• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Her Waise Choice

A Vancouver Personal Style Blog by Jen Tam

  • Home
  • About
  • Buy Less Choose Well Resources
  • Partner

Recycled Fashion

January 16, 2011

{Photos by Paul Milaire and Roderick Fung of Fotowok}

As a little girl, I remember seeing my mother sport a “clown” like coat once in a while: an oversized, sweatshirt like number in an almost unbearably blinding shade of orange. Since I’d always been used to seeing very safe options from her when it came to fashion (she often wore sweater sets and trousers to work), I just didn’t understand this choice. How things have now changed: I opened her coat closet the other day and was astounded at how I never saw the potential in this before: oversized was now chic, the sweatshirt shape was now “cocoon”, and the orange? So on trend now as one of the Spring 2011 Runway’s most well-loved hues.

Ladies: Are there any pieces you remembering seeing on your mother in your childhood that you just did not get, but now have grown to love?

Wearing: vintage Thierry Mugler coat, Zara shoes and sweater, 7 For All Mankind ponte double knit pants, vintage Bally bag

Uncategorized 60 Comments

Previous Post: « Fur Real??!!
Next Post: Maxed Out »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristen says

    January 17, 2011 at 5:40 am

    That coat is perfection! Love how you paired with the leopard shoes. Adorable.

    And unfortunately for me, my mom is an obsessive closet cleaner, so that means no vintage treasure hunting in her closet!

    Reply
  2. lisa says

    January 17, 2011 at 6:30 am

    omg LOVE this coat on you.. it’s like hermes orange.. and you wear it so well too!! it is not an easy color to pull off!!

    http://www.lisalovescoco.blogspot.com

    Reply
  3. Melissa says

    January 17, 2011 at 6:32 am

    Such a beautiful coat.

    I love the colour!

    I also adore these photos. You look perfect.

    Hope you had a great weekend πŸ™‚

    xo
    Melissa

    Reply
  4. β™”Reynaβ™” says

    January 17, 2011 at 7:37 am

    I love LOVE this coat. Nothing clown about it-just plain gorgeous! It looks utterly comfy also. The shoes? the cherry on top of the orange cake.

    -Reyna
    http://www.glamglory.blogspot.com

    Reply
  5. Jenny says

    January 17, 2011 at 7:42 am

    love the coat, and I saw the shoes at Zara a few weeks ago too! I considered purchasing them but they were pointed toe, not for me unfortunately!

    Reply
  6. jemina says

    January 17, 2011 at 9:20 am

    Darling, that is one AMAZING coat, you look FABULOUS, I LOVE how you mix red, black & leopard = LOVE πŸ™‚

    Wishing u a lovely day dear

    XOXO
    J

    Reply
  7. A.n.E says

    January 17, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    Wow! You look stunning. You really rock that coat, so lovely and elegant. Speaking of mother’s wardrobe, a fav is her coloured suits. I mean I don’t think I really thought much of it when I was younger but i’ve recently claimed her apricot linen 2 piece suit. I’ll be wearing it separately ofcourse…at least for now.

    Reply
  8. Jessica says

    January 17, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    This is testament to the fact that if you hold on to something long enough, it’ll come back around! I love this coat – and you made it so modern and fresh with those pumps!

    Reply
  9. Cat says

    January 17, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    Love the orange! My mom had lots of goodies from the 60’s and 70’s that I would just kill to get my hands on now…but unfortunatly I have just been able to enjoy the treasures through old pictures as my mom donated most of her before I was old enough to call dibs! xoCatxo

    Reply
  10. Roberta says

    January 17, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    you’re so pretty! I like your outfit!! πŸ™‚

    http://roberta-withlove.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  11. FASHION ICE says

    January 17, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    beautiful coat the color is gorg

    Reply
  12. Lilly says

    January 17, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    That coat is gorgeous! Your photos are always so perfect.

    Reply
  13. Carly says

    January 17, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    You should wear this coat ALWAYS!
    It is fabulous on you!
    Couldn’t love it any MORE!

