Fashion Inspiration: Carolina Herrera

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

Black cardigan- Old Navy (via Goodwill) ~$3.50

Red iris print maxi skirt- No tag (via Goodwill) ~$4

Pearl necklace (gift)

Black gladiator sandal- Ruff Hewn ~$13

TOTAL COST: $24

            Another random warm day here in the North East. For this outfit, I was inspired by Carolina Herrera. She often pairs a full length skirt with a simple white button up shirt. I added my buttonless cardigan for warmth. I wore this skirt this summer with a simple black tee shirt and couldn’t wait until enough time had passed to wear it again. This time around, I paired it with my white button up. I don’t own much red, but that’s another natural choice for top colors for future wears. I also HAD to break out these sandals again- they’re so comfortable!

Tell me readers, How would you style this loud, statement skirt for fall and winter? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt

Thriftfully Yours,

B

ASAP

Grey v-neck t-shirt- Forever 21 ~$3

Sea creature chino shorts- J Crew (via Goodwill) ~$5

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

White and leather belt- Vintage (from Mom)

Tan sandals- Target ~$20

TOTAL COST ~$34

            When I thrifted these shorts, I knew I had to wear them as soon as possible. Today, they picked me when I was getting ready and I was a bit confused as to what top to pair with them. I know most colors would go well with this brownish mustard colored print, but I went with the very safe grey v-neck you see here. I bought this shirt on deep clearance at Forever21 years ago and I love it. It’s my favorite/lucky shirt. I take it almost everywhere I travel, during all seasons. It’s comfy, it’s neutral and it’s versatile. I’m pleased with the overall look, but want to try again with these shorts. I hope the weather holds out through September so I can wear these shorts again.

Tell me readers, How would you style these shorts? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Tie Dye Traveler

Purple Tie Dye dress- Pink Rose (via TJ Maxx) ~$20

Deer antler necklace- Etsy (gift)

Tan sandals- Target ~$20

Gold belt- Goodwill (no brand) ~$2

Congac leatherette D&G (knock-off) purse ~$20

TOTAL COST: $62

            I love the look of a maxi dress, but I rarely find a good opportunity to wear them (I have 3 total). On this day, I was strolling a city followed by dinner at a nice restaurant. When I saw this dress years ago in TJ’s, I loved the boho vibe that the understated tie-dye gave it. It’s also an excellent length for me (I have long legs). I even attempted appropriate accessories whereas, in the past, I would have thrown on the dress and given up. This necklace is such a great statement piece- I love wearing it but feel as though it should be saved because I never want to be predictable.

Tell me readers, What is your statement jewelry piece? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com
Thriftfully Yours,
B

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

Immediate Yes

Chartreuse tank- Gap Outlet ~$10

Bright pink ¾ cardigan- Gap Outlet ~$20

White and poppy print skort- Ann Taylor LOFT (via Salvation Army) ~$5

Tan sandals- Target ~$20

Deer necklace- Etsy (gift)

TOTAL COST: $55

            I love bright colors and pieces that make a statement- I think that this outfit communicates that idea. This Ann Taylor LOFT poppy print skort (for those of you confused, like my computer’s spell check function, skirt + short= skort) was an immediate yes. Of my 12 Ann Taylor/LOFT pieces, 9 were thrifted. It’s a brand I’ve come to appreciate much more as I get older and my fashion orientation switches from student to professional. Some brands just fit your body right, and Ann Taylor is one of those brands for me. Unfortunately, buying new from them on a regular basis is not an option. I still window shop- in fact, Ann Taylor has been selling these lace shell tanks (see below) for months now and they’re so fabulous, but for $98, I just can’t justify it (not even a little).

    

            I also wanted to share my manicure for the week. It’s OPI Hot & Spicy with China Glaze Fast Track (Hunger Games collection). It went quite well with the orange hues in the skort.

Tell me readers, Do you have a certain brand that fits you the best? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

The Classic Statement

Silk red and black floral blouse- Ann Taylor (via Goodwill) ~$2

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

Dark green skinny belt- Target (via Goodwill) ~$1

Gold pointy toe heels- Nine West (via BonTon) ~$20

TOTAL COST: $30

            I recently took a trip to Tennessee and visited a Goodwill store while I was there. Items were separated men’s and women’s but beyond that- the sorting was lacking. My favorite GW locations are those in which items are sorted by garment type and color. The pricing at this location was also different. The general cost of short sleeve tops was around $2 whereas in my area, they are $3.50. When I saw this pattern and fabric, I knew the brand to be quality. The only down side to silk (especially a printed silk) is that is has to be dry cleaned. I know the long-term value of a piece like this. It’s a classic statement piece, which is my favorite kind of garment. I can’t wait to find other ways to wear it throughout the year.

