What I Actually Wore #0005

Serial #: 0005
Date: 20/10/2008
Weather: Sunny, but there was chilly breeze blowing, 17°
Time Allowed: 5 mins

I was tired of wearing trousers – it’s supposed to be spring after all – and decided on this pencil skirt with the easy-access zip down the front. The beige required a shot of colour, so on went this watermelon pink top, a favourite standby. The best things about this top are its sleeves, which you can’t see – because the best things about the jacket are its sleeves!

You will see them in another post no doubt, but the sleeves of the top are big and puffy, and multi-pleated. It does make it difficult to wear a jacket over it however. And the problem this morning was that although it was sunny, I knew I’d be cold without an additional layer. Then I remembered the crazy vintage bolero I’d bought a long time ago and never actually worn.

Black velvet, the jacket is pleated, puckered and shirred to within an inch of its life, but its sleeves are bouffy enough to allow room for the top.

The little puffs on the shoulder seams are quaint, giving the jacket a forties look, and I really like the sleeve length. I am guessing it was spawned by the Decade That Style Forgot (And For Some Strange Reason Has Been Revived Of Late): the eighties.

I was reminded of Cameron Diaz when I threw on the contrasting blue chalcedony beads and earrings. That light turquoise – more blue than green – is my favourite colour. As I’m off tights at the moment, the boots were a practical addition, and I thought they’d keep me warm; their fierceness also offsets the sweet pink. But despite my best efforts, I still felt the wind whistling up my skirt. Sigh.

Items:

Top: Veronika Maine
Skirt: Chelsea Design
Jacket: vintage
Boots: Nine West
Jewellery: Temple St Night Market, Hong Kong
Sunglasses: from Bimbo (now defunct boutique)
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Ring: NGV Gallery Shop