Tuesday, April 30, 2024

That Old 80s Formula

When I spend more time putting an outfit together, I feel better - and yet somehow, this lesson never quite sinks in. Ah, well, maybe this time? 
This outfit reminded me of an old 80s outfit formula I used to do - and it even has a couple of vintage 80s pieces in it. 

  • Topper - Buffalo David Bitton, consignment, Vancouver; purchased here for $35.00
  • Top - Sympli, thrifted; purchased here for $14.95
  • Leather skirt - Bagatelle, vintage 80s, consignment; first seen here in May 2023 with black bookends
  • Shoes - Effortless Bebe, Fluevog; last worn here (2nd outfit) in April with my butterfly zebra blazer
  • Loomed lady coat (below) - no label, vintage 60s, thrifted; last seen here in February

My old formula was a plain top tucked into a high-waisted long skirt, with an oversized topper, plus plain pointy shoes. It still works! 
Back in 1985-6, that would have been a white top, a black satin skirt, my Dad's oversized blazers (I had an olive corduroy one and a blue one), and black satin or red leather heels. 

I adore this kimono - the colours are perfect (colleague Jessica admired the satin lining), it's not too overwhelming on my frame. 
The pockets are completely inadequate - note my fingers don't even fit.

My boss treated me to lunch for my recent work anniversary (13 years!).
It was a nice treat to get outside during the day - but it was a little cold without a coat.

The Loomed Lady returns! 
She's very weather-specific - not too cold, not too hot. Perfect for spring. 

Accoutrements: 
Halston 'cause I'm classy! 

  • Silk scarf - Halston, vintage 70s, thrifted
  • Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff: 
I've moved along my other Fluevogs from this family - the pointy toe hurts my feet now. These remain comfortable - the leather is much less rigid. 

Sparkly bling: 
The 80s leather belt slipped around a bit - oh, right, I'd forgotten that particular feature. 

  • Belt - thrifted; purchased here for $2.00
  • Necklace - thrifted; purchased here for $25.00
  • Silver bangle - consignment
  • Silver/enamel ring - consignment, Sidney
  • Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's
  • Red bracelet - consignment
  • Earrings - consignment, c. 1997

I have a theatre event tomorrow night which will run late, so I'll be back on Thursday with loads of 'fits and good times to share. Thanks for stopping by! 

Monday, April 29, 2024

Blah Blank Black Back, Pops of Pearls

I did some wardrobe planning on the weekend for the coming week, styling up some of my not-yet-worn purchases. I try to wear them right away, so that I know immediately if they are a keeper or not. 
I did enjoy this glam 80s-inspired modern top, found while shopping with Kim in Vancouver, but [Spoiler Alert] it is not a keeper.

  • Top - Tricotto, thrifted, Vancouver; purchased here for $13.00
  • Skirt - Ports 1961, thrifted; last worn here in May 2023 with thrifted Gaultier
  • Shoes - Sol Sana; last seen here (2nd outfit) in August 2023 with houndstooth
  • Coat - BB Dakota, thrifted; first worn here in March 

I paired it with this yes-no skirt (I've regret-me-notted it multiple times) that is still hanging on in my closet after 6 years. It's 100% silk, has pockets, a cute paper-bag waist, what's not to like? 
I generally veer to the girly side of styling with it, but I bet it would be great with a t-shirt, sneakers and some funkier shoes, like my yellow Docs. I need to get more creative!

As noted, the top has gone to Limbo - it has one major flaw that I could not bear. 
It drives me mad when a designer skips the back. 

What a drag, what a bore, what a big blank blah. It's not even a knit, just a thin t-shirt fabric. 
A jacket would help, but it would cover some of the awesome front. Bah! Begone! 

Another ousted piece - this jacket is in too rough a condition for me. The red is all pulling apart, revealing the white underlayer - it's very noticeable once you start moving in it. 
Too bad - I do like the style, colour and cut. 

Accoutrements: 
I was glad I had this stuff. Brr! Chilly! 

  • Scarf - Metropolitan Museum of Art, thrifted
  • Gloves - vintage, thrifted

The stuff: 
I love these shoes - they are insanely comfortable. 

Pearly bling: 
Pearls always feel very 80s to me.

  • Belt - Banana Republic, thrifted
  • Pearl bracelet - thrifted
  • Necklace - Givenchy, vintage 80s, vintage fair
  • Earrings - thrifted
  • Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
  • Silver/onyx ring - Tocara, vintage fair
  • Gold bangle - thrifted

I'll be back in a couple of days, my friends with a bunch of outfits, so don't fret. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Sunday, April 28, 2024

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Funky Friday in Ice, Purple and Neon Lime; Brunch Black and White (and a Wee Shop); Dance at the Royal in Silk

Welcome back, my friends! I hope you had a lovely weekend, full of good times - I know I did! Allow me to share some pictures of what I wore and where I went. 

