Fancy Wednesday: The Christmas Tree Skirt Flashback

I made it! I'm officially on vacation now for nearly two weeks, and phew, I need it. I did muster enough mental energy to wear my traditional "last day" outfit. 

Although I wear this skirt every year, I do try to make each outfit different. We'll have a little gander at the various Christmassy ways I've worn this skirt in a bit. 

• Sweater - RW & Co., consignment; last seen here in December 2020 with Desigual and silver pants
• Skirt - handmade, vintage 70s, thrifted; last worn here in December 2020 on Christmas Day
• Shoes - Truths Pilgrim, Fluevog; last seen here in November with PANK
• Coat (below) - Mallia, consignment; last worn here a week ago

As it's very chilly out, I decided to wear a snuggly thick sweater with it. 

This red one will do nicely. I have a cami under it, plus a vintage slip, for extra warmth. 

The skirt is far softer than it looks. 

I love the long, wide A-line shape - it's very easy to walk in, but not so long that I step or trip on it. 

Masked up. 

My few onsite coworkers loved all my red and gold shine. 

Outerwear - pick a warm one, Sheila! 

We're supposed to have snow all weekend - looks like we might get a very rare white Christmas on the west coast! 

Accoutrements: 

I triple-wrapped the silk scarf around my neck. No cold air is getting in! 

• Beret - Parkhurst, consignment
• Scarf - fake Louis (Lewis!) Vuitton, thrifted
• Gloves - Echo, consignment
• Mask - by Mom

The stuff: 

Red elf shoes for the matchiest of matchies! 

Gold bling: 

All my favourite seasonal pieces get an airing. 

• Bracelet and earrings - Metropolitan Museum of Art gift shop, NYC, 2002
• Chain bracelet - thrifted
• Large tree pin - Keyes, gift from Ev (former boss at Christmas House)
• Small tree pin - Avon

I totally forgot to pick out rings. 

Flashback: Vintage Christmas Tree Skirt

I bought this skirt at the Patch back here in June 2014, on a post-brunch Saturday. 

My eye was immediately drawn to this "crazy-ass 70s" skirt (as I referred to it at the time). 

It's a woven Lurex/polyester fabric and is fully-lined with a cream polyester, with a side plastic zip and one big hook/eye.

The roses are not actually velvet, but I tend to refer to them as such - it's easier than a long explanation of the fuzzy thread that's woven with the Lurex, etc. etc. 

It has no label, and I assume it was a handmade item, probably for the holiday season. 

It was a mere $19.95. What a score. I'm sure it's seen a lot of turkey dinners! 

While I keep it in a special "one-off seasonal" bag in my closet now, back in 2014 I had not yet separated out my closet by season, so I wore it right away in June 2014 to the office. Wow, it's weird to see my red hair! 

I tried to de-emphasize the holiday aspect - the pattern is roses, after all, not holly or Santas. I used to have a lot more denim pieces in my wardrobe. I really miss those pewter sandals - they were workhorses in summer. 

Not content with wearing it in June, I wore it again in July 2014 with one of my many white shirts that I've had over the years. I loved the ruffled neckline of this one but I recall that the snaps on the front popped open all the time. 

Vizzini had to investigate, of course. 

After the brief summer outings, and a few colleagues commenting on my "Christmas tree skirt," I started wearing it only during the holidays. Here we are in December 2014, and I'm wearing today's earrings/bracelet set. 

Oh, gosh, I loved that blouse! I ruined it by washing it with something blue and it got spots all over it that never came out. Sigh. 

I didn't wear the skirt at all in 2015 - I wonder why? But my hair turned purple between 2014 and here in December 2016. 

You can see that I'm wearing today's tree pins - they are positioned over the Lacoste alligator on the sweater (sadly, the moths got to it). 

Longer hair, new glasses, and one of my favourite tops ever, seen in December 2017.

I still have those tall OTK boots, but the sweater yellowed and I gave it away. 

I replaced it with my "teddy sweater" here in December 2018, which also found its way to the giveaway pile (it was so hot to wear - I just died in it, danged hot flashes!). 

I needed some jewelry there too. 

Here we are in December 2019 - I remember that my office full of coworkers just loved this. 

I still have everything there. 

And here is last year's outfit, which I wore on Christmas Day 2020, hanging out with L and Nick. 

A lot of familiar items there, although the glitter loafers de-glittered themselves, so they've been moved along. 

Mathy stuff: Today's outfit is the 9th iteration of this skirt, bringing me to $2.22 per wear. Not bad for a skirt I only wear at Christmas! 

And now, my friends, I'm going to take a blogging break to enjoy my vacation. I'll be back early next week with tales of adventure (and oh, there will be adventures!). 

Wishing you all a very Happy Holidays, Festive Yule and a Merry Christmas. However you celebrate it - or don't (hey, you do you) - I am sending every fellow blogger, commenter, reader and my dear friends out there in the world, the biggest Good Vibes for a safe and calm season. Thank you so much for your support over the last year!