Cold weather wear, plus layers! This was an easy outfit for shopping and trying things on over/under my clothes.
I only took the coat off to try things on at WIN in their back corner (no change rooms!), so only a few fellow shoppers saw me in this Jammy Dress.
I was glad I did, as the warehouse-style store didn't have much heat going! My fingers were white from the cold as I shopped!
I kept my scarf on, but stuffed my beret and gloves into my purse while I perused.
All done up.
L drove to town and picked me (and our dinner of burritos from Tacofino, yum!) when I was done. It was cold and raining/sleeting by then. Brrr!
A bunch of purples.
Accoutrements:
- Leather purse - Roots, thrifted
- Leather gloves - Danier Leather
- Mulberry silk scarf - Fluevog
The stuff:
Excellent walking boots. My feet were still tired from all the standing/walking in my New Year's Eve shoes!
Minimal bling:
I'll never say no to cheap nylons! They were $2.21. The hat came with the wonderful swoosh of feathers, and is wool, shaped like a short curvy top hat.
My new leather wrist-strap is in rotation.
- Leather cuff - Guess, thrifted
- Silver Anneke & Lars ring - consignment, vintage mall
- Silver chain ring - Mexican, consignment
- Earrings - vintage, consignment, c. 1996
And here are the treasures I found. There was 25% off on all clothing (which I didn't even realize until I paid), which is why the prices are odd.
It's by Andre Canadian Hat, of Montreal Canada. This was probably a purchase from local shop Roberta's Hats (and likely cost a lot more then!).
For me, only $12.71. It looks great on (sits low), and I'm excited to wear it.
I spotted this sheer top in a useful colour.
I don't wear a lot of blouses or shirts anymore, but I do like a good layering piece. Note the ruffled cuffs.
It has snaps/straps for securing a camisole - it likely came with one.
I keep those too, no judgment on the previous owner!
It's by April Cornell, so you know it's excellent quality.
Made in India and washable, hooray! It was $14.96.
I'm a sucker for plaids, tartans and checks, but I'm very fussy about the quality. Not just any check!
This woven textile has silver threads running through it - it reminds me of the early 80s styles (I had my Grade 8 school picture taken while wearing a sparkly-threaded plaid shirt!).
Here's a better look at the weave. It's a very vibrant orange-red, but the black helps it read more red.
That's the button for the sleeve tab - I've rolled one sleeve up in the first picture so you can see.
20% viscose...and I'm going to guess that Puulvilla is polyester. That 1% must be the sparkle!
Washable too! But the gasp came from "made in Finland." You really don't see that very much.
It's by Tuomi Tuote Oy, a 70s-90s Finnish brand - this might actually be from the 80s!
Very equestrian, which long-time readers will recall is a soft spot for me.
Regardless, $8.96 was an awesome price for it.
I texted pics of this shirt to Rosanna, as she loves tromp l'oeil in clothes, and I thought this would appeal to her. It's navy blue with caramel trim (yes, it goes around to the back!) of "illusion" strapping.
Rosanna ultimately said no, but this was too good to leave behind. I might break my "no navy" rule just to wear this once...
The addition of washing instructions helps date this to the 70s - that's the earliest those appeared on clothes. Note the self-covered button (the spare is still down a side seam).
It's a thick, good quality polyester, which I could tell by feel/observation. Love that print! It's so good!
Made in Austria - you NEVER see that!
It's by Hearthill by Bischitz Distributors and was $12.71, a score for a vintage shirt.
I got very few hits for this brand online. It's rare!
I spent my time going through every section - about 4 hours total - touching fabric, looking at labels, construction and patterns.
This nylon jacket caught my eye.
I spent my time going through every section - about 4 hours total - touching fabric, looking at labels, construction and patterns.
Ooh, it's shorter in the back, like a bomber! I also noted the curved sleeves.
Did you see the Adidas black stripes on the front chest?
There's a tag on the back in case you missed it.
I love the vintage 80s-vibe to the print.
Um, okay?
I am sport!
Um, okay?
It's actually from 2020 and is called the "Nini Sum" bomber jacket.
I am slowly phasing all of my more business-y pencil skirts out of my closet, but I had to make an exception for this woven wool-blend beauty.
It's aqua, cobalt and grey.
I don't know what it might have retailed for but I'm sure it was more than what I paid.
It was $14.96 for me after the 25% off!
I am slowly phasing all of my more business-y pencil skirts out of my closet, but I had to make an exception for this woven wool-blend beauty.
A close-up:
It's by Talbots, always good quality!
Again, only $14.96!
Nice, right? It reminds me of the Welsh woven coats and capes I have.
I see an August 2015 date there.
I could not leave this purse behind.
That's just the name of the fixture manufacturer, however.
FRINGE! GOLD FRINGE!
Only one mark on the entire purse, and it's "Ronci" on the strap buckle.
