What They Don’t Know Won’t Hurt Them

Zara sweater, Walmart men’s plaid shirt, heels c/o Joe Fresh
bag c/o Mary Nichols, necklace c/o Poshlocket, jeans c/o Gap Canada
Want to know the story behind this plaid shirt? I was up at my cabin over Thanksgiving (Canadian Thanksgiving, so like a month ago) and my little brother decided it would be a great idea if we all piled into our canoe with a bunch of beer, some plaid, ripped shirts and some backwards caps. You know, “Hoser” it up as much as possible. We were going to the liquor store anyway (beer and wine are usually main features of our holiday trips) so we stopped by the small town’s Walmart as well, picked up $5 men’s shirts in sizes ranging from XL-XXXL and cruised around in our canoe looking as quintessentially Canadian as can be.
The funny thing is, I’ve ended up becoming obsessed with this piece-of-doodoo-shirt. Worn with a tank top, long-sleeve T and a sweater over top, it’s the perfect length to throw under all the chunky sweaters I always favour during the winter. That’s what’s perfect about layering: you can really get some good mileage out of pieces that may not be standout pieces on their own.
So my suggestion to cut costs over the holiday season? Trot on over to your favourite discount store, buy a huge men’s plaid shirt on sale, cut off the sleeves to remove bulk and wear that thing obsessively under your favourite sweaters. I mean, I love me some J.Crew and all, but if you want to do layered/preppy chic on a budget, this is a good area to save Benjamins on.
Hope you all had a great weekend – it was so sunny here and it completely cheered everyone up. Love love love the sun…is it that bad that I’m dying for the summer to come back already?

Leave a Comment

36 Comments

  1. 11.26.12
    Cee said:

    This is too funny, pally – although I'm pretty sure at my height, that plaid shirt (which is a beauty, by the way; are you sure it really came from Wal-Mart?) would be more like an awkward length plaid dress. You wear it beautifully, though. I just love those Joe Fresh heels with, well, anything 🙂
    xox,
    Cee

  2. 11.26.12

    Aw, haha, love the story behind your shirt!! And… you look absolutely beautiful, love. Adore this denim look so much! Hope you're having a great start to your day!! xo

  3. 11.26.12
    Amy said:

    haha love it and I love your roll playing in the canoe!
    http://coffeebeansandbobbypins.blogspot.com/

  4. 11.26.12

    That's a pretty awesome shirt back story…and you're right, it's the perfect length. Also, I really love the Zara sweater layered over top.

    Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com

  5. 11.26.12
    Leah said:

    Love this tip on how to be quintessentially Canadian! (and on a budget!)

  6. 11.26.12
    Mounette said:

    cool look, your sweater is very nice
    kiss
    Aurélie
    http://www.lespetitesbullesdemavie.blogspot.com

  7. 11.26.12

    Oh man that's a fabulous story! Your family sounds like a lot of fun 🙂

    http://theoccasionalindulgence.blogspot.com

  8. 11.26.12
    Wren KW said:

    I love those shoes even more every single time you wear them. And I'm all over the men's wear. Especially layered up like that. Perfect winter outfit.

  9. 11.26.12
    KenzeLee said:

    Great advice!

    xo, Kenzie

    http://www.CaveGirlintheCity.com

  10. 11.26.12

    great tips! and you look so great in these outfits 🙂

    Caroline
    http://missoline.blogspot.com

  11. 11.26.12

    The story behind this plaid shirt makes me laugh a lot, and I love that you and your siblings do crazy things like that. I love this chunky knit sweater over the plaid top and with those jeans. Such a perfect combination
    xJennaD

  12. 11.26.12
    Kimberly said:

    Laughing at this post – but seriously love the combination of the oversized knit + plaid shirt. Perfect fall look!

    http://www.pennypincherfashion.com

  13. 11.26.12
    claude said:

    No, I feel the same way!:)

    xx Claude

  14. 11.26.12
    Heidi said:

    Too funny! I love this idea and this look. -Heidi

  15. 11.26.12
    Manda said:

    Ha! Good idea 🙂
    That piece of doodoo shirt is definitely niiiice.

    Love From,
    Eat Cake

  16. 11.26.12
    Lisa said:

    I'm going to have to stick with J. Crew on this one as their Perfect Fit shirts are just the right length and boxiness on me (especially around the waist).

  17. 11.26.12

    Love it! I am going to go after work today and check it out!

  18. 11.26.12

    Zara has some amazing sweater! Love how you styled it!

  19. 11.26.12

    HAHA, that's such a brilliant story! I love when functional pieces come from the oddest of places…and when they have a great history to go with them, hehe. Chic and lovely, as always!

    <3 Samantha
    http://samlovesmakeup.wordpress.com

  20. 11.26.12
    Haylie said:

    Gorgeous look! Those heels are amazing 🙂

    -Haylie

  21. 11.26.12

    I often shop in the mens department due to I find there clothing options nicer and as I am 5'9" I find the sweaters and tops oversized but proper proportioned for me. I recently went to Target and attempted to get a few mens flannels that were $12 but my Jason swore they looked horrible on me…so that plan didn't really workout. Also that Zara sweater is to die for! Love it!!

    Chao
    Poppie
    http://thepoppie.com

  22. 11.26.12

    Super cute – I love how you've repurposed something that was essentially a joke and made it so cute!

    Kate xo petite-adventures.blogspot.ca

  23. 11.26.12
    Erin said:

    This is awesome! A $5 men's shirt totally rocking your wardrobe. I love how you threw on those awesome heels with this cozy, menswearish outfit.

    -Erin-
    OneTwoSummer

  24. 11.26.12

    the combination of the outfit resulted to be nice!!

  25. 11.26.12

    love this casual cool look! very festive for fall! xo

    http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/

  26. 11.27.12
    Melissa said:

    Hahaha amazing. I love when those random pieces can end up inspiring so many outfits. Especially when the looks are so perfectly Canadian.

    You look gorgeous.

    Melissa

  27. 11.27.12

    i love the way you layered your outfit here!

    http://www.beckspick.com

  28. 11.27.12
    Well... said:

    Okay…I'm totally copying this outfit one day. It's perfect! I love it, casual yet totally stylish. That pop of plaid under the sweater is just…..perfect 🙂

    Enter to win a statement cuff from ManEater – international giveaway!
    Trendy Teal

  29. 11.27.12
    Izzy said:

    these are such pretty photos! your outfit is so cute. really loving the tan and grey tones, plus the pops of red from your plaid shirt 🙂

    metallicpaws.blogspot.com

  30. 11.27.12
    Faith said:

    such a great idea. obsessed with this outfit and your shoes!

  31. 11.27.12

    Oh my gosh, I love that story! Too funny! Such a genius style tip as well!

  32. 11.28.12

    I love wearing plaid! It's definitely one of the easiest looks to prep up of grunge down!

    xx
    Jenny
    http://www.jennyscribbles.com

  33. 11.28.12
    Manonnn said:

    I love the story, and the outfit is stunning!!!

    http://beautybubblesinyourlife.blogspot.fr

  34. 12.10.12
    Chioma said:

    what a fun story! i love layering and I thrift a lot of the pieces I wear underneath sweaters! you look so cute 🙂

    Chioma
    C's Evolution of Style

  35. 12.10.12

    Great story and love the plaid shirt under that incredible sweater! I love the idea of cutting off the sleeves to get rid of bulk….stealing that one!

  36. 12.11.12

    Perfect layers! Love this look!

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