Funky Friday, and of course I had to wear my Ice Cube t-shirt from Tuesday's show. 
Add in this cotton eyelet lace skirt for some eye-searing colour.

  • Jean jacket - Ricochetjackets, consignment; last seen here (4th outfit) in February for a grocery shop
  • Ice Cube concert tee - bought for me by L here
  • Skirt - J. Crew, consignment; first worn here in September 2023 with loads of green
  • Boots - Original Samedi, Fluevog; last seen here for a wee shop in March

Following my own formula of band tee + cool skirt + rockin' jacket + a pair of Fluevogs. 
I'd forgotten that I'd only worn this neon lime skirt once, just after I bought it for only $20 on sale at Turnabout last summer. 

I'd rashly put it in Limbo last fall, and rescued it when I did my spring closet swap-over and was sorting through my bags (I keep my Limbo clothes bagged by category, i.e. skirts, dresses). It's a regret-me-not! 
My rockin' jacket is this reworked denim, done by local artist Ricochetjackets, and bought by L for me at Rich Rags last year - what a good buy it's been. They have many other jackets by her - but I think I got the best one. 

It has three permanent brooches now - one that belonged to Caro's mum, my S from a vintage fair with Cat and Elaine and Yvonne, and the little jade fly that I thrifted with L. 
I matched it to the skirt first, then rolled with purple boots and accessories to match the fringed trim. 

Without the jean jacket, which I never took off . 
The office was surprisingly full for a Friday, but my colleagues loved all my colour, and I had several gasps over the purple boots. I forget many of my coworkers haven't seen much of my wardrobe! 

This is how I looked on the way home, in the glaring sunlight. 
I hopped the bus to my 'hood, feeling exhausted from the past week. I had a nap after feeding Vizzini. 

But in the morning, it was raining and gloomy. I am prepared!
I also treated myself to a bus ride to work - such luxury! 

Accoutrements: 
I noticed for the first time in the couple of years since I thrifted this purse, that the long strap hooks have metal loops INSIDE the purse to attach to - they've been clipped to the visible loops on the side this whole time. It hangs much better now! 

  • Purse - Sonia Rykiel, thrifted
  • Scarf - Bill Blass, vintage 80s, consignment
  • Beret - consignment
  • Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff: 
Such kick-ass boots, speaking of good buys. 

Purple and gold bling:
Ice Cube would approve of all my gold bling. 

  • Gold bangle - thrifted
  • Earrings - Kate Spade
  • Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's
  • Scarab Ring - Heidi Daus, vintage mall, gift from L
  • Gold bracelet - vintage 70s, Mom's
  • Necklace - strung by me, purple beads from Great-Grandma Brooks (I think)

L was out with friends on Friday night, so I binge-watched some Netflix and enjoyed a sleep-in on Saturday morning before we me up with Nick for brunch at John's Place. 
Time to bust out some new-to-me Adidas, in the form of this fleece-lined graphic jacket. 

  • Jacket - Adidas, thrifted, Vancouver; purchased here for $25.00
  • Top - Grey by Jason Wu, thrifted; last seen here in July 2023 for a Mom-Day at Swan Lake
  • Skirt - GP & J Baker X H&M, consignment; last worn here in January with a sparkly blazer
  • Boots - United Nude, consignment; last seen here in October 2023 with warm layers

After brunch, L and I ran a few separate errands, then met back at the car. 
As I was coming out of a store, some dude said, "I just have to say - you look FANTASTIC." 

Aw, thanks, Rando! I admired his Cypress Hill hat. 
I did love this outfit, regardless of compliments (although they are always nice!). The jacket was snuggly warm in the spitty rain. 

I took it off briefly while we ate to show off this silk top - can you see the grosgrain ribbon woven through the hem at the front? 
It's a beautiful cut and so fun to thrift a swanky designer - and so much better than a boring plain black tee. 

Zipped up. 
I liked how the jacket's graphic pattern went with the boots. 

The stuff: 
This purse is pain in the arse to undo/do up - but the Cool Factor is worth it! The boots are always a pleasure to wear. 

Black and white bling: 
The earrings are the oldest - they're from West Germany, and I picked them up years ago at a vintage fair for around $10.00. 

  • Purse - fake Hermes, vintage 1990s, thrifted, Vancouver
  • Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
  • Silver/onyx ring - Tocara, vintage fair
  • Silver/obsidian ring - consignment
  • Striped bangles - consignment 
  • Black and white cuff - vintage, vintage fair
  • Earrings - West Germany, vintage 80s, vintage fair

Speaking of black and white, look what my 5-minute shop in the Beacon Ave Thrift Shop yielded! 
It's a caftan! 

