Details: Babaton turtleneck, Tahari shirt, Chaps vest, Nocona belt, Golden jacket, Max & Co skirt, Fluevog shoes (all thrifted)

Thoughts: This outfit was my take on a favourite classic Ralph Lauren ad from the 80s (see below). I had to improvise, since I don’t have the exact pieces or anything super similar, but I think I did pretty well. It seems appropriate that my version is a bit more colourful — although I also love the more muted colour palette in the original. This level of layering is a new obsession of mine; I am trying to push myself creatively when it comes to creating depth through layering of different textures and materials.

Details: J. Crew blazer, Ralph Lauren skirt, Chico’s belt, Louboutin shoes (all thrifted)

Thoughts: Also inspired by a Ralph Lauren runway look from a few years ago — he uses belts a lot, in different ways like over a jacket. It might not be easy to see in this photo, but there is a bit of pattern mixing happening; the jacket has a very subtle white pinstripe. It’s velvet, which always feels luxe to me, and gives a nice textural contrast to the wool skirt. I’m still loving black & white outfits, as you can see.

Details: Equipment shirt, H&M pants (both thrifted), Ralph Lauren vest and belt (both Poshmark), Tradlands jacket (thrifted)

Thoughts: This is the most beige you’ll see me wearing, I promise. Still, I think there is enough colour and pattern in the outfit that we can safely say it’s miles away from “vanilla girl” style. Wouldn’t want to be accused of being trendy, hahaha! I recently got this belt on Poshmark, and I love it. It’s got a bit of that southwestern flair, but it’s not too flashy so it’s quite versatile. This outfit is rather professor-on-the-prairie, don’t you think?

Details: Prairie Trail Goods jacket, French Connection sweater (thrifted), Cleo skirt (thrifted),Warren Steven Scott earrings

Thoughts: Here is another jacket made by my super talented friend, J. I’m slowly building up a collection of upcycled quilted jackets from her, and I love each piece so much. Her eye for pattern mixing is incredible — just look at this jacket. The choice of skirt here was a bit of a wildcard, but I think its plaid is a lovely complement to the plaid sleeves. The black grounds the whole outfit nicely too.

Details: Tahari shirt, Everlane sweater, Woolrich vest, Mexx skirt, Office London boots (all thrifted), Prairire Trail Goods tote

Thoughts: I call this Femme Lumberjack. I’m still obsessed with this Woolrich vest and I wanted to try to mix things up (and away from jeans), so I went with a skirt. I think the tan works well. I did end up adding a bit of blue, via a chambray shirt collar, to accessorize with this marvelous tote. I’m liking this colour story a lot!

Last week, I wrote about updating my inspo board for the Historian avatar with ’20s and ’30s-influenced runway inspiration; this week, let’s do the same for the Bohemian, my other main style avatar. As a reminder, whereas the Historian is professorial and masculine-leaning, the Bohemian is romantic and feminine-leaning. Each avatar can be expressed via different vibes or “flavours”. Here are some examples of different versions of the Bohemian, from last summer’s outfits:

And here are some of the images I have been adding to my inspo board lately, reflecting a 20s/30s vibe:

I am calling this my “I Capture the Castle” aesthetic, which helps me focus in on the mood I want to evoke and to visualize it. [If you haven’t read the book, I highly recommend it.] It’s shabby-chic, rundown English manor house, make-your-dress-out-of-old-curtains, with a dash of champagne picnic extravagance.

Details: Giambattista Valli x H&M dress (Poshmark), Prairie Trail Goods jacket, vintage brooch (gift)

Thoughts: Still dreaming about summer, as you can see. I decided to mix ALL the florals for this outfit, taking inspiration from this glorious upcycled jacket. For extra fun, I pinned it closed with a large vintage brooch gifted to me by a friend. Sometimes, more is just right.

Details: Gai Mattiolo jacket (Poshmark), French Connection sweater (thrifted), Banana Republic pants (retail)

Thoughts: Someone on IG once said this jacket looked perfect for a clown costume, and it has been the “clown jacket” to me ever since. I love it, unironically. It’s fun and it doesn’t take itself seriously, which is very much my jam. The colours also make it a super versatile piece. For example: one of the colour blocks is a perfect match to my wide leg corduroy pants. Outfit done and done.

Detail: Wilfred sweater, Ralph Lauren jacket & skirt, Frye boots, Paul Smith scarf (all secondhand)

Thoughts: I’ve come to think of purple and green combos as my “villain colours” — the colours I would wear if I were a comic book villain. Paired with each other, they just feel badass to me. This outfit is the alter ego version; you know, for blending in with the ‘normies’. My villain alter ego is, apparently, a suburban mom with an affinity for Ralph Lauren. What is my villain self? I haven’t decided yet. But I’m sure that version of me ALSO likes Ralph Lauren 🙂

Details: Mango sweater (Poshmark), Greta Constantine x Danier belt, no name vintage skirt, Banana Republic necklace (all thrifted)

Thoughts: It’s hard to see from the photos, but there is a teeny bit of aqua in the paisley pattern, which explains why I decided to pair these pieces. Paisley is really growing on me as a pattern, and I especially like this version against a black background. The elastic waist of this skirt is a bit loose, and I’m too unmotivated to try to fix it, so I used a wide belt to cinch it in. Now you know all my secrets.

Details: Club Monaco turtleneck (retail), Ralph Lauren vest, jacket and belt, Pilcro jeans, Dooney & Bourke bag (all secondhand), Clarks shoes (retail)

Thoughts: Another “casual mom on errand duty” outfit with an twist. I’ve been pushing myself to get more creative with layering — this isn’t a great example (it’s kinda basic) but I am moving away from sweaters back to vests as we get closer to spring. I am also proud of myself for remembering that I have some cute wool socks, even if only a small peek is visible once I put my shoes on. I think of it as a fun surprise for myself.