Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Style or Die! challenge: Triple Five Soul vest

  Outfit 1 is everyday steampunk using the Triple Five Soul pinstripe vest:
Vest: Triple Five Soul (clothing swap)
Skirt: Ann Taylor (Megan Mae)
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.

22 comments:

  1. I think it's a keep too! It really looks awesome with the skirt Megan just sent you!

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  2. I like the color of that skirt - I really love the steampunk theme going on Aya -
    Yes keep the vest!

    Arianexo

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  3. I love the coat and the boots.

    I 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

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    1. 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.

      And few things are finer than that man. Whew!

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  4. LOVE that skirt. And those boots are amazing.

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  5. When 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.

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    1. What 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!

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  6. I love this vest!! :-D I love your whole look and how awesome of Megan to send you that cool cool skirt.

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  7. AWWW 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.

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    1. Thank you so much for sending it to me! I love it.

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  8. Steampunk 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).
    Celtic Lass-Sacramento

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    1. 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!

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  9. CAbi is an excellent brand! I have my brown leather vest and my flouncy ruffled satin shirt that are both by them/her.

    I 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.

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    1. 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!

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  10. I'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.

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  11. Hi Aya!

    Do 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!

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  12. That Cabi coat is gorgeous on you!! Loving your steampunky skirt and those boots are awesome!!

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  13. I like how the ruffles / gathers combine with the pinstripes. You are awesome at this kind of experimentation!

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  14. Steampunk with ruffles, very very cool! Love your new coat. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday.

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  15. Oh, steampunk with a twist! You pulled off this look really well :)

    WARMEST REGARDS FROM DUBAI xxx
    MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES
    http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.com/

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  16. Great ensemble. I love your variety of styling too.

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  17. Aristocrat 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.
    You post made my day much brighter!

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