100 Newsletters
In which I answer questions from my wonderful readership (ahem, that's you), while still doing all the same stuff I usually do: wear wacky outfits and do fun things!
Hello, my friends! Welcome to my little corner of the fashion discourse. Consider me your Gen X fairy gawdsister - I have a closet full of wacky clothes, a decades-curated jewelry collection and all the funneroo shoes, and most of it is pre-loved. I do not dress like other people, and that’s the way I like it! Take up space, be seen and wear all the colour!
Circular fashion is my ultimate aim - I only shop in-person, locally, 95% secondhand (I have a Fluevog thing). I sell - again, in-person only - clothes that didn’t quite make the grade to other fashiony folks, and the money I earn from my sales is my budget for shopping.
I’ve been at this wardrobe journaling thing since I started my blog, Ephemera [insert service announcement below]*, way back in 2008 - every outfit and purchase have been recorded there, along with major (and minor) bits of my life. Here on Substack (since 2024), I share a week’s round-up with you Gentle Readers, and blather on about whatever’s on my mind. Doesn’t that sound divine?
*Hello, I’m Sheila of the blog Ephemera. I like to swear (clutching pearls and fainting couches sold separately), I link ‘cause I love (no affiliates), and I do not use AI - I’ll make my own fucking typos, thank you!
ONE HUNDRED.
That’s this newsletter, missive, post, whatever you want to call my weekly ramblings. Number One Hundred. Seems like a lot, doesn’t it? But then I check Ye Olde Blogge and I have 4,712 posts. So, there’s that. I recognize that I’m an anomaly.
100.
It’s still a big number and represents between 300-500 outfits, and nearly two years of constant writing for you, my Gentle Reader. It represents my own commitment to writing more about my feelings about my clothes vs. picture dump with scant commentary (chez blog, although I do get rawther effusive there too). It’s me jumping into my second social media site (stop laughing1), navigating it and engaging and getting to know so many lovely people here. It’s sharing my own ethos and outfits, hoping to inspire and be inspired right back. One hundred times.
So.
I put the call out in last week’s newsletter: Ask me anything! And here’s what we have:
susan mernit politely requested, “Tell me about how you store and organize everything please.” I responded/published a Note, and flogged my blog because, not to sound snotty, she said, sounding totally snotty, I write a blog post about this every 6 months when I swap my closet over. Been doing it for years. I even have shitty videos now, if you want to burst the bubble of what I sound like IRL2.
Crone Life piped up with, “I would like to hear more about your style evolution.”
ET seconded the motion and “would DEVOUR that post!!
Yeah, I haven’t answered that. YET. It’ll be massive. I’m almost 59, that’s a lot of years of evolution! This will involve digging into some boxes in the closet and going through a few photo albums, as well as figuring out how to structure it. I mean, chronologically, duh, but I don’t want to bore y’all with a massive “here’s me growing up” scroll. No one wants that. Anyway, stay tuned on that, okay? Maybe I’ll aim for my birthday in October.
Margaret Bennett asked: “How do you maintain enthusiasm for blogging and planning outfits? I go into a slump, but you never seem to falter!” Yes, I’m just the little Energizer bunny of this, aren’t I? I replied with my daily/weekly routine (that’s the secret: routine. Were you hoping for magic beans? Sorry.).
Emilee Russell wondered, “if you could only wear one brand/designer for the rest of eternity, who would you choose ??” I also responded to this via Notes. Ten points if you anticipated my answer!
I didn’t get any other questions, which is good, because none of these were easy! Jeepers, you guys are tough!
Enough navel-gazing and self-lurve!
This week was quiet for me overall, punctuated by another meet-up with a fellow Substacker, Maria Polansky of The Pastel Minimalist. So cool!
Now, let’s look at the clothes…
Stripes, Luke and Yoda
I really need to change up my habit of “slightly muted” outfits for Monday, as I feel like I’m not putting my colourfullest foot forward as the lead image here.
