Jacket, Joe Fresh (thrifted); scarf, 14Th & Union (thrifted); sweater, thrifted; jeans, Pilcro (thrifted); shoes, J. Crew; bag, Coach (swap)
Here is a slight tweak on an old favourite outfit. Instead of grey, I paired my blue & black combo with cognac, and quite liked the result. I always seem to forget how versatile a neutral cognac is, and how well it goes with most of my wardrobe palette. Since the rest of the outfit felt a little predictable (in the best way, but still), I threw in a little bit of leopard to keep things interesting. The knee-patch jeans are not uninteresting either, I suppose. My husband teased me about them — something about looking like a train conductor? who knows how his mind works — but I love them. To be fair, I’ve yet to encounter a pair of Pilcro jeans that I don’t love, as my extensive collection can attest. You might say I’m all aboard the Pilcro train. Choo choo!
Blazer, CarlaG (thrifted); top, Rebecca Taylor (thrifted); pants, AG (thrifted); shoes, Kelsi Dagger (thrifted); bag, MbMJ
I feel guiltier than usual about the completely unoriginal title, because this blazer really does deserve a better intro for its inaugural outfit. It fits like a dream, and it makes me feel very European … which is to say: chic. I’ve long struggled to figure out why European women always look so much more chic than I feel. I’m not talking about willowy French magazine editors either; I’m talking about my own family members, none of whom are even remotely involved in the fashion industry. I’m starting to think that it has a lot to do with how the clothes they wear fit them. Fit is tricky. Some things are meant to skim the body; other things are meant to be slouchy (but not baggy). Figuring out the right proportions and the right balance in an outfit is tough. I think the retail industry here has gotten us so used to poor fits that we have a hard time knowing how the right fit is supposed to look. Well, I certainly do. This is where thrifting comes in handy; trial and error on the cheap.
Blazer-aside, I pulled this outfit together based on the colours in the print of this Rebecca Taylor top. That part was easy, anyway. Instead of a black bag, I went with a warmer neutral — burgundy. Overall, it’s a simple formula but one which, I dare say, fits me well.
My last “talking myself out of buying retail” post was so successful — seeing as how I didn’t buy any of the things featured in it — that I decided to make it a regular thing. Temptation has struck again, and here we are.
Club Monaco jumpsuit
I know this doesn’t really look like much in the stock photo, but it looks so lovely in person. I really should never visit a Club Monaco store because nothing good ever comes of it, at least as far as my wallet is concerned. I really, really covet this jumpsuit, but it’s not very practical and it’s over $300 dollars. I will say this for Club Monaco: they really stick to their guns, pricing wise. Stuff takes ages to go on sale, there are rarely “extra % off” sales, and prices never seem to hit rock bottom. If I had to guess, this jumpsuit will probably not hit the $100 mark for at least 3 months, if ever. Which means that I shall covet in vain. Sigh.
Speaking of coveting in vain, there is also this:
Club Monaco dress
Again, this is so much lovelier in person … and also highly impractical. And much, much too expensive. You’re killing me, Club Monaco.
Along the similar lines:
BCBG dress
I made the mistake of trying this one on. I shouldn’t have. It’s completely impractical, but, boy oh boy, those tulle ruffles. This is a like a very naughty version of a 50s debutante dress. As someone on Instagram said, it would probably be perfect for a (21st century) prom. Sadly, I’m 20 years too late to that party. The dress is $200, down from $700, during the last stages of BCBG’s closeout sale, for anyone who would like to be enabled.
Left: BCBG; right: Celine
I have been lusting after this Celine bag ever since it came out, and I am as close now as I’ll ever be to owning it … which is to say that I’m staring at it on my computer screen wistfully. Anyway, I spotted what looked like a pretty good lookalike at BCBG, and very seriously considered buying it. On sale, it’s less than 10% of the price of the Celine, and it is real leather. I like the minimalist aesthetic a lot, but the more I looked at it side by side with the original, the more I liked … the original.
BCBG tote
I was more tempted by the tote version in camel. It has a zipper, which is shockingly rare in totes for some reason. I was disappointed to realize that the front flap is actually purely decorative (there is no pocket underneath), but I might still have bought if not for two things: no long strap, and no outside pocket.
almost perfect
This, on the other hand, is absolutely flawless:
Alexis Bittar
I think it’s safe to say that I am obsessed with Alexis Bittar jewelry, and this bracelet is haunting me. Last I checked, it was about $150CDN on Last Call. Now, on one hand, I don’t think that’s a bad price, for the quality you get from Bittar pieces. I have a couple, and they are fantastic — elegant with an edge, always the subject to compliments. On the other hand, it has been an expensive month for me on non-sartorial fronts, and this is an indulgence I simply cannot justify at this time. Ugh, being responsible really sucks sometimes.
