Wardrobe Remix for 12.23.09

chartreuse cowl - knit my me!
purple scoop tee - Target
hunter green wool pencil skirt - thrifted
black wool tights - warmlegwear.com
duck boots - Target

I finally finished my epic cowl/infinity scarf! I love it, it's so cozy. It's very soft and warm, not itchy at all. I feel like I am in a cocoon! And I can wear it many different ways; when it's warmer I will wear it long and unlooped, I can wear it as a shawl (something else I will to when it is warmer, and pin it), or as a neckwarmer and a hood. It's perfect cos it's been so cold and snowy here, and unfortunately my outfits have returned to my usual winter "uniform"- long sleeve tee, wool pencil skirt, tights, boots. I usually wear some sort of cardigan or sweater, too. I have a myriad of long sleeve tees and wool pencil skirts, in nearly every colour. Not much of a fashion risk, but it's a bit more stylish than most who are just trying to be warm (at least that's what I tell myself). They're cheap, at least, so easy to stock up on. All my longsleeve tees are under $10, either thrifted or from Target. Pencil skirts are all thrifted, under $5. I have such a hard time getting rid of skirts and such an easy time accruing more.





Do you like having more than one picture for details? I always worry it would be too many pictures of me. A silly worry- it's my blog, after all!

Winter Necessity: Wool Skirts

Last winter the temperatures here dropped to approximately -20 for a slew of days, and a majority of the winter was below zero. Since I was sick of wearing my jeans tucked into boots, and soon jeans in general, I had to rethink my winter clothing defense mechanism. When it got to the point of needing three layers on my legs there was no way I could do any more under my skinny jeans, so I started with bare legs and worked my way up. I learned 2 pairs of tights (one microfiber and one sweater) was a good base, upon which I would build thigh-high socks or legwarmers. But my cute jersey dresses would not be able to help penetrate the windchill, so I needed to rethink my bottoms.

Enter the long, wool pleated skirt. Going past my knees, a usual fashion no-no for little ole me, it has a pleasing equestrian look with fitted or semi-fitted boots, and combined they provide my legs with allover shielding and yet the comfort to bulk up my legs without restricting movement. And they are definitely stylish! You can wear virtually anything with them. I either wear a fitted sweater, a long sleeve tee with a stylish cardigan or blazer, or a dress shirt and a vest. Layering your top half is easy, not so much your legs.

As I am on the hunt for some more of these wardrobe staples for myself, I have found a few lovely ones that I thought I would share with my readers. These are all from Etsy, because vintage is THE way to go for woolens. They're less likely to be a blend and are made so much better. If you live somewhere that gets this cold and wonder what you can wear that is stylish AND warm, look no further!



Olive Green and Tan Vintage Wool Pleated Skirt from Vintage Repeats, Vintage 1950s Nubby Brown Wool Skirt from Small Earth Vintage



vintage 70s Green Wool Pleated Skirt with buckle waist from Upscale Vintage, Sweet Pleats Skirt, 50s wool tweed from She's Fancy



Green Plaid checked Schoolgirl skirt with Pleats from Beta Boutique, Vintage 1970's Honey Scholastic Skirt from Thrush Vintage

Wardrobe Remixes for 11.27.09 and 11.28.09

blue owl earrings - gifted
cowl neck sweater tunic - thrifted
black leggings - Target
grey socks - Target
brown combat boots - Target



lace collar necklace - made by me (identical one to appear in my jewelry shop tomorrow)
black longsleeve tee - Target
khaki shorts - thrifted
wool ribbed stockings - warmlegwear.com
beige oxfords - Aldo


Ah, fake pants. I am currently wearing leggings, and wore them Wednesday too. It's so lazy and almost gross, but they are warm and comfortable. I'm starting to hate jeans, if I may be perfectly honest. The kind of jeans I need to buy for my comfort and body type are so expensive (cough J Brand cough) so $10 leggings are looking good to me. I didn't wear jeans as a child- I was always worried my skin would get caught in the fly, haha. And they were so stiff. So I always wore either dresses, skirts, or leggings. Pretty much like now. I have come full circle.

And yes you read correctly in that second outfit's details; that necklace's twin will be in my jewelry shop! I've got the name, the banner, the photographs edited. I just gotta list everything, which I hope to do tomorrow along with a long-overdue shop update. I'm excited! I hope you all like the pieces I've been working on, I'm really proud of them.

And just another reminder, the sale in my shop is still going on!

