Leather Weather Foiled

In which I planned to wear leather daily while doing fun things like Book Club, seeing Mom and going to a Birthday Party, but then Spring spring'ed. Best laid plans and all that...

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!

I surely intended it to be a week with leather garments, but it just got too darned warm. Overall, this was a solid week of fits, no real losers, although things were a little dark at the start of the week. Also, I was not feeling Angus in this location, so that’s gotta change.

RU ready for this? Let’s go!

Short Week, Long Skirt

The addition of Angus the Cowhide has attracted feline attention. No one’s going to look at my outfits while Barnabas’ blurry butthole is right there!

Mesh “space print” top is 90s Jean Paul Gaultier, found in a now-closed consignment shop 10+ years ago. The tee has a real leather front and shoulder embellishment and is by Danier Leather (and I thrifted it for under $15 at WIN). The skirt was thrifted last week for $24.95, at the WIN Boutique.

Whateley tries to get in on the act, waving his bum around enticingly. How is anyone going to talk clothes now?

Well, let’s try.

I adored this amazing Babette skirt - everyone should have one! I wore it all day on Tuesday in the office (minimal wrangling required), then for several hours after work, until Book Club ended around 10pm.

It’s slinky and slithery and swooshy, and it hugs the body gently without feeling constrictive or tight. But I can still take ginormous strides (as is my wont)! Pop a squat or two! I can kick!

AND, I feel very Morticia Addams in it, which is even better!

Bloooooo…now that’s cerulean, baby. Found this leather Elizabeth and James coat in a consignment store (the Velvet Crease) years ago for $40 (a STEAL). Still had plastic and paper on the zippers. I have worn the crap out of it - it’s a patinaed friend now.

I think blue is an underrated goth colour - you know, there’s red and purple, of course, and green, but not much blue. Hmm…wonder why that is?

Say adieu to the leopard scarf - I never reach for it anymore. Best $1.95 spent! Blue shoes, blue moons (that's no moon), comet tails. I see space in my jewelry!

Branded items: MJUS shoes. Alexis Bittar Lucite/silver cuff. Juicy couture crystal cuff. Wendy Brandes lapis ring. Silver/crystal ring is by Soul Flower.

Everything but the Wendy B and Soul Flower rings is pre-loved. The crystal ring was $10 over 15 years ago, and I’ve had the lapis ring for 15ish years too.

If you ever have any questions about anything I’m wearing, please ask. No gatekeeping here.

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Teal Leopard

Another “muted” colour palette for me on Wednesday, built around this leopard skirt that I picked up at the WIN thrift store event last week.

The mesh top has no tags. The organic cotton top is by Atelier Delphine, and the skirt is Cleo, a former mall chain store. All thrift store, baby!

If I had to do it all again, I’d do my amber jewelry instead - I felt like I needed another colour, and wouldn’t that warm ambery goodness be nice? Now that I’ve remembered it, you can be sure that it will make an appearance soon¹.

More leather! This jacket fulfills one of my requirements in my clothes: if it has detail on the front, it MUST carry around to the back. Nothing annoys me more² than seeing an awesome print then turning it around and WHOMP WHOMP the back is plain. BULLSHIT.

Leather jacket is by Michael Kors, has two adequate front pockets, fully lined, big zip. Found it at Turnabout 2.5 years ago for $61.00, and have worn it 10 times now.

The studs go all the way around on the hem, and on the back of the neck. Right? As it should!

Feeling my badassery there, heh heh. I just wanna stomp around in my boots, taking up space.

Best boots evah! They were covered in dust when I found them, secondhand, almost new-in-the-box. So much silver! The green stone ring is a poison ring (it opens up), and belonged to my friend Karen, gone nearly 6 years. I carry her with me.

Branded items: Suede boots are by Coach. The rest is anonymous and mostly Mexican silver.

Aside from the silver snake ring that I bought at my first (volunteer) job in 1986, it’s all pre-loved.

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Mom-Day Brights

Thursday was a whirlwind of busy-ness: my uncle was in town to visit, so we (me, Mom and him) all went to Beacon Hill Park and then lunch after. I indulged in a wee shop on the way home, and the Secondhand Gawds smiled upon me with a locally-originating treasure.

But what did she wear?

A buncha colour!

Sunglasses required. Puffa vest is Zara, found at Rich Rags consignment a couple of years ago.

I was craving vibrancy after the last couple of days so gave myself a dose of yellow, which is an armour colour for me (people see the colour, not me), with a jolt of orange, just enough to make you snap your neck back.

The yellow top has great features: it’s 100% cotton, the colour is PERFECT and the sleeeeeves. Big daffodil sleeves! Wave 'em in the air sleeves!

