Lily and the Lamplight and Miracle Eye both make such beautiful clothes, I don’t know which piece to talk about first! I’ve never bought from Lily and the Lamplight before, but I’ve had my eye on their animal print skirts for a long time. I don’t usually buy skirts in this style or length. The A-line cut doesn’t always sit right on my plentiful hips, but I think I get away with it here. My comfort zone is definitely with knee length or maxi skirts because then I feel good about wearing them to work! I am not anti-mini-skirt in the slightest, but I find it distracting to be worrying about my hemline when I’m trying to get on with my day.
I actually asked the makers to add a couple of inches to the bottom for me, and I’m glad I did. It’s amazing ordering from handmade local businesses, who can tailor their clothes to your specific size. My other faves (Miracle Eye and Velvet Cave) offer the same service! You’ll be pleased with me – I tried something new and wore this short (for me) skirt to work a couple of times and it actually wasn’t too bad. I feel very office-bitch chic in it, which is definitely a new experience for me. I’m usually more scruffy pyjama chic, which has its place too.
I’ve been a long-time fan of Miracle Eye. I visited their irl store in LA last September and came away with as much as my credit card would allow. This amazing handmade jacket is the best of a very excellent shopping trip. Their store is a haven for 70s-style vintage obsessives like me. I spent two hours browsing and trying things on, serenaded by the Beach Boys on vinyl. For some reason we had a very mild weekend in January which allowed me to wear this as my main coat, but it is generally too cold for that. I am itching for spring jacket weather so I can live in this thing. It is the faux-fur-tapestry-suede jacket of my dreams. I feel like I should be in Almost Famous, and it even has practical pockets!
Outfit Details: Skirt, Lily and the Lamplight / Roll Neck, Unlabelled (Gift) / Jacket, Miracle Eye / Boots, Public Desire / Lipstick, Kat von D (Vampira)
If you remember, one of my resolutions this year was to stop buying clothes from sweatshops. This week I bought new clothes for the first time since December. I picked up a vintage slip dress and ordered a handmade pair of cord flares from Velvet Cave. I know that’s not a small amount of shopping for two months, but I do feel like I’ve been buying less since I made that decision! I’m having a severe fishnet shortage and I still can’t figure out whether M&S Made in the UK tights are safe to buy – any advice out there?
I’m feeling strange about posting these shoes on the blog since they were almost certainly made in a sweatshop. When I’ve thought about ethical fashion in the past, shoes haven’t been a consideration. I now realize that all of my shoes were probably made in unethical conditions and, you know, I need to wear shoes. Ethical shoe companies are few and far between so I suppose I’ll scour Etsy for some vintage stomps when I’m in need of a new pair. I hope you’re enjoying updates on my sweatshop-free journey. Progress is slow so far!
Always looking so lovely and beautiful. I wish you a wonderful weekend
I know nothing about clothing or fashion. You naming a store in LA have me like “What?” I love shopping local, I just usually can’t afford boutique prices. Modcloth has a section of clothing on their website that’s made in the USA.
I’m itching for Spring as well. Love the outfit.
I am loving this coat on you! Red is your colour!
xo
Siffat
http://icingandglitter.com
Progress is progress. Baby steps count.
Though this is bigger than baby! That jacket absolutely reminds me of almost famous too. Though I still have not seen it! Crazypants. I love the skirt and it’s so great that you can get it altered a bit to be longer, etc. That’s awesome. I’m glad you’re feeling comfortable wearing it in the office. 
XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
So crazy about this look, especially that stunning coat. Love the 60s vibes so much.
Rae | LFB Blogazine
i love the skirt, and the jacket looks amazing on you as well! it sounds like your swetshop-free shopping is going well:-) i’d love to do something like that and think i will sometime in the future – or at least start transitioning into more ethical fashion/clothing. i think it’d also encourage me to sew more again which i’ve not done in absolute ages! xx
really lovely outfit, that coat is beautiful!!
http://www.marylee31.blogspot.com
That jacket is everything!! Red looks wonderful on you
You’re definitely having an Almost Famous moment in this look! I adore that coat, how fabulous!
I’d recommend The Third Kind in north london (whenever you’re next down here) for shoes – all their stuff is vegan and ethically sourced. It’s pricey but if you’re cutting down on spending then I think it’s justified? I feel like we’re on a similar wave-length with these kind of things – I buy maybe one pair of shoes a year (or less) and don’t mind spending £50+ because I’m expecting it to last for the next 8-10 years. (Also, that shop is round the corner from me so hit me up if you do go). I also like vintage shoes, there’s a place in Camden with loads of amazing pairs.
Also, this skirt is amazing! I’m very much a miniskirt, animal print kind of person and was looking at the pictures thinking “I love that but it looks a bit long”. Now I’ve read you asked for some extra inches I’ll have to look into getting a shortened one for myself hahaa. xx
omg that jacket is so darn cute!!!
-Didier
http://www.didieryhc.com
I love the red velvet with the leopard print skirt. Super chic and inspired! Stay classy lady.
❤︎
Dakota D.
http://fannypacksandvisors.com
Instagram/Twitter: @missdsquared413