Searching for "zara skirt"

Navy Crop

Blazer, BR (thrifted); skirt, Zara; camisole, Costco; shoes, J. Crew; bag, YSL (via eBay)
Blazer, BR (thrifted); skirt, Zara; camisole, Costco; shoes, J. Crew; bag, YSL (via eBay)

Ever since I found this cropped blazer, I knew I wanted to pair it with my navy midi skirt. It’s a no brainer. And lo — they work great together. I so love it when my instincts are proven right. I hesitated over the shoes, because any number of options could have worked — red, gold, blue, nude. In the end, I went with something less obvious: teal.

Oh, and to be clear: I promise you that I’m wearing a camisole underneath. In the light of my bedroom, it looked cream to me, but in the basement dungeon, it turned, well, flesh toned. But, no, I’m not nearly racy enough to go sans top to work.

pop! of! teal!
pop! of! teal!

Here are some close-ups:

vintage brooch (via eBay)
vintage brooch (via eBay)
the old favourite: YSL Muse II
the old favourite: YSL Muse II
high waisted skirt + cropped jacket = success
high waisted skirt + cropped jacket = success

These Old Things

Sweatshirt, J. Crew; skirt, Zara; shirt, J. Crew (via eBay); shoes, Ferragamo (via consignment)
Sweatshirt, J. Crew; skirt, Zara; shirt, J. Crew (via eBay); shoes, Ferragamo (via consignment)

I mean, for real: you have seen these pieces so many times. Don’t hate me for subjecting you to them one more time. I do love this sweatshirt so, so much (in case that wasn’t amply clear). I normally wouldn’t wear a sweatshirt to work, but it was Be Seen In Jeans week (aka casual everyday) so I figured I could pull it off on this occasion.

the old made new?
the old made new?
bracelet, Topshop or Accessorize??
bracelet, Topshop or Accessorize??

I bought this bracelet yeeeears ago (to wit, 2004) on a stopover in London. The pound was as strong against the Canadian dollar as it is … well, always … so it cost me a pretty penny (even though it was just costume jewelry from a high street store) but I just had to have it – even on my then-student budget – because I loved it so. I still think it’s pretty special, and I’m glad I remembered it and dug it out for this occasion. It goes so well with these other old, favourite things.

all the favourite things
all the favourite things
don't forget the pockets!
don’t forget the pockets!

Secondhand Blues

Top, J. Crew (via consignment); skirt, MaxMara (thrifted); necklace, J. Crew Factory; shoes, Ferragamo (via consignment); bag, Louis Vuitton (via consignment)
Top, J. Crew (via consignment); skirt, MaxMara (thrifted); necklace, J. Crew Factory; shoes, Ferragamo (via consignment); bag, Louis Vuitton (via consignment)

Ok, the title is a misleading sort of pun, because you know that shopping secondhand never leaves me feeling blue. So, while this outfit has me wearing a lot of aqua, that’s the only kind of blue in the picture. Har har.

But, yes, other than the necklace, this is an outfit made entirely of consignment or thrifted pieces. Coincidentally (or not?), it’s also made up of some pretty fancy pieces – things I certainly wouldn’t want to buy at retail prices. Lucky, then, that this outfit cost me only about 24% of its original retail value – on things (like the bag and shoes especially) that looked to be brand new. Have I told you lately how much I love shopping secondhand?

ladylike blouse
ladylike blouse

I should also tell you, if I haven’t lately, how much I love this J. Crew blouse. The silk has a nice drape to it, and gives off a lovely romantic vibe when it’s tucked in. It works as beautifully with a pencil skirt as it does with my Zara midi skirt.

no black in sight
no black in my outfit? what sorcery is this?