But it requires layering as the body is a snore.

The yellow cotton blouse is Zara, and the cotton/silk skirt is Akris, and both are thrift shop finds, $15 each.

While I don’t often repeat outfits top to toe, I DO repeat certain combinations. The tee and orange vest are friends with my OTHER giant-sleeved top; the tee’s been worn with this skirt and boots before; the blouse and boots have been paired previously. Finding a new mix is so exciting!

Someone absconded with the cat pin (I only turned my back for a second, I swear!). And then it was mysteriously returned. Bonus contents of my purse, less phone and keys/bus pass. Armour bling.

Branded items: Purse is by Aimee Kestenberg³ (from a thrift store in Powell River). Boots are Doc Martens from the Cobbler, a local shop that I’ve patronized since the 80s.

The Non-Pre-Loved: I bought the boots new ages ago (they are the unlined leather - suede-finished inside version, soft from the get-go). Kitty pin was a recent gift from Yvonne. There’s that ‘86 retail snake ring again (I wear it a lot). I bought that studded cuff in the mid-90s at the mall.

It was too hot to wear a leather coat, so the leather boots will have to do.

After five hours with my dear family I was DONE⁴. I walked home from lunch and popped into Pocket Clothing (that’s a link ‘coz I love, go there if you’re in town) for a good browse. A treasure was found!

Gasp! The possibilities are endless!

I know, right, holy shit.

Hey, Maddy Kwaka, I found another Tangerine Jill piece⁵! Some of you may recall that I have the orange and pink dress version of this skirt, worn this past New Year’s Eve:

I was thrilled to hand over my $42.00 to Annie - I’ve been shopping in her store for 20+ years - she’s a neighbourhood fixture.

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Fit Checked

I outed myself as a style chronicler to one of my colleagues on Friday, after she was extra-enthusiastic about over my fit check in a Teams call (and yes, of COURSE I waggled my feet at her, what kind of monster do you think I am?). I’m not shy about my writing, but I also don’t advertise it.

Hello, coworkers who read! Thanks for being here! I am grateful for the fashion interactions I have with people in person. Happy vibes!

Cotton sweater is Zara, best colour ever, found on consignment at Rich Rags a couple of years ago. The silk-blend tunic is Marni, also consignment, at Turnabout this year. The lined linen pants are a thrift store find - they’re by Nine West.

I pounced on this tunic/top when I spotted it on a shopping expedition to the chi-chi stores of Oak Bay. I have all these colours in my wardrobe, which makes it the best kind of pattern. My options are the 6 or so colours in the mix, plus black, white, denim…and it layers really well. VERSATILE.

I get a thrill when I find a piece like this - I hope I’ll still have it in 10-20+ years! I must get another wearing of it in this season - maybe a bare arms⁶ version? - but so many clothes, so little time to wear them all.

Having a large closet is fun, but some re-wearing potential is sacrificed in order to wear ALL of it, which is an important six-month goal for me. I want to see every hanger facing the “right” way⁷ by the end of September!

These pants are so good - they are lined to the hem! and washable! And yet, I have three pairs of white pants/jeans… They stay for now, but this is a pair I’ll eventually move along.

I had a suede jacket planned, but it was over 20 degrees and far too hot for a jacket, so it’s waiting in the wings for the next cool day (which ended up being Saturday evening).

Instead, I unearthed this gloriously PINK leather backpack instead of my usual black leather pack (never shown⁸). And noticed that I have another black backpack that’s just hanging on the wall and not being used. SIGH, Sheila, it’s STUFF - it’s meant to be worn!⁹

I have the urge to draw "brain wrinkles" all over this leather bag. I want to wear the cobra ring every day!

Branded items: The backpack is by Ash. Alexander McQueen skull scarf. Shoes are the Classy Bach by John Fluevog. The steel bracelet is by Moda (a vintage 70s brand from Malta).

The shoes are the only non-pre-loved thing, bought with gift cards, and I made the necklace in the 90s from a bag of beads. I believe the Venetian glass beads are some old family ones from Mom.

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Bright Brunch

With Nick out of town, Logan and I headed down to John’s Place on our own for brunch a bit later on Saturday (I do love a lie-in rot with my coffee in the morning).

I had this outfit - the jacket, pants and shoes - already set aside for…whenever I felt like wearing it. I usually pair up new things with my old things right away and then wait for the occasion to present itself - gotta get a wearing in, in case the new thing is shite, and then I can get rid of it immediately. I’m eminently practical that way.

I loved the swooshy pants, but the fabric is not great (a viscose blend, not quite all the way white on the back of the pattern¹⁰), and they have no pockets. Worth keeping for a couple of years of fun office outfits - my colleagues would love these.

