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Monday 11 September 2017

Classic velvet blazer for total drama

My hair may soon need scaffolding; it's starting to collapse under its own weight. But I like the big curl off the forehead, which reminds me of Brit actors as brooding uniformed school boys or gentlemen in period dramas, or poets, framed always by huge windows or great gnarled trees in emerald forests of romance and intrigue.


I'm wearing my fave velvet blazer by Triple Five Soul, featuring raw edges, satin tuxedo striping down the arms, and surgeon's cuffs, which means the cuffs have functioning buttons so you can turn them up for, uh, surgery, so you don't gore up your sleeves. Excellent!

This means I can fearlessly deep-dive into barbeque chips and bar snackies, and not worry about reckless dragging through ketchup and coffee.

I tied my vintage tie in a Full Windsor knot (instructions here if needed), which is fatter than a regular knot, and made the front stubby and the tail long enough to hang below my buttoned blazer. And that's a men's wrinkled white shirt.

The men's belt is thrifted, the kind of soft leather hard to find in retail stores these days. The brand is Josef, made in Canada, mint condition. The silver medallion buckle is what caught my eye (closer view here). 
TIP: Always check out the men's belt section in thrift shops. Not usually as elaborate as women's belts, men's belts can easily be resized with a leather punch.
And my button-fly, low-rider jeans by Bardot of Australia, purchased a few years ago at a sample sale. The legs are super skinny. 

Below, detail of the subtle asymmetrical embroidery on the back of the jacket. 


I know I said that my hair reminded me of a Brit actor/poet, but I also got a strong rockstar vibe with this outfit. The heeled ankle boots added a sense of being in control, literally "on top of it." And I layered my Poe almost-black lipstick over my standard red.


On my Instagram I also said that this outfit makes me feel like a low-rider car with flames painted on it. At each red traffic light I would start hopping, loudly and awkwardly, startling all the pedestrians.

So there you have it: school boy/gentleman/poet, rock star, low rider. Which vibe do you see here? Or something completely different perhaps? I like that there is no one feeling but a whole playhouse of characters.

And just so you know I haven't gone all dark in my clothing, I wore this outfit below, with slicked back hair, which I have previously referred to as "tidy Kim Novak hair" but not for this outfit. And I piled on the jewels.


I like wearing many necklaces at a time, but dislike: 1) the bother of fiddly clasps, and 2) the jangling sound they make. 

To fix the first problem I got two pieces of blue ribbon and tied on the smaller necklaces, threading one ribbon through the jump rings and the other ribbon through the clasps, transforming the whole mess into a single longer necklace easily thrown over my head. I tie it at the back so I can adjust the overall length.

To address the second jangling problem, clearly I have to become a Russian folk dancer, like HERE


Finally, all five my interview episodes with Margaret Manning of Sixty and Me are open. I wrote about it in the previous post but when I published only one was up. Today, because my main outfit features black and white, I thought I'd highlight this one. 

Fashion Over 50: Exploring the Power of Simple Black, White and Grey
Mel Kobayashi 

Plus, I want to get the most mileage from the clothing explosion that happened while setting up my demo pieces. O was very stoic about the whole thing. In the end, I only had time to use about 20% of what I had out. And I forgot to say my most important points - I got carried away. What a surprise! Hahaha.


The links to the other episodes are here:
  1. I Love Floral Tights! Why Fashion After 60 is About Wearing What Makes You Happy
  2. Forget What Other People Think and Express Your Eccentricities
  3. The Art of Walking Like a Movie Star
  4. Vintage Clothing is Back for Women Over 50: Embrace the Past and Create Amazing Style
And I can't end this post without saying I'm linking up with Patti at Visible Monday, Not Dead Yet Style - I have been worrying about her family in Florida all week. And I'm linking up with Catherine at #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed as Lamb.

That's it for now. I hope you are all safe!! - my thought for the week. The autumn chill is coming here and I like it.


38 comments:

  1. OK. You convinced me. Gonna buy the velvet blazer... ♥

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  2. I see School Boy! I like this androgynous vibe! So cool! I'm not very good with long necklaces, they often get caught onthings and I either garrot myself or get caight and break them! :-)

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    1. I had to laugh at you struggling with your necklace garrote, but not in a mean way. Heh. I don't wear necklaces often, but it seems when I do I like to make up for lost time. School boy it is!