Nahhhhhh…can’t be bothered. I need my Mondays to be a little more low-key. See? Totes SEDATE.
I did some playing around in my closet on the weekend, just to see how I could style this shirt. It is fabulous with my big flowy skirts, but I am on a mission to wear all of my clothes in my closet every season, so things like this skirt need to actually get their time in the sun.
Otherwise, what’s the point in owning them?
I wore the sleeves down for sun coverage while walking to and from work, and flipped the cuffs and shoved them up for the office. It was comfortable, felt nice. Nothing ground-breaking.
I tucked the shirt front in and let the back hang down long. I liked the cocoon-ish shape, but really, I’ve had oversized shirts before (they were massive c. 1985-1986), and I could style it in a heartbeat3.
I selected this skirt because I hadn’t yet worn it.
Branded items: Bucket hat is by Babaton. Seat-belt belt is by Buckle Down. The shoes are Irregular Choice’s “Star Wars” line from 2016-8ish. The wood/steel brooch is by Finnish maker Aarikka. Alexis Bittar Lucite/sterling bracelet. Soul Flower ring (again). Chan Luu earrings.
Noting what’s new: I bought the shoes retail at long-closed She She Shoes after a REALLY bad work day in 2018. Other than that, it’s all secondhand.
You’re always welcome to ask questions about any of my stuff!
I Met Maria!
Life is always a bit of a blur, but I recall seeing Maria Polansky pop up in Notes and enjoying her writing (and if I like your writing, I subscribe!4). And then one day…I recognized the view. Hang on here…could it be…? Another person from Victoria?5
I left a comment, we connected and found out we actually live only a few blocks away from each other. Of course, we had to meet up!
The Pastel Minimalist6 meets the Colourful Maximalist!
Being said maximalist, there’s a wee bit of pressure to live up to the hype, you know? I can’t just throw on my house clothes!
I built my Tuesday office outfit around the new Fluevog shoes, which are totally mermaid-coded. They were good, although walking to work, then home after, and then to meet up Maria, was…not a great idea. Despite my wee nylon footies, I had a couple of water blisters on the heels. It was a hot day…I got sweaty. Ugh.
Branded items: Leather purse is old Club Monaco. Silk scarf is Yves Saint Laurent and from the 80s. The shoes are the Sea Maidens Kelpies by John Fluevog. The silver/aquamarine Fulvia Ring is by Wendy Brandes.
Retail round-up: The shoes were bought new (with gift cards - only about $45 of my own money), as was the Fulvia ring. Everything else is pre-loved!
But enough about the clothes (I liked the outfit, happy with it), here’s the pics from our meet-up.
You know you’re having a good time when you totally whiff on taking pictures - it didn’t occur to me to snap a few of Perlita (I am not a dog person, but she was SO SWEET, although…an enthusiastic communicator, ha ha!).
Did we talk about Substack? A little - mostly about how to avoid the creepers and curate the Notes feed so it’s full of happy things like art, fashion, cats/dogs and rocks. We chatted about our lives and basically got to know each other better.
More than an hour passed just like that *snap*.
Brooch McGyver
I’d had a play-sesh on the weekend, and lined up a bunch of fits for the week, so prepped this one the night before (I select all the accessories, make sure I have a camisole/wee shorts, etc. all ready to go), but I had forgotten one thing.
This tunic is full dress-length! Well, shiiiit, you can’t even see my skirt! I usually wear it with pants or - when I’m feeling a high level of dontgiveafuckitude - colourful tights only7. Otherwise, that’s just a big block of black.
Blah.
Although I knew that the skirt would show when I walked8, I looked down and thought, “Huh, I really should figure out some way of showing my skirt,” and my mind said loudly, “Elastic band and a brooch!” I was totally channeling Tina Boetto! Put a brooch on it!
