The Striped Oxford (Casually)

            I have around 20 button-up shirts (not including all those secretary blouses, see HERE) so I’m always looking for new ways to wear them. So far, I’ve tried wearing them over turtlenecks (HERE) and under sweaters (HERE). For me, the button up shirt is synonymous with office attire. I’ve worn button ups with dressy trousers and skirts.

            This striped Ralph Lauren top with Peter Pan collar is a piece I recently thrifted and couldn’t wait to style it. A button up with jeans isn’t some great fashion revelation, certainly. However, it is new for me! I love how each piece balances the other, stylistically. I used the same concept of balance with the accessories—a pearl necklace and cowboy style boots.

See how else I wore these dark wash skinny jeans HERE and HERE

Thriftfully Yours,

B

LBD

Collarless tweed jacket- Focus 2000 (via Salvation Army) ~$6

LBD- Ann Taylor LOFT (via Goodwill) ~$5

Gold strand necklaces- Consignment ~$6 (for 2)

Paisley tights (gift)

Purple mary-jane shoe- Delias (gift)

TOTAL: $17

            This outfit is a great example of how tiny modification to “good” thrifted/consigned/vintage items can make them classics. I already blogged about the haircut I gave the fringe on this collarless jacket after buying it, but I’m not sure that I mentioned this dress. It is one of my first pieces from the LOFT (thrifted of course) and it fit SO PERFECTLY (and an appropriate length!) that I overlooked the fluted sleeve.

 It wasn’t terrible in its original state, but its seasonal versatility was low. I couldn’t put a jacket or cardigan over it because of the sleeve volume, so I decided to do some 101 level alternations. I used a tiny pair of scissors to cut the thread holding the fluted sleeve to the regular sleeve. I then hand sewed the sleeve. It is now a very classic LBD! It was the perfect basic dress so I could feature my new jacket.

Tell me readers, Do you ever do basic alternations to your clothes? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Back to the Mid-Atlantic

Well, Readers, I am back form vacation- and can I say "BURRRR!" I totally did not plan to come back to cold weather (it was warm when we left!) so my return outfit was totally laughable- I can't even talk about how BAD it was.
Now that I'm back to fall weather, I can post this lovely outfit from before my trip! Enjoy.

Red and navy rugby shirt- Chaps (via Junior League) ~$3

Dark wash skinny jeans- Forever21 (via Consignment) ~$6

Sunglasses- Wet Seal ~$3

White and leather belt- Vintage (mom’s)

Pearls- gift

Lace-up boots- Target ~$20

TOTAL: $32

            I wore this to a large outdoor fair for dogs. I knew I’d need to help wrangle my big furry puppy, so I wanted something that was simple and not fussy. My recently purchased (children’s) rugby top seemed to be a great choice. Paired with skinny jeans and my adventure boots (or granny boots if you ask Mom), I was concerned it would look to masculine. I decided to add pearls and keep my hair down. Do you think I accomplished that? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com  or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Jump Back

Periwinkle top- Banana Republic (via Junior League) ~$ .10

Navy and white pin stripe shorts- Gap ~$20

Gold strand necklaces- Consignment ~$6 (for 2)

White and leather belt- Vintage (from mom)

Black gladiator sandals- Ruff Hewn ~$13 (on sale)

TOTAL COST: $39.10

            It’s September. That means that warm or even hot days should be appreciated. I always have to remind myself not to rush into my fall wardrobe too soon because by November, I’ll be a little tired of it. Today was hot, so I jumped back into shorts and a tank. This top was purchased at my Dollar Dash jaunt at the local Junior League- Banana Republic? for around TEN CENTS? Yeah, I was pleased. It’s a great color that refused to photograph accurately, so I apologize. I always struggle to style these shorts (they are a very thin navy and white pin stripe), so I end up ignoring them most of the summer. They’re great quality- produced by Gap, so I know they’ll last me. I normally don’t to blues with blacks, but I love these sandals so much I’m wearing them as much as possible. In the fall, I try to stay away from sandals because my toes get cold easily (and I miss my UGG boots).

