Details: TNA shirt, Gap skirt, Greta Constantine x Danier belt, chunky necklace (all thrifted), Margiela skirt (swap)

Thoughts: I was playing around in my closet using some runway inspo I had saved, and this outfit came together and it was too good not to try it … at least on a limited basis. WFH is great for that. Lumbergoth academichic, would you say? I like it. I like it a lot. I discovered that I could turn this flannel shirt into a turtleneckish looking thing by flipping up the collar. I like that a lot too.

Details: Revello top (retail), Talbots skirt, Mexx cardigan (both thrifted), Mia shoes (retail), Paloma Picasso bag (Poshmark)

Thoughts: Another quintessentially 90s outfit that I adored wearing. This cropped cotton cardigan is just perfection. Can you believe I hadn’t owned a black cardigan for years? It wasn’t something that was missing from my closet until it was, if you know what I mean. Suddenly, I had more than a few outfits that called for a black cardigan, and specifically a “shrunken” one like this. So it was very lucky that I found this vintage (pre-2000) Mexx cardigan, still in great condition, just as I started to wish for one. I love cotton knit cardigans; the right weight (not too heavy/warm, but warm enough) and not at all scratchy so they can be worn comfortable with sleeveless or short sleeve tops.

Details: Ralph Lauren shirt (thrifted), Maeve skirt, chunky necklace (both Poshmark)

Thoughts: I love the simplicity of this outfit formula: oversized men’s shirt; full, flowy skirt; waist definition. The busy pattern of the skirt will accommodate any number of other patterns and colours, but it goes especially well with stripes.

Details: Zara shirt, Chaps vest, Cartonnier pants (all thrifted), J. Crew shoes (retail)

Thoughts: Speaking of dressing to a formula, here is another example. This is a new iteration of my shirt + vest + pants formula. I decided to go a little bolder with the colour choices, inspired by the vest palette.

Details: White + Warren sweater, J. Crew & necklace vest, Jessie skirt (all thrifted), Picasso bag (Poshmark), Mia shoes (retail)

Thoughts: Back to the 90s, with another outfit built around this vintage floral maxi skirt that I recently thrifted. This time, I picked up the blush pink in the floral pattern with this lightweight cashmere t-shirt style sweater. It reminded me a bit of those fuzzy cropped sweaters that were popular for a while in the 90s. I added the vest because (a) I love vests, and (b) the result gave me strong Delia’s catalogue vibes.

Details: Ralph Lauren shirt, Fossil belt (both thrifted), Banana Republic jeans (retail)

Thoughts: Rounding this off with the most satisfying “basic” outfit of recent memory. Just a shirt and jeans, but looking ever so chic, if I do say so myself. I feel like the hair really plays up the vibe as well, and I love when that happens. To me, this looks like one of those outfits you see in a magazine and think “surely, it can’t be this easy to look stylish” and, honestly, I feel like I’ve unlocked some next-level fashion achievement to be able to feel that way about one of my own outfits.

Details: Wilfred tank, Talbots skirt, Fluevog shoes (all thrifted), Paloma Picasso bag (Poshmark)

Thoughts: I love this outfit so much. The skirt was a recent thrift find and it has a great 90s vibe; it’s faux wrap and made of linen. Don’t sleep on vintage Talbots, people. The weather is getting trickier by the minute, so I’m glad I had the chance to wear this skirt before the end of the season. The bag is another recent buy; I’ve had my eye on this style for a long time, and patiently waited for a good deal — and finally found it after about a year! I paid about $50 (shipped) and it usually sells for about double that on resale platforms. The design is everything I want in a bag right now in terms of shape, size and functionality, the leather is beautiful, and I love the gold hardware. It’s a Paloma Picasso “signature” element. Last but not least, I love this weird Wilfred tank top that always puzzles people because the image/lettering is mirrored. I flipped the photo on the right so you can see what it actually says. Odd things are my jam.

Details: Revello top (retail), Zara blazer (thrifted), Jessie skirt (thrifted), Dooney bag (Poshmark), Chloe shoes (gift)

Thoughts: Another 90s inspired outfit that I loved. Obsessed with this skirt about as much as the Talbots one above. The material is so soft and flowy, and the black floral is definitely giving me teenage flashbacks. Actually, I think the skirt is a very dark navy, but close enough. This white baby tee is about to get a TON of wear. I bought it from Winners and I have no ragrets because it’s exactly what I need it to be: cropped, tight, and stretchy. The quality is nothing to write home about, but that’s ok. I have so many outfits planned for it.

Details: Emmy Deveaux bodysuit, Issey Miyake skirt, Ralph Lauren jacket, Stuart Weitzman shoes (all thrifted), metal belt (Poshmark)

Thoughts: Taking a page from an old RL runway, this black-with-turquoise-accents outfit has been on my mind for a long time. To make it happen, I’ve been looking for a metal concha-style belt like this for a while. I saw a similar one at Cody & Sioux this summer, but it was $100 and the quality was very meh. I paid $40 for this one on Poshmark and I think the design is nicer too (the quality is so so). I’m happy with it and I think it will come in handy considering my RL obsession is going strong, and Papa Ralph loves a good belt. The original inspo outfit featured a full-length sequin skirt which you best believed that I will recreate come the holiday season; for now, this was a more “subdued” version. This Issey Miyake skirt is always a delight to wear, so no complaints.

