Recaptured Recap

            Mom and I recently went thrifting in a near by town. We hit a small consignment store and a Goodwill. The consignment store was having a giant end of the season sale. Most of the sale items were complete duds (I could tell why they hadn’t sold) however, there was one gem- this brightly colored Aztec-y print silk shift dress (on left). While I was sale shopping in The Limited, I came across this mixed print dress (right) however, it has this weird plastic zipper up the front so I passed. When I came across this pink reincarnation, it felt like this was the dress I had wanted all along. It’s by Alice and Trixie, a brand commonly sold at Nordstroms, similar dresses retail for over $300. There was also some nice jewelry for sale (70% off) and even though I’m not “a jewelry girl” I really liked these classic gold pieces. They are both simple layering pieces with pearl accents, which I love.

Consignment Shop:

Alice & Trixie dress- $5

Gold strand necklaces- $3/each

            The Goodwill was disappointing in it’s overall selection. I did snag 6 belts because they had a great selection, which is rare at GW’s. I also snagged this St. John’s Bay orange button up tank. Lastly, I got one non-clothing item, a vintage Pyrex casserole dish.

Goodwill:

6 belts- $2/each

Orange sleeveless button up- $3.50

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Don't You Step on My Pink Suede Shoes

Floral dress- Derek Heart (via Goodwill bargain bin) ~ $0.75

White and blue paisley cardigan- Old Navy (via Goodwill) ~$3.50

Dark pink suede loafers- Talbots (via Goodwill) ~$6

TOTAL COST: Approx. $ 10.25

            I rarely create an outfit in which I have thrifted every piece- namely because I only own 3 or 4 pairs of shoes from Goodwill- but here I have managed to do it. Of course I went for a print on print pairing, it has become my new mission to learn the art of print mixing. I would say this effort is pretty good, maybe a 6 or 7. The true gems of this outfit are the shoes. These little babies are suede, in excellent condition and made by Talbots. My desire to identify my virtual savings led me to the Tablots web page to look for a suitable comparison item. What I found were $105 suede ballet flats. Well can’t you just image my surprise and glee (and slight horror) at that piece of information! Virtual savings of almost $100 on a single item! It’s one of my best thrifts to date.

            Tell me readers, Would you spend $100 on suede loafers? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Oops, I Did It Again (& Again)

            My favorite seasons for fashion are fall and winter. Shops like Goodwill and Salvation Army offer some out of season items at all times, which means I can be collecting special pieces all year round, regardless of the present season. At times, I find myself getting hooked on a specific type of garment. Recently, that piece is the secretary blouse. Three years ago, while participating in a Goodwill “up-cycle”/re-fashioned” fashion show, I was assigned this beautiful outfit…(check out that fabulous hat and those heels!)

I fell in love with the silk paisley blouse and purchased it (for $3.50) after the show. My sense of fashion was a bit different in 2010 and I hardly wore this top. However, it planted the seed for what has truly turned into an obsession with the secretary (or tie-neck) blouse. My interest in this garment really accelerated after I purchased this pink, purple, and blue paisley blouse.

I received many compliments on it and loved the special feel that only a vintage piece can give. I wanted more and so my collection began. Presently, I have 9 secretary blouses (varying sleeve length) that were all thrifted. These tops are on trend for the upcoming fall season, however, you’re not going to find them for a better price or more special looking than thrifting a vintage one.

Case and point?

(Left: Saks Fifth Ave, Right: Equipment {via Last Call: Neiman Marcus})

I like both of these blouses but with price tags of $69 & $139 respectively, I wouldn’t dare buy either. My entire collection of 9 secretary blouses (the remaining 8 pictured below) cost me around $32. If I have to choose between 9 different options for $32 or one blouse for $69 (or even $20 at a store like Forever 21)- it’s not really a fair fight :)

They’re silky and light-weight enough for late summer/early spring and with a cardigan, sweater vest or blazer, they work as a layering piece all winter long. I should probably stop buying them, but I could go for a few more in solid colors- as you can see, I only have one (the silky champagne blouse- all the rest are printed, though it’s hard to see). Maybe black or purple?

