Skirt: Ann Taylor (Megan Mae)
Aristocrat coat: CAbi (thrifted)
Aristocrat coat: CAbi (thrifted)
Lightning boots: Naya (gift, old) 8.5W on eBay
Rhinestone locket: Express (very old)
Grey shirt: Gap maternity (thrifted)
I like this one so much I will link to Patti's next Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet style. :D
I don't know much about the brand CAbi, save it's probably not Japanese, because kabi in the Japanese language means mold. I found out from Google images that this is called the Aristocrat coat. It's 100% merino wool and a teal color. I love it already.
The skirt is brand new to me, having just received it in the post from Megan Mae! It's just the color I like, fits me at the waist (fantastic since I outshrank most of my skirts while in school) and has layers of ruffles that can be bustled up. Here I used a safety pin to take up the front. I think it's going to become a wardrobe staple really fast. :D
If you've followed my blog for any amount of time, you'll notice I have a lot of vests. Most are thin and meant to layer under jackets. This one's is thick and double-layered, as well as longer and wider at the shoulders. It has to be worn as a top layer because jackets over it make me look like a fullback. Thin overcoats seem ok. I think it needs mid-length skirts at or near the natural waist so as not to look like office wear. Time will tell if this is too narrow a set of constraints.
Tried this outfit with other vests and the proportions don't work as well. And it's *warm*. I ended up sweating while writing in my apartment, which is a good sign. For now, I think this one is a keep.
Tried this outfit with other vests and the proportions don't work as well. And it's *warm*. I ended up sweating while writing in my apartment, which is a good sign. For now, I think this one is a keep.
I think it's a keep too! It really looks awesome with the skirt Megan just sent you!
ReplyDeleteI like the color of that skirt - I really love the steampunk theme going on Aya -
ReplyDeleteYes keep the vest!
Arianexo
I love the coat and the boots.
ReplyDeleteI too had a thing for vests, about 2 years ago. I don't seem to wear them as much now since I lost some weight. They all need to be taken in and doing that with a vest is a big pain in the butt.
So interesting to learn of your love crush on Ken Watanabe : )
bisous
Suzanne
Oh my goodness you're right about the vests. I have one that I've taken apart the lining for and am trying to alter now. It's not going well.
DeleteAnd few things are finer than that man. Whew!
LOVE that skirt. And those boots are amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a teenage boy, I wore dozens of vests. I thought they were cool and one of the few fashion pieces a boy could play with. Your outfits often remind me of my youth.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely thing! I feel warm and fuzzy that I remind someone of times past. And I agree with you about vests- they're so versatile and can do a lot of things to an outfit. I don't know why they're not more common!
DeleteI love this vest!! :-D I love your whole look and how awesome of Megan to send you that cool cool skirt.
ReplyDeleteAWWW YAY!!! THIS IS FABULOUS. I love love this look and how you picked up the skirt. I bought it when I was a little lighter than I am now, so the waist was always a little too small for me. It looks GREAT on you and perfect with the look.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sending it to me! I love it.
DeleteSteampunk was what I thought when I saw the vest in your last post. I would add a multichain watch fob between the two buttons on the pockets (or flaps) or possibly stretch a charm bracelet between the buttons. I think you could also pair the vest with a white blouse with a large ruffle down the front and on the cuffs of the sleeves to give it a bit of 17th century dandy look. (or lady pirate look).
ReplyDeleteCeltic Lass-Sacramento
Wow, I really like all of these suggestions! I should bust out my collar clips again any time I wear a vest. :D Once this challenge is over I will have to try these out. Thank you, Celtic Lass!
DeleteCAbi is an excellent brand! I have my brown leather vest and my flouncy ruffled satin shirt that are both by them/her.
ReplyDeleteI would add a brooch to the small of your back, to cinch in the jacket and give it a more fitted look - otherwise, LOVE! Aya, you are awesome.
Ooh, great idea! I never thought of that- the coat is an M, so it fits great at the shoulders but is loose through the waist. I'm gonna try that right away. Thanks, Sheila!
DeleteI've been wanting to get a new vest, and now I know the shape I want - that one is perfect! It makes a great outfit with the skirt and boots, and would look very cool with skinny jeans, too.
ReplyDeleteHi Aya!
ReplyDeleteDo you need glasses or do you want glasses? Firmoo is offering my readers a free pair!
I need participants! I wonder why people are not interested -
I got one recently and totally happy with them
Let me know!
That Cabi coat is gorgeous on you!! Loving your steampunky skirt and those boots are awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI like how the ruffles / gathers combine with the pinstripes. You are awesome at this kind of experimentation!
ReplyDeleteSteampunk with ruffles, very very cool! Love your new coat. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday.
ReplyDeleteOh, steampunk with a twist! You pulled off this look really well :)
ReplyDeleteWARMEST REGARDS FROM DUBAI xxx
MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES
http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.com/
Great ensemble. I love your variety of styling too.
ReplyDeleteAristocrat you are! You can be royalty, no matter what Lorde says! You look winsome in blue ... never had an opportunity to use "winsome" in a sentance. But you are! Love practical steam-punk and wish I could find the right excuse to wear some. I have tons of Victoriana from our Dickens Dinners ( that I am not going to do this year!), as does Dan ... hmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteYou post made my day much brighter!