Details: Everlane top (thrifted), Max& Co skirt (thrifted), Liz Claiborne bag (Poshmark), Old Navy shoes (Poshmark)

Thoughts: I was surprised by how much I loved this spur-of-the-moment-brainstormed colour combo. I’ve made a note to try this top with other cool colours. And yes, that is the (oversized) tote bag that matches my rainbow dress. After a year of searching, I finally snagged it on Poshmark. Patience wins the day again!

Details: Jessica jumpsuit (thrifted), Uniqlo top (thrifted), Capelli bag (Poshmark)

Thoughts: Vintage pinafore jumpsuits aren’t that common, or at least I had never seen one before so I was immediately intrigued by this one. The best part? It fits my long torso. The next best part? The pattern is a great match with this straw bag, which might just be my ultimate summer accessory.

Details: Denim & Supply top (thrifted), Elevenses vest (thrifted), Babaton skirt (thrifted).

Thoughts: Using a vest as a “3rd piece” is my favourite summer styling trick. It makes outfits look more “polished” while still making appropriate concessions to the weather. Plus, it’s an opportunity to inject some pattern mixing. This burgundy-based scheme (with the subtle floral in the background) is quite eye-pleasing.

Details: Valentino scarf, as top (thrifted), Urban Outfitters pants (thrifted)

Thoughts: I learned how to tie a scarf as a top from one of my favourite IG accounts (Sabra of MyStyleIsMyBrand), and it’s quite a nice trick for hot summer days. I wore this while working from home because I’m mostly a calculated risk taker, but you could also easily hedge your bets by wearing a light topper. In my case, I managed my risks (ahem) by actually wearing a strapless bra underneath — it happens to be the same shade of blue as the scarf.

Details: thrifted & upcycled jacket, Wilfred dress (thrifted)

Thoughts: I am lucky to count Josh, the talented maker behind Prairie Trail Goods, among my “real life” friends now (we have known each other online for a few years) for any number of reasons, not least of which (a) we both love thrifting, and (b) she can make an amazing, one-of-a-kind jacket out of thrifted textiles like this one. Which I am not lucky enough to own. The sleeves were pillow shams in a former life, can you believe it? Not only is this jacket beautiful — and my new favourite thing to wear — but it’s so easy to wear: light and airy, and super versatile.

Details: Tabi vest (thrifted), H&M pants (thrifted), Isabel Marant belt (thrifted), Everlane shoes (thrifted), Dooney bag (Poshmark)

Thoughts: I hate golf with a passion, but I couldn’t resist this vintage Tabi golf-themed vest; it’s so cute! I didn’t want to go full-on pastiche with my outfit, so I paired it with pieces I felt were more modern, like the paperbag waist pants, and a little edgier, like the studded belt. Although the outfit is a little more beige than I usually go for, I felt great it in. Very jaunty, in fact!

Details: Vince top (thrifted), Shoshanna dress (thrifted), Adriano Goldschmied jeans (thrifted), Cotton Ginny belt (thrifted), Barbara Barbieri shoes (thrifted), Dooney bad (Poshmark)

Thoughts: On my quest to find a long, floaty duster like the one from that old Ralph Lauren collection I posted a while ago, I picked up this dress as an experimental “maybe”. It’s polyester, not silk, and because it’s lined, a bit heavier (less floaty) than ideal, but it does have a coat-like vibe when worn unbuttoned. Perhaps not an unqualified success, but … a success nonetheless?

I am continuing to make my way through the stash of vintage fashion magazines that I scored a while ago, and finding so much relevant style inspo. And what I mean by that is inspiration that is very much relevant to current fashion in general, as well as the 90s revival currently happening. Prior to this, my idea of (late) 80s and (early) 90s fashion was easily summed up in one word: “dated”. It’s probably because I didn’t experience it firsthand (I was a kid/tween/teenager and didn’t really get interested in fashion until after 1995) but had the impression that it was all hideous shoulder pads and garish colours. And, while there is *some* of that (especially in Cosmo which tends to be more high street than high fashion), I’ve been so surprised to see outfits and pieces that I would unhesitatingly wear today — would LOVE to wear today.

Case in point (all photos from Harper’s Bazaar):

That last photos is the most “80s” of the bunch, but the pattern is so fabulous that I would be tempted to overlook those power shoulders anyway. I think what has surprised me the most is the styling; I have seen stunning accessories along the way, of the kind that really appeals to me – big, bold, architectural. It has inspired me to look anew towards vintage jewelry.

