Purchases
I bought a short autumn coat a week and a half ago. It was on sale, so I got it even though I didn't quite like the shiny brass buttons, figuring I might find nicer buttons at the haberdasher's. I had to remove all the buttons anyway, since buttons are never sewn on properly these days -- two of them came off in the shop as I was trying on the coat.
I did find nicer buttons at the haberdasher's, as it happened, but there were 16 buttons on the coat, and only 15 buttons of the model I liked in the correct size, so I cheated and got smaller buttons for the side straps (which are purely decorative, anyway). I also decided to add some petersham "ribs" to the front to make it less modern-army-like and more victorian-ish.
As you can see, I'm also adding some ribbons to the sleeve-ends. Maybe I'll add a ribbon to the bottom too, not sure yet. I think that might make it look a little more vintage lady-like, and a little less army jacket.
And now I have something like 18 shiny brass buttons left over. Could come in handy at some point, I guess...
LOOKIT PRITTY BUTTONZ:
A couple of days ago, I also bought a new pair of boots. These, in fact:
On the plus side, they are real leather boots, and of a Swedish brand that you can't find in most of the big chains. On the minus side, zippers. On the other hand, I'd probably have to wait for years before I could find nice steamy-looking real-leather lace-up boots that don't have zippers AND at an affordable price.
Still, they did cost a bit, and now I have retail angst. I can still return them to the shop. SHOULD I, OH WISE FLIST? Or are they too cool for returning?
I did find nicer buttons at the haberdasher's, as it happened, but there were 16 buttons on the coat, and only 15 buttons of the model I liked in the correct size, so I cheated and got smaller buttons for the side straps (which are purely decorative, anyway). I also decided to add some petersham "ribs" to the front to make it less modern-army-like and more victorian-ish.
As you can see, I'm also adding some ribbons to the sleeve-ends. Maybe I'll add a ribbon to the bottom too, not sure yet. I think that might make it look a little more vintage lady-like, and a little less army jacket.
And now I have something like 18 shiny brass buttons left over. Could come in handy at some point, I guess...
LOOKIT PRITTY BUTTONZ:
A couple of days ago, I also bought a new pair of boots. These, in fact:
On the plus side, they are real leather boots, and of a Swedish brand that you can't find in most of the big chains. On the minus side, zippers. On the other hand, I'd probably have to wait for years before I could find nice steamy-looking real-leather lace-up boots that don't have zippers AND at an affordable price.
Still, they did cost a bit, and now I have retail angst. I can still return them to the shop. SHOULD I, OH WISE FLIST? Or are they too cool for returning?