New Blue, and Tattoo Jacket Part III, Sleeves Done

With my regular day off tomorrow, I decided to take Friday off as well...to do my fall/winter closet swap-over! To celebrate the extra-long weekend, I'm getting in a wearing of this new blue dress. 

As the dress is a thin silk, and is not lined, I will not be keeping it out with my fall/winter items, even though it has a very distinct autumnal vibe to it. I know I'd freeze in it once it gets colder. 

• Dress - No. 6 Store, consignment; purchased here for $60.00
• Boots - Rockport, thrifted; last worn here in August with tiger and pink leather
• Leather trenchcoat (below) - vintage 70s, thrifted; last seen way back here in February

I removed the fabric belt and added my own leopard one. 

"You should stay home."

Hands in pockets, as is my wont. 

I love the wide V-neck on this dress, although it had a tendency to head towards the outer edges of my shoulders. 

I can see this with my caramel platform sandals and my Fendi wide belt in early spring. This is definitely a "shoulder season" dress - it's thin but the colour and longer sleeves are not summery at all. 

It's unusual to see the same V in the back. I don't usually get to show off my back tattoos. I threaded my belt through the provided pocket on the back, but I ended up pulling it out and just belting at my natural waist.

"I'm going to sulk until you pay me attention."

I did not have time to cuddle Vizzini this morning, as I had a Zoom call with some colleagues in Germany at 8am. *groan* Being on the west coast can really suck...

Masked up. This is a caramel mask with lighter brown stars. 

I did all browns and ambers for my matchy pieces. 

• Mask - Lazy Susan's

In case you are wondering if I couldn't just throw on some layers with this dress to make it work for cold weather - I am wearing layers! 

In addition to nylons (micro-fishnets), I also have on a camisole and my Christian Dior half-slip. I was still cold. 

Outerwear - it's been raining solidly since last night, and I can't stand carrying my sticky-handled umbrella, so I have to go with my weather-proof leather. 

This leather coat is wonderful in the rain - leather dries out quickly - it's been soaked many a time. It was clear on the way home, and I ended up carrying both the gloves and the scarf.

Accoutrements:

I have three wool fedoras that I wear as rain gear. This is the nicest.

• Hat - Edward Mann, vintage 60s, thrifted
• Scarf - purchased here for $6.95
• Long leather/cashmere gloves - Club Monaco, consignment

First wearing of the brown/blue dotted pashmina - it was snuggly in the morning, but too hot by the end of the day. 

The stuff: 

These are such comfy boots, and are a great neutral shade of brown. I'm glad I kept them out over the spring/summer. 

Amber bling: 

Although the belt buckle is gold, I went with my amber/glass/silver collection - the necklace looked so good with the V-neck dress. 

• Belt - Talbots, thrifted
• Necklace - vintage 1920s, gift from L, vintage mall
• Silver/amber earrings - vintage 1920s, gift from L, vintage mall
• Silver/glass bangle - vintage 1920s, vintage mall
• Dragon bangle - Lazy Susan's
• Wooden ring - Dots
• Amber ring - c. 1996

Snake Jacket Art Project, Sleeves, Part III

Sleeves, Part II is here if you missed it. As I noted when I did an update on this jacket for the right sleeve, I didn't bother showing you the duplicate work I had to do on the other sleeve. It's mostly the same, but double the work! 

Last time, I'd finished all the black work, i.e. drawing the double skulls, roses, leaves and thorny vines, on one sleeve, and then adding the shading. This past two weeks have been spent doing the other sleeve all in black pen. I did most of this while watching baking shows or football. 

As I drew this sleeve, I went back to the other one that I'd "finished" and added some more greenery and a couple more roses to balance things out. 

The focus for the sleeves is on the upper shoulders and the lower cuffs. 

I'm getting good at doing these roses - it's a useful design to have in my crafty toolkit. 

I spent the last week colouring both sleeves, finishing up last night while Vizzini slept on me. 

From the front, sleeves completed. I will be doing more decorating on the chest area (mental note: avoid boob roses!). It looks bare to me with just the sleeves done. 

The ink I use goes a bit shiny in bright light - I'll have to take some pictures in daylight to get the detail better. 

I'm happy that the ink is waterproof, though - I won't be wearing this in the rain on purpose, but it's reassuring to know that if I get caught in a sprinkle, all my work won't be ruined. 

Due to the way the sleeves are sewn, it's hard to see the sleeves on the hanger. 

I promise I will model it on me next time. It looks different on the body than it does on the hanger. 

And with the back. 

I'll be adding detail to the waistband, as well as the lower peplum, but I need to do some more inspiration-searching to figure that out still. 

I'll be back in a day or so with my fall-winter closet swap-over - stay tuned!