Look at the thick leather!
The front strap is gold, as are the sides/bottom.
There are no pockets inside, no labels, nothing.
But a nice big flat back pocket, perfect for a phone!
I am guessing this is from the late 70s/early 80s, and it is pristine, not a mark on it.
This was $17.21, and I had to have it! It's so rock-star!
This was the treasure of the day, though.
All of the labels have been removed from this coat - which explains the price - but I'm 100% sure it is boucle (boo-CLAY!) wool, and that tan fur is dyed mink (I did a lot of digging around on the interwebz).
The sleeves are bracelet-length (perfect for long gloves), and have teal satin lining and an elasticated cuff to keep the wind from blowing up your arm.
There is a button missing for that crocheted loop up at the neck, but like many of you, I have a button stash and can probably replace that easily. It has all of its original teal blue plastic/Bakelite buttons.
You can see the nice texture here of the boucle wool. You might also spy the two black hooks/loops for doing the fur collar into a stand-up.
Like so!
The neckline of the coat itself comes up past the fur collar, to keep your upper chest warm.
It's got the union label - this was made in Canada, probably by one of the Big Department Stores: Eaton's, Hudson Bay Co., or Holt Renfrew, or by one of the former local furriers, like Scuby Furs.
This one matches the 1957-1968 label on the Vintage Fashion Guild's site (here, link 'cause I love).
I inspected the fur carefully for degrading issues (none, this has been stored well), and turned the coat inside out to hold the wool to the light, looking for moth-holes.
Imagine my surprise to find that the inside of it is lined with LEATHER, a very thin suede! I wonder if this is original or if someone added it to make the coat more durable?
You can see the stitching here where someone's removed the label.
Lack of which makes the price on this lower...and with an extra 25% off, that's $26.21, a ridiculously cheap price for such a gorgeous coat. I know my friend Ann over at Polyester Princess (here, please send good vibes to Jos!) also finds it hard to resist a good vintage coat!
You can see the stitching here where someone's removed the label.
L and hung out with the boys, playing boardgames and listening to music till the wee hours - I'm going to regret these late nights on Monday! On Saturday, we were up late to meet up with Nick for our first brunch of the year at John's Place.
- Ultrasuede dress - Halston, vintage70s, consignment; last worn here in May 2025 five times in a row!
- Cotton sweater - Ralph Lauren, vintage 80s, thrifted; last seen here in October 2025 to visit Mom
- Taupe tulle skirt - no label, consignment; last worn here on a wet November 2025 day to visit Mom again
- Boots - F-Trip Etta, Fluevog; last seen here in November 2025 with a plaid dress
- Cocoon vest (below) - B. Young; last worn here (2nd outfit) in December 2025 for a Boxing Day walk to town
I pulled the yellow boots right away, envisioning the stripes peeking out the top, then put the Halston top over that.
I remembered that I liked a skirt worn under the Ultrasuede shirtdress and the bottom undone for maximum floofery.
Showing off the socks. Did you spy my Star Trek communicator badge on the dress?
I pulled out the bits of blue in the socks to make this look really sing.
We grocery shopped after brunch and I was definitely the brightest person in the produce section.
"I love your yellow boots!" said a gent near the avocados. "They're Fluevogs!" I replied. "Oh, I KNOW!" he grinned. I always enjoy those interactions with people who are style-lovers.
The stuff:
I keep this scarf although it's really hard to pair it with things - it's such an unusual colour combination.
- Silk scarf - Vera, vintage 70s, thrifted
- Leather studded gloves - Danier Leather
Space bling:
Shayne at John's Place was agog that I'd pulled all the colours and forms together. "You are a master!"
- Leather belt - Silpada Designs, thrifted
- Lucite/silver bracelet - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Vancouver
- Silver/gold bracelet - JPL, vintage fair
- Communicator badge - MoPOP gift shop, Seattle
- Fulvia ring/Lapis Lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
- Silver/kyanite ring - consignment
- Silver chain earrings - Chan Luu, consignment
- Vermeil ear-cuffs - consignment
- Socks - ODD Socks, gift from L
We spent Saturday afternoon watching football, and that night doing more of the same as the past couple of weeks: music and board games.
"This is my spot now."
Whateley and I have bonded - he likes to sleep on my Club Monaco scarf on the end of "my couch."
Barnabas is behind L, so I can't see him but I'm assured he is being adorable and in the same pose.
"I doubt it's this good."
They are both doing very well following their snips: the licking has ceased and the fur on their arms is growing back (shaved for the sedation).
They scampered about, batting their tennis ball around, until it ended up in the board game box.
"I'm in a box with a ball!" "I would also like to chase that ball."
They never stay in one place for long!
Back to my regular posting schedule again as of Monday! Thanks so much for being here, my dear friends and loyal readers! I hugely appreciate you. Happy 2026!
