Thrifting Queen

I'm on the hunt for a good quality black blazer - I had a knit version that I'm out of love with and no longer wearing and a black leather blazer that I adore but I don't always want to wear leather. 

I would like a classic "no fuss, bells or whistles" kind of blazer. The kind that you can wear with dress pants to work on those days you need to be more corporate or can pop over a white tee and jeans, scrunch the sleeves, grab a great clutch and go to casual dinner with hubby. You know the kind...

Due to my recent eBay purchase of a Theory Lanai navy blazer, I am ALL OVER the quality of Theory. LOVE IT! Full stop. But I can't afford the full price. However, the very same eBay seller I bought my Lanai from now has the same size in a black Theory Gabe blazer. 

Of course the Gabe is a completely different cut than the Lanai. The Lanai is great on my shoulders, probably a wee bit large in the upper bust area but not a deal break for me, and just barely fits my ample waist it it were a button style. The cut away style and shorter length work well on my petite apple frame.

Does anyone know how the Gabe would compare in fit and sizing to the Lanai? Would the Gabe be much too long on 5 foot me? Any info you have would be greatly appreciated :)

Pencil skirt + tailored jacket + boots = Shannon's favorite formula (sometimes I'll swap out the skirt for a dress). An outfit like todays is what feels the most like ME. 

I started today's outfit with my black knit pencil skirt to which I added my purple tank and then topped with my black/printed cutaway style blazer. Now that the cold weather has arrived, I added black micro fishnets for some leg coverage and chose my rugged Doc Marcies for footwear. I chose a vintage eel skin clutch for my handbag (talk about buttery soft!) and when I head out the door, will be wearing my navy coat with navy/white polka dot scarf. Jewelry is my silver wedding band and silver watch.

What do you think? Does it all work together? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Jacket: RW & Co
Tank: Gap
Skirt: Cleo Petite
Boots: Doc Martens
Clutch: Vintage
Coat: London Fog
Scarf: Cleo
Watch: Gucci

P.S. I over exposed the pics slightly so you can see the details - I think it helps with darker outfits.

P.P.S. Gain says "good morning" :)

Hmmmmm.....this outfit doesn't photograph well being all black. I over exposed the pics a bit to try and show the textures in the outfit.

I started today's outfit with my shoes. I bought these Fluevog pointy toe animal print oxfords about two months ago and have been waiting for the cooler weather (which is here now!). I did not like the wide ribbon laces that came with the shoes as I thought they took away from the look of the shoe itself and so have swapped those out for this black laces...much better.

I paired the shoes with my slouchy black textured trousers. These trousers are a mix of a silky fabric with a velvet embossed pattern on top. They remind me of that old velvet flocked wallpaper from the 1960's but in pants - lol!

I paired the trousers with a simple black sweater (the sister to my pink sweater) with 3/4 sleeves and punched up the outfit a bit with my red and animal print clutch - well that, and a swipe of red lipstick. My rose gold/black watch rounds out the outfit.

Now that I see the pictures I'm wondering if the monochromatic black outfit is boring? I really wanted the shoes to be the star of the outfit but I'm not sure I got this right. As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Sweater: Sears
Trousers: Nygard
Shoes: Fluevog
Clutch: Material Girl
Watch: Fossil

TGIF!!! This has been one heckuva long and tiring week - my boss left for another position a week ago and I am doing both jobs until the position is filled, which could be vacant until January. 

I'm debuting two new items today - I started my outfit with my new Jessica Simpson curvy bootcut jeans. I've had great luck with JS jeans in terms of my sized up skinnies and decided to give her brand a try when looking to replace my old bootcuts. Once again, they fit perfectly (other than needing hemming).  I paired the jeans with my mixed media camo-front sweater and for a change, did not semi or faux tuck. I love the drapey fluidity of this sweater and just wanted to "let it be" today.

The other new item I'm wearing today are my patent leather Ara booties. I love having these pretty shiny toes peeking out from underneath my jeans. I got these back in August but have been waiting for it to be cool enough to wear.

On top of everything when I head out the door is my Spiegel leather jacket and I'm using my black leather with gold hardware hobo-style handbag. Gold wedding band and rose gold/black watch complete the outfit.

What do you think? does it all work together? proportions ok? should I have gone with a semi tuck or does untucked look ok? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend :)

Top: Dex
Jeans: Jessica Simpson
Booties: Ara
Handbag: Christopher Kon (thrifted)
Jacket: Spiegel
Watch: Fossil

I'm clapping my hands this morning because my all time favourite work trousers fit again!!!

I started today's outfit with my espresso chocolate Esprit wide legged trousers. I was so sad when Esprit closed down in North America because these are MY perfect trousers with perfect fit. And the drape is sublime.

Paired with these trousers is my bright pink pullover. It has a bottom welt which allows me to add an Angie faux tuck over top of my animal print belt. I really like pairing pink with brown - makes me think of Neopolitan ice cream.

