Those Love sandals are fantastic, Jenni!

A cape

A collection of men's neckties? Does that surprise anyone? I wore them for a brief time when I worked as a restaurant server, and they were required. We could choose whatever ones we wanted, and I have some from my dad, some from thrift stores, and some cheap ones I bought at discount stores. I also have added all the ties that my dad left behind when he passed away, though I don't intend to wear any of them now. I would like to be able to pull them off as a fashion statement, but they are likely to end up in sewing projects (as a few have already).

Ohh, Firecracker, I want to see what you make! I brought back a bunch of my dad’s ties with the idea of making a cummerbund or vest or something, haven’t done anything yet.

Lesley, that jacket sounds wonderful. Can you show us?

Synne, I want to see your Viking dress!

Lana, that’s awesome.

April, this thread is fun.

I have a Pink Freud band graphic tee (yes, I wrote it correctly!)

I have a belt with a bedazzled tulle overlay skirt attached made by Rachel Comey. It’s fun to wear layered over some jeans. It’s oddly out of character for me, although I really love it….

The leafy gold leather/suede topper below may be the most unexpected item. I purchased it for a formal outfit many years ago, and it’s absolutely stunning in person, however it’s gold. Maybe I will buy a silver dress and wear it in a mixed metal ensemble some day!

Staysfit, you remind me that I too have a poncho. It's taupe colored, no sleeves (just armholes) and has sequins.

While I'm not quite sure how to wear it, it was a gift from my beloved now-sister-in-law so it's staying.

I have a limited edition Hello Kitty satin bomber jacket that I bought in Tokyo. I love it and wear it with pride.

Stays fit, can we see the bedazzled overlay tulle skirt? That one sounds like the way I interpreted this assignment, btw—what is unusual for *my* wardrobe. I’ve got funky things galore—hippie linen pants with blue hexagons, caftans from Tanzania, Somali scarves, original 501s, lovely silk dresses, a blue wool coat bought when I was in 8th grade, a couple vintage Art Deco necklaces…. All par for the course for me. But such establishment shoes, and with heels, are probably not what anyone would expect out of me.

Bijou I love your Hello Kitty jacket - I am envious.
Yes my surprise items are HK too. I have 2 t-shirts and 2 sweatshirts.

Oh April are you teasing me ? I have amazing vintage and vintage designer, but surprising? I am stumped!

@Lesley What a sweet story! Though it just made me realise I didn't know the word for a male seamstress - I'm a bad English teacher, lol Apparently it's 'seamster'...

@Staysfit That gold topper is gorgeous! You could always just send it to me instead JK... Sorta

I have a vintage Elton John T-shirt. I don’t know if it’s surprising or not. Hope to add a new new one when he comes to San Antonio in Oct.

Z, doesn't "seamster" sound like one of those jaunty nicknames, such as calling Angie's little Sam "the Samster"?

Debbie, I hope you will re-create my favorite Shiny outfit from years back by pairing the vintage rock tee with a dressy pencil skirt and perhaps a jacket.

Unfortunately a real fur scarf. It is a knit mink scarf with fringe, very similar to the one in the picture. It was a well-intentioned and expensive, but completely misguided gift from my husband's family. I can't imagine myself ever wearing real fur, owning is bad enough. I am keeping it out of my reach (and my mind) in the corner of a closet until I can safely donate it to an animal shelter.

Oh Bella relieved you said you want to donate it to an animal shelter. I know it is a touchy subject but I am responding because just this week a local mink farm was shown on TV and now the government has fortunately banned mink farming. It is so extremely cruel. Good for you for not being blinded by the lovely soft fur.

Nice work, Bella. I have a fondness for the moments on Project Runway when Tim Gunn would chide someone about how PR was "a fur-free zone."

Haha @April it does - I thought it might have been 'Seamer' originally, but not sure if that would have sounded any better lol...

From what I understand, a seamster/ seamstress cuts the fabric from scratch, whereas a tailor (male or female) alters what's already been 'made'.

Ah, I was wondering about the distinction between those.

LMA's girlfriend works for the Metropolitan Opera's wardrobe division; I'll ask her what term they use.

I have a couple of real motorcycle jackets - the kind with armor, in case of a crash. I have a Vespa, but I don’t ride it anymore. It feels too dangerous to me.

It's been almost 15 years, but I still have my ten-yard skirts from my belly-dancing days tucked away in a costume bin. I've thought about getting them back out for summer days, but they're a LOT of fabric, even with tiers trending. Pretty sure I still have the coin bra too. (That's me in front.)