New-to-Me Things, NOW
In which I put together a bunch of outfits featuring new purchases for my back-to-work week. Wear them right away! No "saving for good"!
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!
Welcome back, buckaroos! Deeeeep breath…post-staycation, it was time to go back to the office, after my lovely week-plus of being off. The only way is THROUGH, so let’s dive right in and wear all that new stuff I found at the various thrift and consignment stores the previous week. Will X make the cut? Will I move Y into Limbo for resell? Will I ball Z up in a fury and pitch it out a window? (Not likely, but I’m kind of a wild card…it COULD happen).
This was a quiet week overall, aside from a dreaded dental appointment, and a Sunday visit with Logan’s mom1.
Let’s get dressed!
Knife Pleats
I had a play sesh in my closet on Sunday, pulling top-bottom-shoes, plus whatever extra clothing pieces were appropriate, creating an outfit for every new-to-me piece from last week’s vacation shopping bonanza:
Stay-Cation, All I Ever Wanted
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 col…
I found so many good things, and I wore a bunch of the pre-loved jewelry already, so I was raring to style all the clothing bits! I also did a tiny bout of hand-sewing, moving a button here, a button there, and pulling together the seam at the bottom of a hidden zip. Little fixes like that don’t take long, but they make a big difference2.
I launched myself back into the office on Monday by wearing neon and teal leopards, and this ginormous knife-pleated black skirt. The skirt is the New Thing - and I won’t keep you on tenterhooks: I’m not keeping it.
I’m tempted! It’s very thick (“OOOOH,” said my coworker) and heavy, and gives good swoosh. I was concerned that the wrap front would whoosh open as I walked, but it stayed put. Excellent.
However, as I noted when I found it, I have a kajillion black skirts, and this is Not Good Enough3 to earn a stay with me.
I wore cardi-on, cardi-off until June-uary4 finally convinced me that I needed it on all the time.
I am TICKLED PINK when someone links to me, and Maddy Kwaka did that day, mentioning my Movie-Star Wrap…which I did NOT deploy this particular morning, opting for warmth at my neck.
But it was pouring out on the way home, so SCARF AHOY!
Branded items: Shoes are the Classy Bach by John Fluevog. Silk scarf is Krizia. The necklace is Givenchy from the 80s (a $5 vintage fair score 10+ years ago). The earrings are by Martha Sturdy.
As always, my sunnies are prescription, so no variation. I’ve had these for about 5-6 years, so it’s about time the trend cycle caught up with me and my Bigass Sunglasses. *wink*
Ruffled Armour
My every-six-months periodontist appointment rolled around far too quickly on Tuesday, and I dressed accordingly, garbing myself in ARMOUR. Ruffles, not-quite-jeans and some lavender. That’s the ticket.
I enjoyed the blouse, the new-to-me item - it’s a win…for now.
I went off “hard” blouses (non-stretchy pieces with buttons and cuffs) for a while, but I’ve been hearing the siren call lately. They’re not really practical, as I still have hot flashes (fucking hot flashes, you would think I’d be through them after 19 years!), and I’ll be retiring in a couple of years.
Not gonna need all those office blouses then, willya, Sheila?
The weather continues to be erratic, with rain, wind, chilly temps. Leather Weather! I pulled out this lovely purple leather jacket that is so soft. The zips like to eat the lining, so I don’t use the pockets much.
Branded items: Mulberry silk scarf is by John Fluevog. The belt is by B-Lo the Belt. Shoes are by Call It Spring. The steel cuff with purple stones is by Moda and is from Malta (it’s vintage 70s). Wendy Brandes made the Fulvia Ring and the lapis lazuli ring.
What’s new, pussycat?5 The scarf, the starburst brooch (c. 1999) and the two rings were all purchased new.
My mouth was sore (many needles for freezing) and the happy pill wreaked its havoc on me for a couple of days, but at least I have all my teeth? I have dental HISTORY, which I’ve gotten into before, but naaaaaaaaahhhhh, not now.
Patchwork Fit
I had thought of saving this outfit for Friday when there would be more folks in the office (bigger audience!), but I knew I’d need the “WOWSERS” lift. I woke up groggy on Wednesday with a sore mouth, and was glad I’d made the effort.
It’s always worth it! No one ever says, “Gee, I wish I hadn’t planned my outfit ahead of time.” Also, wear that new thing NOW.
Of course, the patchwork in the day’s title is the vest, which just SCREAMS “Fran Fine”!6 But it’s also the mixed eras in my outfit (ooh, aren’t I clever?).
The vest is mid-90s (I was there, we loved a vest). The cotton blouse is a reproduction of a 100+ years-old design. The skirt/shoes are contemporary, but still both from 5-7 years ago.
My leather blazer is from that Leather Era of the very early 00s, the Buffy Era!7
Even my jewelry is a mix of decades.
Branded items: The shoes are the Super Fine Cardinals by John Fluevog.
