The Oxford Shoe

 

            I’ve long been pining over the oxford shoe—but without a lot of inspiration on how to wear them, I stopped looking for a new pair. Of course, as it often happens, when you stop looking for something is when you find it. I came across this all leather pair at Salvation Army recently and scooped them up. They look like they’ve barely been worn which is another bonus.

            Because these shoes remind me of men’s wear, I selected other masculine pieces to go along with them. To give the shoes high visibility, I paired then with my skinny OP cords. For a pop of color, I picked my Brooks Brothers plaid shirt. I’ve been wearing button up shirts nearly every day and I’m constantly looking for new ways to wear them. I’m doing a series on ways to wear the button up shirt (see it HERE and HERE) but “with a sweater vest” wasn’t on that original list.

See how else I wore this plaid button up HERE

Thriftfully Yours,

B

How to Wear a Button Up: Knotted

Last Monday, I started a series of posts that will feature different ways to wear a button up shirt. The idea came from an image created by Lauren of My Closet in Sketches. In post number 1, wore my button up with a turtleneck and a statement necklace.

Today’s post features this image from Lauren’s drawing:

            Selecting the Proper Pieces: I needed a button up (obviously) but which one? My collection is pretty expansive these days and I couldn’t decide. I have far fewer high waisted skirts, so I started there. My blue pleated tennis skirt seemed perfect for this concept. After I selected that, it was far easier to pick out a top. My blue gingham Lands’ End button up  was found by my mother at a church rummage sale cost around 20 cents! I LOVE it and have already worn it (see that HERE). This blouse was selected because I liked the idea of a monochromatic look. 

Here's how my rendition turned out

You don’t have to pull my leg to pop a collar or roll the sleeves of a button up, but knotting it? I’m still a novice knotter. I did try it once before HERE and I was pleased with the result. Pairing the knotted button up with a high waisted skirt truly is the ideal match. It takes away that awkward “midriff bearing” possibility and allows for the perfect long leg proportion.

Stay tuned, dear readers—next Monday you will get the next installment!

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Thrifty Threads: A Salvation Army Shopping Review

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            Another fruitful trip to Sal Val! I purchased accessories, a pair of shoes and 4 garments for $17. 

Heart Hat Pin $1

I plan to wear this as a lapel pin. For a buck, I figured, why not?

Cluster Pearl Earrings $ .50

Loved these! Different than the standard pearl earring. 

Picasso Black Oxford Shoes $3

I’ve been toying around with the idea of buying Oxfords and when I came across these for a mere $3, how could I say no? They fit nicely and make my giant feet look tiny—a true skill! 

LL Bean Blue Fair Isle Sweater $3

After seeing blogs like What I Wore, Atlantic Pacific and Classy Girls… feature this style of Fair Isle, I was more than inspired to find one of my own. This vintage LL Bean wool sweater fits the bill perfectly and for just $3, I can only imagine my virtual savings is well over $50! What a great find.

Darlyn Abstract Pleated Tennis Skirt $2.50

I recently thrifted THIS other tennis skirt and LOVED it! I’m looking to add to the collection and this abstract printed skirt caught my eye. Probably won’t style this one til Spring.

Signature by Larry Levine Black Brocade Pencil Skirt $3

Okay, readers. I’m now at my max for black skirts (except maybe for a black leather one…). I loved the black on black brocade and the length is perfect- just above the knee. Can’t wait to style this ASAP!

Express “Stylist” Khaki Pants $4

Because I can only wear pants at my internship, I’ve been pouring over the racks of trousers a bit more extensively. These pants by Express are that perfect shade of khaki that I can never seem to find and fit perfectly. They’ll be getting a lot of wear. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember, I'm on twitter (BsGoodwillHunt) and Instagram (BsGoodwillHunting) so check me out!

Thriftfully Yours, 

B

Thrifty Threads: A Salvation Army Shopping Review

            I never tire of going for a hunt at Salvation Army on a 50% off Wednesday! I have snapped up so many treasures for amazing prices and this week was not any different! I snagged 7 treasures, mostly basics, that I can’t wait to integrate into my wardrobe!

