Furs are like wines...

I had a lot of angst about this post- hence the delay. I wasn't sure if I was ready to label myself as someone who is "okay with fur for fashion". As a current lover of beef, who went without meat products for 7 years, I guess I am still constantly having an internal battle about where I stand on the topic. But here it goes anyways... 

 I cannot deny that with the reinstatement of furs, comes a curiosity about what it feels like to rock one (on the outside) around town. Fortunately, modern technology has given us many faux furs that look close to real without the need to kill. And while I don't think I could stomach purchasing one new, knowing the animal lived not too long ago, I do enjoy the idea of buying/inheriting used furs. I guess it has something to do with the idea of "recycling" the coat- that if an animal was killed to create it at one point in history, the piece should not be tossed out or forgotten. Am I making any sense? 

Good furs are like good wines... they get better with age. I like the idea that there are so many ways to wear a fur these days, and while you walk around looking anything from elegant to edgy, you are keeping someone else, and the way they wore their coat, alive. Below are some classic, eccentric, edgy and lux ways of wearing furs. 

Complete Classics: think timeless, elegant, and well-tailored. 

Knightcat

lefashion

Glamour Russia, November 2010

Citizencouture

lefashion

Knightcat

Vintage & Eclectic:go all out and find your inner bohemian- play with different weights and textures of garments from around the world,

 and from different eras.

Vogue Russia Abbey Lee Kershaw

haw-lin

cannot remember. anyone? 

styleandthecity

altamira: models off duty

lefashion

all-time fave: mr. newtown

stockmstreetstyle

stockholmstreetstyle

cannot remember. anyone?

Lapels:I am spicing up my pea coats, blazers, and leather jackets with one of these this winter. Found mine cheap at Elsie's

alltheprettybirds

alltheprettybirds

altamira: models off duty Frida Gustavsson

stockholmstreetstyle

thesartorialist

Citizencouture

Deluxxxee: throw on a luxurious and loud fur to look old school Hollywood, and don't you dare forget to accessorize with gloves, shades, bags, jewels etc... 

Citizencouture

altamira: models off duty

theglamourai

haw-lin

haw-lin

Vogue Turkey November 2010

fashiongirl jalouse magazine, november 2010

Flare magazine, October 2010

Knightcat

Edgie & Minimalistic:stay neutral and sleek, keeping your lines long and lean, and your colour schemes simple.

stockholmstreetstyle

altamira: models off duty

Knightcat

altamira: models off duty

stockholmstreetstyle

fashiongirl linnea b

Whether you are a fan of merlot, cab sab, or pinot gris, furs are like wines and only get better with age! 

xoxo

J.

Fine Finds at Elsie's

      My first Store Profile is on a place that, in just 4 weeks, has become incredibly near and dear to me: Elsie's on Queen Street. While the place is jam packed, every piece is well worthy of the space it occupies. It's the dream attic that a minimalist-meets-eclectic like myself fantasizes about.
      Owner Maureen stocks her second-hand sanctuary with equal parts of high-end investment pieces (at great prices) and no name irreplaceable beauties. Everything is on display via antique chairs, chests and bookshelves, as well as hanging on light fixtures and tree branches throughout the store. In between the shoes snaking around on the floor, and the racks of sweaters and coats, are antiques knick knacks that add a genuine hospitable touch. 
      I am always checking out the lux furs (I bought a recycled fur lapel for cold nights), and broken-in purses (there are tons! I found a small black Ferragamo for pennies). This time, I found delights like vintage Chanel plaid pants, red velvet Salvatore Ferragamo shoes, a Hudson's Bay signature coat, an Hermes-inspired structured purse, and the one thing I walked away with: a pure virgin wool and cashmere beige coat. 
      My mother doesn't understand consignment. As my friends will remember, she always says, "it was bad the first time it was in style". However, the woman does have an appreciation for well-kept vintage. And while she laughs at the smelly mohair sweaters I bring through the door (I'll admit, I generally only wear them once), there is nothing I like more than a minimalist look spiked with a vintage punch. My cashmere jacket will hopefully impress her when we head to New York together in December. 

Welcome to Elsie's Used Clothing: 1530 Queen Street, (902) 425-2599.

Shelves upon shelves of accessories and shoes

Soap handmade in NS- patchouli is my favourite.

vintage Salvatore Ferragamo shoes surrounded by antiques

Vintage furniture and shoes everywhere! 

Bee hive art

knick knacks

An antique love seat covered with knits and vintage LLBean. 

two floors of fine finds

Some things I picked out: Gorgeous lock and an amazing leather that looks like wood!

 A great take on the Hermes classic, with a strong clasp and a punch of gold.

The girl that came home with me: Pure virgin wool and cashmere beige coat with fur trim hood/shawl.

Elsie's!

   My personal style has morphed from boho queen to more sleek and clean, however I've always loved a touch of lux or something different. What better way is there to add that wow factor than some second-hand fine finds? The store's pieces are all of good value and strong quality. The only thing I walked away with was the cashmere coat- so go find something!

x.

J.

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