Pre-Loved Check: The shoes were a new purchase, one of Logan’s/my Fluevog Anniversary reciprocal gifts, and I suppose Mom bought the earrings (for herself) and the necklace (for me) new back in the 1970s and for either my birthday or for Christmas when I was in high school. My dad bought himself the gold/amethyst ring, from local jewelry-makers Francis Jewellers8, around 1965. I bought the crap-quality amber ring myself for $5.00 around 1996, when Logan and I both raided this little vintage shop downtown one afternoon.
Oh, that’s a lot of memories! I’m so glad that I kept some of my older pieces - they aren’t always great quality (the ring is!) but they’re worth everything for the history.
Mom-Day Caftan Top
I wore this gorgeous new-to-me 100% cotton embroidered top for Mom on Thursday, because it is SO up her alley, and I actually did consider giving it to her.
But as I explained while she eyed it covetously, as we lounged in the shade on her back deck, it’s not made for someone who has disability issues9. It doesn’t have any give or stretch (the classic cotton trade-off!), it has to be donned over the head, and it zips up one side, requiring some twisty acrobatics.
The quality is superb, and it was a bar-GOON at $10.00 in the Beacon Ave Thrift Shop last week. I only paid $19.95 for the jeans too (1-2 years ago), and $40.00 for the sandals off-season at the Velvet Crease two summers ago. A cheap outfit always feels good, doesn’t it?
I puzzled over what to wear as my extra layer and ended up with my old favourite “Lewis” Vuitton knock-off scarf, thrifted many years ago for $1.95 at the big WIN store.
While I deeply admire this beautiful caftan-shirt, it didn’t really fit my vibe. Maybe if it was a full-size caftan? I find it hard to let go of pieces that are objectively good quality, but I know I need to move this along.
Let it go, Sheila. It is not badass, it’s only vaguely artsy, and it gives me pleasure but not JOY.
Branded items: The London-themed tube-shaped bag is vintage Le SportSac, found in a thrift store in Sidney a couple of years ago. Scarf is a vintage tourist knock off of the Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton collaboration with Stephen Sprouse. Shoes are Via Spiga. Soul Flower silver/crystal ring.
100% pre-loved!
Everything in this outfit was bought by me secondhand, or was a gift (the Soul Flower ring and the silver/obsidian ring from Mom and Dad, c. 1986).
Snaky Pirate
You might have noticed: I love a theme. I have a few favourites that have led to semi-collecting for most of my life - bugs and creepy-crawlies, skulls, cats. Things that catch my attention when I see ‘em.
Friday’s outfit had a bonus theme of SNAKES. See if you can spot them all (there are four!).
Oh, and pirate - I like clothes with swagger! Long frock coats, ruffled cuffs and big sleeeeves, velvets, brocades. It probably comes from Duran Duran videos and the British New Wave that hit when I was in high school, 1983-85. Once a pirate, always a pirate!
Yar, me hearties! I could’ve worn my pirate hat with this (of COURSE I own a pirate hat). I have few fucks to give, but I’m not quite at that level yet.
I built this outfit to showcase the newly-thrifted white mesh t-shirt found in Sidney last week, bought with a bunch of stuff that I didn’t bother to try on. I could not get the t-shirt to work even after extensive try-ons and combinations of layers - it’s just not me! It’s a look I like on others10, so I know someone will eventually give it a home.
Anyway, all that to say that’s how I landed on this outfit - I just subbed in a tried-and-true mesh top and then threw a bunch of jewelry at it.
Branded items: Vera scarf. Lucky Brand leather sandals. Alexis Bittar Lucite and silver cuff.
Retail round-up: I bought the sandals new on deep clearance many years ago. The snake ring is the first piece of “good” jewelry I bought for myself, in 1986.
Goth Mermaid
Saturday was HOT - temps shot up to the high-to-mid 20s - so my plan of wearing a different fit melted into a puddle. Must wear something cool!
Rebecca Lane asked me last week about Doc Martens - I have two pairs of their ankle-high boots and totally thrashed another pair that I wore till they nearly fell apart. But I also have a pair of Docs sandals, found a few years ago on consignment at Upcycle, one of my favourite little locally-owned and -operated downtown reused boutiques.
So I knew I’d be basing my outfit around them, but I didn’t want to wear anything heavy or overly synthetic. But I do need layers (always!), so when my eyes alit on this pink leopard mesh tee in my “small things” drawer, as I pawed about looking for something to put under this long black dress, my mind went:
DING DING DING.
It gives me a bit of sun coverage, hides ye olde ugly bra straps11 and adds some colour and badassery to the outfit.
I sunblocked my arms just for incidental sun, but I could also cover them with my scarf. I slipped one arm through it and swung it off to the side while I grocery shopped post-brunch at John’s Place. Note that in the first picture, it’s positioned like a cape - that mode was for walking around so that the scarf could billow out behind me12.
It’s important for me to have movement, flow and swoosh! It makes me happy!
Branded items: The giant silk scarf is VALENTINO. Leather sandals are by Doc Martens. Shell brooch is marked J.J. Gold-tone/pink stone bracelet is vintage D’Olans. Martha Sturdy pearl spiral earrings.
