What I Wore: July 2022, part 3

Details: April Cornell dress & hat (both thrifted), Capelli bag (Poshmark), J. Crew sandals (retail)

Thoughts: I love this dress so much in principle — the 90s silhouette, the length, the colour, the floral pattern. It’s perfect for a stroll to the farmers’ market and an outdoors art show, which is where I wore it. But I’ll be honest: I struggled at times to feel confident in it. The dress is loose but the material is the kind that clings to every bump and curve, which made me self-conscious every time I caught a glimpse of myself in a shop window. A long time, I decided to let go of all my body hang-ups, and for the most part I have succeeded; so this was an unwelcome reminder than I am not immune to society’s toxic commentary on female bodies as I thought I was. It leaves me in a bit of a quandary because I love this dress but I also do not believe in wearing things that make you uncomfortable. So I will need to figure out whether I can wear it a way that doesn’t, or find a way to silence the critical voice in my head.

Details: Wilfred top (swap), Liz Claiborne dress (thrifted), Barbara Barbieri shoes (thrifted)

Thoughts: I adore this dress *in spite* of its spaghetti straps, but I also prefer not to have to deal with them (or a strapless bra) whenever possible. So this formula — wearing a top over it, tucked into a wide belt — is a favourite. Luckily, the dress offers so many possibilities for mixing and matching. Here, I chose one of my favourite colour combos: purple and turquoise.

Details: Vero Moda tunic (swap), Gap dress (thrifted), Anthropologie belt (thrifted), Old Navy shoes (Poshmark)

Thoughts: This is that interesting tunic that I picked out from the swap. Isn’t it a neat piece? It’s very nice for summer layering, especially now that our weather has warmed up significantly. Something like this allows the outfit to have visual interest without sacrificing comfort. The colour is not one I would normally gravitate towards, but I am figuring out what combinations might make it more appealing to me. I think I will have to try something with more blue next time.

Details: Denim & Supply top (thrifted), vintage belt (Poshmark), Susan Bristol skirt (Poshmark), Barbara Barbieri shoes (thrifted)

Thoughts: This was very much the epitome of my summer Jo March On the Prairie aesthetic, and I loved it. The skirt is wonderful but can be a challenge in terms of mixing and matching, but this top is its perfect complement.

Details: Vince top, Pilcro pants (both thrifted), J. Crew shoes (retail)

Thoughts: I loved the colour palette here, and the stripe/floral pattern mixing is a classic, but looking back, I’m not in LOVE in love with this outfit. It feels a bit too … safe? muted? simple? It’s a lovely outfit but not one that made me feel “wow”.

Details: Max & Co dress (thrifted), TeenFlo skirt (thrifted), Esprit belt (thrifted), Chelsea Crew shoes (thrifted)

Thoughts: I have been wanting a skirt cape (aka overskirt, aka skirt train) for ages, and this TeenFlo corduroy skirt I picked up at the vintage warehouse sale finally made my dreams come true. The waist is too tiny to fully button up, but if I only do up one of the buttons (on the last buttonhole) then it becomes, you guessed it, a skirt cape. Paired with this dress, it’s perfection. The corduroy material is soft enough to have a nice drape, but still has some body to it so it doesn’t just lie limp against the dress. I can’t wait to try it with other outfits.

Details: Denim & Supply top (thrifted), J. Crew vest (thrifted), Everlane pants (swap), Brave belt (Poshmark), Chelsea Crew shoes (thrifted)

Thoughts: A little bit prairie, a little bit pirate? That wasn’t my intention but I ain’t mad about it.