Dark denim curved hem jacket is by G-Star Raw, found on consignment at Willow Rose Boutique in Powell River. The pink knit top is by Mantles (a Bay department store brand for decades - this is from the 90s), and the pants are Anthropologie - both were thrift store finds (both WIN, Women In Need).

Wearing colour? Throw more colour at it! Orange and pink begets MORE orange and pink. The denim jacket calms it all down, and the gold (gold-tone - I own very little real gold, aside from my love-stack of rings and a couple of pairs of hoop earrings) works as a nice neut (NOOT, hee hee).

I had several kind comments on all my colour. The pink and orange is like a deep sunset…or a bunch of tulips…or fun lipsticks.

It’s “top down” season now¹¹, so I usually wear a scarf in Axl Rose style¹² on weekends so my hair doesn’t weave itself into a rat’s nest.

Catawampus selfie while Logan dawdles and looks for his whatever…wallet? phone? keys?

Here, fishy fishy…

The wind swooshing my pantlegs around. Orange you glad I wore pink too? One fish, two fish (okay, one's a dolphin, I know it's not a fish).

Branded items: The shoes are by John Fluevog, called the Groovy Aubrey. The leather purse is by Fossil. The earrings are by Biko.

Pre-loved assessment: All of the Fluevog stuff is bought new (with gift cards or on deep sale) - that would be the shoes, the mulberry “F-This, F-That” scarf and the pink ruffled socks. I bought around 8 Venetian glass tiles in Venice in 2014 and gave them to my girlfriends - this one was Karen’s selection, and I took it back when she died. I bought that amber ring in 1996?? So long ago!

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Mack’s Party

Last year, Logan and I showed up at Mack’s birthday a day early - and we’d already made plans for the actual evening! - so this year, we were determined NOT to be there on the wrong day. Life-goals!

And yet, I had a blank spot in my mind all week, like my brain did not want to be going to a party. I enjoy seeing all my Chosen Family, but this party usually only has a few people that I know.

STRANGER DANGER. Holy shit, this requires a Don’t Fuck With Me outfit!

When I was pulling my pink leather backpack (above) out from its hide-all-zippers-from-kittens hiding spot, I “discovered” this fringe-y shirt, which has been stashed away for three years. It was originally hidden from our previous cat Vizzini who would totally have eaten every bit of this fringe.

Dip-dye fringed shirt is by Christian Audigier, from the mid-00s, found on a clearance rack at Willow Rose consignment shop in Powell River for TEN BUCKS and it was new with tags! There were two - I wish I’d bought them both! Oh, the writing on the sleeves says, “Peace out” and “Love in.”

I bought this top on an expedition to visit Logan’s family in Powell River a few years ago - I hit quite the Ed Hardy/Audigier bonanza on that trip¹³. Although I was a grownass adult in the 90s and 00s, I didn’t wear this stuff then, so it’s fun to play with this vibe as a no-fucks-to-give menopausal banshee.

So why not now? Right?

A wonky selfie to send to Rosanna who jammed on going to the party but still wanted to see what I was wearing.

The shirt is 100% cotton and was made in the USA - the fringe is synthetic velvet (not leather), and I give each fringe a gentle tighten when I wear it, as they are just looped through grommets in the shirt sleeves.

There’s that pink suede jacket I was talking about! I wave my tentacles at you!

Cheese it, everyone, it’s a jellyfish attack! The coat is pigskin suede (you can tell by the little dots) and was found in the back of a vintage mall many years ago. The brand is Prosper & Devine.

I also wore a silk Ed Hardy/Audigier scarf because the colours match, I wasn’t sure if it would be cooler later (it was) and as I was explaining my look to Rosanna (how Audigier ripped off Don Ed Hardy, the blue dip-dye part that’s tucked in, etc.) I remembered that I had it.

Back view (wee, a back full of tattoos!). Silk scarf with the best print. Demented elf shoes that have been worn over 100 times (rare when you own 75-100 pairs of shoes). Oops, forgot my bracelets. Earrings from Petra! Must! Wear! All! The! Fringe! Oh, and here's how I wore it to Rifflandia (note the blue lipstick).

Branded items: Shoes are the Prepare Guide by John Fluevog, bought in 2012 by Logan on one of our anniversary jaunts to Van. Purse is leather Club Monaco. Silk scarf is Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier. The chain/leather belt is another Fluevog piece, bought on clearance sale. Crystal heart cuff is Juicy Couture, and the square Fulvia Ring is my Wendy Brandes treasure.

Pre-Loved check: Only the shoes, belt and Fulvia Ring were bought new. The silver earrings were a gift, but Petra bought them secondhand.

