Thursday, November 1, 2012

Nov 1st - Outfit #1 - Tan and Texture

Hey hey! Welcome to November! Thank you all for your very kind comments about my Hallowe'en costume - I love getting dressed up.

I was really excited to start my neutral November, but strangely, I was more excited about the individual pieces than outfits I'd be creating out of them. As long as all the colours and shapes go, the outfits should work, right? Heh, I guess we'll see how it goes.
I'm so glad there is still some light after work! It's pitch-dark in the mornings.
I really liked how the dotty tights (those are holes, not actually printed dots, by the way) played off the chain pattern in the top. The top came with a sash that was hooked on through those crappy little thread loops - it's not a real wrap top. I dislike being told by belt loops (yes, of course, my clothes talk to me) that I must put my belt so high up, so I cut the loops off and have saved the sash for some other outfit.

The top is new-to-me, purchased on my semi-drunken ramble through Oak Bay with my dear Cat back here in August (scroll down past the sunny blue skies). It was $20 on consignment and is by Talbot's.
The colour of the skirt is more tan than the camel shade above - the first picture is the most accurate. I can't wear tan near my face or I turn into a big blob of oatmeal, but I can certainly wear it on the bottom half, especially when it is a sweet washable suede skirt like this one. The shape is a slight A-line, and I love the length - it's almost Victorian looking.

I thrifted it in March 2011 for $22.00.

I last wore it in December 2012 for a little Christmas shopping (2nd outfit), and before that, in Oct 2011 (last outfit, but I can't believe I didn't wear it for over a year!).

The stuff:
A bit blurry - I'm tired
I thought the leather obi balanced the visual heaviness of the shoes and tights on the bottom. My first wear of the open black wooden bangle. It's locally-made and I bought it because it was fairly small - but the open part drove me crazy. I ended up jamming it way up my arm.

The shoes are new-to-me:
I know, fabulous! 

They are a deep black suede with a platform and an ankle strap. Don't you love the asymmetrical white stitching? The soles are hard and a bit slippery, characteristic of 80s shoes, and the shoes weigh a ton. They have none of the space-age cushioning technology of modern shoes, but they were shockingly comfortable. Part of that is likely due to the platform (the heel is only 2" without it), and part is that they are real leather and are made in Italy. I think they are probably from around '88-89 - I remember platforms having a mini-resurgence from the '70s then. 

I bought them at Regalia Boutique off Fan Tan Alley (it's my secret place for getting Smoking Lily on consignment) back here in June (scroll way down past my crazy shopping haul). They were only $18.00! 

They are by Bata Shoes (crazy, I had no idea the company had been around so long!), which haven't had stores in Canada's malls since the late 80s. I used to shop there - ah, I bought some great pointy-toed white buckled kitten heels from there in 1986...they always had nice quality stuff, even though I could rarely afford it.

Top (Talbot's, consignment), skirt (Skotts Suede, thrifted), shoes (Bata Shoes, consignment), belt (consignment), cuff (locally made), earrings (thrifted), floral ring (Sarah Coventry, vintage 70s), spinner ring (Twang & Pearl), leaf pendant (found it).

22 comments:

  1. Sheila....I love the skirt, and the beautiful shade in the first picture.
    I really don't like self belts very much and usually cut off the loops too.

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  2. I love the colors and the shoes are incredible. I loved the little bit of history too. If you'd told me they were brand new, I'd have believed you. They look totally current to me.

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  3. The suede skirt is gorgeous. I keep sighing over the suedes and leathers making their way onto the thrifting racks this season. Nothing remotely in my size so far.

    My mom did manage to find me a suede Frye purse though! Hope to finish getting it cleaned up to carry tomorrow.

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    1. I am always on the lookout for you - I see a lot of small sizes.

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  4. The shoes are beautiful, but please be careful. If you fall down in them you may get your eyes pecked out by the birds!

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  5. You're off to a great start for November!! Can't wait to get to your Halloween costume post! xx

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  6. Your outfit is very nice. I love the belt and shirt especially.

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  7. A suede skirt is a great piece for your November capsule! Love this look, and the wedges are a find - so modern but with a twist of vint.

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  8. Love the detail on your shoes! It goes nicely with the print on your blouse :)

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  9. since you mention "washable suede," that made me think to ask: is all suede washable? if not, how do i know the difference? and how do you wash it? i have a lovely suede skirt that (of course) says to dry clean on the label, but id really much rather not... i know youve touted the washability of suede before, so please share!

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    1. First, I would NEVER recommend that you wash your suede unless it specifically says on the label that you can.

      However, that said, I've washed suede that said "Dry Clean Only" - it is usually because of the lining that you shouldn't wash suede. Acetate linings and water are not a good mix. Suede can also shrink and bleed colour in the wash.

      But, if you have a piece that might benefit from washing (maybe it's stretched out or just old and dirty), and you don't mind if it gets ruined, then give it a try. Leather/suede is skin so it is able to be washed. If you decide to do this, do it at your own risk!

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  10. Ooh very nice neutrals!! I like the suede skirt! And the shoes are fantastic, I like the stitching details.

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  11. Adding going thrifting semi-drunk to my Bucket List :)

    I think you look amazing. All of the patterns and texture come together to make a very rich composition.

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  12. I love the shoes so much. They pull together the white in the blouse with the white in the hose. Beautiful!

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    1. There's no white in the hose! Those dots are my legs through the holes in the tights!

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  13. That obi balances the outfit nicely. A great find, like Lynne, you are making me consider tipsy shopping! (on foot of course)

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  14. Those are some seriously cute shoes!!!
    Love the whole outfit--your Neutral November capsule has inspired me to have a neutrals week next week!!

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  15. Another fantastic pair of shoes! I envy the good luck you having thrifting shoes!

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  16. Your wardrobe never ceases to amaze me Sheila, it's so rich and complete it seems. I am thoroughly entertained with your love for words as well. I don't know if you're a heavy reader, or naturally in love with words but you have the gift. Agog? I mean, I haven't heard that fine word for so long. You are a special breed. ')

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    1. Thanks, Joni! I love to read, always have, and I love words - I've written poetry and prose my whole life.

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  17. You're such a master at mixing and matching. I really like how the shoes, tights and B&W blouse all play off each other! Even though they're all neutral colors, I don't think I would have thought to pair them. I'm going to give it try. Thanks again for a great idea.
    I scrolled down and saw your Halloween costume. That is CRAZY,FUNNY,HILARIOUS! So creative! I'm never going to be able to watch "The Birds" again and not think of you.

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  18. Gorgeous silhouette - the proportions of every piece are just perfect together, including the leaf's echoing of the skirt colour. The shoes' stitching, holey tights, and blouse print - love! And obi belts of course have a special place in my heart. :)

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