Wear It All!
In which I style some Closet Orphans, discover a theme in my week, and let you vote on the new stuff
Welcome back, my friends! Thank you so much for joining me for a little chit-chat about clothes and colour and stuff. If you’re not already a subscriber, please do sign up, and if you want even more pictures or a deeper dive into my fashion archives, check out Ephemera where I’ve been blogging my outfits since 2008.
I have some wildly disparate outfits to share with you this week, as I attempt to fulfill my 6-month seasonal Closet Goal: TO WEAR IT ALL, every item in my closet1. I started out in early October 2024 with all of my hangers facing the “wrong” way, and now only a few pieces are left as we stare the end of March in the face. Sometimes these not-yet-worns are things I am feeling “meh” about, or they’re tricky pieces that require a lot of styling muscle2, but often lately they’ve been garments that suited a different version of me. Join me as I ramble!
The Skinny Pencil
Orange and black plaid with a pinstripe of red and blue - this woven “touch of wool” skirt was catnip for me in a sea of beige and black skirts when I found it a few years ago for $20.00. I’ve worn it 6 times, so I’ve done well…but I’m bored with it3.
Layers Upon Layers
The weather dictates my outerwear choices, and it’s warm enough now that my heavy coats are ready to be packed away for another winter4. I relish the coming of the spring and fall “shoulder seasons”, those times when the temps swing wildly. It’s Leather Weather, the best time of year to wear leather, which blocks wind, says “PSHAW" to rain, and generally looks badass.
One of many beautiful Danier Leather coats that have come through my closet over the years - they were a big company in Canada for a long time (stores from the 80s to 2016), and they made gorgeous leather garments5. Their sizing is generous - this is a Small - and most of their production before the 00s was in Canada.
But my newly-thrifted poncho is the star! What blue leather coat?
I am excited to wear the poncho out for brunch in the spring, or to the theatre, but they are a pain in the ass for carrying a bag. I have found that the best method is a crossbody bag under the poncho. I looked vaguely Quasimodal with my light backpack on my walk to work6.
Red Pilgrims
I ended up with these shoes after factoring my relatively short walk7, desire for a flat bag and of course, colour. I had multiple pairs of red shoes to choose from!
They are a modern version of the original John Fluevog shoe from 1970, a design that went against all of the shoe “norms” of the time. I’m kinda bent that way myself and I’ve been a fan since the 80s. When L and I bought our first pairs for each other, c. 2010 it was like I had finally “arrived” as an adult.
Muppet Armour
Without getting too much into my messy dental history8, I go to my periodontist very regularly, and I always armour up. This newly-thrifted ultra fuzzy angora/wool/nylon sweater was like being wrapped in a soothing blanket.
The wonderful rich orange was a bonus - orange gives me energy, protecting me from bad dental vibes and giving me confidence.
I matched my boots, to my colleague’s delight, and once again, I walked to and from work in them. They’re a production to get on and off, as there is no zipper and those are skater lace hooks with lacing going through the leather strip up the vamp9.
Plus Purple
I like having at least three colours in an outfit - when I spied the scarf in my jumble, the orange and purple in the pattern inspired me to dig out my purple beret and leather gloves10.
This trench fit well over my Muppety arms, and I was prepared for rain. I’m not sure if it rained or not, as I don’t recall getting home from my appointment - I went straight to bed and slept for 3 hours11.
All the Amber
I was pleased that my vintage tortoiseshell snake cuff worked with the outfit - I don’t like wearing it for work, as it tends to catch on things, but for a half-day it was comforting to wear12.
I stacked the two amber bracelets and layered the three necklaces. About half of this collection was found in the past 4-5 years - it’s almost all vintage and secondhand.
Tweed and Floral
If you put fall and spring in a blender13, would it look like this outfit? This autumnal tweed jacket has always been paired with other fall colours, usually neutrals like olive or grey. I feel like I used to wear the jacket more frequently, but it’s still worth keeping…it’s not quite a Closet Orphan.14
The new-to-me thrifted Akris Punto skirt has mustard, caramel and a buttery yellow in the floral print. When I held it up to the jacket, I knew this was a winning combination.
