Erstwilder

Sartorial Saturday–Stripes and Dots

Today I’m taking a look at my first-ever pair of Miss Candyfloss capri pants!

The Jacinna-Lee capri pants are a lovely shade of blue and covered in polka dots. I paired them with the Kacey-Wisteria striped top for a bit of contrast in pattern and color, and added a white, pearl-accented cardigan to complete the look.

I accessorized with an Erstwilder brooch that goes really well with the top, and a stack of Splendette Duchess Bangles.

Here’s the only problem with the pants…when they say “soft and comfortable,” they really mean soft and comfortable! They’re extremely stretchy, to the point where I wish I had sized down. They’re quite a big baggier than I prefer, but there is no doubt that they’re comfy!

I love how casual but still put-together this outfit is!

I don’t wear pants super often, but it’s nice to have some options when I do!

Sartorial Saturday–MAXImizing My Wardrobe

Everyone once in a while, I add a “modern” piece of fashion to my wardrobe…but really, this denim maxi skirt from Lane Bryant reminds me of the 90s!

What I really like about this skirt is the tulip hem, which I think gives it some good movement and visual interest.

I paired it with a sweater (also from Lane Bryant) with a fun neckline that has been in my wardrobe for YEARS. I added an Erstwilder scarf as a belt, and Dr. Martens Mary Janes, in keeping with the 90s theme:

I accessorized with a Spiffy the Sausage Dog brooch from Erstwilder to match the scarf, plus a RockLove Jewelry necklace, and earrings and a bracelet from Lane Bryant:

This is a fun modern, and yet familiar, look for me!

I’ve already found many other ways to style this skirt…denim is very versatile!

Sartorial Saturday–A Caped Coat

Thanksgiving was almost two months ago, but I’m just now getting around to sharing my one big Black Friday purchase, the Abiona-Juniper caped coat from Miss Candyfloss, which I got for an absolute steal!

I’ve had my eye on this coat since it first came out in the fall/winter Vintage Glamicons collection in 2024, but I just couldn’t afford it. In all honesty, it’s kind of a weird piece for me to fall in love with, because it’s a pencil coat, which doesn’t really go with my full skirts, and it’s double-breasted, which is not a style I normally prefer. But something about it really captured my interest, so I was super excited to be able to buy it for something like 60% off!

It’s hard to accessorize a coat, but I did add an Erstwilder brooch in a boldly contrasting color, a pair of Splendette Duchess Bangles, and a RockLove Jewelry necklace:

I love the almost military-style influence of the jacket, both from the olive green color, and the removable cape, which just screams “dress uniform” to me for some inexplicable reason:

It also has a luxurious faux fur collar and cuffs, plus a matching belt:

And did I mention the cape? I absolutely LOVE a cape!

While it has a slimmer silhouette than my other two Miss Candyfloss coats, it still has a nice, below-the-knee length:

I love a sale, and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to grab this coat before it sold out in my size!

Sartorial Saturday–Perfect Pleats

You’ve already seen the pinstriped Maryam-Lou blouse from Miss Candyfloss…now it’s time to see it paired with the coordinating Emeline-Paz skirt!

It’s a lovely and soft corduroy skirt in a dusty shade of pink:

My number one favorite detail about this skirt is the three sets of purple pleats inserted around the bottom…they give so much movement to an otherwise straight skirt!

I accessorized with a hat from Mein Wunderbarer Hutsalon, an Erstwilder brooch, a stack of Splendette Duchess Bangles, and my newest necklace from RockLove Jewelry…I love how vibrant the color of the stone is!

This look was inspired in part by Maleficent…not the animated character, or the one portrayed by Angelina Jolie in the eponymous movie, but rather the Queen of Darkness played by Kristin Bauer van Straten in Once Upon a Time. I loved her 40s-inspired style when she was in Storybrooke, and everything about this look, from the hat to the skirt (and especially the “Maleficent Malicious” necklace, which is inspired by that original Disney villain), felt like something she would wear!

I added my wine-colored ankle boots from Lane Bryant, which I think added just the right pop of color to finish off the look:

I love finding outfit inspiration from unexpected places!

A Feast for Epiphaday

Today is Epiphany, but it’s also Ryan’s birthday, and we had one last festive feast to celebrate!

I made chili for dinner, and making chili means also making fry bread to go with it:

And for dessert, I baked a Boston Cream Pie…it’s been years since I attempted this particular cake, and back then, I had a problem with the filling being too thin and running out of the cake. If anything, this time I over-thickened it, but it tasted good, and it stayed put!

