Closet Surprise-Plaid Western Shirt With Formal Skirt...I Didn't Think It Would Work

I admit it.
Sometimes I hang out in my closet and try on combinations of clothing that I would never normally wear, (usually before bed when I'm trying to get an idea for what to wear to work the next day.) And when I see other bloggers who are daring enough to pull off seemingly crazy pairings, I wonder to myself, could I do something like that? Usually the answer is no. But today...
Ok, this one is brave for me.
With all the different pieces I'm wearing, I feel like technically this outfit shouldn't work...

Yet, oddly enough, I like how it looks. The mixing of the plaid western shirt and metallic tweed skirt are an unlikely coupling but the smaller print of the top works well with the texture on the bottom...

You can't tell from this photo, but there's a thick silver metallic thread that runs through it and it's a little on the stiff side, which actually makes the skirt a tad more "cocktail hour" than day wear, (but I wanted to wear it to work.)
And I'm not sure if you can see it in this picture...

but the pleats are perfect for tucking a button (or in this case snap) down shirt. (I love a good pencil skirt but it you're all lumpy from a tuck in, forget it! It just ruins the whole look!)

Anyway I could have gone the simple route and worn a black top of some kind (you know I have tons!) but the thrifted/gifted shirt- a vintage Rustler by Wrangler- keeps the look from feeling less uptight, maybe even a little playful.

What surprises have come out of your closet?
J.