I recall many, many years ago, when I was first starting out (read ‘broke’), I was fortunate to have a friend, who had a friend, who periodically sold off her gently-worn high end garments and accessories.
Ladies, do you remember the ‘Ports‘ store?!?! Second floor of Polo Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was (is) a luxury fashion house out of Toronto. That store was so far out of my price range, that all I ever did was window shop. And dream. So when my friend informed me that Ports was one of her friend’s favourite stores, I immediately began to save up my nickels. (Yes, I was that Broke.)
A few months later, I and a few other lucky ladies, spent a fun evening playing dress up in this woman’s closet. (Oh, did I mention she also served us Champagne?) My life savings bought me six pieces, all but one carrying the Ports label.
Now this was back in the 90’s, so think Hillary Clinton and Ally McBeal suits.
With the help of a seamstress, these amazing garments ending up fitting me like a glove.
My cobalt blue suit had a shorter style jacket with gold buttons and flap pockets. While only the sleeves required shortening, I also chose to have the skirt hemmed super short !!
The second suit was a fierce red color, with a long boxy jacket, and the customary 90’s gold buttons. For this one, the skirt was hemmed to a very respectable knee-length, and years later I would swap out the buttons to give it an updated look.
I was also lucky enough to purchase a gorgeous little black blazer, which fit me to perfection straight out of her closet, and a very, very sexy black silk tank top.
Oh how I LOVED them. They were my pride & joy! I was stylin’.
I wore these pieces REPEATEDLY for years and years! Both as suits, and as separates. The quality of the fabrics and tayloring was absolutely outstanding. I still smile when I recall how confident and happy I felt every time I wore them.
It was these six pieces that made me into the firm believer I am today…. ‘Quality over Quantity’.
circa 2000, Costa Rica 
May 2012, Paris
ps; -the silk tank top stayed with me the longest. And it’s still being worn to this day – albeit on my mini-me (my stepdaughter).