The skirt wrinkled and spun under my coat15, but it’s gorgeous quality and a perfect fit. And the back panels have matching patterns! Such an expensive detail.
I really had no choice when it came to shoes - while I have olive “office-y” shoes that would have gone well with this outfit, once I realized that my butter yellow suede Docs were a perfect match to the skirt, it was a done deal.
Bonus, I can walk to and from work in them. And therein was the theme for the week found! Shoes I can walk in. That seems doable.
Time to pack my Ultrasuede and faux shearling vintage Halston coat away for the warmer weather. Another solid season with my wonderful treasure.
Mink and Pearls
The pearls aren’t real, but the mink is. I’ve had these brooches for over 10 years.
My very first mink brooch was a gift from my grandmother (Grandma J of the copper) in the early 70s - a velvet poodle with puffs of mink. It went through the wash and was destroyed.16
Plush Vest
Another crazy find from the secondhand stores in the little coastal town of Powell River, this plush-lined vest is so incredibly cozy…and yet so difficult to style. It’s clearly a late 90s/early 00s piece, covered front and back in embroidery.17
As those pockets on it are FAKE18, I have to layer another jacket under it, so I layered this once-worn Oliver Theyskens robe. It has silk pockets and lining!
I opened all of it up thusly for lunch with Mom, after we had our Adventure Day, to show off the robe, sweater and various accoutrements.
I saw my friend Cat later in the day and she was shocked to see me in jeans. Don’t worry, it won’t become a habit19.
Bird Theme
A former colleague gave me this All Saints necklace - it’s layers of cowrie shells (in metal), glass beads, coins (with “All Saints Spitalfields” on them) and feathers.
The belt buckle is by Shi Studio20, found in a thrift store ages ago - it’s a framed piece of fabric. And I wore my feather ring. I was trying to evoke birds on our walk - it worked!
Creek Selfie
I’m outside, like a real wilderness gal! Shout out to my bestie Janet - we used to hang out here when we were teens in the 80s.
I had a wee shop on the way home from Mom-Day, stopping in at the Women In Need (WIN) for a 20-minute browse.
I’m not terribly excited by my purchases, and especially, I am kicking myself for not examining the skirt better, but now I am trying to convince myself that I should do some visible mending on it to make it a work of art21.
The white jeans are more of a functional thing for me - these are nice and thick (98% cotton) and long enough to cuff or hem. I’ll have to wear them (soon!) and assess them properly.
Picador Gore
Oh, did I say, “Wait till you see my Picador skirt?” Well, here it is! No time like the present, right? This is a vintage 100% cotton circle skirt, likely a tourist souvenir from Spain in the 1950s, that era of Hemingway and bullfighting22. I found it at Flavour Upstairs in 2014 for $22.95.
That, my friends, is a man in a blue suit, sitting on a grey horse which is wearing its own fabulous orange/yellow padding23. The picador is stabbing a bull - there is blood! - to enrage it for the toreador. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a print like this before.
Make it Weird…Adidas
I’ve always leaned into the fit-and-flare femme vibe with this skirt, so I shook things up and added my “wardrobe spice,” a piece from my Adidas collection. This cropped orange-red jacket contrasts with the girly shape of the skirt, and picks up the red and white in the pattern.
My studded mary-jane ballet flats are getting softer on each wearing - I walked to and from work in them because it was not raining, and I didn’t feel like schlepping shoes in my bag.
My outerwear was my trusty sleeveless wool coat, showing off my sleeves and giving me a bit of warmth in the gloom, and also providing pockets, as neither the jacket or skirt have them.
And thus ends my work-week outfits!
Big Chain
You’ve probably noticed that I wear some of my badass bling over and over…and over! I bought the studded cuff back in the late 90s for a dollar - I went as a punk for a party themed “Euro Trash”.24
Isn’t the necklace fun? It’s not expensive but it’s bold and a great colour. The earrings are hollow sterling silver and clip on, made by Brenda Schoenfeld in 199225.
Red Leopard Rockstar
This is my only weekend outfit, because Logan and I hopped a puddle-jumper26 to Vancouver for the weekend to see The Handsome Family in concert (read about the full trip).