Details: Marc Cain top, BCBG skirt, Highline gilet, Kimchi Blue pants, Lena Bernard necklace (all thrifted)

Thoughts: The magpie in me couldn’t resist this sequin BCBG skirt and it was only $3 so I got it even though it’s rather large and also rather too short. Perhaps “even though” isn’t strictly correct because the sizing gave me an idea, and I bought the skirt in order to test it out. Layering! Of course. Sequin skirts are not usually very forgiving, but this one has an elastic waistband and plenty of room in the hips so it went over these pants, no problem. And, surprisingly, it was pretty comfy/easy to wear. I hate fussy layers. I chose this Marc Cain top because I thought the semi-abstract pattern would be a good match for the sequins, and I think I was right. This outfit is a bit Old Skool Adina, but I enjoyed it anyway.

Details: Revello top (retail), LizSport coat, Zara pants, Stuart Weitzman shoes (all thrifted), metal belt (Poshmark)

Thoughts: I called this Sporty Prairie (Spice? lol). I like to take southwestern pieces and mix them with things that have a total different vibe for a sort of “contemporary country” effect. At least, that’s what I call it in my head. I like juxtapositions and weird mash-ups, and I think it keeps things interesting and less likely to veer into costume territory.

Details: Ralph Lauren shirt, Esprit belt (both thrifted), Ralph Lauren skirt (gift), Chie Mihara shoes (swap), Dooney bag (Poshmark), Turquoise necklace (Poshmark)

Thoughts: I cannot get enough of this striped RL men’s shirt — or men’s shirts in general. So nice and breezy to wear in the summer, and wrap-tucking gives it a much more relaxed vibe; literally less buttoned-up, if you know what I mean. As y’all know, I love pairing blue and brown, and this outfit was no exception. I loved it. Again, it has a subtle southwestern vibe, without making me look like I’m ready to go to the rodeo.

Details: For Cynthia top, Liz Claiborne dress, Rebecca Minkoff belt, Barbara Barbieri shoes (all thrifted)

Thoughts: I’ve made peace with the fact that the fit of the bodice on this dress (forever favourite) is wonky. This could be easily solved by a tailor … except that I don’t currently know of a good one, and the inertia of my laziness is more powerful than my desire to get a proper fix. So I’m faking it till I can make it (maybe, one day). Usually, this involves hiding the bodice by layering tops over it. I’ve done plenty of combinations of that kind over the years. This time, I decided to layer something under the dress. This also works well as camouflage for the bodice. I loved how this outfit came out, and it reminded me that a white shirt is a versatile layering option for spaghetti strapped dresses. That or a white baby tee … hmmmm.

Details: Emmy Deveaux bodysuit, Gap shirt, Twik jeans, Tommy Hilfiger bag, Isabel Marant belt (all thrifted), J. Crew shoes (retail)

Thoughts: I love wearing black and brown together. I find the key to be choosing a brown that isn’t too muddy, so there is enough contrast with the black. I usually pick a whiskey/cognac brown shade, but I like the subtler contrast offered by this rich chocolate colour. The velvet makes it extra lush. And can you believe it? I found a bodysuit that’s actually long enough for my torso. It’s by a local designer and it’s very nice quality; a steal for under $10. I especially love it because it’s a mock neck and sleeveless, which makes it perfect for me as a layering piece. It adds almost no bulk, and the fact it’s a bodysuit means no bunching either.

Details: UO crop top, vintage cardigan, Ralph Lauren skirt (all thrifted), Zara shoes (retail)

Thoughts: I’m calling this Highlands Cottagecore. Wearing this skirt always makes me happy. I’ve been on the fence about this cardigan — is it too twee for me? — but I liked it a lot in this pairing. Keeping it for now.

Details: For Cynthia top, Denim & Supply jacket, Nocona belt (all thrifted), Ralph Lauren skirt (gift), Chie Mihara shoes (swap)

Thoughts: My friend J gave me this vintage Ralph Lauren skirt — she knows my obsession — and I love it. The colour is an unusual greyish brown, which makes it an interesting neutral for outfits. It’s high-waisted and my favourite length too. Of course, I was inspired to put together a Southwestern-lite outfit, very much on theme for my prairie bohemian summer.

Details: UO crop top, H&M pants, Chico’s belt, Barbara Barbieri shoes (all thrifted), Prairie Trail Goods jacket

Thoughts: I realized that I’d hardly worn these pants all summer so I had to rectify that issue right away. I still love these pants so much; they’re incredibly versatile and comfortable. I knew I wanted to wear them with my new black crop top — a very useful recent thrift find, it’s a wardrobe-builder piece for me — and then it was just a matter of adding a topper. I’ve worn a similar outfit before with a vest, so I decided to go a different route this time and try one of my patchwork jackets.

Details: Only & Sons shirt, Margaret Godfrey skirt, AGL shoes (all thrifted), H&M belt (retail), turquoise necklace (Poshmark)

Thoughts: I still haven’t committed to cowboy boots. Yet. The summer is running out, but don’t count them out. In the meantime, I recently thrifted this pair of patent AGL oxfords, so I tried something a little more out of the box for this outfit. This is one of my favourite shoe styles, and I love AGL — always comfortable and great quality. Score! I think they were a good choice for this outfit. They balance the southwestern flavour so it doesn’t overwhelm the outfit. (On second thought, cowboy boots would have DEF been too much.)