Last Days of Leather and Lace

I am almost certain that this marks the last day of warmth and sun in my hometown in Ohio. Daylight Savings has arrived and I confess that I have been sluggish and ravenous when it comes to food. During this time of year, I always wish that I could hibernate in the apartment with lots of hot lemon tea, Chinese takeout, and hours and hours of TCM marathons and reading neglected books. 

I decided to simply bask in this last day of warmth and prepare as best I can for the Dark Days (aka post Daylight Savings Days). So I am presenting on this blog my final fit before we are all completely covered in layers and layers of clothing.

I want to preface this by saying that I absolutely love mixing textures, patterns, and opposite clothing types. I love vintage but I do not stick to one period and I like to mix modern / vintage / retro / reproductions and everything in between. I think that the mixture of unlikely things creates interesting fashion and gives a personal touch to every look. With that being said, leather and lace are one of my favorite mixes. I admit to you dear reader, that I do not dress in a sexy way at all. My ultimate style icons are the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Dorothy Dandridge less Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren. Lately I've been on a quest to get out of my comfort zone and start incorporating more form fitting looks into my wardrobe. Sometimes it's nice to shake things up wardrobe wise and it's given me so much confidence lately!

This look consists of probably my favorite pair of pants that I own. I bought these vintage black high-waisted pleated leather pants from one of my favorite vintage shops, Vintage Fashion Cleveland. For contrast, I paired them with this pretty purple and black lacy camisole (probably best worn in the boudoir) that was gifted to me by my dear friend and fellow Costume Designer, Lady Jen Ryan. The dangly black earrings I'm wearing were thrifted from Volunteers of America (I actually used these for my Morticia Addams in a production of Addams Family). I wore my modern (vintage looking) black short shearling coat and black ankle boots to finish off the outfit. This was a look I put together for opening night of a show I costumed and wardrobed at Dobama Theatre titled Wakey, Wakey. I thought it was the perfect premiere look!

I know I was a bit pessimistic about winter at the beginning of the post so I will end by saying; while I'm not a huge fan of Winter, I am SUPER excited for the holidays! Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years fill me with optimism. I love spending quality time with family and friends, gift giving, holiday decorating, and jamming out to Christmas tunes way too early (or way after Christmas has ended). I have some awesome posts coming up soon with some holiday cocktail and food recipes from vintage cookbooks. I may also have some things available soon that would serve as awesome vintage gifts for your loved ones (or for yourself)!

Hope you all enjoyed this little outfit post and I will see you next week!

Photographs taken by: Ashley Young.