What I Wore: September 2-8, 2019

Slytherin

I am not really a Potterhead but I took the official quiz and I’m House Gryffindor. This came as a surprise because, honestly, I feel like I am (at best) Ravenclaw or maybe (realistically) Hufflepuff. The stuff of magical realm heroine, I am not. Anyway, this Zero+Maria Cornejo dress is making me think that I’ve been sleeping too long on the best house of all: Slytherin. You can’t see it in these pics, but these Poppy Barley shoes have an embossed snakeskin finish; a colleague called them “dragon shoes” and I was, like, HELL YES. Dark, moody green dress, swamp witch pendant, dragon-creature shoes. It is a look, and that look says one thing. The hat was wrong.

Notes: Zero+Maria Cornejo dress (thrifted, $19); Poppy Barley shoes (thrifted, $27); Rafael necklace (eBay, $150).

Here is a close-up of the dress which shows its colour better:

Vest is Best

Alternate title: vest on repeat. The other one sounds better, but this is more factual. I have been wearing this blazer-vest a lot lately. The small houndstooth print is a nice neutral and the elongated line of the vest allows me to play with the proportions of my outfits, which I always enjoy. What’s not to like? Also really, really good? This skirt. The brand (Suno) was unfamiliar to me, but I knew it was quality just from touching the fabric; it’s a thick, smooth silk with beautiful drape and weight to it. My friend Google tells me the brand is now defunct but was originally quite pricey. I can believe it; one look at the way this skirt carries its tulip shape (all those little pleats around the waist!) is enough.

Notes: J. Crew Factory top (retail, $40); Elizabeth & James vest (thrifted, $18); Suno skirt (thrifted, $9).

Here are a few more ways I’ve worn the blazer vest:

An Explosion of Colour

Funny coincidence: I used to own a Ted Baker top in this very same print 3 or 4 years ago. OK, maybe that’s not so funny, but it’s a coincidence to find the matching maxi dress all these years later. I got rid of the top a while ago because it had ruffles and I don’t do ruffles anymore. As for the print itself, I’m a bit torn. On one hand, I love all the colours. On the other hand, it’s … well, a lot. The fabric is polyester not silk, which is disappointing but par for the course for this brand, in my experience. Ted Baker does eye-catching prints, but the quality is meh. Anyway, I will hang on to this dress until next year when I’m planning another family trip to Mexico (it will be a good resort dress), and then evaluate whether to keep it or not. In the meantime, I’ll keep playing around and seeing how it works with the rest of my wardrobe.

Notes: Ted Baker dress (thrifted, $13); Line sweater (thrifted, $8.50); Wilfred blazer (thrifted, $12), Arnold Churgin boots (thrifted, $20).

White After Labour Day

This dress was made for breaking old fashion style rules because who can wear a sweater dress between May and September? Well, ok, I probably could because Edmonton summer is a theoretical concept only. Ahem. On one hand, the fact that the dress has a substantial turtleneck but no sleeves is a bit odd – how warm is it meant to keep you? – but on the other hand, it’s perfect for layering. I love layering! Ergo, I love this dress. Well, mostly. It is rather bodycon, about which I have mixed feelings. But it goes well with this leather jacket, and that’s an important point in its favour.

Notes: Moth dress (thrifted, $5); BlackNYC jacket (retail, $38); Tory Burch boots (thrifted, $20).