Summer Blues

Blazer, Aritzia (thrifted); top, Theory (via consignment); necklace, BR; jeans, Paige (thrifted); shoes, Kelsi Dagger (thrifted); bag, Coach
Blazer, Aritzia (thrifted); top, Theory (via consignment); necklace, BR; jeans, Paige (thrifted); shoes, Kelsi Dagger (thrifted); bag, Coach

I loved this outfit so, so much. Others seemed to really love it too, if Instagram is anything to go by. Love all around, you might say. If only sartorial success came so easily every time – because, seriously, this was the easiest outfit to pull together, ever. To be fair, I’ve noticed that my outfits are generally coming together much more easily these days, a fact which I attribute to the increasing (slowly but surely) cohesiveness of my personal style. I also feel like my outfits are simpler than ever — featuring few or no accessories — which used to bore me, but now delights me. Adding a necklace used to be instinctual; now, as often as not, I take it off before I leave the house, or never bother with one in the first place.

close-up
close-up
cool blues
cool blues

Clearly, this outfit was an exception. I couldn’t say no to my favourite necklace, which has been seeing the light of day less frequently than before. It’s still a great piece, and I still wish Banana Republic made stuff like this nowadays instead of the cheapo crap that falls apart in a couple of wears. Yep, I’m still bitter about the last pieces of costume jewelry I bought there. Anyway, this necklace is great and I am actively hunting for a back-up on eBay. In the meantime, I am also pondering this Verena necklace from Anthro (non-affiliate link). Does anyone have thoughts on the quality of Anthro jewelry? Lemme have them in the comments.

cocoon blazer
cocoon blazer
new outfit fave
new outfit fave

New Favourites, Volume I-Lost-Track

Top, LOFT (thrifted); pants, Aritzia (thrifted); necklace, Cleo; shoes, Ferragamo (thrifted)
Top, LOFT (thrifted); pants, Aritzia (thrifted); necklace, Cleo; shoes, Ferragamo (thrifted)

I should keep track of all the recurring features on BCRL a lot better but … eh. You know how it goes with your favourite (?) most lazy blogger. Heart’s in the right place, but execution sometimes leaves something to be desired. But, yes, here are a few of my current favourite things. In no particular order …

Numero uno: this top. You’ve seen it before, and it’s still awesome. I’m starting to be a big fan of crepe. It’s not as finicky as silk, care-wise, and it feels nicer (and less sweaty) than plain poly. I love the colour palette, and I had to restrain myself from playing up to it. I chose neutrals, but it’s only a matter of time before I try a slightly wilder combination.

Numero dos: Aritzia pants, y’all. Not the same style as my old ones, mind you, but the same Japanese fabric. The cut is a little less slouchy than my other pair, but not as body-skimming as my BR Sloans. Thrifting anything Aritzia makes me extra happy these days because I’m loving the aesthetic but not the retail prices.

Numero tres: my shooooooes. These Ferragamos are excellent, and I was dying to wear them again so I did even though I’m not entirely sure this combo is a match made in heaven. But we’re talking Purgatory, at a minimum.

cap toes
cap toes
pretty simple
pretty simple

Tales From The Thrift: July Encore

Another month, another round-up of thrift finds, with bonus Calgary stuff thrown into the mix. I had pretty good luck this month, and spotted a bunch of cute-but-not-for-me pieces as well. Vacation thrifting was a bit of a bust, but the hometown scene more than makes up for that. Plus, at the end of this month I’ll be heading to Vancouver again, so I’ll get another chance to treasure hunt in new grounds.

We have a lot to cover, so let’s get started!

spotted not thrifted #1
spotted not thrifted #1
spotted not thrifted #2
spotted not thrifted #2

I like doing these collages because it gives you a sense of the spectrum of brands you can find in our local thrift stores. Basically, it’s anything and everything.

Left: Club Monaco; right: Iris Setlawke
Left: Club Monaco; right: Iris Setlawke

Two cute dresses, both passes for me. I adored the colour of the Club Monaco dress on the left, but it fit very poorly around the hips. The colour of the dress on the left does nothing for me, and the style is not really my thing either, but it’s a dress that would be fantastic on the right person. The brand is made in Canada, and sells for $$$ at Blu’s, so keep an eye out for it, ladies.

Talula blazer
Talula blazer

I love the cut of the Talula Kent blazer, but this one was too tight in the shoulders.

Vanessa Virginia blouse
Vanessa Virginia blouse

I have been searching high and low for a particular Vanessa Virginia blouse, but no luck. This one was cute but no cigar.

