As y’all know, I’m trying really hard to act like a grown-up at work, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t revert back to my true comfort zone on the weekends. And nothing is more comfortable and familiar than florals + stripes. I’ll be the first to admit that I rarely have much reason to get this dressed up on the weekend, but since it’s my only chance to wear some favourite pieces that don’t make the cut at work, I do it anyway. It doesn’t much matter, because the only thing most people get to see is my ginormous parka. I doffed it for these photos since it’s not particularly photogenic, nor does it add much to my outfit, except warmth. And you better believe that, notwithstanding my driveway frolicking, our current weather here (-20C) demands ALL the warmth.

And speaking of frolicking, in case you were wondering why I’m looking so, um, shifty, it’s because it was a very bright (and cold, did I mention cold?) day. Brighter than my mole-like eyes could handle. Luckily, my blogger handbook comes with instructions for a variety of eye contact-avoiding poses. Don’t believe me? I present Exhibits #2 and #3:

What can I say: it’s a skill, you guys.

This is the Lida Baday dress I thrifted for $7 at Goodwill. It has pockets. The print looks vaguely ink-blot-y, but thankfully not in a Rorschach kind of way – that could make for some awkward water cooler conversations. The one thing I was nervous about in regards to the dress was its neckline; it’s square, and cut wide on the sides, which means that I have to go the strapless bra route. I don’t know if I’m alone in this, but I absolutely abhor strapless bras. As instruments of torture go, they might not be up to Inquisition standards, but they’re usually more than I can handle on a daily basis. Surprisingly, this dress was fairly comfy, undergarment situation notwithstanding. Color me surprised. Not literally, because I’m wearing black and white. Har de har!

[Fifty negative brownie points to the first person who pipes up that black is a colour. One hundred negative brownie points to the first person who starts talking about physics. Party poopers.]

This Pink Tartan suit is my second oldest (two) piece in my closet, again by a long shot. As far as I recall, I picked it up from a clearance rack of a consignment store, 7 or 8 years ago. I’ve been hanging on to it this whole time because of its quality – excellent workmanship and attention to details, and it’s made in Canada. I haven’t worn it much, though, because the style always seemed to me to straddle the fine line between retro and “grandma clothes”. On my younger self, it felt … costumey. But, perhaps, its time has finally come.

It’s still a lot of suit, but I feel like it actually looks best when worn together, rather than mixed with other separates; it has an identity, you know? Anyway, I’m glad that I hung on to it.