What I Wore: November 5-11, 2018

Corporate Goth, Redux

As soon as I spotted this Sarah Pacini tunic thing at the thrifts, I knew I had to have it. It’s weird and unique, and perfect for layering. Outside-the-box layering is one of my obsessions du jour. Wearing head-to-toe black is another. Architectural angles and lines keep things interesting, as does playing with different textures. A piece like this tunic has so much potential, in both regards. And black is the safest colour, when you’re taking risks.

This Smythe blazer wasn’t a favourite until recently, when I started to explore some new silhouettes. I don’t like its sharp shoulders and hyper-tailored lines paired with slim fitting pieces – pencil skirts and cigarette pants – but I think they look great juxtaposed with softer, more fluid pieces. The other thing I’ve come to learn about Smythe is that the shoulder fit is the most important; if I wear a size too large, even if the blazer as a whole looks fine, it makes me look like a linebacker. As it is, a strong shoulder is not an everyday lewk for me, but it does do wonders when I’m trying to project some “boss b*tch” vibes.

Cozy Green

I know most people aren’t crazy about the current trend of loose, slouchy sack-like dresses, but I for one am HERE FOR IT. A sack dress might not seem particularly appealing at first glance, but a well-cut one comes alive in motion. I tried to capture that in photos, but it’s not easy. Oh well, life is more than just Instagram, right?

Eileen Fisher doesn’t own the monopoly on sack dresses, but they know how to turn them out. This one is made out of some kind of boiled fine wool, and feels a bit like fancy terry cloth; perfect for a day when you just want to wear pyjamas, but also have to get out of bed. Throw on a cape-like sweater and some sparkly jewelry, and no one is any the wiser.

Fancy Friday

I still can’t get over the fact that I can casually throw on a YSL blazer whenever I feel like it, like it’s no big deal. I’m living my best thrifter’s life, you guys. The rest of the outfit is as boring as it gets, but those sleeves have enough personality for a whole month of Fridays. So much so that it’s probably best paired off with the boringest bores of the closet.

Elevated Casual

Bonus weekend outfit. That olive AllSaints sweater is a men’s (99% sure of it) but it’s the warmest knit I own, so it was perfect choice for going parka-less on one of our cold-but-not-yet-Arctic days. It’s also a good colour match (and a study in contrast) for my old J. Crew Lady Day coat. To add to the mix, the Madewell jeans bring their own flair with those raw hems. Okay, so maybe this outfit is a bit all over the place, but it still, somehow, comes together nicely.