or maryjanes but more interesting!
    besos

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    1. Thank you so much, Monica - this classy skirt brings out the classy side of me (as opposed to the KLASSY side, heh heh).

      I love the shoes too - totally comfortable and stylish!

      Delete
  17. That is an excellent hat, and I love the shoes too. They were a good find.

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    1. I was thrilled when I did my research and found out that the hat was a "Name" designer, Mim. Thank you!

      Delete

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