What’s pre-loved? It’s 100% secondhand, plus a gifted item (the Pearl Factory pearl ring, bought for me by Mom in 1985).
Late Dinner
And finally, that mother-in-law dinner thing on Sunday night, just as I was wanting to put a bow on this (always long and rambling) missive. It was SO fucking hot - how hot was it??13 - that I did a net-new fit on the fly. I don’t like wearing ANY synthetics when it’s stoopid-hot.
Cotton, cotton, and my only nod to FASHUN was my “Substack-approved” pirate sash. Oh, was that a thing last year? I…DGAF14 - if I like something, I’m gonna keep doing it.
Branded items: The purse is Aldo, 10+ years old. Silk scarf by Alexander McQueen (swoon). Suede shoes are by Homers. The two rings are by Ms. Wendy Brandes herself.
Bought new: I picked up the purse on deep clearance at the Aldo store in the mall c. 2016. I bought the shoes locally from one of the 3-4 local shops where I stalk Good Shoes till they go on sale. The rings were a direct purchase from the maker.
Note to self: Don’t wear these shoes barefoot again! I had blisters on both swampyass sweaty feet from walking to town. We Ubered home!
These Are My People
My heart is full of love and gratitude.
These Are My Cats
Sending you all purrs and head-bonks.
And there we are, folks! Another week in the bag. Let’s check in with our mission and see how we did with uh…what was it?…oh, yeah, wearing the new-to-me stuff.
I managed to wear four new pieces this week, and was going well until Friday when all that good intention went out the window when it got so stinkin’ hot out. Ah, well, I shall cut myself some slack and let it goooooooo.
This is the part where I thank you for being here.
THANK YOU.
Thank you to the new subscribers (I see you!), those of you joined me on the Substack ride, and my dear Ephemera readers and friends. Without your likes/hearts, comments and restacks (or whatever you feel like doing, tagging, etc.), I’m just writing and getting dressed in a void. Y’all rock in the best possible way!
There, done?
Done.
Cheers,
Sheila
Much love to my dear mother-in-law, but you know, FAMILY. I call this “putting money in the Family Karma Bank.”
A nod to my mom for forcing me to be in Brownies where I learned so many madd life skillz (although I HATED Brownies at the time).
It’s close! But it fails 2/5 of my “words” - it’s not badass, only a bit joyful (swoosh!) and it’s tangentially artsy. FAIL. Off you go!
It’s technically still spring, with rain, wind and gloomy clouds. Boo! It doesn’t usually get HOT here until August. Famous last words!!
WHOAA-OH-OH-OH-OAAAH-OH! You know you wanted to.
Seriously, check out the Fran Fine Database (link ‘cause I love, baby) - you can search by designer! This is a gold mine for “forgotten” designers! YOU’RE WELCOME.
Did you see that Anthony Stewart Head (Giles!) died last week? Noooooo…Rupert “Ripper” Giles, forever. Fun fact, his brother Murray Head was the OG singer of the “Chess: The Musical” banger “One Night in Bangkok.” That’s a desert island song for me.
Been spelling their name wrong for decades, WHOOPS.
My mom is 81 and has Post Polio Syndrome. She had polio as a child, was bedridden for a year and had to learn to walk again. She got stronger through dance, and was active for most of her life, including world-level racewalking and official designation (I also have several medals from my RW days). Then, surprise! the polio came for her in 2019 when she was diagnosed. The muscle in her left leg is gradually withering, although she does physiotherapy and strength training to keep her at her current plateau. Go, Mom! Be active, kids! Her athletic constancy staved off the PPS by at least a decade.
Here’s where it gets interesting. When I saw the top, I immediately pictured someone else wearing it, someone on Substack. I didn’t think of what I had that would go with it, but how someone else would wear it. Am I being influenced? Of course. Am I also buying trendy items for resale? Oh, you got me.
When ya got big bewbs, it’s always an ugly bra. SIGH.
Cue Darth Vader Death March.
29! Which is in the 90s for my US friends, and waaaaay too FUCKING HOT for little seaside Victoria and its Mediterranean climes.
Don’t give a fuuuuuuuck! Sing it with me!
The Fran Fine database!!! Thank you for introducing this into my life.
LOL Not only did I want to but I DID and that was before reading your footnote #5. ;-) Pussycat Pussycat I love you…
Some pieces (clothing or accessories) simply have to be kept because they have a history that sparks a memory…
Holy mackerels, I hadn't realized your Mom's polio history. My great Aunt had polio and walked with a brace and a cane for the rest of her life, and a colleague of mine had polio - she was born 1 year before me, just before the vaccine came out - and also walked with a brace.
I continue to love your snaky pirate Friday outfit. Oh yes, AND the leopard mesh tee. Well, also the black dress over it, and your striped top and skirt for that friggin' hot day…
Hoping the temps have leveled off to a consistent, manageable and delightful range!