I love the graphic pattern. 
And it has pockets!

I know this brand - Ayrtight - I used to have a tunic by them (also thrifted). Go here and scroll down, to see my colleague Carol wearing it better than me! 
100% viscose. Sometimes I think these things get donated because people don't want to deal with the wrinkles. 

Someone went to a lot of work to have this professionally hand-hemmed. 
That's better stitching than I do! 

But it's all for naught, as I picked out all that thread. 
Sorry, I need this caftan to reach the ground! 

I found this same caftan in a different pattern on Ayrtight's site for $350.00 (honest - here, all links 'cause I love). This is a Canadian designer, based in Vancouver. 
I paid only $10.00! What a score! 

I couldn't wait till summer heat to show it off - I steamed it and modeled for you. 
I felt very Mrs. Roper in this! I might need to wear this for our annual Pool Party this summer! 

Back to my wee shop - I also spotted this very soft leather belt in the bin with the junky cracked PVC belts.
I know the era of this - these pass-through non-buckle belts were big in the early 1980s. I had a gold stamped snakeskin one (wish I'd kept it!). 

No label or stamp on it, but the buckle's hardware is made by Astor in West Germany. I was surprised to find out that Astor - they are now called Astor-Berning - is still in business, making fittings for belts for over 100 years! Link here 'cause I love.
I love that rich purple and for a belt that's close to 30 years old, it's in very good shape. It was $2.00. 

We spent a quiet afternoon - I had a nap, such luxury! - then got ready to meet up with our friends from the local Turnabout store. David had called me a few nights ago - Turnabout is a sponsor for local organization Dance Victoria, which presented Ballets Jazz Montreal at the historic Royal Theatre. About it here - enjoy the videos there.
I finally had an event to wear this thin silk dress to! I bought it months ago, and have been impatiently waiting for warmer weather. 

  • Dress - Camilla, consignment; purchased here for $195.00
  • Shoes - Prepare Guide, Fluevog; last worn here in September 2023 with red and purple
  • Leather coat (below) - Maison Rabih Kayrouz, thrifted, Vancouver; first seen here a couple of weeks ago with chartreuse for Mom-Day

I layered a camisole underneath, and wore nylons. 
Love that big walking slit in the front, and the voluminous sleeves. 

Such a great print too. 
I have been going to shows at the Royal Theatre since I was a child - I know how warm it can get in there. 

I went prepared! 
I fanned myself a few times - it was the last night of the production tour and a full, sold-out house. 

Layered up. We bussed to town and walked to the theatre from there. 
The lovely staff at Turnabout had two spare tickets and thought of L and I - we happily accepted their offer, and enjoyed a wonderful evening of dance, and attended the after-reception with drinks, appies and mingling with the dancers, organizers and other sponsors. Thank you to David, Jaime, Brad, and assorted other lovely folks, including Wayne, Doug and Raj. So nice to meet/hang out with all of you! 

Accoutrements: 
After the reception, we grabbed a cab home and hung out and played games till the wee hours. 

  • Fan - Chinatown
  • Take out-purse - vintage 1996-ish, mall store
  • Silk scarf - Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier, vintage 90s, consignment

I used to store my flask full of scotch in this purse back in the day. 
It still holds a lot! The handle is real bamboo.

The stuff: 
Good shoes - I've had them for ages and ages - but after standing for a couple of hours and the episodes of walking, my feet were tired by the time we got home. 

Turquoise and purple bling: 
David admired how all of my colours went together in the outfit - it's so nice hang with people who love clothes! 

  • Belt - vintage 80s, thrifted
  • Silver/gem bracelet - Salt Spring, gift from L, c. 1998
  • Purple stone/steel cuff - Malta, vintage mall
  • Silver/turquoise earrings - Mexican, consignment
  • Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mall
  • Silver/turquoise ring - Mexican, Karen's

There was no photography permitted during the show (hooray!), but I took a pic of our view. 
We were under the balcony overhang, with a superb view of the stage. 

Hey, love, give us a pose! 
Glary lights! 

A timed selfie of me and L and me at  home.
He's wearing a Zara blazer (gift from me), a thrifted short-sleeved shirt with a square pattern, and these awesome dotted navy trousers. The shoes are Fluevog, of course. 

We ran into a few people at the theatre that we knew - Emilie from House of Savoy, although I missed connecting with colleague Jessica. A special shout-out to Faithful Reader Dominique (of course I remember you!!), who I have met a couple of times "in the wild." Thank you so much for reading - I so appreciate you! 

And now, my friends, L and I are off to enjoy a very quiet Sunday after our busy week. A grateful thank you to all of the people in our lives who give it such wonderful colour.