Literally Literal

Sheer navy floral tank- Liberty for Target (via Goodwill) ~$3.50
Pink shorts- Tommy Hilfiger Outlet ~$25
Pink flower earrings- Forever 21 ~$5 (multipack)
Brown sandals- Target ~$20
TOTAL COST: Approx. $53.50

             I wore this outfit to visit the University of Tennessee Botanical Gardens. Seeing flowers and wearing flowers. I can be extremely childish in my dressing habits. Going to the zoo? Wear something zoo-y. Seeing Arabian Nights? Tunics and harem pants. It's silly, but it's the theater kid in me. I'm certain my excellent (and literal) outfit went unappreciated by fellow floral fanatics, but you, dear readers, will see the thought I put in :)
            This shirt was a long ago Goodwill purchase. It's clearly supposed to be lingerie and I bought it with the intent of using it as a beach cover-up, which is also why I packed it. However, it was very hot the day we were heading to the gardens and it seems like an excellent selection, especially when one also considers the floral print. It's not a very versatile piece but I bought it years before I was more conscious of what I was buying, even for $3.50.
           Tell me readers, Do you ever get creative and use lingerie in your everyday wardrobe? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,
B

50 Classics

White and navy striped t-shirt- Tommy Hilfiger (via Marshalls) ~$15

Navy cotton skort- via Boscov’s ~$10

Map print scarf- Thrifted (no tag) ~$6

Gold slip-ons- Toms Shoes ~(gift, retails for $54)

TOTAL COST: Approx. $31

            I simple, chic look and thought, what better way to accomplish that than to go with preppy classics? My style is flexible, but I do enjoy the classics. All women should build a wardrobe based on their personal tastes, however, I find this list of classics to be pretty helpful. In this picture, I’m working a few of the items- can you spot them?

            Here’s the checklist and a link (http://www.bellechantelle.com/2011/02/50-classics-for-your-closet.html) to a pictorial version. 

           Currently I have 42 items (although some, like the trench or blazer, are variations of the piece rather than what is stated). The missing items I’m currently searching for are: Classic Oxford (in blue) and Black Cigarette Pants.

            Tell me readers, How many items on the list do you have? or Which are you still searching for? 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

Separates Have More Fun

Black, white and red silky tie dress- WD NY (via Goodwill) ~$5

Silver gladiators- Bongo (via TJ Maxx) ~$5

TOTAL COST: Approx. $10

            Ah this dress. Silky to the touch (though not silk) and easy to wear. Only, it doesn’t make for an interesting outfit post. (That’s kind of the thing about dresses. Separates are much more fun!!) I did thrift this dress at a GW a number of years ago, which fits my blog’s mission statement. It’s a little big for me, but it ties in the back so I make it work. I had never heard of WD NY as a brand of clothing and the tag is super boring, but a Google hit reveals that it is a brand sold at Lord & Taylor (no wonder we haven’t crossed paths) and the retail price for dresses is in the $60 range. WOAH! Virtual savings of $55. Do I think this dress is worth $60? NO! Maybe $20- MAYBE! Alright, end rant about over priced clothing. Side note, don’t these gladiators go with everything? What will be my go-to winter shoe?

Tell me readers, Have you ever heard of WD NY? Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Sal-Val Scouting

           Mom and I decided to pop by the local Salvation Army for some thrifting. Our local GW is quite small compared to others I’ve visited, so when we’re really in the mood to search the racks, it is best to hit the Sal Val as it’s at least 3x larger. We did A LOT of picking and trying on. I came out with 6 pieces for a total cost of $23.00. Mom also added a few new pieces to our eBay account (http://tinyurl.com/eBayCraftmom).

            My favorite snag of the day is an item that was on my Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/ladypsychology/) wish list- a removable fur collar for a winter coat. I had pretty much given up on finding one in the stores I visit, so I was perusing Etsy for something well priced that didn’t look like a bad rug. I had found a few nice, real rabbit fur collars and some nice faux’s for anywhere between $15-$30. The price I paid for this little gem…?

$7.50. It’s faux, its lush, it ties at the bottom, it’s excellent. Another item off the Wish List!

