Shopping With Emma in Suede and a Dior Slip

I missed seeing Mom, but I had an absolutely wonderful day hanging out with neighbour/friend Emma. We walked to town, shopped, had lunch, and gabbed like we'd known each other for years. 

It was the perfect weather to wear this new-to-me suede shirt, and I DARED to wear a piece of underwear in public! Scandalous! Fetch your pearls so you can clutch them! 

Did you know slinky little skirts trimmed with lace are trendy? Now you do! 

• Suede shirt - Attitude, vintage 90s, thrifted; purchased here for $19.95
• T-shirt - Denver Hayes, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) in April under a silver dress
• Slip - Christian Dior, vintage 80s, thrifted; not tracked; but first worn and shown off here in April 2011
• Sneakers - Adidas Superstars, thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) in September 2024 in a sporty look at the park

This suede top was the perfect match for the steel grey slip.

I loved wearing it all day - I folded the cuffs to show off my bracelets.

I mostly wore it like this with a few snaps done up in the middle. 

I had a fun time ripping all the snaps open, to both Emma's and one of the Dots clerk's delight. Fun with clothes! 

The slip is a Classy Designer - Christian Dior from the 80s! I've had it since I started my current job (2011) and have worn it hundreds of times. It's still in really good shape.

I liked how the laser-cut hem of the shirt echoed the light grey lace. Did you notice the lace-lined slit on the side? I did a quick sew-up as it has ripped a bit in the past 14 years. Must be presentable in public! 

All snaps done up. It was cloudy as we strolled to town, so I left it like this until we started trying things on at Dots. 

It felt weird wearing my slip - my UNDERWEAR - in public, but that's how I've always thought of slips and camisoles. It was fun and felt very naughty to be wearing it in public. It's good to try new things.

The stuff: 

I needed comfy shoes, especially after my foot woes from the Evil Copper Shoes yesterday, and these toned really well with the suede shirt. I also like the contrast of sporty and lace. 

Purple bling: 

Because of course I have to wear All The Purple! 

• Steel/glass bracelet - Maltese, vintage mall
• Carved quartz bangle - consignment
• Silver/amethyst/gold ring - c. 1985, gift from Mom & Dad
• Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mall
• Silver Celtic S - UK, gift from Mom and Dad, c. 1994
• Amethyst crystal pendant - c. 1985, gift from Mom & Dad

Oops, forgot my earrings. 

I bought these in a long-gone vintage store on Store Street, near Swans Pub, around 1996. 

• Earrings - vintage 90s, consignment

I was excited to shop with Emma - she has a really good eye for quality, and she works in the jewelry industry, so she knows her Good Stuff. 

We spotted a sale sign and popped into Olde 'n' Gold (link here 'cause I love!), which instantly became my new "bring L here for birthday/present shopping" place! Why have I not been going here on the regular? They had a gorgeous selection of vintage, estate and silver jewelry, with lots of the types of quirky pieces I like. 

Emma pointed this out and I gasped. A weirdly bendy necklace and amber beads!

"It looks like Christmas lights!" It does - and I love that, especially because I worked in a Christmas store for 11 years. 

I won't keep you in suspense. 

Right? So cool! 

It's stamped, both on the clasp and on the connector, .925, Sterling. 

It's quite tarnished with age, but I actually like that look. It also shined up just from touching it. 

It came with a full, comprehensive description, which I appreciate. It was $151.96 (on sale from the original $175.00), but it's a gorgeous piece and worth every penny.

25.53 grams of silver, Art Deco dating and "brown beade". I guess it's not amber, but I don't care - I love it. 

Our next stop was Dots, where we checked out the entire store. Emma ended up with two tops, a flouncy skirt and something else I've forgotten - all great pieces and solid prices. Nothing for me. 

We headed over to Market Square for lunch, stopping in at the Fluevog store, where Emma fell in love with lace-up ballerina flats. I always recommend trying them on, taking pictures of the size and style name, and then stalking them till they go on sale...and asking for gift cards for birthdays and other special occasions! 

I spotted this scarf marked down from $89.99 (it was on a mannequin) to $34.99.

F-This, F-That.

Very subtle, like me. *snort*

We had lunch at Green Cuisine, a vegan restaurant (YUM), then wandered over to Value Village for a poke through the shoes, purses, scarves, dresses and skirts. That's always the areas where I go when faced with a ginormous store. We also perused the cases and looked at some interesting jewelry, but nothing that special. 

I noticed these very current-looking leather boots. 

They are slip-on with that wide elastic on each side of the ankle.

They're leather, and I could just make out the brand inside: L'intervalle, the same brand as my sneakers (these ones here).

They've had a bit of wear, but aren't worn out too badly.

I suspect the previous owner didn't like the scuffed up toes. 

But you know what I do with scuffs? I cover 'em up with my doodling! I'm totally going to illustrate these. 

They're leather (according to the sticker on the sole), were made in Spain, and for me, a mere $16.49.

They would have retailed around $249.00 based on similar boots on their site. 

The wall of scarves was overwhelming, but this crinkly black scarf stood out.

It has a very Issey Miyake feel to it. It's mid-length (it's folded over above), so that when you tie it once in front, the wider, differently-crinkled bottom forms a wide cover. 

We could just see that the pattern on the hem was crinkled in a pattern. I discovered when I held it up to the light, that there were tiny holes outlining the pattern. 

It feels like good quality, but there is not a single tag on it, or evidence of any label. 

However, it was only $8.49 and that's good enough for me. 

I like it! 

Again with the slips! 

This one has good quality lace and a side slip, very similar to the Dior one I was wearing. 

It's by French Maid, a name I've bought before.

It's probably from the 1960s or 70s. $7.29 is a good price. I'm keeping this one. 

This one has such pretty lace on the bottom.

But it has a few tiny holes in the lace where it joins the nylon part - the skirt is really long with no slit! It looks even enough (this skirt was well-worn) that it looks on-purpose. 

It's by Formfit, made in Canada. 

A search on them reveals loads of vintage ads from the 1950s and 60s, but CA numbers were not instituted until 1972, so it's after that. I suspect it's from the 80s (that giant lace border). 

It's too small for me, so off to Limbo it goes. 

But it was only $7.79, and I bet one of my more daring friends might try it out as a skirt! I won't mark it up very much. 

I spotted this white skirt right at the end of a long row. 

I love the matte finish bold zipper and contrast stitching. The non-zippered hem flips around when I walk and you can just see that the lining stops there.

It's by Icone, a Simons brand.

The content tag has been cut out and I can't find this same skirt online, but it would likely have sold for around $50-75.00 new. It fits perfectly (a high waist) and $18.99 felt good.

Emma also bought a few things - another successful shop! I had such a great time, and I would totally shop with you again! 

Government Street selfie, just before we hopped the bus home together. Thank you so much for such a fun day! 

And now, my friends, I'm signing off for the weekend. Please do drop by on Sunday for further tales of adventure!