Octopus necklace? AW YEAH

I have a theory about dresses, and that theory is that you know a dress is really awesome when you can wear it perfectly happily without any big coordinations, dressings up or froufy additions. Sure, you can add a belt, or some really over-the-top statement jewellery, or a scarf, but when you get down to basics, the dress has good enough bones that it can stand on its own.

As you might be able to tell, this dress is one of those dresses for me. It's a very simple navy dress from Ricochet, with a bit of interest added by the lace insert panels on the shoulders, but I love this kind of outfit in a way that is possibly a little unreasonable. Navy dress, leggings, flat boots, a leather jacket and printed wool scarf? Sounds like a perfect early-spring/summer outfit, right? (Yes, it might be the middle of November, but Wellington's southerly winds know not your "seasons", and today was surprisingly cold. Boots cold.) The octopus necklace is a birthday gift from my best friend - I have a wee bit of a thing for cephalopods, so it's really rather perfect.

Details (click picture for larger version): Navy dress, Ricochet. Black leggings, Glassons. Black suede boots, Mi Piaci. Silver octopus necklace, gifted, from Pixel Ink. Pink faux-leather jacket, Dotti. Blue/paisley wool scarf, gifted, via a friend cleaning out her bar's lost-and-found.

Ruffled leather miniskirt: more versatile than you might think

So a wee while ago now, I decided, on somewhat of a whim, to buy a ruffled leather miniskirt from Ricochet. Well. It wasn't really a whim. I'd been contemplating it for a bit, going so far as to ask friends over drinks, "FRIENDS. SHOULD I BUY A LEATHER RUFFLED MINISKIRT, or jeans." Unanimously the answer was MINISKIRT but then the further addendum was a $200 price difference between a good pair of jeans and this skirt. 


AND THEN. AND THEN. My excellent friend from Pearls in Vinegar called me one Saturday afternoon to let me know that said skirt had been reduced from $330 (eesh, a little much to splash out on) to $130, and that she'd taken the opportunity of putting one on hold in my size. Clearly the universe was on my side regarding leather ruffled miniskirts and their place in my wardrobe. (Said excellent friend later took the opportunity to buy her very own leather ruffled miniskirt. She and I have Significant Wardrobe Overlap, which makes for careful pre-event coordination to avoid the terrible awful no-good faux pas of wearing the same item.)


So then I had this miniskirt. And I found myself wondering, "How do I even wear this thing? Is it a party-only thing?"

(Credit to Hyperbole and a Half)

And then I did.

One (one leather miniskirt! Muahahaha!): work-appropriate tailored

This is, I think, the most work-appropriate of my coordinations, involving a cute little Japanese floral cotton jacket belted over the skirt. The jacket is cut with a lovely flared peplum so it sits nicely over the ruffles of the skirt, and with a belt cinching in the waist, it's an excellent emphasising-the-hourglass style. If I worked in a more conservative jacket, I would probably amend this by switching the flat boots for classic black low-heeled court shoes, pull my hair back, and possibly add a black blouse underneath to hide my tattoos, but as it is, it's a lovely crisp look which de-emphasises the sexiness of the skirt while still allowing the leather miniskirt awesomeness to shine through. 

Details (click picture for larger version): Japanese-floral dobby-cotton jacket, DeVol clothing via Frutti. Leather ruffled miniskirt, Ricochet. Opaque tights, supermarket. Black suede boots, Mi Piaci. Black patent belt, Cue. Gold cuff bracelet, vintage via Trademe.

Two (two leather miniskirts! Muahahaha!): party drapery

For a party or going out, keeping the skirt demure isn't a problem, so I coordinated this with a loose singlet and a draped chiffon over-top. Also, a temporary-tattoo fingerstache, because I'm super cool like that. The singlet is actually super-long at the back, so I tucked it up into the waistband of my tights to stop it from showing under the hem (fashion is so hi-tech) and pulled it out from the waistband of the skirt so it fit loosely with a bit of a flash of black bra. I'm a classy, classy lady :P

Details (click picture for larger version): White singlet with black print, Glassons. Leather ruffled miniskirt, Ricochet. Opaque tights, supermarket. Black chiffon over-top, Glassons. Black ankle boots with wood heels, Number One Shoe Warehouse. Amethyst and acorn pendant, Madame Fancy Pants and Trademe. Fingerstache, temporary tattoo, gifted via Ikoiko.

