What I Actually Wore #106

Serial #: 0106
Date: 29/01/2013
Weather: 21°C/70°F
Time Allowed: 8 minutes

Fortunately I made notes two years ago when I photographed this outfit. Apparently, I dressed on the premise that just because it's a simple outing, it doesn't mean I need to dress dowdily. That simple rule has always been one of my fashion creeds.

Pleats!

I really love pleated skirts, and have managed to amass a large number of vintage pleated skirts and dresses, most of them in just the last few months. This cream cotton micro-pleated 80s skirt was the first however, and I remember being so excited when I found it. I had been on the hunt particularly for micro-pleats; they weren’t to be found even in retail stores at the time. I really enjoy the midi-length too.

Colour!

Old school sartorialists like to say that red and pink clash and should never be paired, but I think they look delicious together! I do enjoy unusual and startling colour combinations. The strawberry pink top was just an ordinary knit tee, (which has since been donated to charity), and the classically-cut leather jacket I still wear occasionally (because I own a multitude of coats and jackets and can’t possibly wear them all often!).

Many of my leather coats and jackets I have bought second hand, but this was purchased new, and was quite an investment, even on sale. Happily I have worn it enough over the years to have made it worthwhile.

Accessories!

These soft leather brogues are very comfortable, and have only recently really come into their own. I bought them on sale website Ozsale. They had become lost in the bottom of my closet, until I rediscovered them when all my other practical walking shoes wore out at once. Decoratively punctured, and with cutouts on the top, they are cool enough for warmer weather. I’ve worn them so much one of my errands this week is to take them to the shoe repairers for heel touch-ups.

I will be the first to admit that enormous pompom headband that looks like the cherry on top is insane. It was chiefly a fun experiment (I hadn’t made a pompom since primary school), but I have actually worn it out once or twice to festivals and parties. It’s certainly a conversation starter!

My other accessories include my favourite onyx jewellery, and my silver necklace dangling with various charms collected during my travels. The patent handbag is vintage, 60s or 70s, and it has been an excellent little basic for a long time.

Photo: April 2013

Items:

Jacket: Toscana
Top: Elliza Donatein
Skirt: Ricki Reed, vintage
Headband: hand made
Earrings: onyx baubles, hand made
Bangle and ring: onyx, souvenirs
Necklace: silver charm necklace, souvenirs
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Handbag: vintage, 60s/70s
Shoes: Miss S