In case you wondered, the only people I talked to were into fashion! One person walked up to me, stated, “You must be the jellyfish,” and I said, “Oh, you’ve been talking to my husband.” Most people gave me the side-eye and avoided me¹⁴.

JUST THE WAY I LIKE IT.¹⁵

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These Are My People

Much love to them all.

My Book Club babes! My uncle Brian, Mom and I. Mack and Logan. Me and Vero (all peopled-out at the party).

Hot damn, what a great bunch. I’m so lucky.

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And These Are My Cats

Kitten shenanigans of the past week…

Deck patrol! Being cute before that spot becomes Angus' new location (much better). Whateley and Barnabas inspecting the jellyfish skirt. What a couple of goobers!

They are officially a year old now! Happy birthday, my sweet boys.

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Well, here we are, folks, another week in the bag. My goal was to wear leather, and I mostly succeeded at that. I appreciated the short week - and I have another truncated week next week too, woo! - and pushed my sartorial muscle to FLEX and werk it.

Did I succeed? Suuuure…you keep tellin’ yourself that, Sheila. Or…you tell me, Gentle Reader! What was your favourite fit of the week?

Favourite Person of the Week Award goes to Angela Jones for her amazing article about meeeeeeee¹⁶:

turnabout is fair play

She looked up Turnabout! (some of those are old images of their previous location, but yes, it’s a gorgeous store)! She dug up my old description of a Jammy Dress and wore one! She shopped her closet and emulated moi (MOI? More like “mwah, you are such a dear”) in her styling! She even tried to follow my garbled posing directions (point those toes!). I’m immensely flattered, honoured and fucking pleased as punch, thankyouverymuch. Ang is the BEST. Go, subscribe, she’s an amazing human.

I truly appreciate each and every one of you for being here, for reading, liking/hearting, commenting. Welcome, new subscribers! Don’t be shy, drop me a line, say hi. I only bite nasty people.

Next week is my last few days until I head into a much-needed annual stay-cation full of planned shenanigans. Time to go play in my closet and figure out what I want to wear! Woo!

See you on the flip side!

Cheers,

Sheila

1. Whennnnn? I don’t know, SOON. Whenever I feel like it. And yes, footnotes are back! Hi, Laurie!

2. I’m looking at you, Desigual! But seriously, we are seen from all sides! WTF. I know, I forgot got lazy and said fuckit to do footnotes last week. They’re back. Read at your PERIL.

3. There was another Aimee Kestenberg purse at Pocket, which was cool - I had never heard of her when I bought this one, and have never seen one in the wild since. It was one of those big early 00s bags with straps and short handles, and was $85, so NOPE, not even tempted.

4. Obligatory expression of love for family. I’m being whiny.

5. Tangerine Jill was a local design duo in the mid-90s to mid-10s. One of the designers split off into Strawberry Jill (similar designs, lots of silk), and the other to Tatum & Olivia. It’s gorgeous stuff. I see it every so often in thrift stores, and have owned many pieces of all of these brands over the years, all excellent quality.

6. But not bear arms, that would be weird, like grizzly or black bear? Polar bear? The deadly racoon-bear? A coati? Okay, now I’m just being silly.

7. A reference to the Hanger Trick of turning my hangers back the “wrong” way every 6 months. It helps me see what I haven’t yet worn, encourages me to pick from the backward hangers, and shows me what I’m avoiding/not reaching for. Without using this technique, many pieces would languish unworn (because I’m lazy and it takes effort to style “difficult” or challenging clothes). You may have guessed, I am not an Indyx person (but you do you, boo).

8. It’s by Able Leather (a worthy love-link), and is just a basic plain leather pack to hold my wallet, shopping bags, shoes, sunblock stick, business cards, lipstick and keys.

9. And with this, she vowed to stop saving her things for good (for the nth time). The end.

10. You know I hate it when the back of a print is white, ugh, so cheap.

11. We/Logan has an F-Type Jaguar convertible named Vlad (it’s Carpathian grey). Top up, top down, one of those is Logan’s preferred terminology, but I get bogged down in overthink. The top is going up…and then down. But we take the top down. I’m so confused! Fuck it!

12. Whooooaaaa, oh ohh, sweet child o’ my-innnnne….(you know I am dancing like him).

13. Loads of detail pics of the top here, including what else I bought, plus a good gander at scenery from Canada’s west coast.

14. I ran out of social energy after the 4th chat, and hid on a sofa with pal Vero where we took selfies until we got one that we both liked.

15. “I don’t hate people, I just like it better when they’re not around.” (from the movie Barfly). We Ubered home and played boardgames all night - boo-yah!

16. Big sappy heart-eyes! Long-distance hug! (it’s a super-awkward hug, because I’m not a touchy person).