AHS Style Challenge: Thrifting Edition

For this Style Challenge Nicole and I wanted to have some fun, so we decided to take this challenge to Flashback Vintage on Queen Street here in Toronto. The Challenge you ask? With a budget of $50 each, we each had to find one piece we loved and find three different ways to wear it, for three different occasions, Workday, Brunch and Date Night. Curious about where we landed? Let’s find out!

The Piece

Nicole: Though I can say that a large portion of my closet is thrifted or second hand I tend to go for more muted pieces so I wanted to challenge myself by finding something unexpected…Enter the tight silver turtleneck! Though to some this top may be outrageous I was excited about it for two reasons. Reason one, I love a turtleneck and often use them as layering pieces in my day-to-day wardrobe which made this feel like the possibilities were endless and reason two, I have a thing for unexpected silver, you can see that pretty clearly in our last style challenge where I shared my wild blazer I bought for my 30th. I find the colour to be a pop of fun without taking over a look and gave me an opportunity to figure out ways to style it beyond just black pants. This was a difficult one but I’m so glad to have selected it for this AHS style challenge! 

Steph: Walking through Flashback Vintage felt like I was surrounded by possibilities. What would I find? What outfits would I create? I couldn’t wait to find out. As I peered through the racks of prints, colours and textures, I picked up a couple of sweaters and a couple of skirts feeling excited by the options. One of the sweaters was a beautiful dusty pink that appeared almost red. While pretty, it was a bit on the itchy side so it got eliminated relatively quickly. Skirts were up next and this is where I found my success! While I ended up walking away with two skirts for my $50, the wool, black and red check print, pleated skirt was my winner for this challenge.

Weekday

Nicole: I will be honest in saying that this look took over an hour to put together, trying not to lean on my black dress pants and do something new and interesting. I love it because it brings together unexpected hughs, but still looks cohesive. The trick is that these beige dress pants have a grey undertone in them which lends to the silver, building the brown on top for a warmer tone. I then finished off the look with two-tone gold & silver earrings, a brown leather clutch, and cognac ankle boots. It’s one of the weirder colour combos I’ve worn but I’m really happy with how it landed!

Stephanie: The workday would likely be considered the easiest category for this piece because traditionally speaking, a pleated knee-length skirt screams workday! However, I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t defaulting to the easiest work pairing, so I decided to play with colour and texture here. Starting with the top, I chose a silky white blouse with black piping, that always reminds me of a tuxedo shirt. The silky nature of the fabric adds visual interest and contrast when paired with a wool skirt. From there, I opted to play with the burgundy in the skirt by layering a refurbished red cashmere sweater on top. I love nodding to a colour by pairing it with a colour in the same family, it gives monochromatic without being too matchy-matchy. I finished the look with sheer black tights, black ballet flats and a black belt bag. The belt bag balances the elevated nature of this look with the more relaxed style of the purse.

Brunch

N: Knowing that brunch could be on a more casual end I opted for some relaxed denim, silver flats and this glorious brick trenchcoat to help add a bit of fun. Paired with my silly charm necklace and a small black handbag I think this look has both whimsy and function for a fun day out with friends.

S: When I think of brunch I always feel as though it’s a time to infuse your style with relaxed, whimsical, fun pieces. Nicole did such a great job of this, I especially love her charm necklace with her look. For my look, I nodded to the red in the skirt by pairing a graphic tee that had red and primary colours in the graphic. Bringing colours together can help make two pieces that may not seem to go together, make more sense as a pairing. Because it’s brunch, I added a denim shirt and added a fun tie around the waist. I finished the look with sheer tights, black combat boots and a red bag.

Date Night

N: I think we can all agree that when you think “sexy” a turtleneck doesn’t come to mind, but alas I needed to find a way to bring this look together, luckily I have a backlog of black bodysuits and had one that was the perfect shape to have sultry lines without taking away from the turtleneck underneath. Paired with black denim, the sparkliest shoes, and my signature silver handbag, this look became something that I would genuinely wear on a date night, who knew a silver turtleneck could do it all?

S: A wool, pleated skirt doesn’t necessarily scream date night, but there are definite ways to bring a sultry appeal to the look. I started by pairing the skirt with a black turtleneck that features an open back, to add some subtle sexy. The weather is still on the cooler side, so I added fishnet stockings with knee-high kitten heels. Although only kitten heels, the knee-high aspect of these boots really adds a sensual flair to the look, comfortable can be sexy! I finished the look with gold hoops and a black handbag, ready to enjoy a night out with my love!

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