Monday, August 9, 2021

Bossy Gold Jacket Snaps and Chrysanthemums

Happy Monday, my friends! 

I needed a little colour pick-me-up today in the form of this fabulous gold silk jacket. 
As the jacket is a very "bossy" piece, I let it be the focus of the outfit. 

  • Jacket - Tangerine Jill, thrifted; purchased here for $52.00
  • Bodysuit - Madewell, thrifted; purchased here for $6.50
  • Skirt - Vivienne Tam, 2000 Fall Ready-to-Wear, consignment; last worn here in August 2020 (Flashback there too)
  • Shoes - Leith, consignment; last seen here in May with Marimekko and orange

Bossy clothes are ones that hog the spotlight, either with an in-your-face colour, a bright pattern or a bold texture. If you have too much going on in addition to a bossy piece, the outfit will look like a jumble or mish-mash.
This jacket really is a scene-stealer, especially in this glorious gold shade. I can see myself layering this with a thick sweater and wide pants for fall. 

For my work outfit, I planned to wear the jacket on its own, just like this, all day.
Although it's a thin silk, it's very voluminous, so I needed a slim bottom to balance it out. I've had this skirt for ages (Flashback above) - this is now the 18th time I've worn it.
This wonderful pink skirt is woven with chrysanthemums in bands of white, purple and yellow. It even has pockets, which I discovered only last year, after owning it for 10 years! 

Masked up. Arg, it's not the right shade of yellow. 
I should have gone with pink. Oh, well. As usual, very few people saw me. 

  • Mask - Lazy Susan's

Sunnies on, and feeling incognito.
This jacket got some tender-lovin'-care from me after I bought it, which I'll share with you at the end. 

Today's outfit also features the debut of my new-to-me bodysuit. It's a dark slate grey, which toned well with the purples, and gave a good backdrop for the necklace while letting the jacket shine.
I was happy with the snaps, as they do up more in the front than in the crotchal region. It was easy in the bathroom, I'm pleased to report. 

The stuff: 
I like the unusual colour and style of these shoes - it's handy to have a lavender metallic shoe! 

Matchy bling: 
I liked how my beautiful Venetian glass necklace went with the whole ensemble. 

  • Necklace/earrings - gift from L, Venice, Italy
  • Amber ring - c. 1996
  • Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jeweler, c. 1965, Dad's


So, I utilized my Madd Sewing Skillz to fix this jacket. This is how it was when I bought it. 
As you can see, the sash belt has folded itself into a skinny, wrinkled mess, and although the jacket is a semi-wrap style, it is very slippery silk, so as soon as I moved in it the front gaped wide open. Super annoying! 

I found a packet of snap-fasteners in my sewing drawer; they were marked at 88 cents from Sears, so  likely from a very old "sewing kit gift" from Mom back in the 80s.
I sewed them on in the double-breast style: one snap closer inside, one snap near the edge of the lapel. 

Look at my excellent sewing job! 
I ensured that I only sewed through one layer of fabric, so that it wouldn't show on the outside. 

I also decided to stitch the sash to the existing side belt loops, so that it would stay in the loops and remain wide all the way around, and lay nice and flat on the back.
I used little hidden stitches.
You can barely see them, but if I decide I want to be able to remove the sash, they are easy enough to snip out. 

And here's how the jacket hangs following my handiwork. 
Ta-dah! It remained intact with no slipping and sliding at all during my work-day, even when I was taping up a box for shipping. Hooray! 

42 comments:

  1. Hazaah, the new jacket makes it’s debut and is definitely a statement piece. It couples nicely with the Venetian glass and the gentle tones of the skirt. Your sewing skills are impressive and I can see how the snaps plus tacking the belt make a positive impact on the jacket’s boss appeal!

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    1. Hooray! Thanks so much, Laurie - I loved the gold/purple vibes of this. The snaps made a huge difference.

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  2. I love the idea of sewing the belt to the belt loops -- I have a black gorgeous Guess black raincoat which I never wear cause I'm always having the belt slide out! You are brilliant. And that whole outfit is just STUNNING!

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    1. And it's easily undone if you want to switch up the belt or remove it altogether, Cynthia. Go for it - or pay someone else to do it. Thank you so much!

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  3. That jacket is GLORIOUS! I love the idea of sewing the belt to the belt loops. Brilliant!

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  4. I knew that jacket would look fantastic on you and it does!
    I love your tweaks, too. I'm a huge fan of press studs, a strategically positioned one makes all the difference. You've sewed them beautifully. xxx

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    1. Isn't it glorious, Vix? And it felt very me too. Snaps work wonders on buttoned blouses that often gape in the chest. Thank you!

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  5. That jacket is such a great find! It looks so good on you and you did a fantastic job fixing it up so it sits just right! :)

    Hope your week is off to a good start :)

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    1. I am glad I made these alterations, Mica - it makes it far more wearable and less annoying.

      It's...the same. All kind of a blur.

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  6. The color really shines. I hope you get plenty of wears.