Another thing that I have noticed with interest are the prices of the clothes. By and large, they are very much in line with current day prices (both at the expensive end of the scale, and the inexpensive end). For example, the Comme des Garcons ensemble in the second photo from the top cost $300-$600 a piece. What is interesting is that the cost of most other consumer goods back then were much lower than current prices. I’ve found numerous references in the same magazines to salaries, and it’s clear that $30K was considered a good salary (for a woman, at least) back then. By the same logic, clothing should cost way more now than it does … and yet it doesn’t. And that has been the starkest example of the influence of fast fashion (and its downward pressure on clothing costs) that I’ve come across yet. Food for thought.

I am about to get into the Vogue stash next (which I had been saving for last) so stay tuned for the next instalment.

Details: April Cornell dress & hat (both thrifted), Capelli bag (Poshmark), J. Crew sandals (retail)

Thoughts: I love this dress so much in principle — the 90s silhouette, the length, the colour, the floral pattern. It’s perfect for a stroll to the farmers’ market and an outdoors art show, which is where I wore it. But I’ll be honest: I struggled at times to feel confident in it. The dress is loose but the material is the kind that clings to every bump and curve, which made me self-conscious every time I caught a glimpse of myself in a shop window. A long time, I decided to let go of all my body hang-ups, and for the most part I have succeeded; so this was an unwelcome reminder than I am not immune to society’s toxic commentary on female bodies as I thought I was. It leaves me in a bit of a quandary because I love this dress but I also do not believe in wearing things that make you uncomfortable. So I will need to figure out whether I can wear it a way that doesn’t, or find a way to silence the critical voice in my head.

Details: Wilfred top (swap), Liz Claiborne dress (thrifted), Barbara Barbieri shoes (thrifted)

Thoughts: I adore this dress *in spite* of its spaghetti straps, but I also prefer not to have to deal with them (or a strapless bra) whenever possible. So this formula — wearing a top over it, tucked into a wide belt — is a favourite. Luckily, the dress offers so many possibilities for mixing and matching. Here, I chose one of my favourite colour combos: purple and turquoise.

Details: Vero Moda tunic (swap), Gap dress (thrifted), Anthropologie belt (thrifted), Old Navy shoes (Poshmark)

Thoughts: This is that interesting tunic that I picked out from the swap. Isn’t it a neat piece? It’s very nice for summer layering, especially now that our weather has warmed up significantly. Something like this allows the outfit to have visual interest without sacrificing comfort. The colour is not one I would normally gravitate towards, but I am figuring out what combinations might make it more appealing to me. I think I will have to try something with more blue next time.

Details: Denim & Supply top (thrifted), vintage belt (Poshmark), Susan Bristol skirt (Poshmark), Barbara Barbieri shoes (thrifted)

Thoughts: This was very much the epitome of my summer Jo March On the Prairie aesthetic, and I loved it. The skirt is wonderful but can be a challenge in terms of mixing and matching, but this top is its perfect complement.

Details: Vince top, Pilcro pants (both thrifted), J. Crew shoes (retail)

Thoughts: I loved the colour palette here, and the stripe/floral pattern mixing is a classic, but looking back, I’m not in LOVE in love with this outfit. It feels a bit too … safe? muted? simple? It’s a lovely outfit but not one that made me feel “wow”.

Details: Max & Co dress (thrifted), TeenFlo skirt (thrifted), Esprit belt (thrifted), Chelsea Crew shoes (thrifted)

Thoughts: I have been wanting a skirt cape (aka overskirt, aka skirt train) for ages, and this TeenFlo corduroy skirt I picked up at the vintage warehouse sale finally made my dreams come true. The waist is too tiny to fully button up, but if I only do up one of the buttons (on the last buttonhole) then it becomes, you guessed it, a skirt cape. Paired with this dress, it’s perfection. The corduroy material is soft enough to have a nice drape, but still has some body to it so it doesn’t just lie limp against the dress. I can’t wait to try it with other outfits.

Details: Denim & Supply top (thrifted), J. Crew vest (thrifted), Everlane pants (swap), Brave belt (Poshmark), Chelsea Crew shoes (thrifted)

Thoughts: A little bit prairie, a little bit pirate? That wasn’t my intention but I ain’t mad about it.