Patchwork, Pink and Polka Dots, and a Peplum Flashback

Thank you all for your good vibes sent to my tweaked back. It's feeling much better today, so I celebrated by wearing a bunch of my favourite things in my favourite colours. Okay, I don't really have a favourite - I like ALL colours (except oatmeal, which is for eating, not wearing, and looks good on no one). 

I had the silk polka dot top next to this new-to-me vintage patchwork skirt and realized it was a match made in polka-dot heaven! The skirt has a very strong dot theme in it.

• Jacket - Simon Chang, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here with dark florals in April 2020
• Silk top - Gino Collection, vintage 80s, thrifted; purchased here for $22.99
• Patchwork skirt - handmade, vintage 50s, thrifted; purchased here for $24.95
• Shoes - Arnold Churgin, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in February with jungle and joggers

I wasn't sure if I would be warm enough in the office, but I forgot how amazing silk is for insulating. 

I had three Teams meetings today, and everyone admired my pink, dots and patchwork - I took a shoe off to show that I was matching. "I expect nothing less, Sheila!" said Trisha.

The skirt was so fun to wear - I even twirled for colleagues Killian and Ngoc, who admired it. 

"I can see your slip," Ngoc pointed out. 

Yes, that's because the zipper is not done up all the way (I do not have a 24 inch waist!), so the back of the skirt comes up a little bit higher than the front. 

As I planned it! The metal Talon-brand zip has a very strong prong to hold the zip in place - I had no slippage all day, and just folded the unzipped section under to make a V at the back instead of a waistband. It was covered up completely by the blousing of the silk top. 

I wore a full coral-orange slip under it. So pretty.

Our temps were up to 16 today, so instead of a regular coat, I wore this dark green jacket. 

I thought I might need to wear it in the office if I got cold, but it ended up being draped on the back of my chair all day. 

Masked up and buttoned up. Note the shorter sleeve length, perfect for bracelets. 

Check out the double-ruffled peplum on the hips of this jacket. We'll have a wee Flashback below to see how I've previously worn it. 

Fully in outerwear mode. 

My pink pashmina and matchy gloves. You can't miss me! 

Showing off the skirt a bit here. 

It's pretty close to a full circle. 

Look at those fabulous peplum ruffles! 

Outerwear stuff: 

That pashmina is one of my gems - silk and cashmere! 

• Silk/cashmere pashmina - Portolano, thrifted
• Leather/cashmere gloves - consignment
• Mask - by Cat

The mask pattern was very similar to the patchwork fabrics in the skirt. 

The stuff: 

These Barbie pink shoes were much admired on my video calls. 

Mixed bling: 

I went with pearls to match the polka dots. 

• Pearl bracelet - thrifted
• Green bracelet - vintage 60s, Mom's
• Brooch - Coro, thrifted
• Silver/crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence, Italy
• Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's
• Earrings - thrifted

Flashback: Simon Chang Peplum Jacket

I spotted this amazing deep green blazer at the local Women In Need warehouse store here in January 2017. 

 I couldn't believe my eyes - it was a whopping $8.95 - the red star meant it was an extra 10% off.

The label is Simon Chang - he's a Canadian fashion designer of Chinese descent, raised in Vancouver. He received the Order of Canada in 2008, "recognized for his contributions to the fashion industry as well as for his philanthropic and social engagement." (source). 

I knew I would be wearing this new-to-me jacket for the Victoria Film Festival Opening Night Gala a few weeks later in February 2017. 

The theme was "Florals" - our group certainly lived up to it (event post here)! Kenzo skirt Flashback here, and shoe Flashback here. 

Of course, that didn't mean I couldn't treat it as "normal" clothing - I wore it to work later that month. You can see the colour really well here. 

I loved this outfit but I gave up the shoes (too high) and the skirt (limited colours) years ago. 

I still have this skirt, seen in August 2017, but it's very tight. 

I love the fabric so much, though. Maybe I should just make it into pillows. 

I let go of this purple sequined skirt after it started to fall apart. 

This was a very sparkly outfit from December 2017. I don't remember this look from the Flashback on the shoes (here)…hmm, how did that happen? 

This was the one and only wearing of my Ralph Lauren pheasant skirt, in October 2018. 

Boots Flashbacked here. 

When I started digging for all my outfits with this jacket, I was shocked at how many there were, but then realized I wore it as an outerwear jacket for many of these looks (much like I did today).

This was in March 2019 - shoes Flashbacked here. 

And again, as a jacket here in May 2019. 

I did not keep that skirt - it looked too Christmassy for my taste. Shoes Flashbacked here. 

I wore it to a vintage fair in September 2019, and incorporated it as my outerwear ensemble. 

I wore the belt over the dress during the day while at work. Boots Flashback here. 

The jacket inspired Velvet Rage here in November 2019. You can see it on my face - I already know it's going to be annoying. 

That's my stretch velvet vintage Betsey Johnson dress - it fought with the jacket all freakin' day! It's a miracle I still have both it and the jacket! Shoes Flashbacked here. 

And here's the last time I wore it, in April 2020. 

Same shoes as today! Flashback on them here. 

Mathy stuff: Today makes it twelve outfits in total, for an incredible 75 cents per wear. 

Do you have a favourite? Do you prefer it with full skirts or pencil style ones?