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  3. Not just any old velvet blazer then Melanie? Wow, this is a gem. Much as I admire the masculine vibe, I have to admit to vearing more towards the over-the-top necklace and colourful get up. I've been waiting until all five of your interviews are up and will watch them back to back. Have had my own little 15 minutes of fame recently too - on the blog today. Would love it if you could drop by to see.

    Anna x

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    Replies
    1. Anna, I LOVED your 15 minutes, but who's to say that it won't be more than that? You were brilliant! I was captivated by what you said and you have a fantastic voice.
      As for clothes, I can see how you would have more affinity with the colour.
      Thanks for the heads-up on your media debut! xo

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  4. Nine of the above, the look reads fashion icon to me,
    Now where does one get a garment with surgeon sleeves, a thing that should be a thing, if you know what I mean,
    Love the second look too, ladylike and eclectic, and jewels piled on... that look I know!
    --------------
    ❤️🌸❤️
    Elle
    http://www.theellediaries.com/

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    1. Elle, you do jewels brilliantly. Surgeon's cuffs should be required. Heh. xox

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  5. I'm having a real moment with the velvet blazer aesthetic!!!!

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    1. That's because you are a rock star at heart! xo

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  6. I see rock star poet. Kind of like Bob Dylan in his early New York city days.
    I'm excited to listen to the rest of your interview sessions. You're fun to watch because your face is so expressive. Those eyebrows are a force unto themselves!. I like your draped on the stairs posts. The have a starkness that adds to the drama of the outfit. Love, Jude

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    1. I like the Dylan comparison, heh. My brows have a mind of their own. And that stairwell, I can't sing its praises enough. Who'd have thunk it? Hugs to you, Jude. xox

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  7. A velvet blazer, such a stunning piece, and you rock it!!, yes, you're rocking that rockstar/romantic poet style!, elegantly decadent!
    I'm totally amazed by the concept itself of 'surgeon's cuffs', such a practical yet morbid thing!. Fascinating!
    Love your 'tidy Kim Novak hair', and the necklaces over your striped t.shirt!
    I have to wait until being at home to watch videos, so it's going to be a long day!
    besos

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    1. Somehow I think I should be playing a harpsichord or electric guitar when I wear this blazer - such wildly different things. I agree that the cuff thing is a bit freaky, but I love them too. xo

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  8. Gawd I LOVE the androgyny of that velvet-blazer-based-outfit. SO COOL!
    Then suddenly you transform into uber-girliness.... like a shape-shifter.
    Patterns and baubles a-go-go.
    A delight to behold.
    XXX
    Samantha
    Fake Fabulous | Style and fun with fashion, over 40

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    Replies
    1. When I see these two wildly divergent looks side by side I wonder, who am I? And then I see how I am both of these things. My moods are pretty divergent. Thanks, Samantha. You'd look great in this blazer. xo

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  9. Old Etonian but far, far cooler! That's a cracker of a jacket and I'm loving the foppish look to your hair. I can't tie a tie - I went to a rare British school who didn't have them as uniform - so I'll have to check out that link so I can display mine better.
    I used to buy those recycled sari skirts in India for 20p each, sell them in the UK and the profits would pay for our return flights! xxx

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    1. I'd have to work on my voice and carriage to be an old Etonian. I wouldn't like it though. Foppish is a word I like to use for this hair too. But it's getting excessively fopping. I got this skirt in a sale bin at a music fest. You were brilliant to buy and sell them. xo

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  10. Love the rocker outfit and vibe although I do get the reference to a poet.

    I'm glad you showed the back of the blazer. It is fabulous!

    Those sandals cost per wear must be zero by now. Who knew? You did ; P

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. I am a really, really good bad poet. The back of the blazer is really what makes it, plus the raw edges. And the sandals, who'd have thought they get so much wear when I just plucked them out as something to wear with those beige outfits at Talize. Hahaha! xo

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  11. Maybe I really was a gypsy in my past life because but I need to hear my jewelry! Most everything I wear has bells or coins on it, even my earrings. I can never sneak up on anyone though! One of my clients is a Russian mech store and I totally shared that video of the floaty ghost dancers recently.

