Blouse, skirt & cardigan, J. Crew (via consignment); shoes, Stuart Weitzman (via consignment); bag, Louis Vuitton (via consignment)
Blouse, skirt & cardigan, J. Crew (via consignment); shoes, Stuart Weitzman (via consignment); bag, Louis Vuitton (via consignment)

A head-to-toe consignment look! The pieces are of various vintages, but they came together quite nicely … in my closet. Hehe! Burgundy is one of my power colours, and I love wearing it as a “neutral”. It’s a nice substitute for black, I think.

looking wine ... errr, fine
looking wine … errr, fine
focus on burgundy
focus on burgundy

The J. Crew pieces are all pretty classic albeit basic, but they’re “fancied up” by the shoes and bag. And that’s my not-so-secret secret to looking polished at the office. I’m firmly in the camp whose motto is “expensive shoes and bags make everything better” – including mall clothing. I might get that embroidered on a pillow or something. Of course, the “expensive” would be in literal quotes because you know I don’t pay retail if I can help it.

OK, no more puns
OK, no more puns

6 Comments on Frilly Filly

  1. I love your thrift/consignment finds, every time I read your posts I lament the lack of those shops where I live. Of course there are a couple around here, but the reviews I’ve read mention the near full prices they charge so I haven’t bothered. Anyhow, do you find that you only find older styles/models of shoes in thrift shops? Meaning rounder toes? Or do you not like pointy toes, I feel like for heels non-pointy toes don’t seem very ‘modern’.

    • It really depends on the thrift store. Some tend to be the “old school thrift stores” (donations from older clientele, so clothing styles are more vintage-y), while others have tons of current stuff. Consignment stores, by and large, only have current stuff. These shoes are a current Stuart Weitzman style, for example (Strongswoon, I believe is the name).

      I like both pointy and almond-toe shoes like this pair (a rounded point, if you will). Pointy shoes are sexier, the almond-toe ones are more classic/elegant, in my opinion – but YMMV for sure.

      I don’t wear a ton of vintage clothing or shoes, but there can be gems. Vintage Ferragamo shoes, for example, are wonderful, IMO. And I love vintage dresses as well. The “older” thrift stores can also be a treasure trove of mid-century home goods, which I also love. It really depends on what you like, and not just in terms of clothing.

      Edited to add: both clothes and shoes that are vintage (pre-1980s) tend to run quite small, so that can be a challenge as well. I am a straight size, so I can fit into some vintage dresses, but I have trouble finding shoes that are big enough for my size 9-9.5 feet 🙁

  2. Love this look! It’s so feminine and pretty yet still appropriate for work. I think it’s the ruffles and the floral that really make it work for me; although I love burgundy too.