    Great shoes too.
    C

    Reply
  14. SL' outfits says

    January 17, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    Ohhh, you both look just lovely!
    The outfit is gorgeous!
    Love the color that brings the coat to the outfit!
    xoxo
    SL.
    PS: Our blog is about our outfits, maybe you like it and we could foloow each other?
    πŸ™‚

    Reply
  15. Anaivilo says

    January 17, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    I know what you mean. I have a lot of things from my mother and back then I hated them :)) Haha. The coat seems really comfy and I love the color! πŸ˜€

    Reply
  16. Ping says

    January 17, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    jen what an adorable look! i love that orange color coat on you and the animal print heels!! beautiful pics too.

    Reply
  17. thegoodgirlgoneblog.com says

    January 17, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    Ooh! I love this coat- you look fabulous in brights πŸ™‚

    Reply
  18. The Little Dust Princess says

    January 17, 2011 at 6:44 pm

    You look AMAZING in that colour! I don’t think I can ever rock orange, though I’ve never tried. And those leopard print heels are too cute. : )

    xx The Little Dust Princess

    Reply
  19. projectvee says

    January 17, 2011 at 7:35 pm

    wow, what an amazing coat.
    fashion definitely comes around in circles, hm? πŸ™‚ your mom is pretty fabulous.
    i like how you kept the rest of your outfit simple, but the leopard print shoes are toooo cute!

    http://project-vee.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  20. Cee says

    January 17, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    Great choice of pairing orange with animal print. So chic! And as always, the photos are beautiful πŸ™‚

    Reply
  21. PetiteXXS says

    January 17, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    You really rock the animal print shoes! I almost regret not picking up a pair of flats/pumps this season, as they seem to instantly add class to any outfit! I love the little zipper detail on the coat, and wish my Mom had cool pieces that I could “borrow” πŸ˜›

    Reply
  22. lisa says

    January 17, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    Wow, what an amazing piece to find in your mother’s closet! My mom and I are different heights and sizes, so there isn’t too much that she owns that I can claim for my own. πŸ™

    Reply
  23. Ashley says

    January 17, 2011 at 8:52 pm

    I love this coat! (I have recently become addicted to orange.) You look amazing. I love the orange coat with leopard shoes. So chic!

    <3 Ashley

    AcuteObsession.blogspot.com

    Reply
  24. Alicia says

    January 17, 2011 at 8:55 pm

    Oh my goodness you are too cute! So glad to have found your blog πŸ˜‰ Thanks for your sweet comment about long distance relationship being rough… no fun!

    And love love love that orange coat as well as you leopard print kitten heels so cute!

    Reply
  25. Faboulista says

    January 17, 2011 at 8:58 pm

    jennnnnnn your colovartion rocks. these pics are so vivid. an explosion of beautiful colours.
    gastown is the perfect location. i keep saying to george that gastown would be the perfection location to shoot due to so many intesrting backgrounds.
    i have to give it a try too.
    xoxo
    mina

    Reply
  26. BARESTUDY (Janelle) says

    January 17, 2011 at 9:22 pm

    great color. mom’s closet is like a treasure box. i love diggin there too. haha!

    Janelle
    http://barestudy.blogspot.com

    Reply
  27. ReallyPetite says

    January 17, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    What a pretty and vibrant color! Love the leopard pumps!!!

    Reply
  28. veronika, tick tock vintage. says

    January 17, 2011 at 10:36 pm

    gorgeous coat! you look absolutely stunning.

    i’m afraid that my mother didn’t wear anything remotely stylish.

    Reply
  29. black cat says

    January 17, 2011 at 11:20 pm

    cute blog! xx

    Reply
  30. stylishyear says

    January 18, 2011 at 12:12 am

    Absolutely Stunning!

    Reply
  31. Chris (tinytines.com) says

    January 18, 2011 at 12:37 am

    Orange + leopard? YES GIRL YES. Amazing. haha, I love my mom’s stuff now. Everything has become so beautiful to me all of a sudden.

    Reply
  32. kileen says

    January 18, 2011 at 4:19 am

    the orange coat is so lovely and i love the cocoon shape! and the leopard pumps are perfect with it!

    cute and little

    Reply
  33. annette says

    January 18, 2011 at 6:33 am

    how do you look so cute here?? =)

    xx
    annette
    http://www.theversastyle.com

    Reply
  34. Laura Tenshi says

    January 18, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    So you find it in your mother’s closet? How amazing, I am not a fan of orange but the coat looks spectacular.
    I remember there where a lot of clothes I hated when I was a child. Like sweaters and turtle neck blouses. Now, I gave them a try and they are not that bad.
    About the faux fur vest, I got mine from a store in Bucharest, it’s not from Zara.
    I scrolled down a little and I saw yours in the previous post.
    So beautiful, I like how you belted yours.