 

1. Button Ups

Tommy Hilfiger White Button Up ($3)

For such a staple piece, white button up shirts are hard to find thrifting. This one is in perfect condition- either barely worn or perfectly cared for. It’s perfect for layering under sweaters for winter and I’ll wear it solo for spring.

Lands’ End Purple Gingham Button Up ($5)

With a little tailoring, this shirt is going to be a wonderful addition to my closet. I recently found another gingham shirt (blue and white) at a church rummage sale for TWENTY CENTS and now I’m hooked on this print. 

2. Long Sleeve Tops

J Crew Black Long Sleeve Top ($2)

I don’t wear black too often, but it is a requirement of my restaurant side-job. This long sleeve top has great detailing. It’s hard t see in this photo, but it has some tuxedo tucking details around the neckline. For $2, it’s hard to pass up any piece by J Crew.

Mossimo Green Sweater Turtleneck ($2)

I’m a recent convert to the turtleneck and this cozy sweater version is perfect for the chilly temps we’re experiencing in the Northeast. I think it has great versatility- I wore it with a skirt for Thanksgiving and I plan on pairing it with jeans for a more casual look. 

3. Stripes

Banana Republic Navy and White Striped ¾ Sleeve Top ($5)

I have versions of this top in short and long sleeved versions. What can I say? Can’t go wrong with navy and white stripes!

Liz Claiborne Cream and Gold Striped ¾ Sleeve Top ($2.50)

More stripes. I loved the shiny, metallic stripes on this top. It looks a little boxy in this photo, but the fit is nice.

 

4. Floral Shift

Talbots Floral Shift Dress ($2.50)

Someone must have been delirious while tagging this dress- $5 for a Talbots dress? SalVal seems to have some awareness of brand prestige, especially with dresses and prices according. So even by thrift store pricing standards, the price is ridiculously cheap. I certainly don’t need another dress for spring and summer but this one is a bit different than the ones I presently have. The neckline is pretty conservative as is the hemline. It also screams Classy Girls Wear Pearls (a favorite blog of mine). 

Hope you enjoyed this weeks finds! Have ideas about interesting ways to style these pieces? Contact me! Comment, email me (BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com) or tweet me at (BsGoodwillHunt)

Thriftfully Yours, 

B

A Night in the Topics: Part I

  

            This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go back in time. I attended a dinner dance at a local ballroom where little in the way of décor has changed since its opening sometime in the 1900’s.

 Many of my fellow attendees were retirement age couples who seemed excited to get dressed up, enjoy a nice meal, and hit the dance floor.

            The theme of the evening was “A Night in the Tropics.” As a “theatre person” I love a chance to wear a costume—or in this case, to subscribe to the theme. This dress, a special piece released by H&M this summer, seemed to be a great choice. 

The color and print seemed appropriate for the theme. I easily selected my faux-tortoise necklace as my standout accessory and my outfit was complete!

Tell me readers, Would you wear this dress from H&M? Comment, email me (BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com) or tweet me (BsGoodwillHunt)

Thriftfully Yours,

B 

A Little Bit Country

 

           Something about a ditsy floral, brown leather boots and a deer necklace say “country” to me. I’m not a big country music fan (except T. Swift--obvs), but I never pass up an opportunity to try out a new genre of dress. I find many country stars dress with class and often look very glamorous. 

I thrifted these floral culottes recently and decided to style them casually. I chose a classic black top and grey leggings, which allowed the floral to pop so much more. The stand out accessory is definitely my antlered deer necklace. By pairing it with the plain black top, it gets all the attention it deserves— it certainly is a conversation starter! 

This outfit is but a small toe dipped into country waters but I would consider venturing further. Doing so would require the staple country piece, one which has long been on my Hunt List, the cowboy boot. I love all boots, and fall/winter is certainly the time to wear them.

