What I Wore: October 2023, part two

Details: Reitmans sweater (thrifted), DKNY skirt (Poshmark)

Thoughts: This is the kind of outfit I could wear forever. The sweater is a nothingburger brand (as they say) but the design makes it a perfect statement piece for me. It’s relatively minimalist, but with a wow factor. The skirt … well, we’ve already talked about how much I love it. I’m wearing it here at its full length, and it’s still sexy without being too in-your-face about it.

Details: Revello top (retail), cashmere cardigan, Zara blazer, Danier skirt (all thrifted), Dooney bag (Poshmark), Mia shoes (retail)

Thoughts: How’s this for a fall outfit? This (real) suede skirt is a showstopper and I’m chuffed to have found it at the thrift store for $25 rather than have to pay retail prices. The colour is *chef’s kiss*. I decided to stick with an autumnal palette of browns and yellows, inspired by this mystery cashmere cardigan I thrifted. It’s a mystery because the brand label is missing, but it’s made in Perugia so it must be a little bit fancy, right? Hah! My platform loafers are still going strong in their second year, and I am forever congratulating myself on having had the foresight to pick a pair with brown soles because it makes them so easy to wear with both brown and black. Super versatile!

Details: Gap tank, UO pants, Zara duster, Josef belt (all thrifted), selfmade necklace

Thoughts: This was inspired by a Ralph Lauren SS 2024 runway look. I love Papa Ralph’s use of accessories; it’s always so thoughtful and intentional. Here, if you ignore the fringey duster, you have a pretty simple outfit, made special by accessories. There were been a few RL collections with a similar aesthetic — all black (or black and white) clothes with statement accessories. As someone who love bold jewelry and belts, I find it endlessly inspiring.

Details: Club Monaco turtleneck, Gap blazer (both thrifted), Margiela skirt (swap), Paloma Picasso bag (Poshmark)

Thoughts: My obsession with the 90s has introduced a strong minimalist streak into my outfits this season. The challenge of minimalism for me is making something very simple still look visually impactful — to myself, whose eye has been conditioned by maximalism for years. Here, one bold (but simple) pattern, textural contrast (leather), and interesting proportions do the heavy lifting.

Details: handmade hoodie, Chicwish skirt (both thrifted), Laredo boots (consignment)

Thoughts: I couldn’t resist the flair of this homemade patchwork hoodie at the thrift store, just like I could not resist the exuberance of this outfit at home. I’m calling it Patchwork Grunge Princess, and it’s one of the more obscure corners of my 90s obsession. Someone on Instagram recently brought up the Romantic Grunge aesthetic of the 90s, and it sparked something in me. I loved that back then, and it has so many possibilities now — it has lots of synergy with my Bohemian avatar. I feel like this outfit is part of my exploration of that aesthetic.

Details: COS sweater, BDG jeans, Brave belt, Stuart Weitzman shoes (all thrifted)

Thoughts: More 90s stuff. I love these baggy jeans so much, after resisting the style for so long. It’s a different look from the wide-leg denim I’ve adopted over the last couple of years, but it definitely has a place in my current outfit rotation given the 90s influence. When I wear them, it’s the trendiest I ever feel which, surprisingly, does make me feel a little bit self-conscious at times. I never want to feel like a trend is wearing me, rather than vice versa, so I have to be more intentional with the styling to make it feel like “me”.