    Reply
  35. Closet Fashionista says

    January 18, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    That is so funny!! The coat looks amazing on you!! So amusing how things change and you love things you used to not really like XD
    http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  36. plentyforpennies says

    January 18, 2011 at 2:29 pm

    THAT COAT IS FABULOUS!

    http://www.plentyforpennies.com

    Reply
  37. Kristy says

    January 18, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    Hey Jen! I missed you πŸ™‚ Sorry for my lack of comments. But I’m gonna make up for it now. Your pictures are getting more beautiful by the day and so are you! The bright orange coat contrasts really well with your complexion. And those leopard pumps are the perfect accessories to pull this look together. BRAVO πŸ˜€

    ps. I got my Dolce Vita pumps from the boyfriend, he bought them online (not sure which website though!. One of the most painful heels I have but they’re so preeettyyy πŸ˜€

    http://www.monochromachic.com

    Reply
  38. thereafterish says

    January 18, 2011 at 4:07 pm

    Wow, your mom has some serious style.

    There are quite a few things that I wish my mum had that I would love to snag, but most of them were striped tube tops I outgrew by the time I was 19, because my boobs got too big for them, and T-shirts that eventually wore out and became cleaning rags.

    My mum’s style isn’t enviable at all, and I wonder what I would find if she had kept any of the clothes that are my size (she’s now twice the size she was when I was young). πŸ™

    I hope your 7AM class went okay, and you were alert and able to absorb knowledge. πŸ™‚

    XX.
    Mae Lu, @ thereafterish.

    Reply
  39. Chelsea Lane says

    January 18, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    that coat is truly chicness at its best! what a great find, you look amazing <3

    xoxo

    Reply
  40. chellemorgan says

    January 18, 2011 at 6:50 pm

    I think only you would be able to pull this off πŸ™‚ What a gorgeous colour! Orange on light-olive-skinned girls like myself is disastrous.. or maybe it’s just me πŸ™‚ But I also love looking through my mama’s closet to see what wonders she has. Unfortunately she sells her clothes when she doesn’t want them any more, so I don’t have any amazing finds from the 70s or something. But it’s always nice when your mom is the same size as you, right? Have a lovely day pretty lady.

    Xo Chelle
    discoveringelegance.com

    Reply
  41. Holly says

    January 18, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    Wow, what a beautiful outfit! I love the burst of orange paired with the leopard print heels – you look great!

    Reply
  42. TZ (Sunny) says

    January 18, 2011 at 9:50 pm

    Uh oh did my previous comment go through? If not, I said this outfit is so bold and chic, I love the orange on you. I also have a “recycled” orange coat, a petticoat, from my mother’s youth. I love it! Orange is a color that takes confidence to wear. So kudos to you.

    Reply
  43. Emma at Daily Clothes Fix says

    January 18, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    Wow, your Mum has amazing taste. You did a great job of updating this so it looks chic and modern. Does your Mum have anything she would like to send to me. All gifts gratefully received. πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  44. Annieo says

    January 18, 2011 at 10:59 pm

    Omg. That Thierry Mugler coat <3

    I’m about 110% sure that I would trade closets with you any day, you can even take my new bag! I’m not even joking hahaha

    And the three items on the bottom left are from H&M and Urban Outfitters. The first pair are shorts, the second is actually a high waisted skirt – both from H&M and the abstract top is actually a playsuit from Urban Outfitters. The majority of the things in the picture are from H&M, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel and simple skirts from Forever 21. The blue bird top was also from H&M, they had a blazer version too! As for the shoes, they were from a store called Wild Pair, I’m not sure if they have any Wild Pair stores in Canada but they certainly don’t back in Australia πŸ™ the store was in the Miracle Mile shops in Vegas. I could of shopped forever in Vegas!! Haha

    Reply
  45. Melai says

    January 19, 2011 at 2:52 am

    Hi! Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I appreciate it so much that you took the time to leave me a comment. Your blog is soo nice πŸ™‚ I love your style esp these recent winter outfits! I’m following you now πŸ™‚ Drop by my blog again when you have time! πŸ™‚

    hearts,
    Melai of Style and Soul

    Reply
  46. Alexandra says

    January 19, 2011 at 5:47 am

    Beautiful pics! You look absolutely lovely.

