The Hourglass Files

Spring is a tricky season in the Midwest. The temperature jumps from day to day mean that I can sport a tank top one day, and a light wool coat the next.

I started the process of pulling out my warmer-weather clothes from storage and putting away my cold-weather things. It’s always a trip down memory lane to pull out my clothes storage box and rediscover things I haven’t worn for six months. It definitely decreases my urges to run out and buy a whole new seasonal wardrobe.

But I do have one new purchase I’m giddy about. More than a month ago, I found this classic pink boucle jacket by Chanel in a local consignment shop. While it was a major deal at just under $500 (my best guess is that the original price was at least a couple thousand dollars), it was still out of my budget. But I waited and waited.

Finally two weekends ago the price dropped under $300. Still very expensive, it’s a piece that I will be able to wear my whole life — timeless style and the quality of materials and craftsmanship is unlike anything I own. It fits perfectly. The morning the price went down, I was there first thing to buy it. Like I said, I’m giddy about it.

I think it would look lovely with a cream or navy dress or skirt. How would you style it?

Chicago doesn’t have a ton of sample sales because the number of designers working here is rather slim. Although, we luckily have Elmidae, designed by Abigail Glaum-Lathbury.

I’ve talked about Abigail’s work before on here. She’s a friend that I met when I was in grad school. Whenever I wear Elmidae, my coworkers demand to know who the designer is or I get stopped on the street (this literally happened last week).

So I was super excited to hit Elmidae’s sample sale two Saturday’s ago. A sample sale is a way for a designer to sell off prototypes and old inventory. I got to Abigail’s studio in the early afternoon, but so much of her stock was already sold. Need to get there first thing next time!

I fell in love with the skirt above. It has great movement and is made of beautiful fabric — a floral print attached to a blue and gold woven textile to create a double-faced fabric.

Last Monday I paired my new Elmidae skirt with my vintage black silk tee and black Nine West pumps. I found the necklace in a shop called Muse and was told that it was designed by a former employee. Wish I had gotten her name.

One of the things I love most about Abigail’s work is the innovation of the pattern pieces (in other words, the blueprint used to create the garment). The pattern for this particular skirt is genius — it’s basically a rectangle folded over on itself with a hole cut out for the waist. It looks like separate pieces to create the tiers, but it’s really all one piece, aside from the waistband. Genius!

photos by Travis Haughton – Wasabi Photography