Tag Archives: velvet

December 1, 2013 · 5:13 pm

Velvet Biker Jacket

I love the look of a classic biker jacket–you know, like James Dean or Marlon Brando used to wear. I recently went to an exhibit at Experience Music Project about the rock ‘n’ roll aspect of this style of jacket. I was blown away at how versatile this iconic piece is. Everyone from Joan Jett to Michael Jackson has been seen in the “antihero’s anti-sportcoat.”

The motorcycle jacket can be hardcore punk or art piece. What started as protective gear and became associated with outlaws and rebellion is now a fashion statement.

I’ve sworn off leather, and I do have a few faux leather jackets, but I also like the idea of reworking a classic in new ways. So when I saw this velvet version I snapped it up.

Jacket: Forever 21
Tank top: Target
Sweater: Target
Jeans: Just USA
Shoes: Consignment

Black is the classic color, but I really liked the brown. Next up: hot pink! I’d like a biker jacket in a thick cotton knit or even denim! There are so many options. You can wear them with jeans or a dress and they’re always in style.

Do you have a biker jacket?

I’m joining Visible Monday and Monday Bloom today. Check out what everyone else is wearing!

16 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Music

Tagged as biker jacket, fashion, jacket, motorcycle jacket, style, vegan, velvet

October 10, 2013 · 9:52 pm

Stripes, Florals, and Orange Pants

I wear these orange pants a lot, but they’re surprisingly versatile, and I always seems to find new ways to style them.

So for now, they’re staying in rotation.

Top: Marshall’s
Pants: Dickies
Shoes: Kimchi
Scarf: Swapped

This time, I wore them with a striped top and floral scarf. Scarves, I find, are a subtle way of pattern mixing and incorporating extra color into an outfit. My scarf has orange in it so it’s still a coordinated look. And aren’t stripes practically a neutral?

And since I was going with the orange and navy theme (possibly my favorite color combo), I thought I’d throw on some blue velvet shoes! Sometimes faux leather is boring and I love incorporating other textures into my footwear, like satin, embroidery, embellishments, and now velvet!

These pants were originally boot cut but I felt like they weren’t long enough for that style so I tapered the leg and turned them into skinnies. They aren’t real peg legs, but they’re definitely not boot cut anymore. It’s actually a simple alteration–and you can use an existing pair of slim cut pants as your guide!

I’ve joined Lena B Actually and Rachel the Hat for their Passion for Fashion linkup. Have a look at what everyone else is wearing!

19 Comments

Filed under DIY, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as DIY, fashion, orange pants, skinny jeans, style, thrifty fashion, velvet

November 28, 2012 · 11:16 pm

Glazed Denim and Velvet

I’ve been digging the glazed denim that’s hit the stores recently. And when I saw these at Zara in Vancouver, I snagged them. Glazed denim looks almost leather and is a great vegan alternative. It’s more affordable than leather too. Plus it stretches and is machine washable. And an added bonus: chocolate wipes off it in a snap (don’t ask).

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Blazer: Doki-Geki
Shirt: Loving Eco
Glazed jeans: Zara
Shoes: Old Navy
Purse: Crystalyn Kae
Rubber bangles: eBay

Coincidentally, my purse is made of glazed fabric too. It has a leathery sheen, but it isn’t (making this 100% vegan outfit!).

I wore my new glazed denim skinnies with an old velvet blazer and an asymmetrical striped shirt I bought last winter. Have you heard of glazed denim? Do you have/want some?

2 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion

Tagged as fashion, glazed denim, jeans, skinny jeans, style, vegan, velvet

December 11, 2011 · 7:22 am

Dress Up, Dress Down: Black Velvet

About the same time as the movie Blue Velvet came out, this dress was made. It was an amazing film: dark, disturbing, and fantastic. I was 15 when I saw it and it opened up my eyes to a world of movies I’d never heard of. I have been a fan of David Lynch ever since.