Three (three leather miniskirts! Muahaha... okay I'm bored with this): girly prettiness

This was another work outfit, and I really like the contrast between this delicate, floaty silk/cotton blouse and the leather skirt. Again, in a more conservative workplace I'd probably add a tailored blazer over the top, and possibly switch out the boots for pumps. Also possibly black nail polish might not be appropriate. Sigh. This blouse is adorable, though - it's from Karen Walker, who normally I'm not a big fan of (she overcharges for things made-in-China and not particularly well-made or designed at that, and trades on her big name to do it) but this blouse I love. It's covered in ruffles and a cute little print of wee girls and boys, and I'm always and forever a sucker for a pussy-bow tie.

Details (click picture for larger view): Silk/cotton blouse, Karen Walker. Leather ruffled miniskirt, Ricochet. Black opaque tights, supermarket. Black/brown wedge ankle boots, Mi Piaci.

Four: casual floral comfy

Never let it be said that a leather miniskirt cannot be worn in a casual, comfortable errand-running outfit on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Pearls in Vinegar knows it, and I am totally down with this trend. In fact, because this skirt fits incredibly well over my waist and hips, throwing it on with a pair of tights or leggings, flat boots and a cute t-shirt is actually more comfortable than jeans. It doesn't ride down, it doesn't give me muffin-top, it doesn't have a seam up the inner-leg, and it doesn't wick rain up from the cuffs all the way to the knee (pro-tip: never wear jeans in the rain unless you're tucking them inside boots). You might recognise the print on this t-shirt - I also own a dress version in grey, because when I like a thing, I buy all of it.

Details (click picture for larger version): Black floral t-shirt, Kate Sylvester via Trademe. Leather ruffled miniskirt, Ricochet. Grey marle tights, Glassons. Black suede boots, Mi Piaci. Grey merino draped cardigan, Glassons.

Five: casual Friday cuteness

Why yes, I am coordinating a leather skirt with an adorable Peter-pan collar and pearls. It's how I roll. I probably wouldn't wear this as a normal work coordinate (it's not quite tailored and crisp enough) but for casual Friday it does just perfectly. No jeans-and-a-t-shirt in my casual Friday ensembles, thank you very much.

Details (click picture for larger version): Cream peter-pan collared top, Peter Alexander. Leather ruffled miniskirt, Ricochet. Black opaque tights, supermarket. Black suede boots, Mi Piaci. Gold cuff bracelet, vintage via Trademe. Cream glass pearls, vintage via Trademe.

So what, dear readers, have I learned from my foray into leather miniskirting glory? Apart from the fact that they are awesome, it really is that this skirt is really rather versatile for such a seemingly-niche item. With the addition of judicious tailored items, such as a crisp blazer or jacket, or a demure and pretty ruffled blouse, it becomes work-appropriate, while dressing down with a draped cardigan and t-shirt is remarkably easy. Also, opaque tights or leggings are an absolute must. Ricochet, I am impress.

Daily outfit: grunge fairy with a pop of red

I am fairly insistent on nicknaming this dress "my grunge fairy princess dress". I mean, seriously, it is grey-green-brown ("overcast", according to the tag) chiffon with interestingly assymetrical ruffles and All The Raw Edges. I adore it. Confession: I may have gone back into the shop to layby it again in the black-and-white-acid-wash print version. While wearing this. I couldn't not! This was for a casual Friday, though I'm intrigued about adding a structured jacket over the top to make it a little more business-appropriate. First step: acquire a jacket. I should get on that. Ricochet did have a soft moleskin cropped jacket with an open draped front, but I am somewhat determined not to let them take over my entire wardrobe. Somewhat.

Details (click picture for larger version): Grey chiffon ruffled dress, Ricochet. Black leather belt, Agnes B via Trademe. Black tights, supermarket. Black suede boots, Mi Piaci. Grey layered chain necklace with red beads, Bling, borrowed from my flatmate. Red lipstick, MAC Russian Red.

