Seeing Red - Red with Tan - Velvet Jacket

(For those of you who entered the Bloggiversary Givaway, be sure to read to the bottom to see who won.)

As I was preparing for this series, I knew there were certain pieces I wanted to feature. Today’s red velvet jacket is one of those. This thrifted Briggs NY blazer is such a fun and unique piece. I originally got it as a holiday blazer when I was doing my 20 Days of Christmas series back in 2018. You can see the post featuring that Christmas outfit here. I wanted to be able to style this jacket in another way and what better than to wear it for the month of February. Whether you celebrate Valentines Day or are wearing red for Heart Disease awareness month, a red jacket, or blazer is a great way to do it.

Let me share a style secret with you. I typically don’t button or zip my sweaters or blazers. If I am using a piece as outerwear, then I do want to be able to zip or button it. More often though, I add a jacket or sweater as a layering piece for warmth, but leave it open, so the under layer, whether it be a graphic tee, button up or a textured sweater like the one in this outfit, can be seen. That also allows any necklaces or scarves to be an added focal point in the outfit. This blazer is too tight, but it fits well through the shoulders and back so I bought it, knowing this is exactly how I would wear it. The fashion gurus might say I am committing a crime worthy of jail, but I don’t care. After all, part of the reason many of us blog about fashion is to remind people to wear what makes you feel good and is completely you.

Just like the red and black of last week’s post, red and tan also make a wonderful statement. My tan Sonoma sweater is older than the hills. I don’t wear it too often, but it goes with so many things and was the perfect topper for this recently thrifted Worthington skirt. I like that the sweater is an open weave, so I can layer any cardi under it and you’ll be able to see the color. For this outfit I just did white, but it would have worked well with black or red too.

I fell in love with this skirt when I saw it. I have way too many skirts and don’t wear them very often at all, but I like having them, if just for the sake of showing you outfits on the blog. Plus, I like to have choices. My problem is, I have too many choices. Ha, ha. Anyway, the skirt is easy on and easy off with an elastic waist. It is a medium weight swingy knit. I wasn’t sure about the pattern at first, and even when I put it on and looked in the mirror I wasn’t sure if it would make me look too wide on the bottom, but I think the diagonal pattern works well for both narrow and fat bottomed girls. ( Do you hear Freddy Mercury singing, “Fat bottomed girls make the rockin’ world go round”?)

I found this fun necklace on clearance at Meijer. The pretty leaf is what sold me.

I also chose my bracelet with the gray stone and my silver clutch.

The same suede Aerosoles that I wore in last week’s post are making another appearance. I opted for the black hose for two reasons. With the black shoes, they make my legs look longer and thinner. In addition, the fact that it is still winter and they were a heavier weight seemed like a good choice.

What do you think of this outfit? Do wear printed skirts or do you choose to wear only solids on your bottom half? Do you like your sweaters and jackets to be worn closed or open? I’d love to hear your thoughts

For those of you who entered my Bloggiversary giveaway, thank you so much for participating. I didn’t get nearly the response I did last year, so I’m not sure if people are just too busy, or if a Target gift card isn’t that big of a draw. Ha, ha. Anyway, for those who took the time and my one new person who subscribed, thank you, thank you, thank you. You all are truly the reason I keep doing this. I also want to say thanks for your kind remarks. You all made my day and my week.

The winner of the $30 Target gift card is Karen Anderson. Congratulations, Karen!

Thanks again, everyone who supports the blog. Have a great Tuesday.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

I’m including a few shopping links for red blazers and jackets, just in case you find your closet lacking. Have fun shopping. These are affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

20 Days of Christmas - Red Velvet Jacket

When you think of Christmas style, what piece in your wardrobe do you think of? Is it a bright green dress, an ugly Christmas sweater or maybe a classic holiday vest with jingle bells and bits of bling? One fabric that always says Christmas and holiday gatherings to me is velvet, or the faux version that we see everywhere these days. The original manufacture of velvet was a complicated and costly process and traditionally was made from silk. Today’s velvet is manufactured at much lower cost, on large machines and is made of various types of fabrics including polyester, nylon, viscose and even spandex. Many of the pieces that make it into our wardrobe in the form of tops are these types and are known as “stretch velvet.”

I found this gorgeous red, velvet jacket at a thrift store and fell in love. The color, the fit and the fact that it is made of velvet compelled me to try it on and once I did, I knew I would be styling it for Christmas and other days throughout the winter. This blazer is a brand called Briggs New York.

I wanted a festive, but casual look with an edge, so I chose my Sonoma camo jeans. I also added a recently purchased long sleeve Croft and Barrow striped tee from Kohl’s. Thanksgiving weekend and the week following are great times to find essentials for yourself while you are shopping for everyone else. Long sleeve tees are sold at great prices, so you can pick up a few. Ha, ha.

I couldn’t make up my mind for jewelry so I went with two necklaces for a layered look. Even though the greens on the necklaces don’t match and the metals are different I think it works.

Since I went with dual necklaces, I went for dual bracelets as well and once again mixed silver and gold. If Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman can do it, why can’t I? I also used my daughter’s minty green clutch. Thank you, Rebecca!

My olive green SO ankle boots are making another appearance. I rolled the hem on my jeans so that the whole boot shows. I like the cut out on these. It makes the boot more interesting and also makes them easier to walk in and easier to get on an off. These have an inside zipper as well. You can see these similar ones at Kohl’s. Right now they are marked down from $49.99 to $34.99. Unfortunately they no longer have olive colored ones. But here are a few olive pairs from Francesca’s, Old Navy and these Sonoma ones at Kohl’s.

One thing I have learned from doing this 20 Days of Christmas Challenge is that many clothing pieces have greater potential than we realize. Who would have ever thought to use camouflage jeans in a Christmas outfit? I’m sure someone thought of it before me, but to me it was new. It has also made me rethink pattern mixing. I love this combination of red stripes with the camo. I also really liked the festive look of last week’s, Eva Trends dress with my plaid shawl/vest. You can see that post here.

What do you think of this outfit? Would you wear something like this to a Christmas get together?

For those of you who regularly get my emails, I apologize for not sending an email out last week. I have been swamped with work, family responsibilities and Christmas gatherings and preparations. I haven’t forgotten about you and you all are the reason I keep doing this, so thank you. If you don’t get an email, just go to the blog and check for new content. I appreciate it.

Have a great Tuesday everyone.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve added a few shopping links for all things red velvet. These are affiliate links. If you click on a link, I get a few pennies. I appreciate every click. All opinions are my own.