Thierry Mugler for 4 Euros, I kid you not

I'm throwing my style cap into the ring with the chic chickas over at Patti's Visible Monday as I can hardly contain my excitement over my latest thrift find. The Grunge Queen is baaack! The story is like so many others: I was browsing the rack at the same thrift store I found the faux fur from last post, not expecting to unearth anything, and voila, a lush green velour-like fabric popped out at me like a spring flower peeping through the crappy brown snow. Took a gander (and a whiff) and discovered an amazingly constructed, non-smelly jacket. Tried it on and it fit beautifully.* The best part? It was 50 percent off 8 Euros, yip yip!

*Ok, I can't do up the bottom button of this Thierry Mugler jacket, but who cares? I will in the future, and for now, I'm happy to wear it open, as you see here.

Just look at the buttons! I have no idea how much something like this would cost resale. I've seen vintage Thierry Mugler online for a couple hundred up to a thousand bucks.

I can also do it up military style. I'm thinking the jacket is 1980s, possibly 90s. The shoulders look slightly puffed as someone has cut out the shoulder pads, but I think the poufiness adds to the dramatic effect. Aside from two slits in the exquisite green lining, which can be easily sewn (by someone else), this jacket is in pristine condition.

More (adjustable) button detailing at the back, for when I have a waist again.

I used to be the thrifty statement-piece blazer queen, often wearing them with tight skinny jeans, cashmere turtlenecks and high-heeled booties (alas, the days of tight skinny jeans and high-heeled booties are gone). My other great French designer blazer find was a Tara Jarmon for $4.99 (I know, this post from almost a year ago says $6.99, but I looked back into the archives at the original post and see that I actually paid $4.99 CAD ... too bad the pics aren't viewable)!

I find it funny that the same thrift shop that's selling real fur coats for 50-150 Euros, which look like they morphed from granny's closet with a few mothballs attached, would let an iconic French designer's piece go for 4 Euros. But as we all know, this lack of designer knowledge often works to the scavenger's benefit!

This outfit is 100 percent thrifted, save for the rings and earrings: Thyme maternity skirt thrifted in Toronto before I was married (let's say I had a hunch); Italian boots thrifted in Annecy; ribbed turtleneck thrifted in Toronto; Italian-made doctor's bag, Etsy.

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Thrifted Tara Jarmon blazer with cashmere

I'm recycling a piece I showed you years ago, but it's still a fave, and hey, if the Grunge Queen can't recycle a look, who can? The steal: Tara Jarmon patterned corduroy jacket unearthed at a Parkdale-area Salvation Army in Toronto for $6.99. Tara Jarmon is a Canadian-born designer who is based in Paris. A quick peep on her website shows that summer blazers are going for 230 pounds/almost $400, though a winter weight such as this would cost more.

I'm wearing it with a super, super thick cashmere sweater in the most gorg indigo blue, which I bought at a consignment store before I left Canada for a mere ten dollars - it's perfect for these chilly English spring days! The locket is vintage 1970s Avon, picked up at a vintage shop in Toronto. The gloves, blue leather, found at a charity shop in St Annes. Same bag, jeans and booties as yesterday's post, both second-hand and preloved. My hubby bought me the shades, new.

Speaking of, on the fashion advice of my lovely husband, I decided to wear the skinny jeans unrolled and over my fave thrifted booties - a better look that makes my legs look longer than when I roll the cuffs, he assures me. I love the richness of this outfit - the deep inky blues, the velvety pattern on the jacket. Very Baroque-boho.

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