We get some Preloved two weeks on a row, friends!! Weeeeeee! As always, I love to point out that Preloved is Canadian, and made out of reclaimed garments and fabrics. Every item is unique, which gets me very excited because I love when you have stuff that you know no one else has!
Preloved vest; Size XS, $26
Now, although each item is unique, often the Preloved designs themselves have to remain simple -such as a pencil skirt- which allows for the combo of fabrics to sing. I thought this was what I was dealing with at first when I saw this vest; like, I thought it was a simple vest, which to me translates to “a simple what-do-I-where-a-vest-with vest”. Well. That was before I saw someone try on this vest. This is actually a super edgy top! The crop and the construction of the back gives it a bit of a puff shape, so it’s not so much Victorian Waistcoat as it is 1980s Androgynous Model. I love this top, friends. You HAVE to see it for real and see it on a person. Given that I get excited about a lot of things in the shop, I hesitate to say that this is the coolest thing I have ever seen, but it actually just might be!
While we are raw on coolness, how cool are these Poppy Barley boots?! I’m loving the simplicity here (no ankle straps or pointless buckles), but the slightly retro ‘70s silhouette is totally what gets me. Hey, remember when Poppy Barley just had that small, upstairs space on Whyte? In case you don’t, they were just a small, independent, locally {woman} own business with an eye for practical designs and a great ethical manufacturing plan.
Poppy Barley; Size 7, $165
Start walking, boots!
I have no idea what the story is with this one, but I appreciate the message!
Sweatshirt; Size L, $26
It’s a Gentle Fawn skirt! GENTLE FAWN, friends! Gentle Fawn is also one of my beloved Canadian brands….and has the honour of being on my coolest-names list! Doesn’t “gentle fawn” feel like it could be a mood unto itself?
Gentle Fawn skirt; Size S, $28
Of course I love this skirt for its asymmetrical wrap and that small, industrial-looking zipper!
Hey, a small Coach crossbody! Friends, I may have put this on and pranced around the store with it. It made my outfit seem much cooler and like I am a sensible, uncomplicated person whose life is very put together and therefore can carry a simple, grown-up, minimalist, purse.
Coach purse, $52
From our friends westward on Whyte, Workhall! This great plum colour would look lovely and sensible with your simple caramel Coach purse!
Workhall top; Size S, $30
This is not a typical button down blouse, friends, because Workhall gonna Workhall, so there must be some artsy twist. This top has slits on the side of the “underneath layer”, and the top “layer” is only attached at the collar and shoulder. It’s as hard to show in pictures as it is to describe in words, but it is not as odd as it sounds. Basically, I image it is designed this way so that it billows dramatically as you walk!
More Poppy Barley, friends!!
Poppy Barley; Size 7, $140
This pair with its grown-up dust bag!
The spacy look of this Lululemon jacket is awesome! I wish it had that shearling throughout, but it’s just in the hood, so this one is a between-seasons coat, not a winter coat.
Lululemon coat; Size S, $89
And there’s Lululemon in the mens section too!
Lululemon mens top; Size S, $32
This top is also yoga-love-inspired! For every garment that Spiritual Gangster sells, they donate funds to provide one meal for a person in need in the US. I’ve read a lot of ethical policies and detailed, comprehensive holistic models in many fashion brand mandates (it’s ok, I like doing it!) (And talking about it! Come in an talk to meeeeeeeee!), and I love it when companies can just throw down tangibles like this!
Spiritual Gangster top; Size M, $36
Check out this bohemian necklace:
Necklace, $14
Adorable wiggle dress…..
Stop Staring! dress; Size M, $28
…..with cherries on it!
And this one is still available in the sale section!
Metallica T; Size M, $24 (on sale for $12!)
Our Sara, who used to work at Red Pony years ago, couldn’t stand the awkward lighting near the fitting rooms one minute longer, so while trying on clothes she decided to climb a ladder and fix it! She’s an art installer, so she’s a pro (literally!) and knows what she’s doing! So now the lighting around the fitting rooms is much better! (But, in my defence, we have a lovely, mid-century hanging lamp in a box in the back room that just hasn’t been hung up yet because, um, we keep forgetting to buy a hook!)
Thanks Sara!
I’m in the shop on Saturday, friends, so this weekend you should come for a visit, try on the Preloved vest and then let’s have a long talk about sustainability and the fashion industry!