Hello everyone , I hope all is well in your part of the world.
Winter has certainly arrived in my neck of the woods , this was my outfit recently on a rather cold grey day. Everything I wore that day has now seen many winters. The ruffled wool jacket was a recycle find over ten years ago and was bought for a trip back to Europe in early 2016.I wore the jacket over a black knit and paired it with a navy and black Moyuru skirt . As it was rather cold, I needed the studded Ted Baker gloves with their wool lining , Pikolinos boots and wool felt Helen Kaminski hat. The bag from Spencer and Rutherford is a Winter favourite of mine and many years old now. Spencer and Rutherford was an Australian company that made the most wonderful bags but sadly is no longer in business.
A closer look of both the ruffles on the jacket and the felt Helen Kaminski hat . Since then I have visited my hairdresser, Craig, for a light trim, ticking off another thing on my list of things to do before John’s operation in case I am needed at home for a while.
In our bedroom playing with different inside spots and lightening for the Winter. I was wearing a long leather skirt , a recycle find a few years ago , with the Dogstar black and white giant spot bomber jacket from last Winter.
On another note , the little boy and girl statuettes are the first thing John and I bought together at a country market .
Peeking out from underneath the skirt are black and white United Nude boots that I was fortunate to find on sale. I also wore a black hat with stitched edging that I have now worn for many years, black and white leather gloves and large circle earrings that I found in Cuba .
One of my jobs over Winter is to have a really serious wardrobe cull, something I am really bad at doing. As much as I admire those with a minimalist wardrobe I know this is not me .
I have some beautiful true vintage pieces that I have acquired over the years that I have only worn rarely but am hesitant to part with.
This beautiful silk velvet coat is one of those vintage pieces . (the photo doesn’t do it justice) . It has the most wonderful pleated sleeve detail The only problem is that it’s too long on me unless I am wearing a very high heel and that’s a rare thing these days.
I am not confident I could sew it myself and I am a bit nervous about finding someone locally to shorter the coat and would hate to see it ruined. I will have to make some enquiries on that front.
This is the label inside the coat . I am unsure of the actual age of the coat , any suggestions welcome . Also all advice on my shortening dilemma will be most appreciated.
I will keep you posted on the progress of my wardrobe cull.
Thanks for reading , have a great week. xxx
That ruffled coat is fabulous, Jill! I think I use that word a lot when describing your wardrobe! You always look so cutting edge and yet refined. I do hope John’s surgery goes well. As for the coat, do dry cleaners in your neck of the woods do alterations? I think they used to here in the States. I would definitely find someone who knows vintage fabrication because that coat is too marvelous to not wear! Have a wonderful rest of the week!
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Thank you so very much Marsha , I am very fond of the ruffled jacket and it is worn a lot over Winter. I appreciate your suggestions re the vintage coat and agree it is too good to not wear.
As always your outfits are inspirational and unique. With regard to your vintage coat. Rather than doing a straightforward hem shorten what about doing a ruching / pleating idea. I am thinking take a pleat on the outside all the way around (or even two) starting about 6 inches from the hemline. The pleats would take up the excess length. Then ruching from the hem up to the pleat at side seams and possibly middle of the back. You could shorten the lining straight around the bottom. This is not difficult sewing though velvet can be tricky. I would be tempted to sew it by hand myself except for the lining.
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Thank you so very much Robyn for your lovely comment . I am also extremely grateful for your ideas on shortening the coat , this does sound a good idea . I will see what I can do.
Hello Jill. I love everything about your winter outfit. It’s perfect. The handbag is gorgeous. As is every other accessory. I do hope you resolve the dilemma you have re: the beautiful silk velvet coat. I used to do a lot of sewing – but not these days.
I always get rid of too many of my clothes. I look through past blog photos and think, ‘now where is that item?’ And then, ‘oh blast, it went into the charity shop bag!’
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Thank you so very much Penny , this is an outfit I often wear during the Winter . I am very fond of that handbag even though it is a bit heavy. I too hoe I can shorten the coat as it is too good to just hang in the closet. I guess I am the opposite and keep many things , sometimes for too long.
A masterclass in tonal dressing with texture and a surprise (the big white dots). You have so many special pieces in your wardrobe.
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Thank you so very much Gail , I do enjoy those giant polka dots.