This was an outfit I wore during the Christmas-to-New-Year “break” when I had to go to work. Considering how quiet the office was, I figured I could get away with more, um, creative outfits. So I threw together a bunch of old pieces that normally don’t get a ton of wear and, hey presto! An outfit everyone loved. Hmm …
The silver shoes are at least 6 or 7 years old, purchased for $5 at the old C’est Cera outlet on 111th St. (Who remembers that?) The dress came to me from the lovely Lou, and it’s one of the best constructed shirt dresses ever. I highly recommend checking out Boden on eBay to look for something similar; secondhand prices are (or were) quite reasonable. The jacket is about 5-year old Anthro, one of the few pieces I’ve ever bought in store. I had never worn it much, and it was the wrong size for a while, so I tried to sell it for ages … without any luck. Must be a sign. It goes perfectly with my most recent beading project.
I’ve been looking for a thistle brooch for a long time (don’t ask me why), so I eventually decided to make my own. It turned out … interesting. Well, at the very least, it looks like a form of plant life, right? Right.
I’ve historically had a really hard time finding dresses being petite and busty with a not proportionally small waist, but Boden’s sizing just fits me spot on and it’s been amazing buying dresses from them! I also don’t have the problem of my bra showing on the side because the arm holes are too low with all of the dresses I’ve ordered from them, which is a problem I have had with pretty much every other brand of dresses I’ve ever bought in the last couple of years.
I love the brooch – it’s really pretty!
I really wish I had easier access to Boden here in Canada, but we have no stores and I’m not sure they even ship here (which is besides the point, because the prices are quite high considering the current exchange rate). So I live for secondhand Boden. I’ve started seeing it in thrift stores a bit more often, and I’m so thrilled.
Great outfit! I really like the jacket with all its unique details. I also like the dress a lot. I’ve vaguely thought about trying out items from Boden, though I’d have to figure out my sizing.
I can’t speak across the brand (Lou can do that, she’s a Boden aficionado), but I have liked all of the pieces that I’ve tried so far.
Your brooch is great! I spotted that was a thistle instantly. I live in Edinburgh, Scotland so if you need any confirmation I reckon that should count, haha!
Thank you – that’s great to hear!! (and hello from across the Pond *waves*)
Love the thistle! It goes perfectly with the jacket – the jacket is also quite stunning. You should pair the thistle with your plaid skirt for Robbie Burns day later this month. 🙂
I was trying to remember when Robbie Burns day was! I absolutely will wear the brooch again for that 🙂
I love the pin, it looks exactly like a thistle! The Thistle & Wool would be a great name for a pub, I’d have a whiskey there for sure.
Haha, thanks! There probably is a pub, somewhere in the world, called that.
Unrelated sidenote: I momentarily got confused between “thistle” and “thimble” and wondered if I had used the wrong word. But Thimble & Wool would make for a cozy-sounding tea room, I think.
Oh I’m glad you still have this dress! I did wonder if it hadn’t made the cut when you’d been culling lately as you’d not worn it for a while. Looking good – love the shoes, they look like dancing shoes 🙂
I love it! Wouldn’t trade it for anything. I don’t wear it very often, but then every time I do, I wonder why I don’t wear more, hehe