When I need comfort, colour/pattern armour, and to feel badass, I reach for my red leopard denim suit. It’s stretchy, has pockets and looks awesome - I had loads of comments from people over the weekend.
My usual formula of rock shirt plus repeat badass bling. I bought a Handsome Family tee and wore that home; I’m a minimal packer when it comes to travel.27
We had horrendous weather in Vancouver, and it poured rain all freaking weekend, so much that our flight home had to turn around and go back. After an hour’s wait, the clouds had lifted enough to get us home again. Phew! I hate having to race to catch the ferry.28
Walking Shoes for the Win
And wrapping up my “secret” theme of the week - walking shoes! - are these chunky platform Converse that I bought at the mall29 last summer.
I could get used to wearing walking shoes every day…but I still love many of my heels, even though I don’t wear anything over 2 inches.
Who Loves You?
Vizzini does! Our pal Ross took care of him while we were gone, but our little fuzzy boy was still very happy to see us and drooled all over me.
Thank you so much for stopping by! If you enjoyed this post, please give me a heart, or feel free to share.
Cheers,
Sheila
This is the goal every six months, but I never wear everything. There are usually 2-6 items that I look at and consider whether I keep them or not.
Wait till you see my 1950s Picador Skirt - it has blood depicted on it!
Or am I? Orange plaid! You never see that!
I keep talking about this but haven’t done it yet. Maybe next week. It’s still technically winter, don’t rush me!
I have had at least 20 Danier jackets in the last 20 years, countless pairs of gloves, purses, a top, a skirt, and of course, we mustn’t forget the ORANGE LEATHER SHORTS.
Don’t care, can’t see my back. Judge me!
20-25 minutes each way.
Front teeth smashed out Feb 14, 1985, a year of root canals and surgeries; no dentist for 15 years (I worked retail); a cruel and awful tech who berated me and caused me horrible pain for years. It got better, don’t worry! I have a new dentist I love, and my tech at the periodontist is wonderful at knocking me out/numbing me to her work.
You have to commit to them!
Bought new at Danier at least 10 years ago for around $50. Cashmere-lined, worn a million times.
My happy pill knocks me right out. It takes a day or two to recover but it’s worth it.
It’s Victorian era, real tortoiseshell!
FRING?? SPRALL?
One of those things that doesn’t go with anything. Usually it just sits there and chides you, “You never take me out anymore! Don’t you love me?”
Spinning skirts! Often caused by friction with a coat plus bag.
Yes, I am always keeping my eyes peeled for another one!
We REALLY liked our embroidery then! Embellish it all!
I mean, you went to the trouble to make fake openings - two more pieces of fabric was just too much?
Famous last words! I actually own a lot of denim, but blue jeans bore me to tears.
They are a locally-owned company - I used to have a bunch of their jewelry, but now I just have 4 belt buckles and a bolo tie.
My friend Melanie calls it “farking” - fucking around + art. I could sew stars over the moth-holes, or embroider poetry on it, something like that. I’m handy, I was a Brownie/Girl Guide with all the badges!
The Sun Also Rises!
Fashion Horse!
Oh, yes, you deserve a picture of me c. 1998:
I’m just over 30 years old there, no tattoos (that’s a fake that I’m sporting on my shoulder). Ha, the cuff must be on the other arm.
I know this because they’re stamped “Brenda Schoenfeld 1992".”
Seaplane! It has pontoons and takes off from and lands on the water.
The only time I’m a minimalist! When we travel for longer durations, I take stuff from my Limbo pile and leave it behind to make room in my bag for purchases.
The ferry takes about 4 hours total (get to the terminal, sit on the ferry for a couple of hours, travel from the terminal) vs. less than an hour for the float plane.
I know! The mall! They were a last pair, cheap. L and I had a wander for his birthday, including lunch at the food court. It (the mall) was as expected: empty, full of cheap crap and reeking of plastic. I have not been back since.
Love love love the cheetah suit!
OMG the akris punto skirt - that whole OUTFIT!! Such amazing colors, the mink brooches, the SUEDE DOCS! Obsessed with your euro trash look as well 😂 v glad you have a kinder dental tech now!! 🦷💗🦷