Tell me readers, Are you having a hot or cool fall so far? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Preppy Pineapple

Striped Pineapple tank- J Crew (via a store in OBX) ~$15 (old)

Khaki chinos- J Crew (via Salvation Army) $3

Red braided belt- H&M ~$5

Tan sandals- Target ~$20

TOTAL COST: $43

            Oh J. Crew- how I love thee, but NOT your in store pricing! AH! Of course the J Crew outlet exists, but did you know that the merchandise is not “leftovers” but a totally different line that is made of lower quality material? Yeah. Sad days. I love outlets because I love deals, but I do not love this system. I would much rather pour over rack after rack at Goodwill or Salvation Army to find the great deal. It’s so rewarding. Like these shorts, for example. I found these on a 50% off Wednesday at SalVal and hoped they’d fit. They’re a bit longer than I usually wear, but still shorter than a Bermuda cut, so I don’t consider them too “mature” for me. This tank top is a favorite of mine, but how often can one wear a sequined striped pineapple top? Not very often. Wish I had it in watermelon… But pineapple is such a great looking fruit.

Tell me readers, What do you think is the most interesting looking fruit? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt

Thriftfully Yours, B

Current Consignment

            As I have mentioned before, one of my thrifting rules is to purchase pieces that are of high quality rather than simply buying cheap/inexpensive pieces. On my latest trip to a local consignment store, I was a rule breaker (partially). I picked up this Ralph Lauren rugby shirt (which was on my fall wish list) and it is a rule following piece. 

Ralph Lauren is an EXCELLENT quality brand and for $10, this was a great find. I was a little bad following the discovery of the rugby top. I found two pairs of dark wash skinny jeans that fit perfectly. So you’re asking, “What’s the problem? Dark wash is classic. Skinny silhouette works for your figure. Good fitting jeans are hard to find and if you bought them at a consignment store, they were probably a good deal!” Well reader, you are right on all counts but what you have not addressed is the brand. 

These brands (Papaya and Forever 21) are only worth about $20 or less new (I thirfted mine for $4.50 & $6) and are not quality brands. However, all those other positive attributes outweighed the negative. Finding denim with a good fit is a challenge for most women and therefore I make a lot of exceptions with jeans.

            I find that trendy items pop up much more often in consignment stores compared to Goodwill. Perhaps this is because people have purchased these items more recently and are not willing to freely donate them and would rather make a few bucks by consigning. This consignment store has a Juniors section in addition to the women’s section. The brand separation mostly makes sense with brands like J Crew, J Jill, Banana Republic or Ann Taylor on the women’s side and Hollister, Aero, American Eagle or Abercrombie in the juniors section. However, Gap and Old Navy, two brands that I like, were mostly on the juniors side so I made sure to check that out as well. While I was perusing the jeans selection, I came across some very good brands like 7 for All Mankind, Lucky Brand, and Joe’s Jeans. Unfortunately, they were not my style, color or cut, so I passed.

Tell me readers, What brand of jeans fit YOU best? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Dollar Dash

          

          Recently, our local Junior League had its semiannual Fill a Bag for $1 to clear out old spring/summer merchandise and make way for the first wave of fall/winter wear. Of course, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to see what I could snag for a buck so I went over close to the beginning of the event, hoping for a better pool from which to pick. However, 4 days prior to the bag sale, the store offers 50% followed by 75% off all items, so when you get to dollar bag day, it’s just the dregs left. Overall, I am pleased with my haul. I snagged 4 pieces for myself and a few others for the shop. Here are my haul highlights: Gap navy & white striped crew neck tee, Cable & Gauge multicolored circle tank, lavender Lands’ End pullover, and a paisley button front dress by Too-She-She.

Tell me readers, What fall items are you hoping make their way into your thrift stores? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

PS Yesterday was National Thrift Day, hope you celebrated by thrifting a great new piece for your wardrobe.