Daily outfit: cream and blue and a peter pan collar

Look, I'm very nearly wearing a lolita coordinate! I found this cute little top in a sale at Peter Alexander yesterday. It's a super-fancy sleepwear store, and apparently this top can be worn for sleep or during the day but I think it's way too cute to waste in bed. Today was tricksily cold, so a long-sleeved cutsew-esque top, cardigan and boots were definitely necessary to keep warm.

Details (click picture for larger version): Cream top with black peter pan collar, Peter Alexander. Blue Alice-print skirt, Emily Temple Cute, via my alteration. Sheer stockings, supermarket. Black suede boots, Mi Piaci. Red school brooch, Vessel.

Daily outfit: black silk and a white print skirt

A daily outfit from RIGHT NOW! Oh my god. This is what happens when I get up early. Anyway, this is probably the second time I've coordinated this skirt this way - it's a lovely print, but wearing it with light colours makes everything feel entirely too sweet for me, so adding black on top and bottom helps tone everything down a bit. I'm probably wearing this blouse entirely opposite to the way it was designed - it's very drapey, with a batwing cut and a longer drape in the back, so I believe it's probably meant to be worn loose over tight jeans or a fitted skirt. Regardless, I adore it - the print is tiny cream stars and birds, and it's the loveliest floaty silk chiffon. I might have a silk chiffon problem. Perhaps I ought to go to Chiffon Anonymous meetings.

Details (click picture for larger version): Black silk chiffon blouse, Ricochet. Midsummer Night's Dream print skirt, Alice and the Pirates, via my alteration. Black tights, supermarket. Black suede boots, Mi Piaci. Amethyst/gold acorn pendant, amethyst via Trademe, acorn and chain via Madame Fancy Pants. White headband, handmade via Alice and the Pirates fabric from skirt alteration.

A surfeit of styles

World, I am shamefaced. An ENTIRE MONTH without posting once. Seriously, for shame. That said, though, I have been doing Things. Like what? I hear you ask. Weeeeeelllllll, I've been sewing a bit, and working, and hibernating as far away as possible from the cold and wet and wild that is the Wellington winter. Okay, confession, I've pretty much mostly been hibernating. Is Cold. Do Not Like. But finally the build-up of outfit snapshots just became far too much to ignore, so this post is a veritable bevy of outfits, all in vastly different styles. See Vanessa's exposed skin slowly disappear as the days grow ever colder! It's a fun game for all the family, or something.

Okay, I have been doing one other thing. Want a sneak preview? Of course you do. Okay then.

EEEE excitement! Yup, that's the beginnings of my Twinkle Mermaid-inspired half-sleeve right there. I've had more work since then - the frame is now nicely filled in with black - and I'll be starting colour in a couple more weeks. I may not wear lolita anymore, but dammit, that's no reason not to have awesomely pretty mermaids around!

This outfit, according to my photo timestamp, is all the way back from the 27th of May. That is SO LONG AGO, blog world. This outfit is also really super-gothic-black for me, which is a style I've recently been getting into a lot more. Wellington is kind of known for its citizens tending towards nothing but black, and I've always bucked that trend with colour (especially pastels) so it's a little bit weird to finally be doing the minimalistic Black Black Black thing. That said, this dress is amazing - it's a twist on a shirtdress, with button detailing down the sides, an uneven hem line, and SHIRT COLLARS FOR SLEEVES. Seriously, how cool is that?

Details (click picture for larger version): Black shirtdress, Company of Strangers via The Service Depot. Black tights, supermarket. Black suede boots, Mi Piaci. Black patent belt, Cue. Silver arrow pendant with crystal detail, Madame Fancy Pants.

From super-minimal to ultra-luxe and pretty! I wore this to work one day when I was a bit tired of casual dress and wanted to kick it up a notch. Sadly, this (at the beginning of June) was the last time I've been able to wear this blouse - I wanted to wear it today, but when the weather website says it's six degrees with windchill, that is not a day for short-sleeved silk chiffon. EVENTUALLY it will be spring and I will wear it again, OH YES.

Details (click picture for larger version): Black silk chiffon blouse, Sylvester via Kate Sylvester. Caramel/nude lace pencil skirt, Kate Sylvester. Black tights, supermarket. lack faux-leather studded platform ankle boots with wood heels, Number One Shoe Warehouse. Pearl strands, vintage via Trademe. 