Tell me readers, Would you rock a country-inspired look? Comment, email me (BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com) or tweet me (BsGoodwillHunt)

Thriftfully Yours,

B

How to: Dot on Dot

        The second I thrifted this blouse, I knew I wanted to wear it with even more polka dots, but how? The polka dots on the blouse are relatively small and dense. To help lessen the visual impact of the busy blouse, I selected a sweater in a different color with larger and less dense polka dots. The idea behind successful pattern mixing (or double pattern, in this case) is to find the balance. (Check out my last entry on Pattern Mixing).      
          The pattern of the season certainly seems to be the polka dot. When I consider the way the fashion-conscious community has embraced the trend, I cannot imagine polka dots disappearing from garments any time soon. Another huge trend, particularly among bloggers, has been pattern mixing. In this post I’ve mixed both (sort of) into my outfit.

       

Tell me readers, Would you rock a double pattern? Comment, email me (BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com) or tweet me (BsGoodwillHunt)

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Fancy Plaid

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In my last post, I discussed how the versatility of pieces is important. Since I started reading fashion blogs regularly, my fashion inspiration and my ideas for remixing have increased ten fold. I would never have thought to wear my plaid button up over a turtle neck until the beautiful Blair over at Atlantic Pacific posted this photo.

            I thrifted my plaid blouse about a year ago. It’s a vintage Brooks Brothers piece. When I picked it up, I figured I’d wear it casually with jeans or under a sweater. Once I saw this picture, I could not wait to dress it up. I love increasing the flexibility of a piece- Thanks Blair!

Tell me readers, Would you wear plaid in a fancy outfit? Comment, email me (BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com) or tweet me (BsGoodwillHunt)

Thriftfully Yours,

B

PS- See that amazing cluster necklace in the inspiration photo? I found a great dupe on Etsy that I’m asking Santa to give me for Christmas 

Versatility

 

           

           I’m always looking for more ways to wear a piece. The more flexible it is, the more value it has in my wardrobe. I will rarely repeat an outfit exactly because I love remixing.  A top that “only looks good” with one skirt is a waste of very precious real estate, i.e. my CLOSET. Therefore, when I go shopping, I cannot simply consider liking or attraction to the piece. If I can’t image 3+ ways to wear a piece, it’s a much harder sell. 

            Consider this top. I have a multitude of secretary blouses so I don’t want to repeat the same look every time I decide to wear one. I have shown this style of blouse worn with skirts, pants and now under a jumper. The feel of the look is also changed by tying the blouse or leaving it loose. If it were warmer, I would even consider rolling the sleeves for a different look. 

Tell me readers, Do you consider the versatility of a piece when shopping? Comment, email me (BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com) or tweet me (BsGoodwillHunt).

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Secondhand Shoes?!

As a kid, I would carefully prepare outfits mirroring colors throughout. I was very “matchy matchy.” Black shoes, purple tights, black skirt, purple top, black hair bow- yeah, that intense. Over time, my sense of fashion pairings has evolved, but I still love putting together outfits based on color. I pulled this blouse out and quickly selected the black skirt and red shoes to match the stripes in the top. Visually, I think the solid neutral bottom is a good balance to the visually stimulating top.

It’s been a while since I posted an outfit entirely from thrift store finds. This is generally a challenge because of shoes which is probably one of the items the general population would feel weird buying second hand. Honestly, I’m not a germaphobic person. My real thought is “Do I want to own suede shoes that are preppy and amazing and would retail for around $90 or not?”

For six bucks, I purchased what are easily the nicest shoes I own (okay, maybe my UGGs are really the nicest). The quality is high (good materials) and the signs of wear were minimal, which is hard to find with second hand shoes. These were clearly taken care of. If you’ve ever owned something suede, you know how even a light drizzle can ruin it. 

Tell me readers, Would you rock this matchy matchy look? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunt@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt

Thrifty Threads: A Salvation Army Shopping Review

Hello Readers! Last Wednesday, I ventured out to our local Salvation Army for Family Day. It’s been quite a while since I shopped at a SalVal- the last time I went was early October and that was in a neighboring town. Being a dedicated thrifter means shopping frequently because, as you can imagine, the inventory shifts frequently. I scored 5 pieces for $22.50. 