    I remember my mum having this humongous, floor-length coat in an emerald green colour and never quite getting it…now of course, I’m obsessed and want to get it all tailored to fit me!

    Alexandra xo

    http://tovogueorbust.com/

    Reply
  47. valuevillageandgoodwill says

    January 19, 2011 at 5:51 am

    The orange definitely pops and amplifies the whole outfit. Lucky you for having such a stylish mother.

    Reply
  48. the lovely life says

    January 19, 2011 at 7:21 am

    What a beautiful coat! I wish I could raid my mother’s closet.. only she told me she has gotten rid of a lot of her stuff from when she was younger, items that have once again become trendy. πŸ™ I only have her handbag collection to look forward to inheriting someday haha

    Blue Valentine was beautiful! I guess I wouldn’t say you should avoid seeing it with your boyfriend entirely, but it IS a movie about a couple falling out of love after all πŸ™ Then again, the flashbacks from when they first got together are so sweet. I say go for it! Let me know how you like it!

    Reply
  49. 20 York Street says

    January 19, 2011 at 7:43 am

    Man, you are stunning! I love, love that pop of colour against the black. You are looking mighty fine my dear!

    I always loved my mother’s jewellries!

    Stay Happy and Positive!

    besos,

    ML

    20 YORK STREET

    Reply
  50. Fashionable Rose says

    January 19, 2011 at 8:17 am

    hi!! i love your blog , i was looking through it and is amazing!!very nice style!! πŸ™‚

    i am following you xx follow me back if you want xx

    http://fashionablerose.blogspot.com

    Reply
  51. Big Dadddy says

    January 19, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    So unexpected with the orange! Love the shape of that jacket, so cozy yet so chic! Lovely!

    Reply
  52. Melissa says

    January 19, 2011 at 7:46 pm

    That is a beautiful color on you and I absolutely love it with the leopard shoe, too. You look fantastic.

    I used to wear my mom’s clothes a lot when I was in my teens, but now I’m a little smaller than she is so they don’t fit anymore.

    Reply
  53. in Aie's shoes says

    January 19, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    I love how you paired the coat to the shoes and left the rest very simple!

    Reply
  54. oomph. says

    January 20, 2011 at 12:00 am

    fabulous coat. love it with the leopard shoes. i’d have to say bell bottoms are something i hated then, but love now.

    rockoomph.blogspot.com

    Reply
  55. The Backseat Stylers says

    January 20, 2011 at 3:56 am

    That coat is just the most amazing colour!!! What a find.

    Reply
  56. Beverley says

    January 20, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    blood orange coat and leopard shoes???? i’m SO in love… swoon!

    Reply
  57. Jen says

    January 20, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    I’m definitely guilty of making fun of my mom’s old clothes when I was younger – I guess you never really appreciate different styles until you’re older! You look gorgeous in this coat though and those leopard kitten heels are stunning. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  58. SummerTeeth says

    January 23, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    what a trueeee post. I recently snatched up one of my mom’s old coats that I used to find ridiculous. the color of this jacket is delightful.

    Reply
  59. Mey says

    January 24, 2011 at 1:38 am

    The coat is so cute!! love the color <3

    http://everysundays.blogspot.com

    Reply
  60. Kara says

    January 25, 2011 at 12:30 am

    Jen you are absolutely stunning!! I can never stop saying that! I love this colour and style of jacket on you and the pants and kitten heels are the perfect combo! So wish I could be sportin clothes that cool right now! Instead I am in full parka/winter boots all the time! boo! πŸ˜‰

    xo

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hello!

Hello!

My name is Jen, and I'm a Vancouver-based life and style content creator. This is simple space for documenting my making the most of my closet and I hope it may inspire you to do the same.

Social

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Categories

  • beauty
  • buy less choose well
  • home
  • life
  • motherhood
  • outfits
  • personal
  • travel
  • Uncategorized
  • video

Archives

© 2021 · Glamour · Design By Bloom