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    1. Me too, Sam - I keep thinking of fall outfits, so I'm definitely going to keep it out to pair with some of my fab winter pieces too.

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  7. Oooh that is fabulous. It takes a lot to pull focus from the splendid skirt, but the jacket does indeed demand the limelight.

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    1. I know, Mim, the skirt is pretty bossy too! Thank you!

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  8. Good afternoon Sheila, today is a wow outfit too! What a silohette I love this outfit with the star piece ie the jacket but you also look so good with the body and skirt. That skirt is beautiful and don't get me started on your shoes (she sighs) you look so classy today and your sewing skills are fantastic brightened my afternoon you have. Shazxx

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    1. Hi, Shaz! Thank you so much, my dear - you are too kind. I felt very classy, and proud of my sewing. Big hugs, glad to have spread some sunshine.

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  9. WOW!!!! I love the golden jacket!! It looks so pretty and feminine. It's just wonderful.

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  10. Excellent repair work and exactly what the jacket needed to look its best! I love the jacket with that skirt - the gold in the skirt jumps out.

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    1. It made a huge difference, Nana, thank you. I really liked it with the skirt, and I can't wait to pair it with some of my fall things (I'm thinking of my dragonscale skirt - ooh!).

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  11. Bossy or not, that jacket is absolutely fantastic, and you did a brilliant job with your Madd Sewing Skillz! I use snap-fasteners quite a lot, but my sewing usually looks much sloppier than yours. I also love the idea of attaching the belt to the loops! Must remember that!
    Your skirt is fabulous too - I'm not surprised it's the 18th time you wore - and yay for discovering secret pockets! The Venetian glass necklace pulls it all together brilliantly! xxx

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    1. Thank you, dear Ann! I wish I'd been able to stun more people in person, but this outfit made me feel so good. Right - how have we not thought of attaching the belt to the loops before??

      I just love it - it's so incredibly gorgeous, even though it's starting to show its age a bit. I still chuckle over the pockets. The jewelry is special to me - a good memory from a difficult trip.

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  12. I love your outfits you have a wonderfully adventurous dress sense, so colorful, but I also love they way you show the the same set of pose for every garment but give each garment equal opportunity to impress, my favourite pose is the first one on the step, especially when modelling the shorter skirts beautiful legs.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, it's not about me, it's about the clothes - so I try to show them consistently. My vanity wants my legs to look longer - hence the stair pose.

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  13. Ha, your sewing skills are a lot better then mine, I have zero patience with it.Great jacket, love the shoes too, very elegant.

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    1. Ha ha, you never know until you try, Nancy! I was surprised I remembered how to sew. Thank you!

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  14. Ooh, clever you altering the jacket! What a good job you did. The jacket is gorgeous and I love the skirt and the wonderful lavender metallic shoes. All the accessories were fab, too.
    xxx

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    1. I felt very clever, Vronni! Ha! Thank you - it made it so much more wearable.

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  15. One of the best outfits ever! That jacket is stunning and your handiwork improves its presentation. Skirt is perfection. I know why you still have it. Love it all! Clairej9

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  16. The gold jacket is fabulous. It's totally a bossy jacket! I agree that when it comes to statement and bold clothing items, it's best to let them shine and be the center of the outfit.
    Your skirt is so pretty. How cool you discovered it has pockets after having it for ten years.
    The lavender metallic heels are very pretty. Beautiful necklace and bracelet.
    You look great!

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    1. I loved wearing it, and I think it's going to be a staple in my wardrobe for many years, Ivana. I still laugh at finding pockets after 10 years - so bizarre! Thank you!

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  17. Sensational ensemble! The proportions are just right, the colors are beautifully complimentary, and the accessories gloriously enhance and do not detract from the overall impact of the outfit. Could this be a perfect look? I say yes!
    You seriously look ready to waltz into the editorial offices of Elle and start dictating to underlings, lol. Bossy in more ways than one! (Although we know you'd be a benevolent boss and not a meanie...)
    Gorgeous! Yay!

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    1. Thank you, Rita! I really loved this outfit - aw, that's so sweet of you. It's very much a Boss Lady outfit, isn't it? I love your image! Yes, I'm bossy, but I'm nice about it (but I do get what I want).

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  18. Dazzlingly beautiful ensemble. These rich, elegant hues partner together sublimely - metallic silvery purple shoes very much included.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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  19. woww, love a 'bossy' garment, and this jacket is particularly stunning. Love this brilliant ensemble with the chrisanthemus skirt, so beautiful colours enhanced by the glorious Golden jacket!.
    Great sewing tips, many times small fixes make a difference.
    besos

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    1. So do I, Monica! I love this gold jacket and know it's going to be worn a lot.

      I'm amazed at the difference the snaps made. Thanks!

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  20. That jacket is a bossy piece, but it does a beautiful job of bringing out the gold in the skirt.

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    1. It does - and yet, it doesn't overshadow the skirt. Thanks, Shelley!

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