Thrifting Queen

Today's outfit is centred around my new Danier Leather handbag I bought last night. I love the round dome top shape, the subtle gold hardware, the lovely soft leather and the not-too-big-not-too-small size. It's perfect for me!

I chose my black knit pencil skirt and a black tank as a two-piece dress and then added my cobalt with faux black leather trim cropped moto to go on top. Scrunched my sleeves, added my large polka dot tights and went with my Doc Marcie boots for footwear. Jewelry is my silver wedding band and black & silver oversized watch.

Does this all work together? Proportions ok? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Jacket: Vince Camuto
Tank and skirt: Cleo Petite
Tights: Hue
Boots: Doc Martens
Handbag: Danier Leather
Watch: Calvin Klein (thrifted)

I have slowly but surely been working on upgrading my handbag collection. I don't mean getting more just for the sake of getting more, but swapping out my cheaper non leather bags for good quality handbags (mostly from Danier Leather) that work better for me. I consider my handbags a big part of my style and a worthwhile purchase, within financial reason of course.

I thrifted two years ago a lovely lamb leather Christopher Kon slouchy handbag with gold hardware but am falling out of love with its slouchy and casual style. I'm definitely a more structured handbag kind of gal.

I do have my black with white trim leather handbag but think I need to replace my slouchy bag with a simple, all black, leather handbag. This would give me leather bags in black, light cream, cobalt/cream/black, two-tone vintage inspired cognac, snakeskin and vintage grey patent. I also have a red quilted handbag and kelly green handbag.

Do any of these simple styles from Danier say "Shannon" to you? And does my swapping of the hobo bag for a more structured black bag make sense?

Good morning my lovely Fabbers :)

Today's outfit shows another pair of fluid trousers - a pair of small charcoal and white checked bootcut/wide legged trousers I picked up in late August for fall. I love the drape on these and think they will be versatile as well as a bit more interesting than just plain black.

I paired my asymmetrical front-ruched tank with the trousers and popped on my white leather jacket over top. LOVE THIS JACKET!!! (sorry for shouting).

Wearing my Ara patent booties again (these have already earned their keep no problem) and am using my red/animal print clutch for a pop of colour and pattern. A swipe of red lipstick and I'm ready to go.

I originally had on my red Gap blazer and was NOT feeling any love for it and am so glad I switched to my white leather jacket. I'm digging the neutral palette (apart from the lipstick and clutch) and find this jacket more modern. I might be posting a Keep/Purge thread later today with a few of my blazers that I'm feeling may be a bit dated.

Anyway, over to you…what do you think of today's outfit? Fit and colour palette work? How are the proportions? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Leather jacket: Danier Leather
Tank and trousers: Cleo Petite
Boots: Ara
Clutch: Material Girl

Today is the debut of my INC Bailey 44-inspired dress that I picked up at The Bay back in August in anticipation of fall. I must admit that I actually prefer the quality of the INC version as opposed to the Anthro version - the fabric is a bit more substantial and the lining a little better in that it works well with tights and hose.

In order to de-bombshell the dress for work, I topped it with my lace INC moto (may as well have an INC day, right?). I then added black micro fishnets (bare legged weather is DONE) and my black riding boots - one, because I wanted a non heel day and two, because these boots further de-bombshell the dress).

For my handbag I chose more texture with my cobalt/cream/black quilted handbag. Plus the cream in the handbag helps to pick up the white stripe in the dress. When I head out the door, I'll top it all with my navy trench.

So what do you think? Does it all work together? Is there too much texture with the double quilt and the lace? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Jacket and dress: INC
Boots: Blondo
Handbag: Danier Leather

P.S. This dress also works with my black leather Danier blazer, my white leather Danier jacket and my Spiegel jacket…whoo hoo!!!

Unlike my Theory Lanai K/R thread, this one really IS a keep or return thread - lol! I found this wool blend Theory blush pink blazer on eBay and grabbed it. Still has the new $385 price tag on it from Nordstrom.

Unfortunately it is dark out already so outdoor pics are a no-go today and I have the feeling my wall colour is slightly skewing the colour of the blazer - it is a lovely soft pink blush tone - not beige or taupe.

The shoulders are all warped from the way it was packaged and pardon the wrinkles - it needs a good steam for sure. Here are a couple of very quick stylings - not sure if they are the best.

So here are the questions:

1. how is the fit?
2. what do you think of the colour for me?
3. could this work with my wardrobe?

Ok…over to you...

Got my black watch trousers back from hemming and busting them out! I went for a very simple pairing today with a fluid black knit top with scrunched sleeves, my black patent Ara booties, black leather hobo-style handbag and when I head out the door, my ancient black quilted jacket.

