027/ What I'm Wearing: 2023 Week 18

A vintage-heavy week, fresh silver accents, the earthy sensuality of Venus, and the importance of accessories in capsule wardrobes.

Dear readers,

I’m back from my cold and very rainy mama-and-son weekend in NYC. Fortunately there were a lot of sweet smiles and cuddles to make up for it!

Day 1

R: Rag & Bone Willow Fair Isle sweater; Zara balloon jeans; vintage Chanel Timeless Camellia bag via VSP Consignment (use my code IRENEKIM10 to get 10% off site wide at VSP. Some exclusions apply;) vintage satin Chanel ballet flats via The Cat’s Meow. L: Ears - Jenny Bird Florence earrings; Maria Tash pearl eternity hoop; Maria Tash plain gold hoop earring; Nose - EF Collection pearl mini huggie earring; Etsy mini septum cuff; Zara hooded trench.

I never mention my jewellery here because I wear the same pieces everyday (and the occasional statement earring). This week was notable because I wore Jenny Bird’s silver Florence earrings all week. I’ve always preferred gold against my skin tone (engagement ring excluded) but I’ve noticed silver accents creeping into my wardrobe over the last year — for example, my silver Aeyde flats and Tibi Rudolphs I’ve been wearing a ton. And, two years ago I don’t think I would’ve bought this vintage Chanel bag because of its silver hardware. Silver feels fresh and light right now, and I get the feeling I’ll be wearing these earrings a lot this season.

Btw, Toronto readers, I’m working on finalizing the details for a piercing party in early June, so please stay tuned for that! Many of you DM’d me saying you either missed your piercings or are thinking of getting (another) one, so here’s your chance.

Also, these are great Zara jeans! A similar but less exaggerated shape to the Citizens of Humanity Horseshoe jean, B-Sides Lasso jeans, or Tibi Sid jeans.

Day 2

H&M cashmere-blend sweater; Tibi Liam blazer; Zara dress; APC Eva bag; Want Les Essentials Evers sneakers.

I was lying in bed the night before thinking I wanted to wear this blazer/dress combo and, in the morning, this is how I ended up accessorizing it for the reality of my day (on my feet) and the weather (still cool).

A lot of clients tell me they want to simplify their morning routines with a “capsule” wardrobe of limited pieces. When working with so few pieces, I tell them accessories, and shoes in particular, are essential in getting maximum versatility and range out of them.

Here, the sweater, crossbody bag and sneakers (all foundational pieces) do the work in chilling the core outfit down. At the same time, I have a symphony and opera to go to this month and this combo would work for those events with no sweater, a daintier bag and dressier shoes — whether the vintage Chanel flats I wore on Day 1 or the vintage Jimmy Choo slingbacks I wore on Day 4.

Speaking of vintage, the rest of the week is notably vintage-heavy…

Day 3

COS wool sweater; Celine blazer via Collectif Consignment; Zara mariniere; Zara parachute cargo pants; Massimo Dutti wool hat; Chanel flats via VSP Consignment; Celine tri-fold medium bag via Rewind Couture.

Today and tomorrow’s outfits are examples of taking what could be an archetypal look and adding pieces to add tension and modernity.

Here, the nylon parachute pants provide enough contrast against an otherwise classic spring, white/navy “sailing” look so not to look like I’m heading straight to the yacht club for lunch. It’s still a pretty classic look, but the nylon goes a long way against the rest of the pieces which are 100% natural fibres — the cotton marinere, the wool blazer, sweater and hat, the suede flats and leather bag…

Day 4

COS wool sweater; thrifted silk Le Fou skirt; vintage Prada top handle bag via 1132 Consignment; Jimmy Choo slingbacks via VSP Consignment.

…and here, the white sock and oversized grey wool sweater (worn, not tied like the day before) offset what could be a very feminine and dainty outfit of a pink (!) silk/lace dress, silver slingbacks and lady-like vintage top handle purse.

This was my favourite outfit of the week (more than Day 5!) and even my tired, bloodshot eyes aren’t taking away from how good I feel here.

Day 5

Marni sculptural cotton canvas Venus print dress via The Fashion Edit; Maison Margiela slingbacks (extra 15% off).

This Marni dress from Francesco Risso’s S/S 2019 collection is divine. Whereas I feel like an ethereal being in Cecilie Bahnsen, this Marni dress imparts the earthy sensuality of Venus whose likeness is found on this dress. The gathered material at the hip mimics the shape of an Edwardian exaggerated hip, but without the corset. The way it sways when I walk and the tactile sensation I get from lifting the canvas skirt to sit and climb stairs is a true joy to experience.

I found the exact same one on 1st Dibs at a listed price closer to what it probably sold for at retail (but you can make an offer).

Although I first tried it on with the silver Jimmy Choo slingbacks from the previous day, I ultimately chose to pair it with these muted, “non-colour colour” Margiela slingbacks. With the Jimmy Choos, the effect was for the shoes to disappear and showcase the dress — which works! But with the Margielas, the shoes felt like an extension of the canvas of the dress, and the effect was that the composition of the outfit extended fully to the feet — which I loved!

That’s it for today. I think we finally hit some reliable spring temperatures here in Toronto so you can expect transitional outfit WIWs for the next month (hopefully).

See you soon,
Irene