Category: style

Thrift Tales: Fall Finds

Happy Thanksgiving, fellow Canadians! Hope you enjoyed a wonderful weekend with family and loved ones.

In recognition of the fact that a lot of us are still recovering from our turkey comas, a post full of photos and minimal words seemed like a safe bet. So, I hope you’ll enjoy this (mostly visual) recap of my recent thrifting adventures.

Talbots skirt
Talbots skirt

I had to chance to make an impromptu stop at the Red Deer Value Village, and that’s the kind of chance I don’t pass up. I had all of 10 minutes to spend in there, but I still found a few gems, like this Talbots skirt (and the next two dresses below). I was tempted but ultimately decided to pass – not quite my style.

BB Dakota dress
BB Dakota dress

Ditto with this BB Dakota sweater dress. But how cute would this be for the holidays?

RACHEL Rachel Roy dress
RACHEL Rachel Roy dress

This, on the other hand, was right up my alley – so much so that I have one already hanging in my closet. I hope that, after my visit, some stylish Red Deer resident gave this dress a new home.

Cole Haan pumps
Cole Haan pumps

Also from the Red Deer VV, these pumps broke my heart. I’ve been looking for a pair of navy (low) heels forEVAH … too bad these were a size too small. *sob*

Ports International cardigan ($5?)
Ports International cardigan ($5?)

This vest had all kinds of preppy potential, but I just didn’t see myself wearing it.

H&M tunic/dress ($10)
H&M tunic/dress ($10)

Funny story: I actually had this dress about 10 years ago, only in a different colorway. Ahh, memories. It was such a weird fit, then and now.

made in Canada dress ($12?)
made in Canada dress ($12?)

Cute but (a) not quite my style, and (b) definitely not my size.

Brand I regrettably forget ($18)
Brand I regrettably forget ($18)

This dress was an “almost” for me. It had a really cool back:

back detail
back detail

… but it was, sadly, just a tad too big. My last experience with alterations at the tailor ran on the expensive side, so I’m not buying any more things that require significant work.

BCBGeneration dress ($12)
BCBGeneration dress ($12)

Not my style, but cute. Also fairly reasonably priced, considering that VV lives to jack up its prices on BCBG and BCBGeneration pieces.

Nanette Lepore dress ($12)
Nanette Lepore dress ($12)

Also cute but (a) too “young”, (b) too short, and (c) probably too small.

Pink Tartan skirt
Pink Tartan skirt ($5)

Pink Tartan is one of the few Canadian designer brands that has stuck around for a while. I’ve worn their pieces before and liked them a lot. Too bad this skirt was too tight.

Jacob dress ($16)
Jacob dress ($16)

I loved the colour of this hunter green Jacob dress, but the 100% poly killed it for me. Also it was too casual for work, and too dressy for my usual weekend needs. I’m sure it will find a good home, though.

“Jeez, Adina” you’re probably thinking by now, “do you ever actually buy anything in these thrift stores or what?” Well, wouldn’t you know, after a few weeks of busts, I finally did.

Armani Collezioni blazer
Armani Collezioni blazer

An Armani Collezioni blazer for $3.50? How could I not? It’s too big for me but I’m giving it to a friend.

vintage skirt ($3)
vintage skirt ($3.50)

This home-made/vintage skirt looks pretty Little House On The Prairie right now, but I adore the print, and I think I can handle a simple hem job on my own. For $3.50, it’s a DIY no-brainer.

Vero Moda dress ($14)
Vero Moda dress ($14)

I probably didn’t need this Vero Moda dress, but it was cute and fit nicely and it was only $14. The end.

And there you have it – another epic(ally long) thrifting post. I can’t wait to hear about your amazing thrifting scores – hit me up in the comments.

The English Professor Returns

Blazer, J. Crew; top & sweater, J. Crew Factory; pants, BR; shoes, Tod's; bag, Louis Vuitton (via consignment)
Blazer, J. Crew; top & sweater, J. Crew Factory; pants, BR; shoes, Tod’s; bag, Louis Vuitton (via consignment)

I love me a good English professor outfit. And it makes for a cozy ensemble on a crisp fall morning. I stole this look from my husband (who, coincidentally, is actually teaching a class at his old alma mater this semester), and I think I may have to keep it for a while – metaphorically speaking. There are a few more versions of it I want to try, for sure.

details ...
details …
collar details ...
collar (and under-eye bags) details …

Before I forget, allow me to apologize for the quality of my photos, which has reached a new low, I know. With winter most assuredly on its way (*sob*), it’s now too cold and dark in the mornings for me to take photos outside before work. I’ve set up a “OOTD photo taking” space in our (unfinished) basement, but it’s not ideal. Even with a couple of industrial strength floodlights I pilfered from the garage, the lighting is an under-eye bag-enhancing tragedy. Canadian blogger problems, y’all.

menswear-inspired
menswear-inspired
point me to the nearest campus!
point me to the nearest campus!
print mix
print mix

Secondhand Blues

Top, J. Crew (via consignment); skirt, MaxMara (thrifted); necklace, J. Crew Factory; shoes, Ferragamo (via consignment); bag, Louis Vuitton (via consignment)
Top, J. Crew (via consignment); skirt, MaxMara (thrifted); necklace, J. Crew Factory; shoes, Ferragamo (via consignment); bag, Louis Vuitton (via consignment)

Ok, the title is a misleading sort of pun, because you know that shopping secondhand never leaves me feeling blue. So, while this outfit has me wearing a lot of aqua, that’s the only kind of blue in the picture. Har har.

But, yes, other than the necklace, this is an outfit made entirely of consignment or thrifted pieces. Coincidentally (or not?), it’s also made up of some pretty fancy pieces – things I certainly wouldn’t want to buy at retail prices. Lucky, then, that this outfit cost me only about 24% of its original retail value – on things (like the bag and shoes especially) that looked to be brand new. Have I told you lately how much I love shopping secondhand?

ladylike blouse
ladylike blouse

I should also tell you, if I haven’t lately, how much I love this J. Crew blouse. The silk has a nice drape to it, and gives off a lovely romantic vibe when it’s tucked in. It works as beautifully with a pencil skirt as it does with my Zara midi skirt.

no black in sight
no black in my outfit? what sorcery is this?