Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Lady Garden of Delight, and Leather Peplum Flashback

I've been having fun playing in my closet.
None of these items are new by a long shot, but I've never worn them all together before.

  • Leather peplum - H&M, consignment; last seen here in March 2020 with plaid pants
  • Skirt - no label, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here in July 2020 with red bookends (Flashback there)
  • Shoes - Marc; last seen here (2nd outfit) with a lame (lah-MAY!) striped gown for a Happy Hour Zoom in January
  • Coat (below) - Danier Leather; last worn here in April

I did get to model my outfit for Ngoc - she was wearing an orange pleated skirt, and she twirled for me! Yay, fun with clothes! 
This black peplum top is leather, and is one of a couple of my basic black tops. Yeah, a leather peplum is "basic" for me, hee hee. 

We'll be having a little Flashback on it shortly.
I've never paired it with this funky vintage skirt before! How could I have missed it? 

The skirt is rather stupendous, isn't it? 
It's leather also - made in India - and all of those flowers and leaves are sewn on it. 

Masked up - red to match. 
I call this skirt my Lady Garden of Delight (it has no label, so it needed a name). 

Outerwear - it was cool in the morning. 
But I ended up carrying my leather coat home, so that I could enjoy the sun. It's warming up - could summer actually be here?

The stuff: 
I'm rather fond of red shoes. These are the best red heels I've ever owned; my first pair was when I was 17 (red canvas pointy-toes, skinny 3" heel - I remember them!).

Bold bling: 
I like big bling and I cannot lie. 

  • Belt - vintage 80s, consignment, Powell River
  • Cuff - vintage fair
  • Earrings - vintage fair
  • Silver/onyx ring - Toccara, vintage fair
  • Silver/turquoise ring - local
  • Necklace - Monet, vintage 80s, vintage fair



Flashback: H&M Black Leather Peplum Top

I spotted this top at My Sister's Closet back in March 2017, here, while on a shopping expedition with Yvonne. 
It's by H&M - I know, another amazing gem from them! I double-checked to ensure it actually WAS leather, but it is. It's from a spring/summer 2012 collection and originally retailed for around $120.00, but it was mine for $42.98. 
It has a full neck-to-hem zipper at the back (it's a contortion to do up!), and it's fully-lined. The leather itself is very soft, and has had a stretchy synthetic knit fused to the back of it. The label is scratchy, so I've since put a big bandaid over it (I don't like removing labels). 

As a top, it's a tricky one, as I have to be willing to expose my arms (it doesn't look right with a top or blouse under it), but of course, it's lined leather (both the fusing and the actual poly lining), so it can get warm. It's best on days when it's neither hot nor cold.
My first wearing of it in March 2017, and this remains one of my personal favourite looks, with all my vintage copper jewelry, including my solid copper belt. I passed those shoes along to Cat when they started to wear out. My coworkers loved this look. 

I tried it with my skinny leopard jeans in May 2017. 
I have long since rotated those into my house wardrobe, and subsequently wore them out. I'm still thinking of raiding my giveaway pile for those black sandals...hmmm...

Another pair of trousers here in July 2017 - I no longer have these either. Hey, those are the same earrings I'm wearing today! I recall that I bought them for a dollar at a vintage fair. I hope vintage fairs return soon! 
I like seeing my old hair colours as I grew my hair out over the next couple of years. I change my hair frequently.

I prefer the look of the peplum top belted, as I did again here in April 2018. Peplums are awesome for hiding a tummy or too-tight/loose/low waistband. 
That's my red suede skirt that is part of a suit (I wore the jacket with this as outerwear). All of these looks have been worn to the office - I love that I can show my arms and wear this much leather to work! 

I really like this March 2019 outfit, even though I look mopey here. 
I moved that itchy mohair skirt along, and gave up the necklace, but both the shoes and the lion belt have been featured in Flashbacks. 

And here's my last wearing, in March 2020. I would have worn this to work...but this was right at the start of lockdown. I was committing to wearing "real clothes" very early!  
I did put these trousers in the giveaway pile, along with a couple other pairs of skinny pants, but we'll see if they end up being a regret-me-not. I've been shopping my giveaways a bunch in the last 15 months! 


Mathy stuff: The number of outfits featuring this leather peplum top definitely slowed down after my first year when I did three ensembles, but I have no intention of getting rid of it. It's a useful piece as a black top, and of course, I love that it's leather. My cost-per-wear is still a bit on the high side at $6.14 for 7 outfits, but not too bad. 


What's your favourite outfit? How do you feel about leather? Or peplums?


Bonus pic: I took a picture of myself for our company newsletter: 
My office looks out over a building where the roof is full of nesting seagulls, so I've been writing regular reports on their habits, culminating with pictures of little fluffy babies staggering around on the roof. As a fun thing, I'm asking my colleagues to pick a name, and I'll send them an adoption certificate with a picture of "their" baby on it, once they are born. I hope I get some good names.

32 comments:

  1. My favorite of all your amazing skirts!!!! Love it with the leather top. XO

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the photo you took for the company newsletter, you look so cheeky!
    that skirt is perfect with the top, it's a thing of wonder. In fact that top has looked consistently good with everything you've worn it with.
    I had an amazing 1970s red leather maxi skirt which I wore to loads of festivals - ideal for sitting on wet grass or when I spilt a drink down myself - I've no idea why I sold it! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, I'm doing my best "Vanna White" with this pose - my coworkers expect no less!

      Thank you so much, Vix - I agree, the top is really versatile and a great piece.