             The remaining 5 pieces are all clothing: 2 (more) vintage secretary blouses (black with orange and blue accents {Ship ‘N Shore}, and the red, white and black vertical stripe {Knitmakers}), a Land’s End deep red with white cherry blossom print cardigan, black and white print Ann Taylor tank top, and a white Ann Taylor poppy printed skort. I will admit, I have a serious addiction to tie-neck, secretary blouses. With the addition of these two, I now have 8 of varying sleeve lengths (Perhaps it’s time to stop…). Not all of the pieces I bought are summer season clothes, so you’ll just have to wait to see how I work them into my fall/winter wardrobe. I’m sure the poppy skirt and black and white printed tank will be working their way into some up coming posts! I have a hard time waiting to wear my new pieces. 

Tell me readers, What item of clothing do you have multiples of? Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

~P.S. Check out this thrilling polyester number I tried on. Sadly it didn’t fit (wouldn’t zip up in the back) but I got a picture of it! Mom says its very “Laugh In.” I loved it. Don’t know where I would wear it, but what a piece to have around for parties or a photo shoot!

Virtual Savings

Lilac sleeveless button up- Eddie Bauer (via Goodwill) ~$3.50

Green embroidered chino shorts- J Crew ~$30

Pink flower hair clips- Target ~$4

Brown leather belt- Vintage (from mom)

Green & navy sandals- Lands End ~$10

TOTAL COST: Approx. $47.50

            You may remember this lilac top from my “Heapin Haul” post. Well here it is, all clean and ironed. I love it! It’s in excellent condition- I doubt it was worn more than a hand full of times before it was donated. The fit is great and the style is classic. It seems like this shirt can go with anything- denim, khaki, black, brown, etc.

I always like to check out current pricing on pieces on similar pieces, especially when I find an item to a certain quality. For this top, I hopped on over to the Eddie Bauer website. What did I find? A top like this sells, full price, for $50. Can I say that, although it’s a lovely top, I would never pay $50 for it. Part of the reason I like it is because I got it for such a great price (can’t beat $3.50). Virtual savings of $46.50! That price is partly based on the label but also based on quality. The stitching, detailing and quality of the fabric and buttons is part of what a $50 price tag is based on.

Tell me readers, Do you ever look at comparable prices for your Goodwill snags? Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.net

Thriftfully Yours,

B           

Challenge Accepted!

Ditsy floral tiered dress- Express outlet ~$20

Peacock and blue feather earrings- Forever 21 ~$6

Baby blue vintage skinny belt- no tag (via Goodwill) ~$ .97

Brown sandal- Target ~$20

TOTAL COST: Approx. $46.97

            Recently in the Northeast, we had a horrific heat wave. Beating the heat in a fashionable way can be a challenge, but as Barney Stinson often says: Challenge Accepted! I’ve had this dress for a few years and rarely wear it. The dress is tiered and without a belt, I end up looking slightly like a Christmas tree because I’m pear shaped. My new-to-me baby blue skinny belt was the perfect choice for a pop of color, which breaks up the busy pattern, and gave the silhouette a better shape. What may not be obvious in the photo is that the fabric used is actually a stretchy-mesh, which is highly breathable, making it perfect for hot weather. I wore this dress out to dinner, so I added my feather earrings. I’m not sure if this trend is “over” but I’m not ready to let it go.

Tell me readers, How do you stay cool and fashionable when the weather gets hot? Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

So Bad It's Good

Black scoop neck t-shirt- Old Navy ~$7

Red iris maxi skirt- No tag (via Goodwill) ~$5

Vintage gold pendant necklace- Flea market ~$5

Silver gladiator sandals- Bongo (via TJ Maxx) ~$5

TOTAL COST: Approx. $22

            Dear beautiful vintage skirt- Why are you tagless? I can’t research you and find other pieces who look like you. I can’t locate the shift dress version of you on Etsy. Le sigh. These, dear readers, are the pieces I shop thrift FOR. The rare, the one of a kind, the “it’s so old, it’s new.” These also happen to be love-it-or-hate-it type pieces, or the ever popular, “it’s so bad, it’s good.”