The skirt has lovely texture - it’s a knit, with honeycomb shapes in tan, black and silver thread, with a black/white striped waistband which you can’t see here. It’s getting a little ball-y and snagged, so maybe I can eke out a few more wearings, but it’s not going to be a forever piece.
Due to the weird weather - warm, muggy, but chilly winds - I layered a camisole, wee shorts and went bare-legged. You can glimpse my grey socks in the boots (KLASSY), through the transparent technical fabric.
The boots fall into the category of Things I Will Shed When I Retire. As they age, the glues used to bond the nylon material are yellowing…sigh.
Branded items: The boots are by United Nude. You’ll recognize my old favourites: the Alexis Bittar carved Lucite/silver bracelet, the Lakeland Art Metal Works cuff, and the Soul Flower silver/crystal ring.
Secondhand Success: This is a 100% consignment, thrifted and gifted9 outfit.
Ring the klaxons! Sound the bells!
Rainy Goth
If it’s Thursday, it’s Mom-Day, which I take as an opportunity to wear whatever I feel like in the moment, as opposed to a pre-planned outfit.
I let the weather drive my choices: sunny, warm, cloudy, rainy, windy and thunder and lightning. OKAY. That’s complicated.
That means shoes first - I don’t care if these butter yellow Docs get soaking wet, plus I can walk many kilometers in them. Tagging LC Burn ( of femilliterate ) who wanted to see them. Here they are!
I hadn’t yet worn this skirt this season (the telltale backward hanger!). It’s that perfect blend of watery colours that go with a ton in my closet, and it works all year round. Very “soft goth”!
Mom’s seen this skirt five times in three years - she enjoys seeing how I change up my clothes (she reads my blog10).
The skies opened up on the way home, and I was forced to deploy the Movie Star Wrap. My hair stayed dry while I dashed for buses.
Branded items: The boots are Doc Martens, bought at the Cobbler yonks ago. Leather purse is old Fossil, found in Powell River. The silk scarf is Alexander McQueen. The gold brooch (which I wore at my waist) is by Monet.
So much secondhand: Only the boots were bought retail…from a brick-and-mortar small, locally-owned and operated business! Woo!
Totally Teal
I landed on my Friday fit after finishing my daily writing the evening before. I’d pitched the patterned top into Limbo but it had been whispering to me, “Sheila, I’m your precioussssss…take me baaaaaack…I looked so good with that pink shirt11…give me another chance…”
Well, I wasn’t gonna say NO! I loved the pink and teal combo and bounced around the office at twice my normal speed (already fast!) to get everything done in half the time, so I could leave early to be home for the fire alarm install.
Works without the jacket (and my tattoos, which I always factor in). And then… buttoned up and changing the vibe entirely. Much more badass.
I ended up with a free afternoon when the install went way quicker than expected, so I strolled down to the Oak Bay Junction for evening snackage. I popped into Pocket Consignment to say hi to Annie and her awesome staff, and have a nice thorough browse.
I tried on a few things (only the wackiest!) but mostly played catch-and-release, savouring the quiet, the sun beaming in through the skylight, and marveling at the wonderful selection. I did end up with a lovely pair of silver and (probably) brass Mexican stamped earrings for $32.00.
Branded items: The sneakers are Converse. The big gold-tone cuff is by D’Orlans. Silver/aquamarine Fulvia Ring is Wendy Brandes. The pink crystal necklace is Sherman. Customizable earrings by Martha Sturdy.
Retail Ratio: Two (the jacket and pants) out of five main items (plus crop-top, shirt, shoes) were retail, bought at Dots, so that’s 60% secondhand. It’s 90% for the jewelry - only the Fulvia Ring was bought new, direct from the designer.
Nobody’s Baby
Saturday brunch, time to play around in my closet and build something that feels like me. I read somewhere (tell me if it was you!) that graphic tees are in again and after I recovered from the belly laugh12, I realized I haven’t worn my band tee “formula” for a while.
