Hello my fashionable darlings, been a while since I did an outfit post.
Here is what I wore to a speaking gig recently. This was a writer's conference in San Francisco. So It's local to me and I could wear stuff that I don't normally pack. Either because it takes up too much space, doesn't pack well, or isn't versatile.
This is what I chose. It was also relatively cold that day and I took into consideration that fact that I would be there a full day. Walking around a lot and also sitting on panels in chairs and stools.
The Outfit!
Top Down
- Hat: 1950s red felt beret style fold felt number, vintage store
- Earrings & Broach: 1980s costume jewelry augmented by me. The broach the earrings originally came with died as did the tassel dangling from the broach I'm wearings so I cannibalized the two broaches, which is why the metal doesn't match. I have considered hanging a Bumbersnoot from it instead. But I love those earrings and wear them all the time so having a matched broach is a GOOD thing. Thoughts?
- Necklace: Obligatory pen necklace, sadly no longer available. I don't know what I will do if mine die.
- Top: 1940s velvet. This is the top part of a vintage suit the bottom of which is a simple velvet pencil skirt. The skirt no longer fits but I can still fit the top (yeah boob surgery). I have had this piece since high school, for years it was what I wore to funerals. It has the best fold over and big button details but because it is velvet and velvet eats light it doesn't photograph very well. I got it on Haight Street in the 90s.
- Belt: Slim red one, modern, from Target years ago (similar $7) (although if I were going to buy it over I'd actually buy this one $10, because it has no metal components and is therefore more versatile).
- Gloves: Classic not lined black leather 3/4 vintage, thirfted (similar $40).
- Skirt: eShakti, yes it has pockets, I usually use this as an underskirt but I bought specifically because it also works as a day skirt.
- Shoes: Modern, very low kitten heel patent almond-toe Mary Janes. Remarkably comfortable AND waterproof (similar $32)
Glove Lengths
- Short: Ends at Base of Thumb (AKA drivers)
- Wrist: About 2 inches from base of thumb
- Classic: 4 to 6 inches, ending below the elbow (technically the ones I am wearing above as classics)
- Elbow: Traditionally 8 inches from the base of the thumb. Recently, up to 12 will be defined as this length.
- Opera:16 -23 inches from the base of the thumb to the upper arm, for a glove to be called "opera" it MUST GO OVER THE ELBOW
There you have it. Me in mostly black, not something I do often, but this outfit suited this event and people seemed to like it.
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