When I saw this skirt, I hoped it would fit and I got lucky. It’s polyester, which means three things: it’s machine washable (awesome), it doesn’t wrinkle (a plus), and it’s not a natural, or breathable fabric (i.e. bad in the heat). I’m not really sure what season it’s meant for, so I intend to pretty much wear it year round. The negative aspect associated with such a piece are factors such as versatility— What else can I wear it with? Additionally, I can’t wear this piece more than once a month (if that) because of its bold appearance. It’s a statement piece. I have a number of pieces like this (also including an abstract spotted leopard pair of skinny pants and a baby blue, cherry blossom and bird printed vintage dress). As an outgoing girl, especially in fashion, these are pieces I’m drawn to naturally. However, one needs balance in her wardrobe and that need for balance leads to the purchase of basics. Basics like this scoop neck black t-shirt. I think they pair well together. The neutral top leaves all the attention of the beautiful print on the skirt.            

Tell me readers, Is this skirt “so bad it’s good” or a unique snag? Inbox or email me your opinion at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Pastel Princess or Easter Egg?

White, frill collar tank- Ann Taylor LOFT outlet ~$20

Purple shorts- Land N Sea (via TJ Maxx) ~$15 

Light green ¾ cardi- No tags (via Goodwill) ~$3.50

Silk scarf- Vera Bradley (gift)

Pink sneakers- Keds ~$20

TOTAL COST: Approx. $58.50

            I want to wear these purple shorts weekly but I have restrained, dear readers, so that you can see more of my wardrobe. That has been a very happy side effect of documenting my outfits- I am wearing much more of my collection. Even with hundreds of choices, I have favorites that I feel pulled to wear again and again. I never know when something I buy, new or thrifted, is going to become a favorite- I mean, I liked it enough to buy it, didn’t I? I hate to boil it down to only a few factors but I assume versatility, wearibility and flexibility are all important to consider. These shorts are definitely all three!

            I look a little like an Easter egg, which I gracefully accept. This isn’t a color palate I wear a lot, I prefer bold or deep colors, so it’s refreshing to pair a few pastels together for a new vibe. Something is missing though— frilly socks that all the little girls wear to church. Do they sell these for adults? I guess I should Google that…

Tell me readers, Do you think wearing multiple pastels automatically makes you look like your fashion inspiration was the Easter bunny? Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Looks Good Standing Up...

Pink button-up dress- Issac Mizrahi for Target (via Goodwill) ~$5

Paisley cardigan (swatch pictured)- J Crew (?) (via Goodwill) ~$3.50

Bow earrings- Forever 21 ~$5 (multipack)

Green faux-suede skinny belt- Target (via Goodwill) ~$1

Brown wedges- Target ~$20

TOTAL COST: Approx. $34.50

            See how good this dress looks standing up? Yeah, I know, such a pity that my hips and the extra small nature of this dress didn’t become better friends. I found it out the hard way, while at school where I’m supposed to be looking professional… Eek. My dressing room routines are going to need to expand to trial sitting. This means I’m now pursuing a replacement of some sort, likely in a solid color, but maybe polka dots.

            The cardigan, although not pictured, is one of my favorite GW snags, which is saying a lot considering the number of pieces currently in my wardrobe from GW is around 100. The tag has been cut out, but the quality of the fabric and buttons leads me to believe it’s a quality brand. The pattern and style make me think J Crew, but who knows! Regardless, it’s a wonderful addition to my (large) cardi collection.

            As my recycled/upcycled/refashioned wardrobe grows, I cannot wait to see how low I can get my outfit costs. This is a good indicator. I’m going hunting tomorrow with my mom, so perhaps I’ll find my replacement dress or a new-to-me vintage gem.

Tell me readers, What are your thoughts on the button-up dress as a trend? Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Heapin' Haul

On my last trip to Goodwill, I had an excellent haul for the menial cost of $27. Did I mention I bought 6 pieces of clothing and two belts? WOWIE! One dress, a grey private school style romper, is not pictured (it’s getting dry cleaned). I’m always so impressed with what I can get for the regular price of ONE new item. As I mentioned before, I am building my belt collection and these two are great additions. The baby blue one is a vintage piece I snagged for 97 cents! I’ve already worn it a handful of times, it’s so versatile! The emerald green faux-suede belt was a new with tags Target belt. Original price? $12.90. Goodwill price? $1.00. Virtual savings of $11.90. HOLLER!