Now we get to yesterday! This is one of my recent sewing projects - it's a lined double circle skirt with a black velveteen waistband and a satin bias-binding hem. DOUBLE circle skirt, yes - it's roughly six metres worth of grey Prince of Wales check merino wool suiting, with pleats at the waist. I adore this skirt unreasonably, even though hemming it was an exercise in patience and frustration (I think around 13 metres worth of hem, from memory...) The fabric was in my stash for years, and is the perfect weight for this skirt as it's heavy enough to drape but light enough to swoosh about marvelously as I walk. In addition, I have adorable new boots! The winter sales are on in full force at the moment, and with my tax return burning a hole in my pocket, I couldn't resist cute little ankle boots in brown/black leather ("little" is kind of a misnomer as they're 3.5" wedge heels - I can actually reach things on the top shelf of the pantry!) This outfit had my workmates calling me a schoolgirl, and made me feel like I ought to be wearing a beret and be in some French storybook.

Details (click picture for larger version): White elbow-sleeve collared blouse with black ribbon tie, Sylvester via Kate Sylvester. Black merino jersey-dress, Fred Perry. Grey merino check skirt, handmade. Black tights, supermarket. Brown/black wedge ankle boots, Mi Piaci. Victorian-girl necklace, gifted. Red lipstick, MAC Russian Red.

And finally, today's outfit! I've very recently been on a chiffon maxi-skirt kick - Glassons (which I guess would be very similar to Forever 21) has had a few really lovely-for-the-price varieties in, so as well as this long, gathered black chiffon version (which depending on the light is rather more transparent than in this photo), I also recently acquired a nutmeg-brown-with-black-waistband-and-knife-pleats option. ALL THE MAXI-SKIRTS. I've also, as you might be able to see here, satisfied (for now) my desire for raw crystal, in the form of this citrine pendant, as well as a similar version in amethyst. I am now (according to my somewhat snarky flatmate) well-protected against psychic attack! Regardless, I now have acceptable levels of shiny crystal pendanty things, although I'm still gearing up for a giant knuckleduster of a ring eventually.

Details (click picture for larger version): Black merino top with kimono-print sleeve detail, Frutti. Black chiffon maxi-skirt, Glassons. Black tights, supermarket. Black/brown wedge ankle boots, Mi Piaci. Brown belt, Glassons. Raw citrine pendant, Etsy.

Double daily outfit: All boots all the time!

This was a couple of weeks ago and was for a casual day at work. I really like how the patterned sleeves of this top add a pop of colour to an otherwise quite monochrome outfit. Also, boots! I lived in these pretty much daily last winter, and I suspect much the same will happen this winter.

Details (click picture for larger version): Black merino top with kimono-print sleeve detail, Frutti. Black embroidered skirt, Dotti, via Trademe. Brown belt, Pagani. Black tights, supermarket. Brown slouchy boots, Overland Shoes. Black cotton textured scarf, vintage, gifted. Gold acorn pendant, gifted.

I really, really like this outfit - it's extremely comfortable, perfect layering for this time of year and in my opinion is super cute! Pro-tip: this dress has a slightly high waistline, about two inches above my natural waist, and I find that belting at this point makes your legs look extra-long even in flat shoes. The More You Know (sparkly rainbow). Speaking of flat shoes, these are my New Boots and I utterly adore them. Winter does have its good points, and one of them is being able to live in knee-high leather/suede boots for six months.

It's not hugely noticeable, but this was also the day after I had my hair cut and COLOURED, oh gosh! I've never dyed my hair in the past (up until just under a year ago, I had super SUPER long hair down to my hips, so I was a bit iffy about dye) but I really like the effect. My hairdresser put fine foils of a darker copper right through, and it's darkened it up to a lovely rich red for winter. 

Details (click picture for larger version): Black merino top with ruched sleeve detail, Glassons. Blue/black tartan dress, Primark. Black patent belt, Cue. Black tights, supermarket. Black suede boots, Mi Piaci. Paisley silk scarf, borrowed from my flatmate. Knit hat, Glassons. Brown tooled handbag, vintage via Trademe.