This Old Thing

Marc Jacobs Blake spearmint; Pilotto for Target top
Top, Pilotto for Target; cardigan, Joe Fresh; jeans, Cleo (via consignment); shoes, Stuart Weitzman; bag, Marc Jacobs (via eBay)

This top used to be a dress. It was a nice dress, but not the greatest silhouette for me. For a dress that fitted to work, I need it to be made out of something … more Spanx-esque. Cotton, though comfortable, doesn’t quite cut it. For that reason, I haven’t worn this dress much lately. Well, not just that reason. It was also a very casual dress; I have a lot of other casual dresses I like better. So. What to do?

Initially, I was going to try to sell it. But, honestly, a $30 dress is hardly worth selling (especially Target quality, which is already showing its wear after 6 months). I like the print a lot, and the cotton material is very comfortable. So, I did what is starting to become a habit … a major alteration. But also a simple one (or so my grandmother tells me). I had the dress made into a top. And here we are.

Speaking of old things, I bought these earrings in a long-defunct boutique in Kits, back when I started dating my husband (who was then living in Vancouver). It’s hard to believe that was almost 7 years ago. I don’t wear them very often, but it’s always a special occasion when I do.

Chanel like camellia flower earring
Chanel-esque earrings

And speaking of more old things … my trusty Stuart Weitzman pumps are going on 5 years, and still looking pretty darn good. But the prize for longevity has to go to my Blake bag; though still relatively new-to-me, this bag is almost a decade old. At the risk of beating an old horse: splurging on bags and shoes is where it’s at, you guys.

Marc Jacobs Blake spearmint; Pilotto for Target top
better this way?

Brooching It Up

Ports 1961 plaid pencil skirt; plaid pencil skirt; Marc Jacobs Kirsten bag; ferragamo Flavia red pumps
Skirt, Ports 1961; sweater, J. Crew Factory; shoes, Ferragamo (via consignment); bag, Marc Jacobs (via eBay)

One of my favourite things about plaid is that it’s so easy to accessorize with all sorts of colour, yet looks more sedate than other multi-colour prints. Which makes it doubly sad that I have to part with this skirt … but the high waist + front pleats combo leaves me no choice. Although it fits my hips perfectly, the waist is just too fitted for my (longish) days at the office; by the afternoon, I’m just about ready for sweatpants and their forgiving elastic waistbands. Anyway, you know what this means: the hunt for a plaid skirt is back on. eBay, bring it!

In the meantime, let’s take a moment to look over the little details:

vintage red brooch
vintage brooch
Ports 1961 plaid pencil skirt; plaid pencil skirt; Marc Jacobs Kirsten bag; ferragamo Flavia red pumps
classic red shoes

 

The Equipment Shirt, Take Two

Equipment Brett shirt snakeskin print; Equipment Shirt windowpane print
Shirt, Equipment; pants, Banana Republic (via consignment); shoes, Manolo Blahnik (thrifted); belt, J. Crew Factory; bag, MbMJ (via eBay)

I’m liking this outfit better than my first try with this Equipment shirt. Honest! The just-sucked-a-lemon-and-possibly-smelled-a-fart smile was simply a function of a horrible Monday morning. I think that it’s extra important to wear great outfits on Mondays, because that can go a long way towards mitigating the New Week, Everyone Is Grumpy effect; this particular outfit definitely helped. So did having a Good Hair Day.

Equipment Brett shirt snakeskin print; Equipment Shirt windowpane print
the black + blue theme continues

True story: one of my bosses remarked that my shoes went really well with my shirt. And they say that men don’t pay attention to details, pshaw! Also, I am incredibly predictable with the matchy-matchiness, but you already knew that.

Equipment Brett shirt snakeskin print; Equipment Shirt windowpane print
perfect match