My favorite clothing piece I snagged is definitely this red iris print vintage maxi-skirt. It’s a print that isn’t a pattern, which I find interesting. The black and white print short sleeve secretary blouse is also vintage (tag reads: Ship N Shore). The silk star-print wrap dress is not very versatile seasonally speaking as it has long sleeves but a shorter hem, but I look forward to the perfect opportunity to wear it. Maybe a date?

The lilac button-up is a perfect condition Eddie Bauer. The pink button up collared dress is sadly, a post purchase regret. It looks lovely standing up (I have one outfit post in this dress) but sitting down, it’s a bit too tight and the buttons gape a bit, making it inappropriate to wear out. Luckily I have a more petite friend (My designer friend, Monica- check out her site here http://monicatulay.foliohd.com/) who I’m passing it along to. I have been told that you can make returns to GW but I’m not sure that I would. I either donate it (again) or find a better-suited friend.

Can’t wait to find ways to incorporate these items with my existing closet!

Tell me readers, Ever had a particularly good haul? Tell me about it! Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

No Bras Shall Be Worn

Tropical bird print romper- Department store (sorry, don’t remember) ~$20

Straw cloche- Disneyland ~$25

Orange cummerbund- borrowed from another dress

Silver gladiator sandals- TJ Maxx ~$5

TOTAL COST: Approx. $50

             My apologies, followers, no thrifted items in this outfit. I loved this look too much to leave it out from my blogging. This romper was purchased during my “romper phase” (about 3 summers ago). I loved the print (and the pockets!) so much that I bought it despite its backlessness (see other photo).

A backless romper or dress presents a problem- do I wear a bra? No. Error, error, mayday. NO BRAS SHALL BE WORN. If you’re a busty gal, or just not comfortable going braless, just ignore this daring trend.

Even though I had purchased this piece, I ignored it for the first year almost entirely. It’s taken me time to realize that bold style choices do not have to ruin my life or stop me from changing my later fashion choices. I won’t lie, I do a lot of checking when I wear a piece like this. Am I covered? Am I comfortable? It can be a challenge. But I’m not going to get any younger, and therefore, any more appropriately aged to wear a piece like this. While some pieces, like cardigans and pencil skirts can follow me for years, this romper’s life in my closet is limited and it should be worn now. The outfit served me well for an evening concert in the park- lightweight to combat the heat and the casual setting made the revealing nature of the dress perfectly acceptable.

Tell me readers, Would you ever wear a daring backless romper or dress? Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Bermudas: Two Ways

Outfit #1

White polo- Ralph Lauren (via TJ Maxx) ~$20

Black and white print Bermuda shorts- Old Navy (via Goodwill) ~$5 

Straw cloche- Disneyland Park ~$25

Light blue skinny belt- Vintage (no tag, via Goodwill) ~$ .97

Green slip-ons- Toms Shoes ~$54

TOTAL COST: Approx. $104.97

Outfit #2

Black scoop neck t-shirt- Old Navy ~$7

Black and white print Bermuda shorts- Old Navy (via Goodwill) ~$5 

Silver necklace- Flea market ~$1

Red braided belt- H&M ~$5

Black wedges- TJ Maxx ~$10

TOTAL COST: Approx. $28

Same Bermudas, different outfit AND different price point. What a difference the cost of accessories can make, right? I could really go on and on about this cloche and these shoes, but that would go against the mission statement of this blog- I strive to provide information about the purchasing and styling of thrifty clothing.

These Bermudas, on the other hand, were an excellent deal. I call them my Betty Draper’s. They are versatile despite their bold appearance. In fact, it’s reminding me of Grease with “Sandy 1” and “Sandy 2.” Sandy 1 is conservative and clean cut whereas Sandy 2 is more sexy- tighter outfit and higher shoes.

That light blue skinny belt in outfit one? EXCELLENT find at Goodwill. 97 CENTS for a belt?! That’s unreal. I’ve got to check those belts out more often. For a girl who hates belts- I now have 6 and could use a few more basic ones.

