Winter Browns- Oldies but Goodies

 Today’s outfit started with this vintage chocolate brown Kangol beret, a recent purchase from a local recycled clothing store. The other items are all oldies but goodies from many Winters ago. The taupe wool jacket with its embroidery and covered buttons is from Lisa Ho , one of my favourite Aussie designer over the years but no longer in business and the spotted top is by Marlene Birger and the wool skirt is from Verge, a New Zealand company.

I wore this outfit to meet my sister-in-law at the airport on her return from Niger in West Africa, where she had been teaching for the last year. The flight was delayed so we decided to have coffee while we waited. No problem you would think but things had changed at our local airport and to enter the waiting area you pass through security. No real problem but the skirt has an attached belt with metal clasps thus setting off the metal alarms. Much to my husband’s amusement I had to be fully searched , note to self never wear this skirt to travel.

A closeup of the beret reveals the reason I fell  for it, I can never resist a tassel yet alone two. 
You can also see a little more of the jacket details , the roses and leaves , and my button necklace.

 My Winter garden is now coming to life with some of my favourites . The pink japonica blooms faithfully every year and adds some much needed colour. This japonica and a white one attract the birds and we have the same species of small birds that I think may be a type of honey eater that I look forward to seeing each Winter.

The snowdrops are poking their heads through the fallen leaves, it is never cold enough for snow here.

Joining Patti at Visible Monday , Jess for Turning Heads Tuesday and Nancy for Fancy Friday Link Up.

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14 Comments

  1. Patti Gibbons
    July 17, 2018 / 11:59 am

    I understand why you fell hard for that beret, it's a beauty. Your airport security story is a timely one, as we head to the airport today – must check for hidden triggers! Your garden always brings a smile; have a lovely day ahead. xo-Pattihttp://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • Jill James
      July 19, 2018 / 12:16 am

      Thank you Patti, the velvet and those two tassels convinced me it needed to come home. It is so easy to overlook those minor details that trigger the security – not that I am complaining security is essential. Many thanks for hosting Patti.

  2. Anna Parkes
    July 17, 2018 / 8:40 pm

    I have quite an aversion to brown because I always consider it as being boring, but this is a wonderful lesson in how browns together like this can be anything but boring. All of the patterns, embellishments, fabrics and textures are a work of art – what a great knack, nay skill of yours Jill! Lovely, lovely stuff.Anna x

    • Jill James
      July 19, 2018 / 12:18 am

      Many thanks Anna, I must admit to feeling the same about brown over the years. Even though I have had these pieces for many years I hadn't put them together but was happy with the combination.

  3. Nancy's Fashion Style
    July 18, 2018 / 5:45 am

    Haha, good thing you didn t need to take the skirt of! I love that skirt,it looks like tweed. Absolute stunning. Funny that the outfit started with the baret!

    • Jill James
      July 19, 2018 / 12:21 am

      So true Nancy, it was a tad chilly to undress. The skirt is a woven wool and very warm. I quite often start with the hat. Thanks Nancy, see you for Fancy Friday.

  4. Penny Kocher
    July 18, 2018 / 10:53 am

    That is a lovely outfit and the colour really suits you. And so interesting to see the flowers in your garden. Our gardens are suffering from lack of rain – if this carries on we'll have to rethink what and how we plant. And btw, was watching Richie Porte with renewed interest because of your connection and was so sorry to see him go out from a collision of a spectator apprently. How annoying! The race is actually becoming quite intersting with different sprinters and teams out in front. But even so was really sorry about Porte.

    • Jill James
      July 19, 2018 / 12:27 am

      Thank you Penny , the pieces are oldies but goodies but I haven't worn them together . I always love it when a few hardy blooms appear in my Winter garden. I can imagine the English gardens struggling in the unprecedented hot and dry conditions.Will send rain your way , its been wet all week.Poor Ritchie Porte , he would have to be so unlucky to crash at the same stage two years running.

  5. Suzanne Carillo
    July 19, 2018 / 1:04 am

    I love all the textures in this outfit. The layers of interest in all of the details. Your winter garden is lovely. My winter garden is snow. Let's just say I'm grateful it is summer here right now. Suzannehttp://www.suzannecarillo.com

    • Jill James
      July 22, 2018 / 9:49 am

      Thank you Suzanne appreciate your comments as I hadn't worn these pieces together before. Your Toronto Winter is so harsh compared to ours , I can understand why you enjoy your Summer.

  6. Natalia Lialina
    July 24, 2018 / 8:47 pm

    Such touching pictures of an awakening garden… and you are still in the midst of Winter! That's amazing!Your outfit is really beautiful. I loved the skirt the minute I saw it – no wonder it is a dangerous one, hehe! 🙂 Love the new chocolate brown beret too, so flirty with tassels!

    • Jill James
      July 25, 2018 / 6:14 am

      I always look forward to the first delights of my Winter garden. Yes we are pretty much in the midst of Winter but this one has really been quite mild.I was quite pleased with how the outfit came together as although I have had the jacket and skirt for years I had never worn them together. The velvet and tassels are what made me bring the beret home.

  7. Vix
    July 26, 2018 / 3:02 pm

    Looking spectacular! I've sold that Kangol beret in navy blue before, I do love a tassel!It seems very strange so see snowdrops in your garden when I'm sitting in a bikini taking a break from the 33 degree heat.Feel your pain with the airport metal detector. My hip replacement does it all the time, I've learnt to travel in my best knickers so i can hitch up my skirt and show them the scar! xxx

    • Jill James
      July 29, 2018 / 7:17 am

      Vix , I can just see you lifting your skirt in security to show your scar.I must admit to not noticing the Kangol label when I bought the beret, was way to taken with its tassel.

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