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    1. Hollie, you are the best in bells in coins and jingling shiny things! A star! Those dancers are scary cool, right? I have tried walking like that to make my necklaces be quiet, but I fail fail fail. xo

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  12. Gosh, what a contrast between outfits one and two!

    You look beautiful in both of them. That is a stunning velvet jacket and I love the boots. I prefer the second outfit, though. The skirt is lovely and the striped top goes so well with it. The necklace idea is brilliant!!

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    1. I don't know what makes me go from one end to the other in the space of a day - my dreams maybe? Music I've listened to? I would struggle to wear all of these necklaces if I didn't have a shortcut to putting them on and off. I'm such a slacker! Hahaha. Thanks, Veronica. xo

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  13. Oh, I adore that velvet blazer, all that wonderful detail! You are such a star!

    L and I were in Van last night/early this morning, just one day in and out to see a concert - I looked down every back alley for you, hoping for a glimpse.

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    1. Hahaha. You missed me! I missed you! But I know you were on a tight schedule. So cool that you could dash into town like that. I can see you in this blazer too. xox

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  14. What a find, that black velvet jacket!! It is a beauty and certainly on you. The combination with those awesome skinnies (you know how much I like skinny jeans) and everthing else you threw in, is perfect. Like you said, a whole lot of characters. Plus you. Unique you.
    I hope I can find time to listen to your interviews. I heard the first one though.
    Greetje

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    1. You and me both with our love of skinny jeans. Well, all of my interviews are similar - me wagging my tail so hard I almost fall over! Hahaha! But I had fun and I certainly have passion for what I'm talking about. xox

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  15. ooo, ooo, ooo, more Mel-TV! I'm gonna save them for once a week viewing. Just like real TV. Are there cliff-hangers? eeeee! Plus the groovy ensembles that writhe on the blank space. oh my. and then there she is in person, in clothes, like a rock star, dead poet, english school boy turned gypsy, hippie, jcrew, vagabond. yeah.

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    1. Yes, I call it Mel-o-vision. The cliff-hanger is, will she fall off her chair in excitement? Heh. That's exactly the outfit description I was going to write. Hahaha! xo

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    2. Mel-o-vison, hahaha. Perfect. Off to watch another session...

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  16. You certainly have given us a satisfying collection of the many moods of Mel in this posh! Not that I could ever be convinced you have yet hit on them all. That's one of the fun things about clothing...just when you thought you'd expressed yourself pretty thoroughly...HAH!!! A purple vintage sweater, with a detachable collar. Made of one of those funky mink faces, with clips for teeth that grab onto the opposing end to keep the whole thing around your neck. (Your in the mood to pose as you grandmother Leona!)
    I love the gypsy in you. I think the yellow skirt carries on the caravanpark of adventures while youre detained with other parts of your life.
    OMG! I already commented on this post once... oh hell, it deserved more comments. I've watched all of the interviews but one. Love em! Jude

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    1. Hahaha - you watched all the interviews? Well done!! I'm such a rambler, weaving in and out of the topic at hand. Some day I'll get the hang of it. Or not. Heh.
      You said it well, I am a kind of style gypsy and there are so many more characters to come out. I always wonder what's next.
      I love the sound of the purple vintage sweater with the collar!! Have a blast with that!! xox

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  17. If I was a smaller size I would ask you to leave me that black jacket in your will. It has the most delicious detailing and definitely morphs you into a Rock Goddess/Race Car/Oscar Wilde. Your expression in the last two photos looks like you are up to no good.

    I still have a couple of those videos to watch - I'm enjoying them very much.

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    1. That jacket was, wait for it - $5. I don't know why. But celebrate the fact. Maybe it was just too small for anyone else...? The detailing is what makes it. And I WAS up to no good. Heh. I feel like Tuesday on the Addams Family. xox

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    2. PS I'm glad you like the videos. Can't wait for you to join me on Farknation!

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  18. Melanie, that jacket is to die for! Even more so now that I've not only seen it on Instagram but here again AND THE BACK ALSO! Beautiful! This look is you, beautiful, sexy, intellectual, arty...yourself. xx

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