            Tell me readers, Which piece of clothing in your wardrobe do you find to be super versatile? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

 

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Fashion, Fit & the Fourth

Red top with white detailing- Calvin Kline (via Goodwill) ~$3.50

White and gold pencil skirt- JC Penny ~$7 (on sale)

Earrings- Local artisan ~$5

Light blue skinny belt- no tag (Goodwill) ~$ .97

Sandals- Lands End ~$10  Nine West (Via Bon Ton) ~$20

TOTAL COST: Approx. ~$26.47/36.47

            I love dressing with purpose and holidays often provide me with an opportunity to do so. Here’s my not-too-costumey Fourth of July ensemble. This post may be a good time to talk about sizing. I don’t put a lot of stock in women’s sizes. Each manufacturer does it differently and aside from that, the type of garment effects sizing too. For example, a tight, body hugging dress would require a larger size (for me) than would an empire-waisted dress, as I have a more pear-like shape. When shopping, especially true while thrifting, it is more important to look at the garment itself, and don’t get hung up on what the tag says about size. This Calvin Kline top was labeled extra-small, but it looked more like a medium and the print was so excellent that I had to try it. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it takes only a few moments to try something on. So when we look at gain v. loss, it’s a fabulous top to gain, and only a few seconds to lose. This skirt, while not from a thrift store, was so classy and versatile (and cheap! $7 is an excellent deal) that despite it’s Petite sizing, I tried it on- and voila! Instant wardrobe staple.

            You might notice I am wearing a different pair of shoes than I featured in the detail box. A good friend of mine who is also an excellent style blogger, (http://sugarandspicebyavb.blogspot.com/) said that while my outfits are stylish, my shoes are lacking, and recommended my gold heels, so here they are! While we’re talking about SugarSpiceStyle, she is also a talented nail artist (she’s tried tricky techniques like water marbling). I decided to do something patriotic for Independence Day!

            Tell me readers, Have you ever used a holiday to inspire your look? Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Instant Inspiration

White Button-up- Express (via Goodwill) ~$3.50

Denim Bermuda shorts- via JC Penny ~$20

Navy, white and green nautical square scarf- local consignment shop (no tag) ~$6

Pyramid spike post earrings- H&M ~$5 (multipack)

Yellow and brown leather bag- Perry Ellis (via Goodwill) ~$2

Green slip-ons- Toms Shoes (gift, retails for $54)

TOTAL COST: Approx $36.50

            You might remember this shirt from my Wish List post (http://bsgoodwillhunting.tumblr.com/post/26160395305/my-fashion-wist-list)- I really couldn’t wait to wear it and whilst reading Pink Peonies (http://www.thepinkpeonies.com/), I came across this photo:

Instant inspiration! I don’t often try to recreate a photo, but I needed a semi-casual way to wear a white button up shirt and this fit the bill. Of course, I dressed it up with the scarf (Feels so Hampton’s/Ina Garten-y) and today’s photo is the end result.

            Speaking of that scarf, in a previous post where I wore my other newly thrifted scarf as a gigantic hair bow, I mentioned that I had found an excellent graphic on Pinterest (Follow me! http://pinterest.com/ladypsychology/) all about ways to tie triangle scarves and here it is:

(full website link http://vmacandcheese.com/2011/09/20/how-to-tie-a-scarf/#comment-3498)

            Now that I have a few scarves in my collection, I plan on trying out and incorporating all of these styles into my outfits! Can’t wait to share them all with you.

            A note on the other accessories: These are the other earrings I was talking about! They’re understated but different. The purse is one of my few accessory finds from Goodwill. It’s leather, has a snap closure and is highly portable- LOVE IT! And for 2 dollars, what a find!

            Tell me readers, What is your favorite way to wear a scarf? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

The Skinny Cargo

Grey crest t-shirt- J. Crew ~$15 (on sale)

Denim cargo pedal pushers- Ann Taylor LOFT (via Goodwill) ~$7

Brown leather braided belt- Vintage (mother’s)

Ship & map printed triangle scarf- Local consignment shop (no brand) ~$6

Gold chevron slip-on- Toms Shoes (gift, retails for $54)

TOTAL COST: Approx. $28

I don’t wear denim often- not even in the winter. I own quite a few pairs of jeans and the ones I wear the most are two dark-wash skinny-cut pairs. These denim pedal pushers were thrifted at the GW a number of years ago and I barely wore them-in fact, they were in my own donation pile before I had the wherewithal to rescue and keep them until my styling’s were a bit more on the mature side. The fit is great, the wash is dark and the length makes them workable for spring, summer and early fall. They even have these great cargo-style pockets that became significantly more popular after the “skinny cargo” was unleashed upon the fashion public two seasons ago. Ann Taylor LOFT was totally ahead of that trend- who would’ve thought!

