What I Wore: November 2022, part two

Details: Ralph Lauren turtleneck, Michael Kors skirt (both thrifted), Stella & Dot necklace (Poshmark), Zara shoes (retail)

Thoughts: I loved this outfit so much. This skirt makes for an even better dress! The waistband is elastic, so it can comfortably stretch to wear as a strapless dress. And it’s super comfortable! The turtleneck doesn’t look exciting in this context, but it was a great recent thrift find. Turtlenecks are a staple for me in the colder seasons — I use them as a base layer most days. I have a few versions. The Club Monaco ones you’ve see me wear a lot are a wool/viscose blend that is very lighweight and non-scratchy — this is key for anything that I wear next to my skin. I also have a couple of cotton blend black turtlenecks that can also be worn next to skin, although they are less warm than the wool blend ones (which makes them better for some outfits, depending on what I am layering on top). I then have a couple of cashmere ones — a thicker one (Jones New York) which is more of a top layer, and this medium weight one (Ralph Lauren). The latter is more of an “intermediate” layer for me; I usually wear it over a cotton tank top because it’s a little bit too scratchy against my torso (but fine on my arm skin), but still thin enough to layer under other things. Developing this arsenal of basic layers has been a game changer for me in terms of allowing to wear my favourite clothes year-round in a cold climate. It might not be minimalist to have 5-6 different turtlenecks in dark colours (which look almost indistinguishable) but they all serve their purposes and are indispensable to my closet.

Details: J. Crew shirt, vintage vest, Tabitha jacket, Laura Ashley skirt, Ferragamo shoes (all thrifted)

Thoughts: I called this Academichic Jo March, and it’s a mash-up of styles that I really enjoy in general. I thrifted this velvet vest almost 3 years ago, specifically after I saw Little Women and fell in love with Jo’s costuming, and it has served me so well since then.

Details: Club Monaco turtleneck (retail), Northern Reflections shirt, Theory blazer, Banana Republic jeans, Cotton Ginny belt (all thrifted), turquoise necklace (Poshmark)

Thoughts: This outfit is 100% a tribute to Papa Ralph himself — he has worn some version of this outfit many times (shirt over another top, tucked into belted pants, with some kind of jacket, often tweed). It was also an opportunity to test these bootcut, low rise jeans; they’re circa 2013 Banana Republic. I think I prefer the Frame flares I got recently (posted last week) but I do enjoy this silhouette too. The low rise is what I don’t love. I simply don’t like the visual proportions of it on my body. But maybe I need to just get used to seeing it. Sometimes, the more you see a “new” trend, the more it grows on you. I definitely think that the only way I would do low rise jeans again is balanced against an oversized or layered top half — not paired, say, with a tight-fitting top that will only emphasize the fact that the top part of my hips sits well above the waistband of the jeans, making me look like I’m getting squeezed out of the same.

Details: Toni T dickie, Gap sweater, Nanette Lepore jacket, Babaton pants, Ferragamo shoes (all thrifted)

Thoughts: I think I’ve mentioned before how much I love the combination of this sweater and this jacket, so I had to wear them together again. This time, with navy corduroys. I’ve never been a fan of traditional navy — it’s too dark to count as blue, and not dark enough to be, well, black. But I recently discovered this lighter, bluer version of navy and I’m really liking it. I actually had no idea that navy came in different shades — duh, like any other colour — so now I’m reevaluating my old prejudice.

Details: InWear sweater, Vince dress, Gap jacket (all thrifted), Mia shoes (retail)

Thoughts: Brown really was the colour of the fall season for me this year. I managed to squeeze in one last black-and-brown outfit before the snow hit the ground and I was forced to, regretfully, retire my beloved platform loafers until next year.

Details: J. Crew top, Zara duster, Linda Lundstrom pants (all thrifted), J. Crew shoes (retail)

Thoughts: These vintage lamé palazzo pants are quite fabulous, but I have been stuck on how to style them ever since I got them. I think it’s because they are actually a lavender-ish silver colour, not plain silver (which would be easier to pair with other colours). It would be easy enough to wear a black turtleneck with them but … that’s too obvious. The combination here — with navy and burgundy — is not bad, though.