For footwear i went with my ancient brown leather booties and then added an unexpected pop of red with my red and animal print clutch. Yes, that's two animal prints in one outfit - I'm living on the edge baby!

Jewelry is my rose gold/black watch and gold wedding band. And then to top it all off when I head out the door, I've added my dark brown faux fur vest.

So does this all work together? Am I illustrating Angie's fluid fit formula properly? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Sweater: Sears
Trousers: Esprit
Booties: Naturalizer (at least 5 years old)
Watch: Fossil (eBay)
Vest: Jeanne Bekker
Clutch: Material Girl

Knee high boots are a tough fit for me - I have a short shaft (no more than 13 inches to be comfortable) but a wide calf (14 inches). The Blondo flat boots I bought at the 2012 NAS were a lucky find for me although do border on too tall.

I am looking for a knee high heeled boot this year to go with skirts and dresses but most I have tried on locally are too tall, heel too high, too narrow a footbed, etc.

I have come across these Clarks at Canadian Footwear and am wondering if these are a stylish option? They are a 13" shaft but with a "slouchy" style. Heel is only 2 1/4 inches in height which is perfect.

But I'm wondering about the slouchy thing - even though these are new boots for this season, is the style current? 

Nothing new in this outfit except the watch. Paired a black pencil skirt with black tank and then topped it with my animal print cardigan that I bought last year. I chose my Doc Marcie's for footwear and then added my red quilted handbag for some colour and texture. Jewelry is my rose gold/black watch and gold wedding band.

Boring or fine? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Cardigan: Lord & Taylor
Tank and skirt: Cleo Petite
Boots: Doc Martens
Handbag: Nine West (thrifted)
Watch: Fossil (eBay)

I hope all my Canadian Fabbers had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend :)

Today is the debut of my Theory Lanai navy blazer, which I've paired with my B44 grey/navy/cream/red striped dress. I know that styles are moving away from body con but hopefully this dress still looks current.

For footwear I chose my short red booties and added my quilted red leather handbag for a bit more red. My rose gold/black watch and gold wedding band round out the outfit.

So what do you think? Proportions ok? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Blazer: Theory
Dress: Anthropologie
Boots: Sam Edelman
Handbag: Nine West (thrifted)
Watch: Fossil

Well our autumn heat wave is over - it is cold, windy and rainy today. So time to bust out some booties and my faux fur vest. I chose my TR Cameron's for jeans today - I wanted to wear my Jessica Simpson bootcuts with the faux fur vest for a bit of a 70's vibe but the ground is just nothing but puddles so went with denim that won't end up with wet hems. I'm also debuting my new t-shirt purchase from Olsen Europe. It's a cotton-silk blend with 3/4 sleeves and a delightful sketch of a fox on the front with a gold sequinned eye mask on. It could also work under a blazer or leather jacket with pencil skirt or dress pants for work. Love it! I chose my animal print belt for a bit of pattern and then topped the whole outfit with my fur vest, which I'm still completely in love with. Red booties for a pop of "foot colour" and my slouchy black leather with gold hardware handbag round out the ensemble.

What do you think? Does it all work together? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Vest: Jeanne Bekker
Tee: Olsen Europe
Jeans: True Religion
Boots: Sam Edelman
Handbag: Christopher Kon (thrifted)
Belt: Street Side

Well it's not like eBay changed my life or anything BUT...I have noticed something and wanted to share.

As most of you know, I'm working on a more restrictive wardrobe budget than previously but I am still wanting to buy new things and keep my wardrobe/style moving in a different direction.

I'm wanting to purchase things of better quality (not necessarily equal to more expensive BTW), items with more style longevity, items that are overall classic but with a modern twist and pieces that work more cohesively with other items in my wardrobe. I also am wanting to improve my casual style a wee bit and so would like pieces that can translate between my work wardrobe and my casual wardrobe - at least to some degree.

So I have, as a result, become a fairly savvy eBay shopper. Below are the items I have purchased (or are on their way to me) over the last three months.

#1 - Vince Camuto tube skirt
#2 - Anne Fontaine white shirt (just received yesterday - it is GORGEOUS)
#3 - Kate Spade "vintage" marble necklace
#4 - Theory Lanai blazer
#5 - Joe Jean's in black baroque (on the way)

#6 - Fossil rose gold/black watch

#7 - Kut from the Kloth Diana white jeans (on the way)

It dawned on me when seeing all of these items together that they literally can work in a navy and white capsule - correct? I didn't notice that when choosing the individual items. And these items can indeed switch back and forth between work and casual based on styling and supportive players. I also notice looking at these items that I am indeed moving in the direction of "classic with trendy" mix that I'm going for.

There are a few items here that I never, ever would have purchased at full retail price as they would not have fit my budget. Great sellers with fab return policies, new items with original price tags, and a bit of sleuthing have allowed me to introduce these items to my closet. 

Anyway, I'm probably rambling here...