Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Pleated Inspiration, Zig-Zags and Leopard

Today's outfit was inspired by fellow office building worker Emily, who is on the 11th floor - I pick up our mail from her every day, and we've connected over clothes. As y'all know, I've missed my fashionable colleagues in my own office, so it's a treat to have someone to twirl for. And she has great outfits too! 

Yesterday, she was wearing a brown pleated midi-skirt with brown faux croc boots (I wanted them!), which inspired me to dig out one of my own pleated skirts, this fabulously rich pine green vintage beauty.
I've been meaning to wear this zig-zag sweater too - how fortuitous that the two pieces match so well! 

  • Sweater - Bernice Creations, vintage 70s, vintage fair; last seen here (2nd outfit) in January 2021 with plaid pants
  • Blouse - Renuar, thrifted; last worn here in October 2021 with gold and leopard
  • Skirt - DaRue Petite for Draper's & Damon's, vintage 80s, thrifted; last seen here in February with my just-finished Peacock Jacket
  • Boots - Clarks; last worn here in February with my Beene suit
  • Coat (below) - Cache, consignment; last seen here in September 2021

The fog rolled in this morning, as thick as pea soup (as the saying goes).
No Castle today, but I do see a seagull on the neighbouring rooftop. It's nest-hunting season. 

Last night when I got home from work, I tried this sweater and skirt on, as I haven't worn them together before and wasn't sure if they would get along. 
I decided I needed a layer under the sweater - it's a 1970s style, so it has that rather "shrunken" fit of its time. The blouse extends the sleeves and keeps my midsection from being exposed, although the belt performed well in keeping everything where it should be.

In addition to the blouse, I also layered a vintage slip and fleece-lined tights underneath it all. 
I was so warm on my walk to work! If these slightly-warmer temps keep up, I'm going to have to put away the fleece tights for the season. 

I do like how the pattern/knit of the sweater is enhanced with a light-coloured layer. Don't you love how the zig-zags are on the sleeves too?
I always get a kick out the fact that this sweater's fiber is made by Monsanto. Yes, THAT Monsanto. Check out the vintage label here.

Masked up - this is a teal-green pattern.
I was pleased with this look overall - it always pays off for me to do a try-on when I'm not sure about a new combo. 

Outerwear - ah, I'm so happy to have this beautiful satin leopard coat back in my closet.
I'm not showing it here, but it has vibrant red lining.

Accoutrements: 
Not much needed today! 

  • Scarf - thrifted
  • Gloves - Ralph Lauren, consignment

The stuff: 
I rarely shop retail, but these boots were an excellent purchase back in 2014 - this is their 35th wearing!

Minor bling: 
I wore the brooch pinned to the top of the blouse. 

  • Brooch - Continental, vintage 60s, swap from Caro
  • Earrings - vintage 1920s, vintage fair
  • Wood ring - Dots
  • Amber ring - c. 1996
  • Belt - Club Monaco

22 comments:

  1. Oh, I love that you have a fashion friend!

    So Monsanto did make ONE good thing!

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    1. Finally! I have other work people who like clothes, but I don't see them regularly anymore. I love being able to show my outfit off.

      Ha, I guess they did!

      Delete
  2. I like how well these pieces pair together and it's great you have a fashion friend in the office at the moment too! I bet she liked this outfit - I love a bit of matchy-matchy and the zig-zags are so fun!

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    1. Thanks so much, Mica - she's really nice and fashionable too.

      Delete
  3. This outfit speaks to me! I like a tailored look with pizzazz :-) - the skirt color and friendly pleats, and the sweater pattern. Plus the belt highlights your waist. I like the soft angles of the wood ring; soothing to look at and probably to run fingers over.

    Celebrating two days in a row of relocating to comment. :-)

    Happy Wednesday!

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    1. I do too, Laurie, thanks. Yes, I play with the wood ring all the time - I love the feel of it.

      Woo hoo! Thanks, Happy Wednesday!

      Delete
  4. The sweater looks like it was made for that skirt. This is probably one of my favorite outfits I have seen lately. I love the wood ring. It is very unique.

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    1. They are a good match, I agree, Vicki. Thanks so much!

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  5. How lovely to have at least someone to twirl for, and what a fabulous outfit you had in store for Emily yesterday! This outfit made me squeal with delight: the pine skirt and zig-zag sweater are a true match made in heaven. I'm loving the touches of tan from your belt and boots too. And what a joyful sight to behold is your satin leopard coat! I'm finding it a bit tricky to get dressed in the morning lately, as we've been having light frost overnight but then it warms up considerably during the day. It's been layers to the rescue and goodbye to the fleece-lined tights! xxx

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    1. I have missed it so much, Ann. Thank you! I enjoyed this outfit, but I love that coat. We have weird weather here too, it's all over the place!

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  6. Really love this one. I am having so much fun everyday seeing what you are going to come up with and I marvel. Thanks for this. I might start posting my outfits, (not my truck). I will do all your poses and it will be a comedy scetch.

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    1. Thanks so much, Kim, I'm really happy that you're enjoying my outfits (not trucks, hee hee). Go for it! But I warn you, the poses are harder than they look. I've been honing them for years.

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  7. Oooh, I am ALLLLLL OVER this outfit! It is gaaaaaaaawjus!!! The skirt, the sweater, the blouse!!! Perfect! Very envious over the skirt!xx

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  8. All the pieces of this outfit work together beautifully and the colour of the belt and boots is perfect.

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  9. I absolutely love that jumper and skirt combo, Sheila. I wanted those boots when I saw them in Clarks' years ago but sadly they didn't look as good on my legs as yours! xxx

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    1. Thanks, Vix - aw, that's too bad, as they are stellar boots.

      Delete
  10. Massively adore how the zigzag extends to the sleeves. That is far from something that we commonly see with this distinct pattern.

    I really like this whole outfit - which reminds me of a shirt I had circa age 12/13. It was a small check patterned button up in teal and brown. I had rarely worn either colour prior to that (and likely never together before) and in an instant, I discovered that both worked well on me.

    It was, in a lot of ways, the start of many years of experimenting with other colours to discover those that worked and those that I needed to stay far, far away from (at least in large volumes and/or near my face).

    It's interesting, isn't it, how single garments (or accessories) can be the catalyst that suddenly expand our fashion options + perspectives all the more in a highly memorable way?

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. That kind of detail is getting rarer and rarer, sadly, as fast fashion companies skimp on expensive details.

      Thank you so much. I love when people are reminded of childhood clothes like that - it says a lot about the power of fashion/style that a single piece can have such a strong lasting impression.

      Delete
  11. I LOVE this look! The proportions are on point, the sweater and skirt are so fun and such great colors, and the boots are a lovely comfy basic that sets them off really well.
    -Julia

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