C. 1980s does 1940s/1950s blue and pink patterned scarf: Unknown, had for years (probably thrifted)
Vintage style creamy white plastic rose stud earrings: Claire's
Grey thin knit sweater: RW&Co.
C. 1950s/60s pink enamel leaf brooch: Thrifted (Value Village)
Vintage plastic bangle bracelets: Assorted sources (probably all thrifted over the years)
C. 1950s deadstock heather blue trousers: Used House of Vintage
Blue faux leather skinny belt: eBay
Pink "Kelly bag" style purse: Mexx
1940s style black oxfords: Thrifted (Salvation Army)
Lip colour: MAC Partyline
Nail colour: Essie Muchi, Muchi
Photography by Tony Cangiano
(IMO, this particular pose did wildly unflattering things to my left forearm and hand, but I otherwise really liked the snap, so opted to include it here.)
♥ ♥ ♥
The temperature was brisk, the wind was out in full force, and the light was that sort of early-in-the-day overcast-ness that makes one squint like the dickens. Sleep hadn't been abundant and I was feeling the physical impact of having prepped and packed for several days before hand (all while recovering from the small hospital procedure I had in mid-August), but my (our) spirits were as high the lofty, evergreen studded hills that surrounded us on that crisp early September morning in Golden, BC.
En route to our week and a half long trip to Edmonton, Tony (who was still very much in the throes of a bad head + chest cold at the time) and I opted to break up the roughly 12 hour long journey by overnighting in the charming little town of Golden.
Though we'd both been through it before, neither had spent the night there and we really enjoyed getting to savour several hours in this lovely mountain community. It's located in the Columbia Valley part of the province, which has a rich history pertaining to both the logging and railway industries (and Golden was also the birthplace of vintage actress Patricia Owens).
Comfort is the name of game when one is dressing for a good sized trip (be it by car - as we were travelling, plane, train, boat, or any other mode of transportation), but that doesn't mean that one need throw style to the wind in the slightest.
I often opt for trousers or jeans when we travel. Aside from the comfort element (and, frequently, the presence of pocket - always extra useful on a trip), there's a very practical factor involved as well. If, goodness forbid, an emergency situation should ever arise and I'm (we're) forced to either get out our vehicle and walk or stay in the car and try to keep warm, pants could be an invaluable garment choice in either unwanted scenario.
Thankfully, absolutely nothing of that nature arose for us on this trip, which was smooth sailing (err, driving) all the way both coming and going to Edmonton.
It was on the morning that we set off for Alberta's capital city that we quickly grabbed these (squinting filled, I know) snaps alongside the majestic Kicking Horse River (you've got to love that name and the vision of early settlers to the area that it invokes) in Golden.
Aiming, again, to be cozy and at ease in my outfit, I reached for one of an uber tiny number of genuine mid-century vintage pants that I own (most of my trousers and jeans - of which I really don't have many to begin with - are repro).
I bought these c. 1950s deadstock heather blue trousers last year while in Vancouver and just love them to bits! Yes, they're a tad roomy in the lower abdomen and crotch area, but that's okay, especially when travelling - who wants to wear uber constricting pants while sitting in the car with a seat belt on for hours?
I felt like a calm, sweet colour palette was in order to compliment the serene landscape, which teems with earthy shades of soft slate, deep green, aged brown, and dusty yellow.
As such, I partnered these elegant mid-century slacks with a vintage appropriate thin knit sweater, a 1980s does 40s/50s scarf, a blue faux leather skinny belt, a classic Hermès Kelly bag inspired pink handbag from Mexx, a pretty pink mid-century enamel leaf brooch (a node to the stunning nature that abounds in that area, as well as fall's impending return at the time), a wee bit of other jewelry, and a sensible pair of 1940s style black oxford shoes.
It was a fun (and definitely very comfortable) outfit and one that I sense I may wear again when travelling (as well as around town). The star of the show here, to my mind at least, really is the setting through, which had the most pristinely clean, beautiful mountain air one could ever hope to encounter.
We were both really happy that we decided to stay overnight in Golden and break up the drive between Penticton and Edmonton, and did so on the way back, too, opting then for Calgary (which is more like 1/4th of the way between the two destinations).
I adored getting to know this peaceful community better and will not soon forget posing in such an awe inspiring setting before zipping off to explore and enjoy Edmonton for several days.
If you ever get the chance to visit Golden, I definitely recommend it and hope to overnight there again in the future.
