Monday, September 13, 2021

Pattern Armour: Beene Suit, and Snake Jacket Sleeves Part II

Monday once again. Today, I've got a seriously amazing vintage designer suit for you, and a few more pictures of my in-progress art project. 
First up: a little bit of Pattern Armour. Woo, look at all that pattern! Is there a person in there? Where? I don't see her! 

  • Two-piece suit: Geoffrey Beene, vintage 1960s, vintage fair; last worn here in October 2020 with pink
  • Blouse - INC, vintage 90s, thrifted; last seen here with pink and ruffles in September 2020
  • Shoes - Super Fine Eminence, Fluevog; last worn here with Big Lady Boss pants in April

I'm still boggled that I picked up a real Geoffrey Beene designer suit at the last vintage fair I attended, and paid only $40.00 for both pieces. 
I love the caramel coloured "waffle" print - the fabric itself has an additional woven waffle texture. Also note the ginormous pockets! 

The skirt is quite long (but I wouldn't dare touch a designer item!) and the sleeveless jacket/vest is boxy. 
This is my third wearing of it, and I've belted the top half every time. 

It just looks better that way. 
Beene was noted for creating clothing that was all about the wearer's comfort.

With the jacket/vest off. 
I just put the same belt over the skirt's waistband. I didn't wear it like this at all, but I could have! 

I'll definitely split up the two pieces for separate outfits at some point, although I love them together. 
My hand is near the brooch on my lapel. 

  • Mask - by Mom

Incognito. 
It's rather chilly in the mornings now, warming up to the low 20s during the day. I love this time of year. 

  • Pashmina - Portolano, thrifted

The stuff: 
The shoes are rather spectacular, aren't they? The pink parts are thick, fuzzy velvet, and the brocade sections are woven (not printed), and the lacing panels and heels are gold leather. Snazzy! 

Minimal bling: 
I didn't need much with all this pattern, just some rings, earrings and a crocodile. Or is it an alligator? 

  • Brooch - vintage mall
  • Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mall
  • Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's
  • Earrings - handmade/gift from Sherri
  • Belt - vintage 80s, thrifted

I was speaking with my colleague Sherri recently - she made these earrings for me. Aw, I miss my coworkers. 


Snake Jacket Art Project, Sleeves, Part II

Sleeves, Part I is here if you missed it. I've finished the shoulder/upper arm section of the first sleeve - this is the lower arm/cuff area. I decided I wanted to do all of the black on the arm before I leap into the colour. Colour is quick.

I just free-handed this, using an odd number of roses (the 5th rose is on the backside). Always use odd numbers in compositions, for visual interest. That's one of those "art rules" I learned early, probably from Mom.
I positioned two roses and a leaf over the holes from the thread that (barely) held the buttons on it that were originally on the sleeves. Once the sleeves are all finished, you will barely be able to see where the holes were. 

The opposite side - there's the 5th rose.
These sleeves are odd, in that they are made from two pieces of leather. Most sleeves are one single piece of fabric (check a jacket in your own closet, you'll see), but win this case, we have a seam down the "top" of the sleeve, likely to accommodate the button loops (also removed by me).  

This is the front of the sleeve, i.e. what most people would see looking at it face-on. 
I've started the black shading here, and adding the pointy edges to the leaves. 

This will be the back of my lower arm when wearing the jacket. 
That's the part that will get the most contact when wearing it, like resting my arm on tables, desks or countertops, so I left it mostly open/undecorated. 

All the darkening/edging done. 
I'm quite excited to see how this looks all coloured in. 
I worked on it while L and I (and Vizzini) watched Sunday Night Football, so this was about 3 hours to do the bottom section of the sleeve. I won't bother y'all with progress pics of the other sleeve until I'm ready to colour both of them. 

21 comments:

  1. You are a pattern queen, Shiela! And your shoes are SO snazzy, I love the different materials on them.

    I am amazed at your sleeve creativity. Can't wait to see how it looks with all the colour! X

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    1. Thank you so much, Jess! Aren't the shoes cool? So fun!