The days have long since passed when I used to make baklava every year on Epiphany, and our church doesn’t have an extra service during the week, but I still wore my favorite star-shaped brooch from Erstwilder…it is the absolute perfect star for Epiphany!

I still have one more cake to bake yet this week, and then the festive feasting season will draw to a close!

2025 in Outfits

Over 300 unique outfits later, 2025 is coming to a close!

I really enjoy this outfit of the day photography project, because it forces me to think through my outfit choices. I have so much fun styling my favorite pieces new ways (the most drastic restyling of the year came when I cut the bodice off of a dress to turn it into a skirt!), and adding some new pieces to my wardrobe along the way. And now I’m left to consider what my first outfit of 2026 will be, because I want to start the new year strong, sartorially speaking!

Festive Fashion and a Fashionable Gift

It’s already time for a look back at this year’s festive fashions for Christmas Eve and Day!

My Christmas Eve outfit is often the same…a red, white, and green dress with a velvet bodice and full skirt with a harlequin print. It’s probably the most festive pieces in my wardrobe! I added my standard Christmas Eve accessories including a sparkly brooch and a stack of Splendette Duchess Bangles.

After church I changed into a Miss Candyfloss dressing gown:

For Christmas Day I wore a dirndl with my newest Rare Dirndl apron and a Miss Candyfloss Clarisse-Gia blouse, plus a different stack of Splendette Duchess Bangles, an Erstwilder brooch worn as a necklace, and my sparkly brooch (again):

I changed into a different Miss Candyfloss gown when we got home:

And then I had to change up my accessories, too, because I received a gorgeous RockLove Jewelry necklace for Christmas, and I couldn’t wait to wear it!

I love that I have sartorial traditions to look forward to every Christmas!

Sartorial Saturday–Winter Florals

Getting a new Christmas apron from Rare Dirndl has become one of my favorite holiday traditions, and this year is no exception! The winter floral apron was made in very limited quantities, and I almost missed out on it…I’m so glad there a small second run, because this is one gorgeous apron!

To really lean into the Christmas theme, I paired it with my red Everyday Dirndl:

Here’s a closer look at the beautiful embroidery. There are so many beautiful colors in the flowers, and even though it’s called a “winter” floral apron, I know I’ll be wearing it all year!

I accessorized with a flower crown and a pair of necklaces from Rare Dirndl, plus an Erstwilder brooch (and a bonus mini brooch worn as a zipper pull!), a pair of Splendette Duchess Bangles, and sparkly hoop earrings from Lane Bryant in red, green, and white:

Instead of a dirndl blouse, I styled it with the green Clarisse-Gia blouse from Miss Candyfloss, which is the perfect Christmasy addition to the look!

It doesn’t get much more festive than this!

I’m already thinking of how I might style this apron slightly differently for Christmas Day!

Sartorial Saturday–A 40s Blouse and 90s Jeans

Today I’m taking a look at a different outfit combination…a 1940s-style pinstripe blouse and 1990s-fashion wide-leg jeans!

The Maryam-Lou blouse from Miss Candyfloss is actually a very natural match for my favorite wide leg jeans from Lane Bryant. The 1940s were known for ultra wide legs, as well, so the silhouettes of these two pieces are perfect for each other!

I went with somewhat dramatic accessories, including a sparkly pair of earrings, Splendette beads and Duchess Bangles, and a mirrored Erstwilder brooch:

I also added wine-colored ankle boots for an extra pop of color that is perfect with the blouse!

This is a fun way to wear my clothes in a slightly different style!

Sartorial Saturday–Pink & Green

Wicked for Good just came out, and since it’s all the rage right now, I decided to style an outfit in the iconic duo of pink and green that’s so famous in the franchise!

The Clarisse-Gia blouse, Terentia-Paz vest, and Lucile-Paz trumpet skirt are all from the most recent Miss Candyfloss collection, and were actually styled together on their website. Honestly, I wouldn’t have thought of pairing these pieces on my own, so I’m grateful for the recommendation!

I kept my accessories pink and green, too, including an Erstwilder gingko leaf brooch and stack of Splendette Duchess Bangles. I also added my Erstwilder The Wizard of Oz “The Good Witch’s Crown” earrings, which are perfect for the occasion!

I love the way my ankle boots, which are just a few shades darker than the suit separates, anchor the outfit!

It’s so much fun to come up with an outfit idea inspired by something from pop culture!