Teenflo suit
Teenflo suit

A beautiful cut skirt suit, but sadly a couple of sizes too big for me. Also, my work dress code is about to become a lot more casual, so a full suit is not something I really need these days. For $8, I hope someone picked this up.

French Connection pumps
French Connection pumps

Cute pumps in like-new condition, but too small for me.

Dex jacket
Dex jacket

This is not my current style, but I loved all the details. Very old skool Anthro-esque.

Talula blazer #2
Talula blazer #2

Another too-small Talula Kent blazer. The colour, while beautiful, is also not within my colour palette.

Nanette Lepore coat
Nanette Lepore coat

Cute coat but too gamine a style for me.

Knitted & Knotted sweater
Knitted & Knotted sweater

I loved this sweater so, so much, but the colour – gah! It makes me look green around the gills.

J. Crew dress
J. Crew dress

This dress was NWT, if I recall correctly, and I can see why. The fit … oof. I have no idea what body type this would flatter, but it ain’t mine.

Edme & Esyllte dress
Edme & Esyllte dress

Cute dress, not my thang. Still had the tags on. $168 seems ridiculously high for this.

Plenty by TracyReese dress
Plenty by TracyReese dress

Another cute dress which did my hips no favours.

J. Crew dress
J. Crew dress

Cute dress, but that flounce is not my (current) cup of tea.

Bob Mackie dress
Bob Mackie dress

Does anyone else remember the outfits that Bob Mackie used to design for Cher? This might as well be a nun outfit by comparison, but it was cool to see this retro callback.

Left: Jeoffrey Caoc; right: Ett Twa (??)
Left: Jeoffrey Caoc; right: Ett Twa (??)

A couple of cute tops I passed on. See, I DO have some self-restraint.

Maeve dress
Maeve dress

Remember my old no-Anthro-left-behind motto? Those were the good old days of … um … 2016. I left this behind; too “girly” for my current style.

Left: Charlie Jade; right: French Connection
Left: Charlie Jade; right: French Connection

These tops were also cute but not memorable enough to make up for the fact they were polyester.

Joie sweater
Joie sweater

Snakeprint is a no-go for me; otherwise this Joie sweater would have been a winner. Can’t have too many sweaters.

Cartonnier blazer
Cartonnier blazer

Leopard print is another no-go for me. It’s always a sad day when I have to pass on a Cartonnier blazer.

Rebecca Taylor jacket
Rebecca Taylor jacket

This Rebecca Taylor jacket was a bit more worn than I like, plus I wasn’t sure I could easily incorporate it into my wardrobe so I passed.

Zara top
Zara top

I was intrigued by this top. It had interesting design details, some of which looked expensive, but the hand-feel wasn’t right. All the tags had been cut off, but I googled it out of curiosity. It’s a Zara piece. The quality makes a lot of sense, knowing that.

Kate Spade Saturday dress
Kate Spade Saturday dress

Oh, to be a few years younger and/or a lot cooler! I have nowhere to wear a dress this funky and short, so I left it behind. Someone else will give it a good time, I’m sure.

Left: Hei Hei; right: J. Brand
Left: Hei Hei; right: J. Brand

I passed on the J Brand skinnies on the right because, although the colour was perfect, I have enough. Yes, you read that right. I didn’t buy something because I decided I had enough of a particular thing. Mark this one down for the history books.

I did buy the Hei Hei pants because they’re technically *not* sweatpants but sure feel like it. I am sure they will come in very handy one of these weekends.

T Babaton top
T Babaton top

Gah, I loved this top so, so much. I had been wanting a “marigold” top for ages, and I would have bought this in a heartbeat (even with the sheer-ish back), but the neckline was too low in the front. I was pretty bummed out about it, but my restraint was ultimately rewarded … to be continued below.

From top left (clockwise): J. Crew skirt; Pleione top; Deletta top; Cartonnier jacket
From top left (clockwise): J. Crew skirt; Pleione top; Deletta top; Cartonnier jacket

A few Calgary thrift hits. The only thing I bought from the above was the ivory Cartonnier jacket.

T Babaton sweater
T Babaton sweater

Yep, my consolation prize. Same brand, but a slightly different style. It’s kind of annoying that you can see my bra in the back, but I can live with it; the sweater is quite lightweight, so I can layer it under blazers for work if need be. Also, with a nude bra, it’s not at all see-through, I promise.

H&M top
H&M top

I don’t normally bother with H&M, but this colour is hard to find, and I liked the plainness of the top, so I bought it. It will be a nice complement to some of my statement (print) pieces.

Oak & Fort coat
Oak & Fort coat

I also love the simplicity of this Oak & Fort coat, which you have already seen in action. It’s a nice grey, and it will be perfect for early fall (and cooler summer mornings).