      Oh, that sounds incredible!

      Delete
  3. The white skirt with red flowers is gorgeous! I like the trim, it's so unusual and beautiful.
    I don't wear any kind of leather, besides faux leather, of course. Luckily, I don't feel like I'm missing out as there are so many cruelty-free options these days. I like peplums a lot, but I don't wear anything with peplums because they do not work with my body shape, unfortunately.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Anca! The trim flaps when I walk - I love it.

      I wear leather because it's natural and biodegradable and lasts forever. Unlike faux leather, which is polyvinyl chloride and poisonous and starts to break down after a few years - you should see how gross it gets. I buy most of my leather second-hand, so I'm not contributing to new production.

      That's too bad about peplums! Boo!

      Delete
  4. That's a beautiful skirt and I really like that peplum top with it! I have a couple peplum tops but I can't remember the last time I wore them - need to give them another wear! :)

    Such a fun idea to name the birds too! I bet you get some great names :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Mica! Break those peplums out, girlfriend!

      I hope so - people are notoriously bad at not participating in these things!

      Delete
  5. Hmmm, no favorite outfit with the leather peplum as they all are rather spiffy. However, if I *had* to select one then it might be either your main outfit or the one with the red skirt. The top is perfect on your frame and I like it equally well with pants or skirts; it is actually quite versatile!

    I am convinced you are Chief Promoter of Fun at your office. :) Great idea and, like others, I hope you’ll share the names that are submitted!

    Happy soon to be weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to agree, Laurie - I haven't had a stinker in this top yet. Thank you, I know, seems weird that it would so versatile!

      You nailed it - I am! I'm really good at the rah-rah stuff. :) Sure, I'll share them - I hope I get more than a few!

      Almost there! Happy weekend to you and Fred!

      Delete
  6. I had ot laugh at your desciptions of your basics for your wardrobe. I don't know if I ever knew the word peplum, or what it was.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, Sam, isn't that the funniest? My normal is not like everyone else's! There you go, new word for the day! I love peplums!

      Delete
  7. I like all the various combinations, but my favourite if I have to choose is the outfit with the long green sweater.

    How cool that you are doing seagull chronicles!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Nana! I like that one too.

      It's a fun way to keep the engagement up in the office while our people are working remotely. Thanks!

      Delete
  8. We're in the middle of a sweltering heatwave, so looking at you all dressed up in leather gear I'm starting to sweat even more than I already did. Nevertheless, your outfit is absolutely fabulous, the leather peplum top and Lady Garden of Delight skirt a perfect pairing. I think it's by far my favourite outfit created with the leather peplum. I always love scrolling through your flashbacks, as much for the outfits as for your hair colours. And once again a great H&M items, and a great bargain too.
    I love that picture for your company's newsletter, and the adoption certificates are such a fun idea! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are about to get one (up to 28!), Ann, so I hear you - I was actually a bit chilly in the AC'd office! Thank you so much - I really liked it too.

      Thanks! I hope I get some funny names!

      Delete
  9. Utter fabulousness all round! I'd love to adopt a baby gull and call her Esmerelda...

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Okay, it's official, I am ridiculously in love with the pairing of an eye-catching gold metallic belt of over a chicer than chic black leather top. Talk about inspiring styling!

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Autumn! I like a belt worn over this top.

      Delete
  11. I love this outfit so much! You totally rock this look.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lock your doors. Once the border re-opens, I'm doing a peplum-heist. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha! I think we will have a while before the border fully opens!

      Delete
  13. Gosh, that skirt is leather?? I thought it was cotton. How luxurious. I love how you accessorized this outfit and I am still envious of your collection metal belts. (Don't worry, they would never fit me, so I shall not steal them.)
    Greetje

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is, every bit of it. It's quite heavy to wear. Aw, thank you so much! I buy them when I see them.

      Delete
  14. The skirt IS Stupendous, and of course the top is a basic! The peplum shape looks so good on you and it goes with a lot of things in your wardrobe as evidenced by your flashback. I love the IDEA of a leather top, but I worry about perspiring in it and having to get it cleaned so I keep all of my leather pieces on the bottom of an outfit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha, it's a basic for me, Shelley! I love a nice peplum - it's a fun style. This black top doesn't show the sweat, and it does help that it's sleeveless.

      Delete
  15. Very cool leather peplum top, Sheila. It is really unique and I bet lots of fun to style...as evidenced by all the cool outfits in this post. I really like that skirt in the current photos. It is really intersting and definitely makes a statement! And I am loving your bird adoption project. So cute!

    Shelbee
    www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Shelbee! It is fun to style, although I often forget I have it (it's folded, no room to hang it). Thanks so much!

      Delete
  16. wowww, so fabulous outfit, loving your stupendous skirt and your 'basic' leather peplum top!, and red leather coat too and red shoes and bold bling!. You Rock It!
    I'm a huge fan of red shoes too (of red anything actually!) and you have some fab red shoes!, indeed!
    Lovely flashback!
    besos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Monica! It's a lot of leather, but that's how I roll. :)

      Thank you - me too! You can't have too many pairs of red shoes.

      Delete

Comments are so incredibly special, and I love them and hug them and treasure them forever. Please feel free to tell me what you think!

I'm not currently able to respond to comments, but I will make every effort to answer questions. I do read every single one, and appreciate your comments.

Please note that comments containing affiliate links spam-y sites, spam comments and anything I deem inappropriate will be deleted.

Cheers,
Sheila