-Yellow Ann Carson Collarless Tweed Jacket ($8) I loved this classic, preppy “lunch at the club” jacket. I thought the bow was really…tacky? juvenile? Regardless, I realized the ties were stitched on in a manner that would allow them to be easily removed- a little handiwork and voila! I fixed it myself with little more than bathroom scissors. Here are the before and after photos.

-Navy Blue Career Guild Blazer ($4) Here is a classic piece for my long term wardrobe. This blazer is in perfect condition and it is 100% wool. I realized this wardrobe standard was noticeably lacking in my existing closet, so I snagged this beautiful staple piece.

-Floral Forever 21 Culottes ($5) This garment looks so sad on a hanger, I promise they are better on! I plan to wear them with opaque black tights for fall and winter and transition them to spring and summer later.

-Beach Front Print Old Navy Skirt ($2.50) I fell in love with the print before I saw the tag. Generally, Old Navy is not a brand I would go for while thrifting, since part of the draw for me is buying quality pieces that would normally be too expensive for me at retail prices. I don’t necessarily see this skirt as a “fall piece” but I may wear it once before it goes in the out of season bin.

-Vintage Red Pencil Skirt ($3) This skirt has no tag (apart from a size), no label, no washing instructions, no clues to the maker. I am always looking for basic pieces in solid colors (I own too many prints) and I thought red would go well with many of my secretary blouses.

I’m still waiting for the haul when I follow my own fashion rules (high quality and seasonal) but until then, I’ll continue to build my perfect wardrobe a few pieces at a time.

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Weekend Wishes: Part II

Hello Readers! Weekend Wishes is back with our second installment of all the staple pieces I am searching for this year for fall and winter. Last week I included gingham oxfords, scarf print blouses, plaid shirts, RL Oxfords and the school boy blazer- Check out the full post HERE.

This week, I will cover bottoms and outerwear. Off we go!

1. The Leather (or Leatherette) Skirt

I showed this photo from NY & Co a few weekends ago on weekend watch. In fashion, I love playing with textures and opposites (hard/soft, dressy/casual, etc) and I think the edition of a leather pencil skirt would be perfect for that. 

2. Patterned Pants

Not sure how much wear I’ll get out of this type of piece- but it’s hard to resist a trend this fun! I bought a pair of snow leopard printed jeans a few years ago and love them to bits. They definitely need rest between wears- it’s probably time to integrate a new pattern… Polka dots? Camo? 

 

3. The Skinny Trouser

Here is a trend I cannot wait to hop all over. I love skinny jeans and leggings (don’t hate) so I can’t wait to bring this trend into work wear. Both of these examples are from the Gap. Because trends like this don’t tend to hit thrift stores for a while this may be a piece I need to buy new. 

4. The Quilted Vest

Someone put together this fun graphic of J Crew vests and I loved it. The quilted vest is perfect for fall and winter. My ideal vest is a “fun” color and not too bulky, so it could be worn indoors without too much discomfort. Sort of on the fence between a zipper or snaps…

5. The Puffer Jacket

This (awful) trend refuses to die. I really am not a fan of puffer jackets. I bought one in JUNIOR HIGH (because they were trendy) that I still wear for playing in the snow… I mean shoveling snow. It’s really bulky and an offensive light blue color. This replacement from American Eagle is considerably more fashionable. I’ve had great success buying coats from them at the mid to end of the season on clearance. Here’s hoping!

6. The Text Sweatshirt

I believe the first time I saw this style in the fashion realm was on my favorite up-scale fashion blogs, Atlantic-Pacific. Blair was rocking the “Crème de la Crème” sweatshirt and I was totally swept up in the trend. Since then, I’ve seen many more text-centric prints on sweatshirts. I asked for the Pardon my French one pictured (by Forever21) for Christmas- fingers crossed. 

