Details: Wilfred sweater (retail), Heritage House skirt (thrifted), Escada blazer (thrifted)

Thoughts: One of my favourite outfits this year so far. Although 2 of the pieces are vintage, it doesn’t feel costumey or too dated. And I loved the way everything fit and looked. The skirt was something I almost walked away from at the thrift store — many vintage wool skirts don’t fit me very well — but I am so glad I reconsidered and doubled-back to grab it. The pattern is incredible, and the fit works well too.

Details: Lord & Taylor cardigan (thrifted), Tabitha jacket (thrifted), Paul Smith scarf (thrifted), brutalist brooch (thrifted), Carven skirt (Poshmark)

Thoughts: Another outfit I adored. The jewel tone colour palette is so good. I need to make a note to pair magenta and teal more often. I am also happy with how I managed to incorporate a scarf into this look, because I think the colours on the scarf really elevate the outfit. Plus, the scarf+brooch combo is really good too. Overall, I was very happy with the proportions — the shrunken blazer is a great topper option for a column skirt like this one.

Details: Gucci blouse (thrifted), Tabi vest (thrifted), H&M pants (thrifted), Amaryllis jacket (thrifted), Banana Republic belt (thrifted)

Thoughts: You will get tired of me saying this, but I absolutely loved this outfit as well. It was inspired by a Ralph Lauren 2017 runway collection look; I loved the pairing of the stripey vest and leopard print coat, and wanted to try for a similar combination. The outfit proportions are otherwise different, but my version works well for me.

Details: Line sweater (thrifted), Ines de la Fressange x Uniqlo pants (thrifted), Michelle Ross accessories (Poshmark), Manolo Blahnik shoes (ebay)

Thoughts: A very simple outfit, but I wanted a nice backdrop for the necklace and earrings. I have to say that this version of a monochrome outfit (different tones of burgundy) is very pleasing to my eye. My take on minimalism 🙂

Details: Moth sweater (thrifted), Mackage jacket (thrifted), Rachel Comey skirt (Poshmark), Lena Bernard necklace (Poshmark)

Thoughts: I love this skirt and I’ve been trying to remember to wear it more often. The purple and turquoise colour combination here worked really well.

Details: Ralph Lauren sweater (thrifted), J. Crew top (thrifted), Jil Sander jacket (thrifted), Everlane jeans (swap), J. Crew shoes (consignment)

Thoughts: Yes, you guessed it: I LOVED this outfit. It’s definitely on the preppy side of the Historian spectrum, but the blue-camel colour palette was excellent, and it just felt so nice to wear. And, dare I say it (I actually hate this word applied to style) effortless. Scratch that: let’s say unpremeditated instead. I love layered, coordinated looks but sometimes they can read as, hmm, what the word I’m looking for … not fussy … studied, maybe? Which, let me be clear, is not a bad thing at all. I hate the idea that putting visible intention/effort/what-have-you into outfits is bad or something to be avoided for fear of derision. However, sometimes, I want to look like I just threw something together (and somehow managed to be all colour coordinated, lol) and I feel like this outfit falls into that category.

One. Wisteria

Still thinking about my dream garden. I’ve added a wisteria wall to the list. I love purple and blue flowers in general, and this seems like a dream. I also love climbing vines, though I am not sure they would do all that well in the climate here.

Two. Joaquin Sorolla

Jamie Beck posted stories from her visit to the Sorolla museum in Madrid, and I immediately fell in love with this painting. I love the colours and it has such a soothing atmosphere. I wasn’t familiar with the artist before, but his work is beautiful.

Three. Vintage Ralph Lauren

Yep, still obsessed. Lots more outfits to come.

Four. Globes

Years ago, I went through a globe collecting phase. I stopped adding to it a while back, and the collection got dispersed throughout the house as other pieces took center stage. But I kept them. And good thing I did because once the basement is finished, I will have the perfect place to display them again, as a collection. I like globes individually, but there is something really pleasing to a grouping of them, different sizes and colours.

Five. Monochrome purple

Another image sent by a friend which spoke to me. I love the mix of textures in the same tonal family. I’ve been experimenting with similar ideas, although in different colours. I do love this shade of purple, so I would like to add more of it to my closet if I can find it (thrifting, of course).

Details: London Kaye sweater (thrifted), H&M pants (thrifted), BR belt (thrifted), Michigan Rag Co. coat (thrifted); Dooney bag (Poshmark)

Thoughts: My Jessica Fletcher inspired outfit, and it’s all about that fun vintage windbreaker. I loved wearing this. As a semi-related aside, I would love to visit Maine some day. Actually, getting to see a coast, any coast, again soon would be lovely. I miss the salty air and walks on the beach.

Details: Equipment blouse (thrifted), Second Female cardigan (thrifted), Vero Moda pants (thrifted), Indigenous earrings by Mikisikahtak Creations (gift from my BFF)

Thoughts: I love a blue-green palette, and enjoy finding new ways to create outfits around it. This is a mix of different shades and tones so actually more colourful than usual, but it all works still. My favourite part was the earrings, of course.

Details: COS sweater (thrifted), Maeve skirt (thrifted), Tignanello bag (Poshmark)

Thoughts: This was a bit of a wildcard pairing, but the blue in the sweater matches the one in the skirt so I thought it was worth the try. I think the patterns work together. The yellow was an extra shot of colour – it always pops against blue.

Details: Zara duster (thrifted), BR jumpsuit (secondhand), Zara shoes (consignment)

Thoughts: A duster can be an easy way to dress up a simple outfit, and make lounging at home feel decadent. Especially when it comes with a dramatic fringe like this one. I do worry about catching and ripping said fringe, which is a minor annoyance, but the aesthetic is worth it. It’s basically a glorified house robe, but make it fashion.

Details: J. Crew sweater (thrifted), Zara blazer (thrifted), Tulip skirt (thrifted), Fossil bag (thrifted)

Thoughts: I like 80% of this outfit, and the 20% I don’t like represents the concessions I had to make to the weather — the black tights and the black turtleneck under my sweater. Black doesn’t work here, it really throws off the colour palette and overall vibe. Which is too bad because there is some wonderful subtle pattern mixing happening. Overall, it wasn’t an outfit I was really “feeling” but it’s a formula I might revisit and try to improve upon.

Details: Marimekko x Uniqlo top (thrifted), Wilfred cardigan (thrifted), Maeve skirt (thrifted), Lena Bernard necklace (thrifted), J. Crew shoes (thrifted)

Thoughts: I loved this pattern mix, but I wish the skirt was longer. I don’t enjoy wearing knee-length pencil skirts, and haven’t for a couple of years; I am not sure if the pendulum will ever swing that way again. I have tried to avoiding buying new ones (and slowly culling my old ones) but I couldn’t resist the fun pattern of this Maeve skirt. I’m torn, though. This outfit, as much as I enjoy the colour story, doesn’t really fit my current aesthetic preferences. But letting go of good outfits isn’t easy, either. I have to keep reminding myself that I only have so much time, and I should spend it wearing the things that make me feel like myself.

Details: Twik top (thrifted), Sarah Pacini shrug (thrifted and gifted), Antipast skirt (thrifted), Fluevog shoes (thrifted).

Thoughts: Every now and then, I feel the need for a witchy outfit as a palette cleanser, so to speak. It never goes out of style, as far as I’m concerned. Here, my favourite part were all the accessories: