Welcome back, my friends! I hope you had a good weekend - we had a very fun time, as we celebrated with our Chosen Family the return of URBANITE at the Art Gallery! We have multiple outfits, and an Urbanite Flashback, and a shopping trip, so this is a super-massive post. Settle in, grab a drink, use the loo...get ready.
First we have Friday's work outfit, which decided it wanted to be neutral.
I played around with shapes and shoes, and landed on this. Okay! That's how it goes sometimes.
- Cotton top - Piazza Sempione, thrifted; purchased here for $16.50
- Skirt - Megan Salmon Somersault Sculpted Pleat Skirt, Fountainhead collection, Winter 2020, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in January with my Y3 jacket
- Shoes - Super Fine Cardinal, Fluevog; last worn here in December 2024 with my nutcracker jacket
- Jacket - Adidas, thrifted; last worn here in June 2024 over stripes and patterns
I built the outfit around this newly-thrifted cotton top...which I grew to dislike intensely over the day.
It has seams that create a very cool funnel neck, but those same seams caused the upper chestal region to "bloom" into a balloon over the day. I kept having to pat it down.
So it's not a keeper, but this skirt remains deeply in my affections. My colleague Kristina was astonished that it's 95% wool.
It's a dark grey and I love the origami shaping of the pleats and gathers.
It has a really interesting shape and moves in a flowy way when I walk.
I ended up with gold shoes to pick up the brown in the top.
And I added a bomber jacket for a touch of Weird Adidas.
Not lying, I wanted the pockets!
Accoutrements:
Comfy gold shoes. I needed to baby my feet for wearing heels later that evening.
- Silk scarf - Vera, vintage, consignment, Powell River
- Chain belt - vintage 70s, Mom's
- Chain/leather bracelet - Jenny Bird, consignment
- Shark cuff - Tom Binns, 2012, consignment
- Wooden ring - Dots
- Brass leopard ring - thrifted
- Earrings - vintage mall
And finally that evening...after over 5 years...Urbanite was back!
Urbanite is basically a 3-hour pop-up party at the local Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, held as a fundraiser. For your ticket, there are a selection of bars (we had to buy tickets for drinks), usually including two fancy cocktails themed around the current exhibition, plus beer and wine, an activities and/or crafts area, a DJ (plus dancing), and guided tours of the gallery. We're encouraged to dress up, with links to "inspo".
This Urbanite was the first one since before the pandemic - the March 2020 one was scheduled, but cancelled - and the Gallery really went to town in ensuring it was an EVENT. The theme was based on the current exhibit, which is closing soon. I've seen twice already,
here with Rosanna and
here with Betty.
I'd had this outfit in mind since I discovered this amazing vintage sweater recently, and paired it with my Mondrian skirt. Topping it off literally is my bigass hat, which has Never Been Worn on the blog before!
I'm happy to finally rectify that! I had some extra inspiration that led me to it, which I'll share shortly.
- Sweater - Kensai O2 by Kensai Yamamoto, vintage 80s, consignment; purchased here for $48.00
- Skirt - LS, consignment; last worn here in April 2024 with my Lichtenstein cardigan
- Shoes - Ishshoes Zoomies, Fluevog; last seen here in September 2024 again with that cardigan!
As is often the case with "costume-y" outfits, the clothes themselves are fairly easy - the devil's in the details.
I absolutely adored wearing this glorious sweater - I layered a cami under it and shoved the sleeves up for the night.
Showing the bull with the buzzard catching a ride.
I thought the "Mondrian"-inspired skirt worked well with the sweater.
Would wear them together again!
I love that back!
I did a yellow purse to pull out the colours in the top.
I was rushing around after work to get ready. I'm a blur!
Accoutrements and stuff:
I'd planned on wearing this hat with my originally-planned Urbanite outfit (this
here, 2nd outfit).
- Hat - vintage 1960s, vintage store c. 1998
- Lobster brooch - Bermuda, Mom's, vintage 90s
- Leather purse - Julia Sanchez for Vendome, vintage 70s, consignment
I needed a heel to deal with the long skirt - and since Cat was wearing "our" yellow boots, I went with these squishy white rubber wedge heels. L and I walked to and from the Art Gallery, and I stood, danced and walked around in these for 3 hours. My poor feet were so tired the next day!
Bold bling:
The two buttons were gifts at the door. The soup can has the AGGV "Art Soup" logo! Nice.
- Black/white cuff - vintage 80s, vintage fair
- Bakelite black/red cuff - vintage 60s, vintage mall, gift from L
- Plastic clip-on earrings - West Germany, vintage 70s, vintage fair
- F#@! Swear Rings - Wendy Brandes
- Silver/lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
I got the inspiration for wearing my bigass black straw hat from the movie "Practical Magic" - I watched it a couple of months ago, and noticed that one of the characters was wearing a similar big hat.
And it was bent and formed around her head!
I took pictures of our TV screen to remember. I have a hat like this that I never wear!
It isn't quite what I ended up with my hat, but it reminded me that I can DO things to my clothes and accessories to make them more wearable.
People enjoyed my outfit, but it was the make-up that really made it sing. I poked around online, looking at images of Pop Art make-up for ideas, and did screen-grabs for printing and reference.
I did white Ben-Day dots (about them
here, all links 'cause I love), two dribbling tears, and a fancy mouth, as well as "cel-shading" to give the look of a cartoon or comic image, in the vein of Lichtenstein's works.
I remembered to take some pictures of my process. It wasn't difficult, just more time-consuming - the Ben-Day dots took about 40 minutes, with 20 to do the cel-lines.
I also had to redo some of my black after realizing that the eyeliner pencil I'd been using wasn't water-proof and was smudging. I used a white eyeliner, a black eyeliner, my turquoise eyeshadow pencil, long-lasting lipstick, pressed powder and a handful of Q-tips and make-up remover to fix my mistakes along the way.
All the white dots are done on my face. I started with one dot on the apples of my cheeks, one on my chin, and then consulted my inspo regularly to make sure I left room for the cel-shading lines.
Some of the cel lines done - you can see that the initial "II" guide-lines for my brows have been drawn on. I hadn't finished my neck at this point - I was very judicious in dotting there, as I didn't want to get make-up on my sweater.
I just took a deep breath and said, "GO!" Drawing on one's face is a little nerve-wracking.
Eyes done (that was HARD, making them symmetrical!), eyebrows drawn on, and the neck done.
I had to redo the white dots a few times, add more powder, redo.
And the lips! All of this was Very Difficult - it is far easier to do this on "young skin" than my wrinkliness, particularly around the eyes.
There we go, I'm done!
Slap on the hat and all my accessories, and L, where are you? Let's get a picture!
L's wearing his Sherry's London jacket, purchased back in 2010 on Carnaby Street in London. It's purple, black and white, and he matched checkered Fluevogs, purple trousers (hand-hemmed by me), then added a Desigual multi-coloured shirt and a crown belt buckle. The two flowers are mine.
It was still light out as we walked down for the 8pm start.
Looking good from the rear, my love! Rock on!
We joined up with Linda in line and found Nick right away. I left a few of these photos uncropped so you could enjoy all the outfits in the background.
Nick's wearing funky sunnies, a Godzilla tee he bought in Japan, a vintage jacket that used to be L's, and a pair of Karen's flowy trousers (LOVE THAT). The sneakers are Fluevog.
Linda and Brad. Brad's wearing a "Girl With the Pearl Earring" shirt with bands of Lichtenstein-like images.
Linda made her skirt, fascinator (a 45RPM record by Wayne Newton) and purse (from a Fluevog bag, just like the one she made for me!). Her shoes are Fluevog too. The woman in the yellow dress behind her was the only other person I saw who attempted cel-shading. We gave each other a wink.
Randall and Yvonne! Yvonne came over after work earlier in the week and we did a styling session to ensure she looked like the bombshell she is.
You might recognize my:
- Vintage 80s top hat (Le Chateau)
- Warhol soup can tee
- Adidas tulle skirt
- Blue Danier leather purse
I love helping my friends get into theme! I want all of those back, honey - I know you like the Weird Adidas skirt, but it's MINE.
I handed my phone over to a volunteer at the photo both for a couple of pictures.
Which is why my purse is hanging open, ha ha.
I practiced a few "face poses" to get my look right for pictures.
And I wore the banana button right away.
Cat and L, both looking resplendent.
I loaned Cat my Lichtenstein-inspired Desigual cardigan, and the Bowie brooch. She and I have the same white lightning bolt earrings from a shop together in Sidney ages ago, and she's carrying my pink sequined Union Jack purse (which I am letting her keep). I love the Grateful Dead tee!
L and I hanging out in one of the galleries. Half of the AG is "gallery for exhibits", and the other half is an old mansion, with rooms that were set up for the various bars (beer, wine, cocktails), and an outdoor area that was a chill zone.
We're in the cocktail gallery area here.
I went through the exhibit looking for Rosanna, Greg, Meika (grown daughter) and Rosanna's mom Joy. Posing with Yvonne in the Warhol area.
Everyone's so stylin! I love it!
Meika and Rosanna are veteran thrifters and generally crafty people.
Their outfits are all secondhand or handmade. Looking fabulous!
Check out Rosanna's amazing purse! Yes, she created this graphic, printed it on fabric and turned it into a purse. This is a play off Kraft cheese slices, with a Canadian bent (note the red maple leave behind the "slice.").
I love it!
I did get totally into the theme!
Photo taken by Yvonne, who coached me to match the pose in the Roy Lichtenstein piece. Thanks, honey!
I was thrilled to find another face-painter!
World, meet Mondrian Steve. Well done on the face painting! You always meet such interesting folks at these events.
Carolyn and Ronnie got tickets too! It sold out within hours several weeks ago, so I'm so glad a bunch of us made it.
Ronnie's the guy on the far left, chatting with the dude in the white shirt while he waits in the cocktail line (always the longest).
And that's our longtime pal Carollyne (she's wearing gold glitter Fluevogs), noted Squirrealist local artist (link
here), hanging out behind Carolyn, who is looking luscious in a floral duster and
"Frida Kahlo" buns.
Update: Caro's buns are an ode to Banksy's "Dismaland," my bad!
The woman in the orange/pink/burgundy is Mondrian Steve's partner. Hi!
Carollyne, Cat, me and Randall, in the graffiti wall room.
Aren't we marvelous ? We had so much fun catching up.
I also added to the graffiti wall.
I included the (very patient) volunteer who had to encourage tipsy people to get creative and also keep them from writing on the vintage wallpaper. Urbanite has been very raucous in the dim past...there were even security guards making sure we were all well-behaved.
This is my contribution.
I'm "Sheila in the Biggest Hat." Heh.
I ventured out back to where the Pop Tart tent was set up - Pop Tarts toasted to order! We received tickets for redeeming for Snacks at various stations.
This outdoor area butts onto a residential neighbourhood, so I hope they didn't mind the pounding music, laser light show and the loud laughing.
Looking in the mansion room where the DJ was set up on the stairs and we danced under the square balloons.
Sorry, a bit blurry by then! I've been to four weddings in this part of the gallery.
We moved back into another room, where we danced in the mostly empty floorspace. Ronnie, I see you! He's wearing a blazer I thrifted and resold to him.
Cat is demonstrating how the Snack chips (Old Dutch!) and cheezies (Hawkins!) fit in her skirt pockets. The woman in the fur coat in the background was wearing very high-end brands, including a gold Versace emblazoned on her hat. The guy next to her is dressed as Andy Warhol.
I am not sure who took pics of me and Yvonne dancing.
Thanks for sending them too me!
Linda and Caro.
Caro's wearing Fluevogs too!
Cat taking a picture of Brad and Linda.
"Smooch!"
L, Caro and Nick.
The party ended at 11pm on the nose, and we all went our separate ways. What a fun night, spent with so many of my best and favourite people. I love you guys!
And now, I have something REALLY special for you all...I looked up all of my past Urbanite outfits and have linked back to them. So many pictures!
Urbanite Flashback
Here's every past outfit I could find that was an Urbanite or another artsy event at the Art Gallery:
June 2011 (not an Urbanite, but a fashion show put on by the local design school)
I am pretty sure this was the first event that Elaine and I went to at the Art Gallery.
Still-Haves: The dress!
July 2011 (not an Urbanite, but an exhibit opening)
Oh, there's teeny weeny Vizzini, as a kitten! Aw...this is just after we got him. This was an opening night for a mid-century modern exhibit.
Still-Haves: The dress, the shoes (I display them up high in my closet), Grandma J's copper jewelry.
This is the first true Urbanite outfit I recorded - pretty sedate by my standards now, ha ha.
Still-Haves: The shoes! A long-time favourite pair.
These early Urbanites were just me and Elaine, my former "Artner."
Still-Haves: Nothing. The tights lasted a long time.
Sometimes L would go with us, and other times, a few of our friends would get tickets. Vero's husband Justin's company got an early start doing light-shows at Urbanite!
Oh, I look a little tipsy there, tee hee. I sold that skirt to the House of Savoy ladies - you can go buy it, it's hanging up on the wall there now.
Still-Haves: The amber ring, a regular on my finger since c. 1997.
This was a lovely 80s dress I bought at the Patch (RIP). One of my rare blonde periods.
Still-Haves: The shoes! I just wore them!
This was one of my favourite outfits for a long time. Vizzini ate the laces on those Fluevogs...I was so mad at him, but more at myself for leaving my closet door open.
Still-Haves: The hat, which is by Tierre Joline.
Still-Haves: my flower-pot vintage hat, faux fur Danier capelet, Liz Claiborne purse, and purple leather Danier Leather gloves.
I let go of the dress (I believe it's in Limbo right now).
My first piece of Dries Van Noten ever was this thrifted jacket, which is also in Limbo. Nothing else remains. That hat was crazy.
Still-Haves: Nothing.
I know L went to this Urbanite because we still have the photo-strips of ourselves playing with the props on the fridge.
Still-Haves: Belt and skirt and the fur ball-scarf, plus the copper jewelry.
March 2015 (not Urbanite, but an event tied to the local opera company)
This event was just me and Elaine. I need to break that dress out again (I considered wearing it to this Urbanite).
Still-Haves: The hat (a custom-made Tierre Joline), and the dress.
Aw, my lovely boy - he was going after my feathers.
Still-Haves: The two leather cuffs, and the leather studded belt, plus the feather fascinator.
This dress was so lovely and such a perfect fit.
Still-Haves: Those boots, which are amazing Fluevogs, and the fascinator, bought on Granville Island during the Blogger Meet-Up of 2012.
I remember this being a fairly out-of-control Urbanite - they used to sell (much cheaper) tickets at the door, and had no security. There were a lot of shenanigans! Also, sorry for cutting your head off, L!
Still-Haves: This glorious dress, gloves, earrings.
This was a 1930s-themed Urbanite - I went full retro with my make-up and hairstyle. That dress is currently for sale at House of Savoy.
Still-Haves: The fur bolero, the purse, the gloves, the earrings and the thinner bracelet.
This is such a spectacular dress!
Still-Haves: The dress, and the gold belt.
I couldn't resist this picture of me, Karen and Cat (in an old top of mine). This was one of the first group outings for Urbanite.
Still-Haves: The studded leather cuff, the 1985 Le Chateau leather belt.
I'm looking so classy here! I loved that green dress.
Still-Haves: Earrings, Star Trek communicator badges, cuff, shoes.
The first time I tried a make-up look for Urbanite!
Still-Haves: Dress, boots, hat, gloves, jewelry, belt, earrings. I let go of the stomacher, but everything else is still around.
Me and L looking pretty spectacular! I crimped my hair, and did another make-up look (not as successful).
Still-Haves: Harness and leather arm-piece, sandals.
There was to have been an Urbanite in March 2020...and of course, it did not happen! I dressed up anyway, giving this beautiful dress another go. I'd forgotten I had pink hair!
Still-Haves: This dress, bracelets.
January 2023 (not an Urbanite, but the re-opening of the Gallery)
The Art Gallery had a Grand Re-Opening in January 2023, so I broke out my almost-first outfit again.
Still-Haves: Everything but the shoes.
There you go, hope that was a fun Flashback for you folks who have missed out on my early wackitude.
Back to our normal program!
We were rather tired on Saturday morning, but L was up for Ultimate Frisbee, back on again. We've been playing for 25 years - I quit when the pandemic happened. At 57, I feel a little brittle to be running around slamming into larger men.
Pass! Instead, I walked to town with L and Casey after the game, meeting up with other players Nick, Jay and Zeb for lunch at John's Place. I went for a wee shop after that, visiting a couple of stores.
- Thermoplastic jacket - Adidas X Fiorucci, consignment; last worn here in March to Beacon Hill Park with Mom
- T-shirt - Adidas X Farm Rio, thrifted; last seen here in December 2024 with Friday's skirt
- Skirt - INC Stretch by International Concepts, vintage 90s, thrifted; last worn here in May 2024 for a Mental Health Shop
- Sneakers - L'intervalle, consignment; last seen here for a shop in December 2024
It was sunny out, but windy, so my plastic jacket kept me warm.
I neglected to use the right settings on my camera, so these pics are a little grainy, sorry.
This was a good shopping outfit, easy for trying things on/under my clothes.
I went bare-legged, wearing little orange Betsey Johnson socks. My feet were very happy.
Without the jacket, which I took off for lunch.
The skirt has giant zip pockets in the front, great for holding my phone and sunglasses.
Ready for a shop!
I usually layer my purse under my coat when I'm shopping, just to keep it out of the way.
Incognito.
I visited the Beacon Ave Thrift Store, the big WIN store and had a quick browse in Rich Rags on the way home.
Accoutrements and stuff:
I love that orange puffy purse, even though it doesn't have any zip sections or inner pockets. It's just so squishy!
- Purse - consignment
- Leather belt - Fluevog
Silver bling:
Nothing fancy, just some faves.
- Silver/malachite bangle - thrifted, Sidney
- Silver/green stone ring - thrifted
- Silver mesh bracelet - consignment, Sidney
- Silver/red enamel ring - antique shop, Sidney
- Silver earrings - Israeli, consignment
I do well with jewelry when I shop in Sidney, apparently!
I started at the Beacon Ave Thrift Store, next to John's Place diner, where I found a pair of funky cropped pants.
They sit very low on the hips and have a fun "street" vibe. I will likely pair them with some Weird Adidas.
They're by Wear Ever Clothing Co. and were $16.00.
I couldn't find out much about them - they are NOT the incontinence pants company, though.
I had seen this embellished Western-style shirt before and passed on it.
The design is just glued on (one gem is missing but it's not noticeable), but the fabric is a nice thick cotton, and I like the real snaps.
It's by Topshop MOTO, and red tags were half off, so this was $4.50.
No sign of this online either, but based on the style, it's probably early 00s.
I found this pink shirt by feel.
It's a fairly shapeless top, with short sleeves, a chest pocket and slits on the sides. I'll likely wear it tied over sleeveless tops in the summer.
Someone's cut out the label, but it's 10% silk. Since there's a CA number on there, I was able to look it up: it's Michael Kan Enterprises, which was based in Vancouver.
It was likely the label Ciaro for Michael Kan Enterprises Inc.
I snagged a snip from an image online.
As my top is made in China, it's likely from the late 90s/early 00s.
My last treasure was found in the scarf bin, this wonderful Brutalist-patterned silk or viscose scarf.
It has no label, but the edges are hand-rolled, and I love the peachy background and brown, red, blue, yellow pattern. It was $2.00.
From there, I walked up the block to WIN, where I had a long browse, coming away with a few treasures.
This is a mid-length skirt in a nice thick knit.
It's by Spanner, a label I remember from the 90s - I have
this dress by them, also found at WIN.
It was $19.95, and as you can see, it was made in Hong Kong, so we can date it to pre-1997.
I waffled over this blazer, as I already one in this colour in velvet.
It's a very boxy, drapey late 80s blazer, with two big pockets, plus one on the chest.
100% silk, and also pre-1997.
It's getting harder to find good quality garments like this.
I love Alfred Sung's designs - he was one of the co-founders of Club Monaco, and in 1983, was proclaimed Canada's "King of Fashion." (link
here).
That little red-printed tag says, "Sample"! So this was never actually sold, just a floor model, how amazing. I had to buy it, even at $34.95.
After three hours at WIN, I was done, and picked up some drinks and treats on the way home for our evening of gaming ahead. I had a quick peek in Rich Rags, where I found this tulle dress on the clearance rack for $22.00.
I plan to wear it over tops - I am not as into strapless things and that much bare skin anymore.
It's by Missguided.
It looks good with a bigass belt on it. It came in many different colours (I spotted white, pink and mint green online). Wherever shall I wear it?
Whew, I am tired now, my friends, gotta go! But first...
SQUIRREL! A rare red squirrel, right outside our dining room window, chomping away at the maple tree.
Thank you so much for stopping by!
The jacket will probably last a few years with me, but the skirt is a thing of beauty. 
BIRD! A little bird was in the Garry Oak tree outside the den window. 
But the walk home was lovely, with sun and a light breeze.
I did remember that I skipped most of the jewelry the last time I wore the bomber/top and regretted it - I piled it on this time.
