Many of my childhood memories of trips home to Saskatchewan consist of jubilant interaction with the enticing pompoms, bells, and baubles on my paternal grandmother’s perennially festive 1980s sweaters. I realize now that she had deliberately preserved only those of her garments most festooned with applique, beads, and sequins for the express purpose of providing wearable toys to her enormous brood of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This Fashionista, who dons a fabulous (and fabulously cozy) sweater dress from her own mother’s 1980s wardrobe, embraces a similar playful comfort in an ensemble that blends ’80s nostalgia with a late ’90s cool edge.
The secret to pulling something off is putting it on. Follow this Fashionista and wield that latent superpower while seeking sweet respite from the inevitably brisk spring days in store this season. Start with a statement sweater dress of your choosing. You can embody the essence of Molly Ringwald as John Hughes’s heroine, with something unabashedly pink, frilly and floral, or do like this Fashionista and embrace cooler, silvery patterns. Next, adorn yourself with a luxe combination of materials and textures. This Fashionista bundles up with a Wilfred scarf from Aritzia and a baby blue Minkpink robe from Urban Outfitters. For a ’90s goth queen bite, wear a pair of fishnets and square-toed chunky boots. Hers are acquired vintage from the Depop shop of Instagram fashion personality @karstinkle. She also dons a sleek choker by Shailee’s Craftin’, a locally made online jewelry company where half of all proceeds are donated to charity and no piece is more than $10.