I didn’t buy my frock back then; I bid on it a few weeks ago on eBay. I made a video about how to buy vintage on eBay. This was one of those finds. It’s a Diane von Furstenberg. Unlike her signature wrap dresses, which I’m always outbid on, people don’t look for her other pieces as often, it seems.

I thought I could dress this up for dinner and a show. Something like this.

Dress: Diane von Furstenberg via eBay
Tights: Betsey Johnson
Shoes: Manolo Blahniks via consignment
Vegan purse: Vamp Bags
Necklace: Forever 21
Cuff: Claire’s

I can also dress it down too, for dinner and dancing.

Dress: DVF via eBay
Tights: Target
Shoes: Swapped
Scarf: Labels Consignment
Earrings: Sears
Jelly bracelets: eBay

I wore this last night when I went dancing for part two of my 40th birthday bash. I had on blue tights and flats. (Dancing in heels on Thursday was tough. I can’t do that twice a week!) I’ll post pictures of the dancing outfit soon.

1 Comment

Filed under Dress Up Dress Down, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as dress, ethical fashion, fashion, style, thrifty fashion, tights, velvet, vintage

November 14, 2011 · 6:34 am

Playing with Texture: Metallic and Velvet

Talk about rule-breaking! I’ve gone out on a limb with this fun get-up and I don’t regret it. I saw these silver boots online and thought, “why not?” They’re comfortable and futuristic. I threw on my purple velvet shorts again. (I have to prove that the purchase wasn’t a bad idea, and it isn’t. I just want to wear these often enough to get the cost-per-wear low enough to justify the impulse.)

Blazer: Smart Set via Goodwill
Tank: Gifted
Shorts: Lulu’s
Belt: Target
Tights: Target
Socks: Sock Dreams
Boots: Dirty Laundry

The blazer pulls the outfit together. It’s still crazy, but I feel really cutting-edge wearing this. I love the color of the shorts and find the shades of gray tones things down a bit.

I grabbed this tank out of my tank drawer and thought it added the right pop of light-and-bright. I wore this out with my crafting friends, but I’d wear it almost anywhere: shopping, the movies, sightseeing. It’s versatile and relaxed but more interesting than jeans and a T.

Do you wear unorthodox outfits? What’s a fashion risk you’ve taken lately?

5 Comments

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as blazer, fashion, shorts, style, thrifty fashion, tights, vegan boots, velvet

October 26, 2011 · 6:25 am

Jewel Tones for Fall

Here’s another shorts-and-tights combo. I feel like a pirate or member of royalty in this outfit. It’s mostly because of the luscious materials and rich colors than the style. I know I’m being reckless with these purple velvet shorts, but I couldn’t help myself.

Sweater: Papaya
Tank: Wet Seal
Shorts: LuLu’s
Tights: Nordstrom
Bag: Frye via thrifted
Earrings and cuff: Premier
Boots: Khrio

I just loved these boots when I saw them deeply discounted at a boutique about to go out of business. I try to branch out and experiment with color. It’s just too easy to fall back to black all the time. The dark green is unexpected and fairly versatile, and I’ve worn them often.

Do you have any unexpected colors of shoes or coats or things that people usually buy in basic black?

Weekend day trip

I’ve been really into moss lately. I know that sounds weird, but I love it. The color, the texture. It’s nature’s velvet. Fortunately, in the Pacific Northwest, there’s no shortage of moss. So today, on my mini road trip, I took pictures of mossy things. Here’s what I wore, followed by the pictures I took.

Jacket: Doki Geki
Scarf: Street vendor in Seattle
Jeans: Citizens of Humanity
Shoes: Aerosoles

I wore a purple velvet jacket and a denim-blue and white scarf. To brighten up the outfit (and not have everything matchy-matchy), I contrasted the look with bright yellow shoes. If you had told me at this time last year that I’d be the proud owner of yellow shoes, I wouldn’t have believe you. I love these heels! They’re comfortable and cheery and go with a lot.