T-shirt + interesting skirt + funky shoes (Chris Chan, funky shoe alert!) + cool jacket.
In this case, instead of a jacket, the long vest is a converted menswear blazer that’s been embellished with rows of metal tubes on the pockets and on the lapels. It has four pockets!
I’ve heard that being matchy is deeply uncool. Well, tough beans. People love matchy! Why wouldn’t I give them what they love? Call me an uncool fool.
I carried this purse as a shoutout to Emilee Russell (again!) and her recent article on trends - I love looking at trends and then seeing what I already have in my closet (often a lot, as everything comes around again). If I feel like participating, I can always keep my eyes open when I’m browsing the thrift shop - why buy new crap when there’s all that good quality vintage out there?
I already had two on Emilee’s list:
Magazine clutch? Tick - thrifted one for under $7 last year (mine is a May 2011 cover from German Vogue13).
Firkin (faux Birkin) in jelly…well, YEAH, I kinda have that too, or at least something in a similar jelly fabrication. My bag is a rip-off of the Margiela Hermes originals produced in a larger size for a special exhibit:
From 1997 to 1999, Hermès held a traveling exhibition in Japan, called ‘Hermès Exhibition in the Wonderland’. Visitors were able to buy the second version of the transparent Kelly and, in 1998, an Orange Vinyl Kelly, too. Seeing these bags outside of Japan is extremely rare. These 40-centimeter versions of the bag are scrawled with the phrase ‘Souvenir de l’Exposition 199X’ (depending on the year it was issued). The underside reads ‘Un Voyage au Pays de Merveilles’, which translates to ‘A Trip to Wonderland’.
Source (a link ‘cause I love!). These bags were probably sold on the street as tourist souvenirs.
I thrifted this in Vancouver three years ago for $15.48. Mic. Drop.
Branded items: Smoking Lily late 90s handmade silkscreened fly scarf. Shoes are the Vogettes Pina by John Fluevog. The single rose earring is Betsey Johnson. Skeleton cat pin is by Whatserface.
Pre-loved review: The cat pin was bought retail (but made in Vancouver), and the shoes were new. I bought myself the snake ring in 1986. Band merch (the t-shirt) is also bought new at the 2025 show when Sheer Mag opened for Amyl and the Sniffers - a fucking awesome show!
Blue Silk Shop
Logan and buddy Casey went to Vancouver on Sunday for the Folk Festival - I gave it a hard pass (unknown venue, thousands of people and no seating). It ratchets up my anxiety just thinking about it!14
I made my own plans, a shopping expedition to soothe my brain and have some “me” time - my friend and neighbour Emma joined me and we had a lovely day browsing in a few stores downtown and looking for treasures.
I’m done with the dress - it didn’t make me feel badass, artsy or joyful - so off it goes to Limbo for resale. I wore it three times, so my cost-per-wear was a very reasonable $5.
Branded items: The leather purse is by Soruka. The sandals are Doc Martens. Wore both of my Wendy Brandes blue stone rings: the Fulvia Ring (aquamarine) and the lapis lazuli ring. The earrings are by local maker Winnie Tam.
How’d I do with new? Aside from the jewelry, it’s all 100% secondhand! Woo!
Catch and Release Shopping
In line with my 2-year goal of reducing my wardrobe overall by 50% by the time I retire, I’m also slowing down my shopping, and really working hard to only buy things that I really love. I’m looking for that sharp intake of breath, that feeling in my gut.
So, I’ve decided to be less of a hunter, and more of a recorder when I’m shopping.
Things I might have just gone ahead and bought without hesitation instead get photographed and put back.
Released:
Leopard medallion on black vintage hat: We stopped in at this recently-opened charity/thrift store (we saw a few signs about a cat/pet rescue) and had a quick browse through the space that used to be Vanity Fair Antique Mall (RIP!). They had a large vintage hat collection…but I’ve learned my lesson there many years ago. I have a few fancy hats and rarely wear them. I do not need this hat. But I really like the leopard!