While many looks I post here on BGH could be classified as “casual,” this seems even more so, and I attribute it to the denim. The heather grey tee and pedal pushers were alright, but needed something else to make the outfit more attention grabbing- thus the scarf bow. I’m not sure that it was the right choice for this outfit, but when I get something new, I can’t help but feel the intense desire to test it out as soon as possible. This fashion-impulsivity causes me to do some weird things, like wear out of season clothes or mix style genres. This scarf is one of two I recently purchased at a local consignment shop ($6 a piece!) and I am already obsessed with all the ways I intend to tie/wear it. I found an excellent graphic on how to tie square scarves all sorts of interesting ways and I will post it with another entry I’ve got on deck. My fashion muse for this scarf/giant hair bow is the lovely Blair Waldorf (of Gossip Girl, naturally). While I doubt this ensemble en total would be appealing to her, the vintage hair adornment is a classic-Blair.

Tell me readers, Do you take fashion inspiration from a TV/Movie character? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Going Postal

Light blue short sleeved button up- Banana Republic (via Goodwill) ~$5

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

Metallic pointy toed kitten heel- Nine West (via Bon Ton) ~$20

Pearl necklace (gift)

TOTAL COST: Approx. $31

            This outfit has a total clothing cost (excluding accessories) of $11! Would you ever know it? I don’t think so! This shirt was found on one of my most recent excursions to Goodwill and I was thrilled to see the Banana Republic label. Okay, yes, it looked a little “postal service” to me but I know that it’s all about styling! So I took it home, washed and ironed it, and decided that it would pair well with my black polka dot skirt.

            Over time and through lots of practice, I have developed an eye for quality and often find myself picking through the racks and flipping right to well known labels- it’s my super power. Of course, I see plenty of items with good labels that are U-G-L-Y. The visual appearance is also important. Now, I don’t want to come across as a label snob, because it just isn’t true! To me, a label can be important because, for many brands, it is synonymous with quality. The difference between buying a Banana Republic silk skirt at Goodwill for $6 and buying a poly-blend skirt from Old Navy (same parent company!) for $6 is not equivalent. I’d rather pick through the racks at Goodwill for these quality pieces.

            A brief note about the shoes. For this outfit, it would have been easy to wear a black shoe. Black skirt. Black shoe. It makes sense, right? NO WAY! Black shoes would have been way too bold and distracting from the more subtle nature of this preppy outfit. It seems like everyone is so into “the nude shoe” but why wear a shoe that blends in? That’s not my style. A light gold metallic shoe is also a neutral! It pairs well with many colors and keeps the focus on the outfit. (I also have pale legs, so a black shoe would be especially distracting)

Tell me readers, What labels do you swoon over when you find them at thrifty stores? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Matchy-Matchy

Black button-up dress with small floral print- I Heart Ronson (at JC Penny) ~$20

Red braided skinny belt- H&M ~$5

Black, tan and red messenger bag with Aztec stitching- Mossimo{Target} (via Goodwill, NWT) ~$6

Tan sandals- Target ~$20

TOTAL COST: Approx. $51

            What an excellent find this bag was! It’s hard to tell from my small photograph how lovely it is and for all of $6, all I have to say is, THANK YOU to whoever donated it. The strap to the purse is easily adjustable to a wide range of lengths- this makes it easy to go from shoulder bag to cross body bag in seconds. I also like a bag that closes well. This bag closes using a fairly strong magnet/snap system. Easy enough to get into (as the owner) but not too easy. The bag also features a host of inner hiding spots (which I call “comparticles”), which, as a lady, I enjoy! Finally, my favorite feature is the size- not too big, not too small. My prerogative with a purse generally revolves around its ability to hold a bunched up cardigan. I am really beginning to believe that I am part lizard, which means if I’m out of the suns direct rays, I feel the need to cuddle under a blanket. Blankets are not highly portable, but cardigans are. I’ve been carrying this bag for a few days now and I am really pleased with how smooth, silky and real the faux-leather feels. It’s a far cry from the “pleather” of my youth (What’s up 90’s?). As a thrifty lady, I’m all about faux, because it errs on the less expensive side, however, a faux-anything is not worth the reduced price if it looks or feels comically fake. The whole idea of faux (in my opinion) is that it should be passable for the real thing by “walking around society members” (e.g. not connoisseurs of the real deal).

