Black velvet if you please
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In Personal Style, Vintage & Thrift finds By tamia

Black velvet if you please

Do you ever forget you own stuff? Sometimes I come across a blouse or a dress or a pair of shoes I forgot even existed, and a weird shameful/joyful feeling of discovery washes over me. On one hand, there’s the “Woo-hoo, more clothes! It’s like I went shopping!” feeling; on the other hand, I wonder why I get to have so much that I forget about it, when other people surely need more. Still trying to figure that out.

I came across a vintage velvet suit I got from a former co-worker when I was going through some random bags in my closet, and was immediately reminded of the black velvet looks on the runway at Chloe:

Making it work

Hmm…I was hesitant at first, but I figured there was a way to make the Sassoon suit a bit more modern. Though I have an unreasonable aversion to suits (something about two-piece dressing doesn’t sit well with me), I figured if I wore the jacket and skirt separately I’d get more wear out of them and avoid looking completely retro.

I paired the skirt with a sparkly cardigan, lacy hose, and velvet heels.

Vintage cardigan, skirt, and heels; Hustler tights; thrifted belt.

I wore the jacket with high-waisted harem pants and vintage clip-on earrings. Damn, I have a lot of vintage!

Vintage jacket, ASOS trousers, vintage heels

Interestingly enough, the suit, cardigan, and heels all came from the same coworker. Thanks, Patti!

Walkin’ on velvet

Do you ever come across forgotten treasures? What do you do with them?

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8 Comments

  • Fajr | Stylish Thought

    January 25, 2010 at 9:16 am

    Love it! Suits always work best as separates!

    • tamia

      January 27, 2010 at 4:47 pm

      Agreed!

  • Charlene

    January 25, 2010 at 11:27 am

    How I envy how much vintage you’re rocking! I’m in love with those lacy tights, but both outfits are gorgeous. 🙂

    • tamia

      January 27, 2010 at 4:46 pm

      Thanks, Charlene! I didn’t realize how much of it was vintage until I started listing items. I usually try to mix it up a little more.

      Oops.

  • Tamu

    January 25, 2010 at 4:12 pm

    GORGEOUS! Even more so because it’s something that I could see myself duplicating and feeling so cute in!
    The straight hair is perfect for both looks.

    • tamia

      January 27, 2010 at 4:45 pm

      Thanks, Tamu!

  • Christen

    January 25, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    I’m loving how you “made it work.” I totally agree about breaking up pieces of an outdated (or vintage) suit. I recently did it with a suede suit my mom gave me and it totally made it look modern.

    I have a full, floor-length crushed black velvet skirt from the 80s. Still a little lost as to how to wear it. So, if you have any genius ideas, let me know!

    • tamia

      January 27, 2010 at 4:44 pm

      Ooh, that skirt sounds gorgeous Christen! I have an ankle-length full skirt that I like to wear with:
      A fitted black turtleneck and wide belt, or
      A basic tank and cropped blazer, or
      A slouchy off-the-shoulder tee and chunky necklace.

      Depending on the season, I wear either knee-high boots or platform heels. The key is to define your waist–either with a belt or some sort of scarf.