There you have it! The 11 key items I’m searching for for fall and winter.

Tell me readers, What are you hunting for? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt

Thriftfully Yours,

B

The Capri Suit

             

           A while back on Veronika’s Blushing, I saw a great photo of V wearing her skinny black capris as part of a suit. 

I thought it was so chic and a fun twist on the boring, traditional pants suit. I had every I needed already in my closet, but I would’ve never thought to wear them together. 

           I thrifted this blazer years ago and held onto it because I knew one day, I would need more professional clothing. The retail price for an Express brand blazer like this would be more than $50 and I snagged this one for just $7. To keep it from looking too masculine, I used pink as my accent color.

Tell me readers, How do you style a suit? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Halloweeny

Coral chunky cardigan- American Eagle (via Goodwill) ~$4

Black and white striped dress- Old Navy ~$25

Black leggings- Department Store ~$4

White Bubble Necklace- JEWELIQ (gift)

Pyramid earrings- Forever 21/Target (? not sure, prob around $4 for the pair)

Black knee high boot- (gift)

TOTAL COST: $37

            I have some very strong rules about color pairings. One of these rules pertains to this color combo: Black and Orange. For me, these colors are only appropriate around or on Halloween. I broke out my ON black and white striped dress for the occasion. I’ve been so excited to transition these dresses (I loved them so much, I bought two {the other is red and navy blue}) into fall and winter by pairing them with tights or leggings and boots. I’m already planning my next wearing of this dress (in a month or too, as to be fair to all my other pieces)!

Tell me readers, Do you wear black and orange together all times of year? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet BsGoodwillHunt

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Risky Business

Hello Readers! Welcome to a Special Edition, night time post on B's Goodwill Hunting!
I wanted to share my costume with you. I borrowed the shirt and socks from my brother, owned white shorts and purchased the wayfarer sunglasses from a Five Below for $4.
A thrifty costume indeed!

Thriftfully Yours,
B

Bobby Soxer

Peach V-neck sweater- Ralph Lauren (via Goodwill) ~$3.50

Dark was skinny jeans- Papaya (via Consignment) ~$4.50

Lady bug earrings- JEWELIQ (complementary gift with purchase)

Blue and white floral scarf- No tag (via Goodwill) ~$1

Pink shoes- Keds (old)

TOTAL COST: $10

            Here is a “costume-inspired” outfit for Halloween. I paired my RL vintage sweater with slim leg jeans for a classic retro look. I accessorized with fun ladybug earrings, a neck scarf and simple Ked sneakers. I thrifted this sweater quite awhile ago and although I like it (and the brand quality), this is it’s final wearing. Goodbye sweater! You’re on to bigger and better things.

            Is it weird that I wore this outfit a while ago (i.e. not on Halloween)? I figured it would be more appropriate for Halloween than any other outfit I have on stand-by.

Tell me readers, Is an outfit like this too costume-y for everyday wear? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt

Thriftfully Yours,

B

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

The Fall Short

Purple striped top- Gap Outlet ~$20

White leatherette jacket- Boscov’s ~$25

Black wool shorts- Charlotte Russe ~$10

Patterned tights- Target ~$7

Sunglasses- Wet Seal ~$3

Bubble necklace- JEWELIQ (gift)

Grey socks- UO (gift)

Cognac boots- Rack Room Shoes ~$20 (on sale)

TOTAL COST: $85

            I have long loved the fall/winter short. As a kid I had this great red tweed suit from Hartstrings that was shorts and a blazer. All you need is a pair of great tights. These are not my summer shorts- the shorts I wear in fall and winter are heavier material, generally wool. They are too hot for summer. In this outfit, I styled them in a very casual, funky way. I would easily pair them with a more opaque pair of tights and a black blazer for a more professional look. I have a brown pair I thrifted that I plan on styling with my new navy blazer- keep your eyes peeled!

Tell me readers, Do you rock shorts in fall? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt

Thriftfully Yours,

B