            A note on styling: For many years I’ve been hearing Stacey and Clinton try to help WNTW participants “unlearn” the idea that “matchy-matchy” is bad and unnecessary. Although I don’t go out of my way to match this closely every day, I like the level of coordination in this outfit. The reds in the belt and bag match well, as do the tans in the shoes and bag. Finally, the geometric straps on the sandals pair well with the angular-Aztec inspired stitching on the bag. It may be matchy-matchy, but I think it looks damn good!

            Tell me readers, Do you think this outfit is too “matchy-matchy?” Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

As ever-

Thriftfully Yours,

B

My Fashion Wish List

I started reading J’s Everyday Fashion (http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/) a few months ago and I loved her idea for creating a monthly fashion wish list. For my current and projected job, income, and life pace (not to mention my already enormous wardrobe) it was just not fiscally (or spatially) smart to do a monthly wish list. Instead, I generated a list of fashion basics that I want to locate within the next calendar year. I typed it up in Notes on my iPhone (so I could easily reference it while out thrifting) and I have it here for you all to see below.

I then decided to begin finding photographs that accurately represent what these items will look like- though not necessarily the exact piece I wanted. The night before my last major GW trip, I pinned photos for several list items: black lace up bootie with heel, striped blouse (and other secretary-style blouses), a blue Oxford and a white Oxford. Below is a screen shot from my Wish List board on Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/ladypsychology/)

Maybe I should put things out into the universe more often because the goddesses of GW seriously smiled upon me. I thrifted: 4 secretary-style blouses, one white Oxford, a brand new pair of black lace-up booties, and a Hawaiian themed dress (not pictured). See swatches and snap shots below.

That swatch on the top left is nearly identical to the maroon looking top I had pinned just the day before! (It’s hard to see the pattern on the photo) The white button up is Express brand, barely been worn and fits perfectly. Total cost of this haul? $27. I dare to hypothesize that purchasing that Express Oxford new would have been at least that cost, if not more.

So my suggestion would be 1- Make a list of core pieces you covet & 2- use Pinterest to post photos

            So tell me readers, Ever had a very successful GW or thrifting haul? How many pieces for how much? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Consignment V. Goodwill

Navy & white floral wrap dress- Tommy Hilfiger Outlet (via local consignment shop, NWT) ~$21

Indian penny pendant necklace- Vintage (from grandmother)

Tan sandals- Target ~$20

TOTAL COST: Approx. ~$41

            I was a little unsure about even using this outfit for BGH because, as a total ensemble, it’s on the simple side. However, I figured it would give me an opportunity to talk about my recent experiences in consignment shops.

            My mother and I ventured out in our semi-new city to check out a few consignment shops. I’ve been thrifting pretty regularly at Goodwill but I tend not to hit other thrifty stores, like consignment shops, because they tend to mark up for a product so similar to GW. Of course the prices are still reasonable, especially compared to retail. Many consignment shops have rules about the labels it will accept along with the amount of visible wear an item has. This is helpful to the buyer because it can mean less digging and quality labels.

            BUT (there’s always a but…) for me, thrifting is so much about the hunt. Consignment stores take away that joy for me! Nothing makes me smile quite like finding that vintage, unique, or one of a kind piece at GW (and at a killer price). To be fair, the consignment stores I visited were very reasonable, one was far less than my expectations, price wise, and I was thrilled to snag two vintage scarves. I would recommend a consignment shop to individuals who might feel Goodwill is too far a jump from the regular retail stores she frequents. Consignment shops often have their clothing divided by size, as well as garment type, making it much easier to search.

            This dress was a true snag, even at $21 (when compared to $5 for a dress at GW). It has so many qualities I like in dresses: classic silhouette (wrap dress), timeless color combination (navy and white), fun print (while still mature), good length (even with lanky arm syndrome), & finally, it’s made of some genius material that breathes and doesn’t wrinkle (even after you roll it into a tiny ball and squish it in your suitcase). For all of these reasons, I am already planning on including this dress on next summer’s family trip to Hawaii.

            Tell me readers: Are you more likely to shop consignment or shop at Goodwill (or similar thrift store)? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B