            Tell me readers, How are your favorite thrift stores set up? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

One Blouse Two Ways

Black printed blouse- Ship N Shore (via Goodwill) ~$3.50

Grey button pencil skirt- Ann Taylor LOFT (via Goodwill) ~ $5

White pants- Ralph Lauren (via Marshall’s) ~$25

Grey pointy flats- Nine West (via Goodwill) ~$5

TOTAL COST:

Outfit One ~$11.50

Outfit Two ~$33.50

            I love finding versatility in my clothes. My plethora of secretary blouses can be worn in both dressy and casual ways. In look one, I paired my blouse with this excellent find, an Ann Taylor LOFT skirt I thrifted. The original buttons were plain so I swapped them out for these beautiful silver crest ones. In the photo, both pieces look like the same color, but there is more definition and separation when you see it in real life. I went for a more relaxed look in my second outfit. I would have never thought to wear them untied until I saw this photo from a favorite blog of mine, Pink Peonies (http://www.thepinkpeonies.com/). 

I also love the white pants with the dark top. This blouse looks plain from far away, so I included a close up of the print. 

It’s an interesting one and I’m not sure what it’s supposed to be, but I love the incorporation of orange and blue as small detail colors.

Tell me readers, Which look do you prefer? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

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

Ebay Highlights

Dear Readers,  

            As you may know, my mother runs an Ebay store (http://tinyurl.com/eBayCraftmom). The main focus of our store is offering quality brands at affordable prices. I wanted to highlight some of the great stuff there right now.  (From top left, moving clockwise)

~These trouser-style gauchos are Banana Republic “Ryan Fit” and they are a size 2. They are a wool blend and feature a cuff at the hem. They are in excellent condition (just need a pressing). Seasonally, they are best for fall or winter with a heel or knee high boot. We are starting the bidding at $20. Banana Republic is currently selling pieces with a similar shape for upwards of $50!! Virtual savings of $30 if you buy from us.

~This Lilly Pulitzer blue gingham skirt is so preppy and whimsical with all-over ice cream cone embroidered details. It is a size 10. Great with a white polo or button up, it’s a classic. Seasonally, best for spring and summer. We are starting the bidding at $18. Lilly Pulitzer is currently selling similar skirts for around $90! Virtual savings of $72 if you buy from us.

~These fuchsia knee-length capris from J. Crew are a beautiful piece. Brightly colored and printed capris are on trend this summer. Great for spring and summer. Pair it with anything from a classic button up or a basic tee. We are starting the biding at $16.99. J Crew is selling similar capris for $60! Virtual savings of around $43 if you buy from us.

~This colorful skirt is by Trina Turk- size 6. The multi-colored stripes are whimsical and fun, perfect for spring and summer. Paired with a tank and statement belt, you’re ready for dinner out! This skirt isn’t even posted yet! You’re getting the insider scoop! We will probably price it around $35. Trina Turk is currently selling skirts for around $150. Virtual savings of $115 if you buy from us! That makes this piece the steal of the lot.

If you want more information, check the website for more detailed descriptions. So go ahead and look! We have a number of other pieces listed including excellent denim and vintage coats. Cash in on virtual savings!

http://tinyurl.com/eBayCraftmom

Happy thrifting, readers.

Thriftfully Yours,

B

The Long & The Short of It

Star print wrap dress- Episode (via Goodwill) ~$5

Gold beaded necklace- Old Navy ~$5

Gold pointy toed heels- Nine West (via Bon-Ton) ~$20

TOTAL COST: Approx. $30

            This is an all silk dress I thrifted recently. Buying an item for me generally means that I find it to be versatile. However, this dress is not. It’s not seasonally diverse. And as a single piece (rather than separates) its overall look can’t be changed too greatly. The pattern and style (a wrap) grabbed me but the strange combination of short hem and long sleeves as well as the “Dry Clean Only” label really made apprehensive. However the mental image of me wearing this dress strolling along Hampton’s beaches in the evening possibly wearing this necklace…

convinced me to buy it. Honestly, for $5, I bought the fantasy.

            I’m going to try and restyle this dress in the winter with black, opaque tights- Interested to see how it goes…

            Tell me readers, How would you restyle this look for other seasons? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

The Star Piece

White and black print tank- Ann Taylor (via Salvation Army) ~ $3.00

Off White cardigan- Vera Wang for Kohl’s  ~$5 (sale)

Black capris- Old Navy ~$10 (sale)

Red braided belt- H&M ~$5

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

TOTAL COST: Approx. $23.00

           

            When I saw this shirt at Salvation Army, I immediately hoped it would be my size. The print really spoke to me- it’s a common design on woven cane chairs and I’ve never seen it printed on any fabric. The collar is a bit different from a regular tank top, which I like- I think it makes it a more special piece. Ann Taylor for a couple of dollars is nearly unthinkable. Salvation Army offers a promo every day of the week. Items are tagged with colored price tags. Each day, a specific color is 50% off and every Wednesday, all items are 50% off. This shirt was purchased on a day when pink tags were 50% off.

            A note on styling: I generally do not wear so much black and white in one outfit, however, I felt this shirt was more likely to be the “star” piece if I wore understated bottoms. I actually wish I’d had a white belt when I put this together, but alas- red belt.

            Tell me readers, What do you do to make one piece pop in an outfit? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

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

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

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

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