Erstwilder

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!

Sartorial Saturday–A Soft and Stretchy Dress for Fall

I love when Miss Candyfloss drops a surprise dress that wasn’t in the lookbook, and the Enola-Lavania dress is no exception!

This is basically the autumn version of a sundress. It’s soft and stretchy and so easy to wear! And I love the shade of purple…it’s very rich and saturated!

I kept the accessories simple with beads and Duchess Bangles from Splendette, plus an Erstwilder brooch.

The dress has an asymmetrical row of buttons down the front and a full skirt, and pockets, of course!

It’s super comfortable, and is a great foundation for accessorizing in different colors!

I’m looking forward to finding more ways to wear this dress throughout the cooler months!

Sartorial Saturday–Drama

Today I’m taking a look at a blouse from Miss Candyfloss that has all the drama…the Clarisse-Gia in a soft and beautiful emerald green corduroy.

I love a blouse with statement sleeves, and this one does not disappoint! It also has a lovely square neckline with a pretty tie.

I accessorized with a smart hat, a stack of Splendette Duchess Bangles, and an Erstwilder brooch.

Did I mention the sleeves?!? They are voluminous and dramatic!

Here I paired it with the Terentia-Bo vest and matching Menora-Bo pants from last year’s Vintage Glamicons autumn/winter collection:

But stayed tuned to see this versatile piece worn with a dirndl and a skirt suit, too!

Sartorial Saturday–Transformation Transformed

I’ve worn this beautiful and vibrant skirt (with artwork of the Evil Queen’s transformation from beautiful & regal ruler to old hag), designed by Stephanie Buscema twice in the last week.

Except if you’ve been following me for a while, you might recognize this print from a dress I’ve had in my wardrobe for almost a decade.

While I love everything about the skirt (especially the bold color palette, not to mention its fantastic volume!), I have always hated the bodice of the dress. So this year, I decided that since I’m an adult, I’m allowed to transform a dress I dislike into a skirt I love.

Yes, I hacked off the bodice of the dress. And since I decided to do it kind of last minute ahead of Halloween, I just added some velcro where the zipper was. I may take it to a tailor and have an actual zipper put in eventually, but for now, this works just fine!

I accessorized with a RockLove Jewelry Nightmare Before Christmas necklace, an Erstwilder Love Potion brooch, and a stack of Splendette Duchess Bangles, all in shades of purple, and I wore my Colourpop Cosmetics Evil Queen lipstick and lipgloss, too.

I paired my “new” skirt with my favorite purple Frenchie top from Unique Vintage:

I absolutely love how this whole look came together!

I’m glad I took a chance on changing something in my wardrobe from something I didn’t love into something I really do!