Satin vintage 90s hipster cargo skirt: I spotted this at the relocated/renamed Rich Rags, now Edited., a curated consignment shop. It was a good price, and…it’s…fine. Emma encouraged me (we’re both enablers), but I just wasn’t feeling the love for it. It was not an upgrade and didn’t inspire me at all.
Having bolstered ourselves with a flaky pastry and a frosty beverage, we moseyed over to Value Village for a browse.
Caught:
Leather sling/backpack: Not a single label or tag on this rich green bag, but the leather (verified in the construction deep inside) is still supple and buttery, even though this style hasn’t been in vogue for 25 years (I know this because my mom has one she’s still using15). It has masses of pockets (and every one goes right to the bottom - they are HUGE), and for $10 bucks? I want to love it and hug it and call it George.
Not another fucking tulle skirt?! Fine, SUE ME. It’s got blue (and orange/red/pink) and I don’t have one with blue. As I said to Emma, my heart beats faster for tulle, but even if this doesn’t work for me, I can easily resell this for more.
The best tie on the rack: Another one for Logan. He loves it - such a groovy pattern for my groovy guy.
Well, that was fun! What’s your favourite purchase I’ve made this week?
Have thoughts? To the comments, my pretties!
These Are My People
Aw, heart full of love!
These Are My Cats
They just make me smile. KITTIES!
And now here we are, just you and me at the end.
Thanks for being here - I really do mean it every single time. I’m honoured that you spent the time to zip past all the stoopid clothes to get to the cats be here, in this little oasis of outfits and silliness. Hello to the noobs! I hope I didn’t scare you off. Gratitude for all the lovely Substackians who press that little heart (pleaseplease), and big heart-eyes if you restack or leave me a comment (I always answer!).
That was a fun week, meeting Maria and…well, that was the highlight for me!
Next week is going to be a quiet one as well but the temps are rising…
What does it all mean? Stay tuned!
Cheers,
Sheila
It’s true! I didn’t get a phone until Dec 2023, so it was computer all the way. I got banned from Instagram after a because I wasn’t using a phone, and I couldn’t actually even dispute my “suspicious behaviour” (logging out/in) it without a phone. THEIR LOSS.
I’ve been told my voice is higher than expected.
If it was the 80s! I would have done: long shirt worn untucked, buttoned all the way to the top. Brooch at the neck and long ropes of pearl beads. A long tube skirt to just above the ankle with kitten heeled pointy-toed shoes (ideally in white). A length of lace tied in your ultra-moussed up hair, a la Madonna, and pair of Ray-Bans. Lace fingerless gloves optional. I wore this outfit out dancing many times (my shirt was crumpled ice-blue satin, and my skirt was turquoise, and I still have the brooch I used to wear).
Are you an author on Substack? Tell me and I’ll come check ya out!
Canada’s Victoria, not Australia’s, so sorry my fine Aussie friends!
I tried to use the embed feature but Substack is fucking up again…
The Waft Factor (like Swoosh Factor, only wind-induced) is high, so the back and front panels do have high movement, but I really wanted to look down and see the skirt.
The sterling silver earrings were a birthday gift from pal Petra, and I know she found them secondhand.
Enjoy pictures of gardens, cloudy skies and my lunch:
This one:
Seriously, band tees and graphic tees NEVER go out of style. Wear your passion, whether it’s a band, a place or a cool image. There are no GUILTY pleasures…only pleasures. Own it!
Here it is:
I have major crowd issues - I need to be led through them with my head down, I need personal space, and minimal chaos and I need to know the space I’m in. All of these were NOPES for the Van FF.
“It’s not for you!” I protested to Mom. She really liked it.
Congratulations! 🙌 I love your energy and joyful approach to style. Here’s to the next 100 and more!
Really enjoying reading and nosying through that wardrobe swap over post. Happy 100th newsletter and I’m looking forward to your style evolution post.