      Aw, thanks, hon. I'm excited to get them done! Hopefully this weekend, I can get the other sleeve finished.

      Delete
  2. That shirt, the suit and the shoes are pure magic together, I love them.
    The sleeves are looking wonderful. I always use odd numbers when I'm arranging ornaments and plants, too. xxx

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    1. It's a lot of pattern, thankfully all working together, Vix!

      Thank you! Odd numbers are better for compositions, as it lets the eye travel.

      Delete
  3. That is one stunning outfit Sheila. I love absolutely everything about it, from that fabulous caramel waffle print suit to that groovy blouse and snazzy shoes. I don't think I ever realized how well caramel and pink went together!
    The jacket sleeve is looking amazing, and using odd numbers does make sense to me. I can't wait to see the coloured in version! xxx

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    1. Aw, thank you so much, Ann! I really love caramel and pink together, but it's a combination that you see very often, is it?

      Thanks again, my dear friend. I'm excited to have the sleeves done - one more to go.

      Delete
  4. That is a beautiful suit on you and I like the pink and the print mix with it! I am always excited to see a jacket update too - you are making the most beautiful pieces and it's so nice seeing how it all comes together!

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    1. Thanks, Mica! I was really pleased at how well the blouse went with this pattern.

      Aw, thank you - I'm having fun as well as creating something, a nice bonus!

      Delete
  5. Oh my goodness those shoes should be displayed! I'm druling(is that the correct word?) over here. You know the feeling when you see a shoe or piece of clothing where your heart skips a beat from. That's what I'm experiencing with these shoes, absolutely amazing. Love that suit too, so classic, so elegant! What a fabulous look Sheila!

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    1. Right word, wrong spelling (it's "drooling"), Nancy. :) Yes, I totally get that - you need to visit your Amsterdam Fluevog store! Thank you so much, my friend!

      Delete
  6. What a beautiful designer suit! I like how you belted it, looks so great worn that way. I'm sure it will look great worn as separates, but it looks fantastic worn together, especially with touches of pink and those spectacular shoes. The shoes are absolutely gorgeous. I can imagine them being at the centre of attention at French court a few centuries ago. So lovely one can still buy such intricate designs and lux materials on shoes still.

    Loved the sleeve of the jacket and the roses...I can't wait to see it finished.

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    1. It's just an amazingly beautifully-made suit, Ivana. It looks very odd unbelted, so I'll likely always wear it like that. I'm not even sure if I'll split them up into separates, as they are such a "look" together.

      I adore the shoes! Fluevog makes the most creative and fun footwear on the planet, IMO.

      Thanks! I will hopefully get the other sleeve done this weekend.

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  7. Head-turningly dazzling outfit - and that colour palette? Unforgettably awesome, to say the least (ditto for those call-the-Bata-shoe-museum-right-now worthy heels).

    Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. These are one of John Fluevog's best in recent years, in my opinion, Autumn. Thank you!

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  8. I am amazed at how you have managed to style that suit so it looks contemporary and funky. Those shoes are gasp-worthy.

    The jacket is coming along beautifully - looking forward to seeing the finished piece.

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    1. I love this suit - to me, it still looks modern and classic. I know, right? John Fluevog strikes again!

      I finished the black on the other sleeve and added a little bit more to this sleeve to help balance them out. I will be colouring it soon.

      Delete
  9. That suit is gorgeous , but the blouse makes it all fabulous! And, those shoes? Oh, my gosh! They are walking art! (I don’t know why I always use exclamation points on your posts…oh, yes, I do…everything is amazing!). I cannot wait to see this jacket completed. It will be jaw-dropping, I’m sure!

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    1. Thanks so much, Marsha! I am still boggled that I found a designer suit for so little. I know, the shoes are fantastic. Lol at your exclamation points! I like them too!

      The jacket still has a long way to go, but it's getting closer!

      Delete
  10. I've fallen terribly behind in my reading/viewing of your posts but I'm determined to get caught up. Gorgeous outfit and those shoes are stunning. I'm so glad that you're sharing (have shared) your jacket project. It's looking great so far.

    Rena
    www.finewhateverblog.com

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