Tell me readers, What do you think of this trend? Do you have a favorite among my 9 blouses? What are your style suggestions for this trend? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Remix and Repeat

White Polo- Ralph Lauren (via Marshall’s) ~$20

Multicolored floral Capri- Jones New York Signature (via Goodwill) ~$5

Baby blue skinny belt- Goodwill (no label) ~$1

Rose suede loafers- Talbots (via Goodwill) ~$5

TOTAL COST: Approx. $31

            I have been searching and searching for the perfect pair of floral patterned Capri or crop pants as they are on my wish list. Goodwill and Salvation Army seemed like pretty hopeless options because new trends take a while to make it to thrift stores. However, my mother found this pair in our local Goodwill and I love them. The colors are lovely and vibrant. I’m also so pleased with how many different styling options these Capris give me! I did a quick once-over of my closet and found 6 additional pairings!  I chose to keep the accessories as consistent as possible (although I could have had a blast with different shoes, belts, and accessories) so that the focus is on the Capris and the different top colors and shapes I utilized.

(L-R top, then bottom) 

(Click to enlarge)

This orange (the color didn’t really photograph accurately) v-neck tee as well as the yellow tank top are both casual ways to wear these capris. I also wanted to find a print-on-print option. Print mixing is a true art. I thought that a wide striped top would be an excellent compliment to the random floral of the capris. Using colors found in the capris, I selected this coral and white, and this chartreuse and white tee. I am pleased with the pairing! I’m not sure that any other print, besides a stripe, will work though. Any ideas, readers? I finished up with a popular selection this year- the chambray top. Mine has ruffles (YAY) and a rolled sleeve. I think it the chambray was a bit lighter in color, it would be even more successful. Finally, I did an untucked look (GASP!) with this lilac button up. Even though purple is not in these capris, the tone of this top goes with the tone of the floral.

            Tell me readers, Which pairing is your favorite and what other ideas do you have? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Jellies For Adults

Black tank top with thin white stripes and collar- Ralph Lauren POLO (via Marshall’s) ~$20

Pink, white and black striped skirt- Dana Buchman (via Goodwill) ~$5

Glitter rose earrings- Totally forget, probably Target or Forever 21 ~$3 (possibly?)

Pink jellies- Delia*s ~$20

TOTAL COST: Approx. $48

            I was going for a “retro-housewife” look today. While I am not thrilled with how it looks in the picture, I did get a few compliments from classmates and I thought in person that the prints somehow worked better. This skirt is one I’ve long had from Goodwill. It’s a good length, it's pleated and there is pink in it- a winning combination. I truly wish the black parts of this skirt were navy, as pink, navy and white is another winning color trio in my book. Ah well, for $5, it’s still an excellent deal.

            Are you thinking, “Jellies are being made for adults?!” the answer is yes. I bought these from Delia*s a number of years ago and barely wear them. Why? They are not comfortable for nearly any amount of walking and if your feet sweat even a little, forget about keeping them on at all- it’s like a Slip ‘N Slide. I was headed to class (read: MINIMAL walking), wanted to wear a flat and thought a pink shoe would be nice with this outfit, so here they are! Adult jellies.

Tell me readers, What childhood fashion trend to you miss? Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Mixing Prints

Striped white & black cardigan- H&M ~$25

Chartreuse tank top- Forever 21 ~$7

Black skirt with tiny white polka dots- BRIGG (via Goodwill) ~$6

Florescent chartreuse flower accent- H&M ~$3 for pack of two

Red braided belt- H&M ~$5

Purple double strap Mary Jane’s- Delia*s ~$20 (GIFT)

TOTAL COST: Approximately $66 ($46 w/o cost of shoes)

This outfit was inspired by J’s Everyday Fashions (http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/)  

I consider myself pretty bold, especially when it comes to fashion but I wasn’t sure about mixing prints. Of course I’ve long been following the “rule” wherein one print is to be bolder and one print is to be more subtle, but it’s still a gamble. I was very pleased with how this outfit turned out. It was attention grabbing but for the right reasons. The pops of color added interest but still allowed for the patterns to play lead.

This skirt is one of my favorites. I purchased it at Goodwill a while back, but had no idea then how much of a staple it would become. Because black is a neutral, I can wear it with any color. The print is small enough that I can wear it in a more formal manner or add other pieces to make it more whimsical. Finally, the length and fit of this skirt are perfect. The length is above the knee, but meets the “arms-to-the-side” high school dress code rule. I often struggle with the rule because I have long, lanky arms that make finding such skirts a challenge. Fit is what makes the conservative length more youthful. The skirt is fitted without being skintight and the small vent in the back of the skirt makes it easy to walk and sit down in. 

Tell me readers, Do you mix patterns? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

 Thriftfully Yours,

B