What I Wore: January 3-12, 2019

Finally, Dries

The stalking, it finally paid off. I’m talking about eBay and my obsession with hunting down a Dries Van Noten creation to call my own. This dress is a dream. I wanted a patterned piece because patterns are what makes DVN clothes special, and this one does not disappoint. That aside, the silhouette checks off a lot of boxes for me. It has sleeves, but not bulky ones that would prevent layering. The cut is body-skimming without being tight or super form-fitting. [Read: it’s comfortable AF.] It has a high neckline, and a midi hem – but, and this is key, the bottom foot of material is actually a double-layer of sheer silk in a gorgeous contrast floral. I love that detail because it adds a bit of flirtiness – similar to my beloved blue Phillip Lim dress.

I didn’t do anything fancy with this inaugural wear except slap on a belt. While I like the fluid, elongated silhouette of the unbelted dress, I appreciate that it also looks great when the waist is emphasized. I can’t wait to wear it again soon.

Little Lord Fauntleroy

I got these Ett Twa mustard trousers at Anthropologie (clearance rack) last year because I love this paperbag waist style. [Technically, they were a gift from my husband.] The waist tie is attached, and there is a side zipper; all in all, these feel like fancy pyjamas. Fancy pyjamas that are office-appropriate. Score! Also, mustard – or let’s say marigold because it sounds nicer. I love this shade of yellow, especially if not worn too close to my face.

Pairing these pants with my beloved ruffly AllSaints blouse might have been a tad much but … we like a little excess here, from time to time. The simple Lida Baday cropped blazer is a nice, unobtrusive third piece; it fits like a cardigan, but has the dress-up look of a blazer, which helps to keep the overall vibe from being too child-like. Speaking of the blouse, here are a few other ways I’ve worn it; it’s a favourite for a reason, it really helps to make every outfit a little more special.

Christmas, Part Deux

I wore this to (Orthodox) Christmas dinner with my in-laws. I wanted to be festive, but also wear my newly thrifted faux-leather cropped top – and, voila, an outfit was born. Someone on IG commented on my apparent commitment to wearing (p)leather for Christmas which was an astute observation, though I think it was coincidence more than intention on my part. I have been slowly assembling a whole line-up of (p)leather pieces, and I love to mix them in with both work and casual outfits. This was a particularly successful deployment, if I do say so myself.

In The Pink

This pink coat continues to be one of the biggest compliment-getters in my entire wardrobe. I wore it two weekends ago with my Line sweater dress (above), and last weekend with this amazing new sweater coat I thrifted (below), and it looked smashing both times.

Let’s talk about that sweater coat for a moment, because it deserves it. Can you believe it was priced at $5 at Value Village? For all their gross up-pricing, sometimes VV still manages to (pleasantly) surprise me. Online reviews on the Anthro website complained of itchiness, which – duh, it’s a wool coat. Personally, I layer a thin cotton top (usually long sleeved) under most of my knits to avoid any problems of that sort as well as for extra warmth, so I did not find this coat bothersome at all; on the contrary, it was nice and cozy, and a great statement piece to boot. So I’m very grateful to its previous owner for passing it on.