I kept this silk velvet duster out to wear this season, but struggled with making an outfit with it. As an aside, I'll point out my "squares" theme here, as you can see the pattern of my tights in this pic.
- Topper - Emporio Armani, thrifted; last seen here in May 2022 with move velvet
- Dress - Bodybag by Jude, consignment; first worn here in November 2022 with boots
- Shoes - Gadea, consignment; last seen here in February with a spacey dress
- Loomed Lady coat (below) - vintage, thrifted; last worn here in January
I am a fan of the big swooshy swath of fabric, a sheer silk with high plush velvet squares all over it.
And it's Emporio Armani, so classy!
But it's navy blue - and I don't own a lot of navy blue. It's not really a colour that sings for me.
I paid a mere $7.00 for it nearly 6 years ago, and have worn this fabulous piece 10 times, bringing me to a thrifty 70 cents per wear.
Reviewing cost-per-wear of beloved items helps me move them along when I've formed an emotional attachment. With this duster, I'll have memories of swanning about, swooshing it at my colleagues and calling myself "Darth Sheila."
It also reminds me of the long-gone and missed St. Vincent de Paul thrift shop where I bought it. I always found gems there! And I'll always have the pictures.
But a garment can't stay in my closet if it drives me crazy.
And after the third or fourth time snarling it in my chair wheels, I took it off. I wore the dress solo for the rest of the day and was far happier (I have a tee on underneath for warmth).
Outerwear - the Loomed Lady! Note all the squares.
I made it two blocks to work before I was roiling with fury, as the duster and coat were twisting around my mid-section. VELVET RAGE! I took my coat off and angrily stuffed it into my bag. You'd think I would remember that I can't wear velvets under outerwear...
Accoutrements:
- Scarf - Bill Blass, vintage, thrifted
- Gloves - Parkhurst
The stuff:
Will I move along the rest of my navy stuff? I do like these shoes - so shiny! Nah, these are keepers.
Brutalist bling:
I liked how my Brutalist pieces went with the dress.
- Necklace, cuff, bracelet - all Robert Larin, vintage 70s, vintage mall, gifts from L
- Square ring - thrifted
- Anneke & Lars ring - vintage mall
- Earrings - vintage mall
The pendant has sort-of squares!
When I got home, I grabbed Vizzini for some lovin'. We walk around and look out the windows and he purrs and drools on me.
"I know perfectly well what you're up do, Woman."
It's true - I've been taking pictures of Vizzini since we got him in 2011 (here, OMG, he's so tiny).
"You're talking to my fans, aren't you?"
He'll be 12 this spring, and he's getting a few white hairs on his muzzle and around his eyes.
"Speak for yourself, Old Lady."
Happy International Women's Day, my friends!
Will try this once again...even I cannot seem to make our comments go through to you. The gang of Ancients bang away on the keyboard of the computer at the Senior Center, but it has been set so that NO messages go out, period. So I gave it a try three or four times lately here at my home, and it seems that we truly cannot get through to you...so I am giving this one more try via a slightly different route. We visit you regularly, on my laptop. So even if we cannot respond, we are enjoying your posts!
ReplyDeleteThanks for persevering!
DeleteThat last comment showed up! But only for a moment or two and then POOF! it was gone as I watched. So our latest try to connect with you seems to have gone awry as well. We wil keep trying.
ReplyDeleteSome of the comments require moderation. I appreciate you all reading, thank you!
DeleteLove those photos of you and Vizzini, nothing beats a cat snuggle! What a tiny boy he was when you got him - but just as gorgeous as the big lad he's grown into.
ReplyDeleteThat Darth Vader duster looks great but wearing it sounds like a nightmare, its definitely outstayed its welcome! xxx
I agree, Vix! He's grown so much.
DeleteI loved it, but I'm done with it.
Interesting that you see your shoes as blue. I see them as a shiny shade of black-grey. In any case, agreed they are keepers! They are neutral and could go with many toppings.
ReplyDeleteDuster be gone! I happen to quite like this outfit WITHOUT the duster.
And hello to Vizzini’s green eyed stare; could swear he is looking at each reader as we come along, just not entirely sure what he is saying. ;)
Cheers, Laurie
They are blue, believe me. :)
DeleteI liked it better without as well. Vizzini has gotten good at looking right into the camera!
Loving the square theme! The dress, tights and, of course, the Loomed Lady coat, are all fabulous. I wasn't sure about the Darth Father duster - and it getting caught in my office chair wheels would drive me mad - so I'm glad to hear it served its purpose and you're letting it go.
ReplyDeleteAaargh, velvet rage, though.
Loving the Sheila and Vizzini pictures, and I can't get over how tiny he was. Still a handsome fella though! xxx
Thanks, Ann! I felt a small pang at letting the duster go, but it's time. The Velvet Rage spurred me on!
DeleteHe's such a cutie.
I like the square theme and I love that duster so I'm sad to see it go, but you have worn it incredibly, have good memories of it, and much better to have pieces that don't do such tricky things as get stuck in chair legs! I wonder if the increase in working from home is why I've been reaching for my maxi skirts less - sometimes they do get tangled in the chair wheels at my desk!
ReplyDeletethanks, Mica! I am too but I find it so tricky to style and this time, it annoyed me SO MUCH. Interesting about your maxis!
Delete