Blue Collar Red Lipstick

07
Sep
2017

What I Wore: August 2017

August seemed to come and go in the blink of an eye. Even my birthday barely registered – though, to be fair, at this point that might be a good thing. My job is keeping me very, very busy, and it’s a pace that takes some adjustment. I’m loving the work, but the learning curve is steep and sometimes feels like a bit of a roller-coaster; some days, it’s a white-knuckle ride all the way. The rest of my life is taking a bit of a back seat, as evidenced by how long it’s taking me to respond to personal emails (sorry) and comments (sorry). I am trying to work out a better balance for myself, and it might mean taking a bit of a step back from the blog. We shall see. [Edited to add: Sorry, peeps, I didn’t mean that to sound like I’m quitting altogether. Just dialing back on the post frequency, for the next while anyway. I guess that sounded way more dramatic than intended. Whew!]

But! I still managed to wear clothes. Lots of them, see?

seventeen, eighteen, nineteen — sixteen, seventeen, eighteen

Number 20 was my fave outfit of the month by far, with 16 as a close second. There were a few good repeat-outfits in the mix as well. To be honest, though, style took a bit of a backseat this month, much like most other things that were not work. Oh well, onwards and upwards.

Here is what I wore in August back in 2015 and 2016.

06
Sep
2017

End of Summer Blue

categories: Uncategorized

Dress, Maeve (thrifted); shoes, Zara; bag, MbMJ (via eBay)

There is a bit of poignancy to finding a pretty summer frock late in August; it only serves to underscore the changing of seasons. I was determined to give this one a whirl before it was too late, but I definitely felt a chill the day I wore it. There’s been talk of an Indian summer here, but I am not getting my hopes up. Winter is always just around the corner. Edmonton is basically Winterfell. But, you know, minus the King in da Norf. Alas.

easy, breezy ... or just breezy — easy, breezy … or just breezy

This dress was hanging on top of a rack at Value Village, but the fabric felt nice to the touch, so I pulled it down to have a closer look. Sure enough, it proved to be an Anthro brand; I haven’t lost my touch entirely. It was also $25. I had to think twice about getting it, as a matter of principle. Value Village, we have a problem. This dress would sell for something like $35 at my local consignment store; if I purchased it there, I would be supporting a local business, and enjoying a boutique-like shopping environment at the same time. Neither is something that applies to VV. Just saying.

Leaving that VV nonsense aside, this is a lovely dress, so I’m glad I bought it. It has a tie in the back which is a feature I usually despise, but this one doesn’t bother me too much. The dress is a size Medium, and loose, so it feels more like a swing dress than anything else. And we all know I love me a good swing dress. I also appreciate that while the dress is on the shorter side, the neckline is not scandalously low. It’s getting hard to find a casual dress that doesn’t feature a deep v. As someone who doesn’t have a cute bralette to flash, I appreciate the extra coverage.

06
Sep
2017

Peak Outfit, Part 2

categories: Favourite things, style

Sweater & skirt, Aritzia (via consignment); shoes, Jones NY; bag, Gucci (via consignment)

I cannot tell you how much I love this outfit. Well, I just did, or tried to, but I am not sure my enthusiasm has been properly conveyed. I REALLY REALLY LOVED IT! There, that’s better. I loved how this looked, and more importantly, I love how it felt to wear it. It is an outfit whose charm, I am afraid to say, is not easily captured in iPhone photos, especially since it’s at its most potent when in motion. The skirt swishes and twirls as I walk, and that just puts an extra bounce in my step for some reason. This is also Peak Minimalist Moment for me, which was not a conscious goal in this case, but I am happy to enjoy it nonetheless.

I have been looking for a knife pleat skirt like this for ages, but wasn’t able to find one I truly loved — one with the requisite amount of swishy movement to it — until I clapped eyes on this Babaton number. Of course, it’s Aritzia; what else would it be, sigh. It’s not too stiff, but also not too flimsy. It does fit small; I am wearing a large, and it fits snugly an inch or two below my natural waist (similar to a mid- to high-rise jean).

The sweater was an impulse buy; I bought both pieces on the same visit to my fave consignment store because I loved how they looked together. But it’s a funny thing; I normally avoid aqua — I think it’s a pretty colour, but not one I enjoy wearing. Wearing pastels in generally makes me sort of … squirmy inside my own skin. Anyway, this colour is a desaturated, slightly greyed out aqua and I ADORE it. I call it “mist” which might mean nothing at all, but sounds suitably ethereal. The sweater is a lightweight knit which is very comfortable and non-scratchy. It’s also Aritzia, doyouevenneedtoask. The shoes are not, but they could be; they have the right aesthetic. One of the soles is already coming unglued but I don’t care because I can’t get enough of the style; these shoes go with everything. Time to get the super glue out, I think. I foresee a long future ahead for this skirt-loafer combo.