Love these trousers…BUT…I think I may have bought them one size too large. I wanted a fluid fit but as I'm walking around this morning, I'm constantly tugging them up and because of the leather yoke, there are no belt loops so I can wear a belt. Yikes! I'm actually thinking of nipping to The Bay at lunch time to see if they have the size smaller. At the very good sale price, it would be worthwhile. This is a lesson to myself (and others) to try on more than one size - I just grabbed this size and put them on and went "yep, that's the slouchy type of fit I'm after". But I'm not entirely sure of my size these days and didn't even try on the size smaller :(

Anyway, what do you think of the outfit? Do the trousers look too big to you? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Sweater: Sears
Trousers: Lord & Taylor
Booties: Ara
Handbag: Christopher Kon (thrifted)
Jacket: Nygard
Watch: Fossil

Returned the navy coat (thanks) and found this lux cashmere blend red-berry anne Klein coat. Sleeves are too long and it has room to layer a blazer. These are terrible pics but what do you think? Buy or walk away?

ETA: So at home now and have taken a few more pictures that hopefully show the coat a bit better. The last two pics are with a sweater and my Theory blazer underneath - I need to be sure it can be layered for the cold. What do you think now that you can see it better? I ended up having to overexpose the pics a bit to show the detail but unfortunately that has skewed the color some. The color is more properly represented in the first three pics from the store. If keep, I will have to get the sleeves shortened (no biggie) and should possibly look at having the belt loops raised a bit, although I'm not sure it's bad where they are placed.

Would love your feedback - right now, I'm inclined to keep. And the cashmere fabric feels AMAZING! Thanks all :)

Here's quick look at what I wore today to go get groceries - dark wash straight leg DKNY jeans, my patent black Ara booties, grey Gap mesh sleeve sweater and my 3-4 year old pink/charcoal/black cropped 3/4 sleeve houndstooth jacket. Still love this jacket so much! The grey sweater peeking out from underneath won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I kind of like the look.

My Keep/Return is a coat for early winter. Right now I'm wearing my navy London Fog trench style coat but fairly soon, it won't be warm enough. But it also won't be cold enough to break out my red long puffer coat from Land's End. So I've been looking for an "in between" coat. 

I found this Laundry coat last night at Winner's and really like it. It's what I'm calling a "pea coat with a twist" - it has a retro faux fur collar and flounce at the bottom that's tugging on my retro heart strings. However, my sugar eye may be blinding me to fit and style issues so am turning to my wise eyed YLF friends.

A couple of things - the weight of the wool coat is perfect for the time of year I'm looking for, it has deep front pockets which is crucial, the collar is removable if I want to change up the look, the fit on the shoulders is fabulous, I'm wearing it here with a blazer underneath so ensure it will fit for layering. I have turned under the sleeves as they need shortening so that might be making the sleeves look a wee bit bulky. It will work well over both trousers and skirts/dresses and boots. The issue of course is the back fit - which is almost always impossible for me. There is a bit of excess in the middle of my back. I did try on the size smaller but then it was too snug on my hips. I don't mind the back fit but again, I might not be seeing it logically.

I also realize the flounce at the bottom is a style that will not appeal to everyone but it is something I quite like. However, set me straight if it looks goofy.

So what do you think? Keep or return and keep looking?

I recently thrifted this Jones New York sheath as a place holder for my beloved BR ponte knit sheath which is now too large. I like the length, the dressier fabrication and the full lining. Today is its maiden voyage and I thought I'd try a blouse layering look as per Ingunn - I love it when she layers a top underneath her sheath.

The blouse I chose is my gold/black/brown snakeskin print VC blouse. I then added my large black polka dot hose for some fun and a bit of pattern mixing and am wearing my black patent Ara booties - again! These are so comfortable I want to wear them every day.

My slouchy black leather hobo bag with gold hardware is my choice today and jewelry is two rings. When I step out the door, I'll pop on the Spiegel leather jacket.

So what do you think? Does it all work together? I over exposed the pics a bit to counteract the darkness of the outfit. Unfortunately the photos do not show just how perfectly this sheath dress fits. 

I do have one question though - a v-neck is the best shape for me since I have a short neck and it helps to elongate my upper half. Should I have Wonder Woman change the neckline on the sheath to a v-neck? or is the current shape more versatile?

As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Blouse: Vince Camuto
Sheath: Jones New York (thrifted)
Hose: Hue
Booties: Ara
Handbag: Christopher Kon (thrifted)
Leather jacket: Spiegel

Time to bust out this Zara wool jacket I thrifted in August! I love the asymmetrical, kind of arty-edgy vibe this jacket has. It looks great undone with a column of color underneath, done up part way to show the wide lapels, done up part way (as I'm wearing it today) and even done up completely for a totally different look and feel.

I've paired the jacket with my wide legged Express Editor trousers and my black patent Ara booties. For my handbag I chose my black/white leather bag and then jewelry is my gold wedding band and rose gold/black watch.

Because this taupey-blush shade is not the absolute best for me I'm wearing eyeshade today to add a bit more color to my face and of course, a swipe of my fall burgundy lip color.

What do you think? does it all work together? Gotta say my happiness factor is waaaaaaaay up there!

Jacket: Zara (thrifted)
Trousers: Express Editor (eBay)
Boots: Ara
Handbag: Danier Leather (thrifted)
Watch: Fossil