Wardrobe Remix for 11.15.09

champagne sweater - thrifted
black high-waisted jeans - H&M
black leather belt - thrifted
brown boots - thrifted

This outfit is kind of an equestrian-meets-glam look. Just imagine Alison Goldfrapp wearing it as she sings "Ride A White Horse."

I notice on and off how heavily 80s my look is. But not in a tacky neon-acid wash way, but in the retro-modernized 1940s way a lot of well made 80s pieces look. It's no secret there's a lot of 80s-does-40s stuff at the thrift store and why that speaks to people. I think I like it best because it has a lot of the style points of 1940s attire I love- classic pieces and cuts, high waist, just a touch of elegant drama in the sleeves or collar- but in the 80s it was made more accessible. I don't wear heels every day, and neither did women in the 80s. It's nice I can wear a skirt that's 40s inspired but only hits my knees so I can wear flats and not look matronly. And while I love 50s and 60s looks, especially for their comfort and ease, I always find myself drawn to 80s-does-40s pencil skirts at the thrift store (my closet is full of them, wool to thin rayon, every colour of the rainbow), a fitted high-waisted sweater, a lot of cozy neutral knits, classic flat shoes, and for the colder months in particular.

Are there styles you feel drawn to? Why? Do you associate with cyclical fashion like I do? (I also really really love 70s-does-Edwardian but that rant is for another entry.)

Wardrobe Remixes for 11.13.09 and 11.14.09

Okay, I'm taking pictures most every day, I just suck at uploading them in a timely manner. I must have been channeling Shirley Manson and/or Angela Chase hardcore yesterday because I look like the missing third of some grungy 90s redhead trio. Picture complete with "Oh God, Mo-om" face:



chartreuse longsleeve tee - Target
brown polkadot strapless dress - clothing swap party
grey sweater tights - Kohl's
brown combat boots - Target

Today I guess I went back to my classic cut/little details/simple colour palate...probably because I wore my cape today and needed a good silhouette underneath (and my new above-the-elbow wool blended black gloves, they are ungodly warm!).



beige Zara top - thrifted
fuchsia "pocketwatch" skirt - thrifted
black stockings - H&M
beige t-strap flats - F21

I have worn these bleeding shoes into the ground, and I'm hesitant to keep my new hoofers from ModCloth. Quel disappointing, they feel really flimsy and were made in China. Tsk tsk, ModCloth, I expected better. I'm going to return them and buy similar ones from Urban Outfitters that look sturdier, and it is a sad day when UO's shoes out-sturdy you. You better step up your game, MC.

Wardrobe Remix for 10.27.09

grey cardigan - F21
green plaid button-up top - Target
black belt with silver shells - F21
black leggings - Target
grey military boots - Target

A rare day I wear no vintage! Ah Target and Forever 21, my two fave non-thrift stores. I redyed my hair (yes, dear readers, for those who did not know I am a bottle redhead with my god-given brunette locks) and I'm wearing eye makeup, though I doubt you can tell either in this picture. And, yes, I am wearing leggings as "pants," for the second time this week. My roommate gave me shit Saturday, but I don't care since a. I am wearing them with shirts that cover my ass b. I am wearing them with shirts that look super super awkward with jeans and c. I finally have the body to not give a shit. Also this is the first time I've belted a cardigan. I feel so ~*modern*~

What modern trends are you finding yourself succumbing to? I can pull of leggings as bottoms, right, I'm not just deluding myself?

Wardrobe Remix featuring TMI

grey sack dress - h&m
gold brocade and black obi belt - custom made via ebay
black capri stockings - target
silver and white t-strap flats - target

This outfit is not my favourite, but I will tell you how it works for me today.

a. I am getting my period so I'm v. bloated
b. I work in a store that is severely over-air conditioned
c. It is hot outside

The sack dress, and most of my dresses and non-pencil skirts, are more comfortable than jeans, which constrict my lower abdomen. That area hurts anyway if I eat too much or something. This dress also has pockets, which is always a plus.

The capri tights, which I almost never wear, cover my fat ass as this dress is short and keep my legs from freezing in my store. I can pull them up if I get too hot outside, but the fact they are not an extra layer on my feet keep me cool.

The shoes have decent arch support without insoles and the white/silver reflect light.

The belt keeps the dress from making me look like I'm nine months pregnant.

I also always carry a cardigan with me when I go to work. It's so annoying when I have to turn back home because I forgot to grab a sweater IN AUGUST. Ugh.

This was really boring!