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.