A shawl, a shirt, a fur and—finished!
I have been on a January mini-spree, gutting my budget but satisfied with the result. We'll see by the end of the year whether I chose well, but today, with the windchill pushing -40C, the picks feel right!Friend's mistake, my break
The biggest purchase was a thirdhand mink vest that a friend bought in a consignment shop two winters ago, had updated by the furrier who did my coat reno, but then didn't wear.
When she said she might sell it, I asked for first dibs, and by the new year, she was ready.
The vest met my requirements for fur (not new, not steel-trapped), her price was more than fair, and she's welcome to borrow it anytime. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Vest?
Cashmere sale in sub-zero weeks
At Eric Bompard's sale (on till February 17), I bought this cashmere shirt to replace an elderly black v-neck. I'm not a Pussycat Doll, so tie lower, in a simple knot. Shown in lake green because in black you can't see a thing. The sale price, about $110, is a 60% reduction, sweet!
Folkloric winter warmer
When I tied on an Ivko lambswool floral shawl, its squashy warmth soothed me like tea with honey. I wear a tomboyish uniform in winter—jeans and sweaters—so these flowers add femininity.
The shawl (which I wear as a scarf, twisted and tied) reverses to a muted stripe of aqua, green, mustard and pink; I love it when someone pattern-mixes for me. Price, $145 at the local boutique Katrin LeBlond.
The black shirt was on my list; the vest a bit of luck; the shawl a snuggly requisite, because—this is life today and for many weeks to come:
As we say here, that's-it-that's-all, and my wallet is snapped shut for a good while now.
Comments
Your outdoor photo made me think again about high boots, they might add some warmth. Maybe next year - like you, my purse is closed except for a short list of 'needs'.
materfamilias: We can have snow in April but by March women start to wear springish coats or tops, they've had it!
LauraH and Gretchen: I tie the ends (in a simple cross, not a bow) near the lower chest, leaving the tip two buttons open- that is how it was shown, at one time, on the web site.
Or I wrap the ties twice around my neck and tie the ties at the high neck in a square knot, as you would the tie collar on an English riding shirt.
Both approaches erase any hint of frou. The ties cannot be removed; they are integral to the collar.
Susan: Many persons have been injured on the ice this winter- including my son's fiancée Tash, who lost her balance and fell, along with her dog, on steep exterior stairs. Dog badly shaken up, T. OK.
Maudit hiver!
Lovely as that cashmere shirt is, the ties would nix it for me as well. The shawl and vest are great, and the vest is long enough for you!
I've slipped on the ice before with no ill effects, but the metal grating (on Bélanger, between St-Laurent and St-Dominique) was very painful, although I had thick tights on beneath jeans. Better now.
Jill Ann: Enjoy that warm, light pleasure!