Commentary on Thrifting

I am behind in my blog posting and I have had many good outfits come and go without pictures. I like to take pictures of me actually wearing things; it seems more authentic than just posting a picture of the clothes or adding a polyvore set. So my lack of posting is linked to my lack of photos.

I've taken some time out for thrifting, consignment shop buying and resale store visiting. This activity has got me thinking "what is thrifting?" and how I present the goods I purchase. I don't frequent a lot of different stores but the common theme is that they contain second hand clothing. So, I wonder, how do we define a shop as a thrift shop? Does a consignment store or a resale shop fit into this definition? The online dictionary defines thrifty as: "wise economy in the management of money and other resources; frugality". At all of these stores I pay a fraction of retail (20% or less), so I would consider all of them "thrift shops" where I practice the art of buying fashionable items at a fraction of retail. If you want to call me out on my designation of an item as thrifted when it comes from a consignment or resale shop, go ahead, I'm ready to defend my position.

These are the local shops I frequent, they are located in the town I live or work or are within 10-20 miles:
          

The Key- a church run shop that takes clothing in on consignment and also sells donated clothes.

Worn Again-a church run shop that takes in donated clothing and resells it. (They also have a voucher program where people of need in the community can come and select items for free).

Salvation Army-a full selection thrift store that sells donated items.

Plato's Closet-a franchised resale store for young adults, in general they buy and resell brands that are popular for teens.

The Clothes Mentor- a franchised resale store for women, they buy used items that are up 24 months old.

EcoChic- a consignment store for women's clothing.

Sunshine shop-a church run shop that takes in donated clothing and resells it. 

Encore-a local shop that takes in donated clothing and resells it to donate money back to local symphonic and orchestral groups.

Sandy's Thrift Shop- a women's clothing shop filled with used clothing purchased elsewhere by the owner.


The only place I haven't purchased anything from is Sandy's, the prices are higher than I would pay for the type of merchandise she has selected. I can get those same items at the Salvation Army for a fraction of the price. I totally love that she set up a shop like that in the University town where I teach but, I seriously think she could use me as a consultant or buyer!

I'm really into the Clothes Mentor lately, I find great quality items in brand new condition so I don't mind paying $14 for a J.Crew skirt that retails for $108, or the same for a Tibi dress that retails at around $300.

Love this skirt! Stay tuned for my styling.

I also picked up for $10 a gorgeous Stella and Dot necklace (on left) that retailed for about $200.

I've been to Plato's closet once and came home with unworn black suede Coach wedges, a Longchamp bag and a pair of J.Crew leopard patent leather ballet flats! Not your typical teen brands so I will definitely go back!   

Coach Wedges-$30

Shopping at The Key, trying out a pair of lace shorts, I scored these for four dollars.  Wearing a pair of $1 J. Crew espadrilles purchased at Worn Again.

                                    

So there you have it:  where I get my clothes, what I pay and why I thrift!

Block Heel

A dress, how original...

Another dress, another day to wear my denim jacket, not much new here except the shoe.

Something about the look of this sandal made it feel very fresh and I think it is the block heel. Yes, you read that correctly, I know it probably brings up images of old church ladies but I promise you this is not your Grandma's shoe.

And the little touch of neon doesn't hurt either!

Dress: Prabal Gurung for Target ($2.58!!)
Denim Jacket: Old Navy-thrifted ($4)
Shoes: Tommy Hilfiger-TJ Maxx ($10)

Vintage Style White Dress

This dress had such a vintage quality to the styling, I couldn't pass it up. 

So, I played it up with a wedge and a shot next to my 1940 Chevy vintage pick up truck!

These Stuart Weitzman wedges added to the overall vintage vibe.

Dress: Thrifted

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman-thrifted

Belt: J.Crew

Spring Leather

I decided to ride the leather trend that is peaking now for spring.

This soft, slightly A-line leather skirt was the one that worked for the rainy and chilly day.

I paired it with a cashmere blend short sleeved sweater to lighten the look and bare legs of course!

Pointy toed flats and some necklaces completed things and I was surprised how well it all pulled together into an outfit, I wasn't sure if I would like wearing leather like this, but I do! 

 You just may see more of my leather skirts....

Skirt: Berman's-thrifted
Sweater: Banana Republic-thrifted
Shoes: Sam Edelman-thrifted
Denim Jacket: Old Navy-thrifted
Necklace: thrifted

Sunday Best

I've featured this silk blouse before but, I want to highlight this 100% Merino wool skirt I thrifted:

I wore this to church a few weeks ago and haven't posted the pictures.

As is commonly the case with thrifting, I go home and educate myself on brands I don't recognize but, can tell they are of very good quality. This Wolford skirt can still be purchased for $250, and it is really beautiful (I paid $2). Enough said, go thrift!


Shirt: Madewell-thrifted
Skirt: Wolford-thrifted
Boots: J.Crew-very old (1999)
Sunglasses: Nicole Miller-thrifted
Watch: Michael Kors

Update: My first chemotherapy treatment was on Friday and I am doing pretty well, tired with a bit of nausea. Thank you for all of your prayers and support. I'm told the next few days will be more difficult...until then keeping my spirits up with prayer and rest.

I Heart this Sweater

Who would have thought I'd wear a heart over my heart.

I tend to stay away from anything too trendy or sweet but, I really like the graphic quality of this sweater.

If you look closely, you can see that it is half of a heart but a quick look just gives off a pop of pink and red.

 Paired with this army green cargo jacket and jeans, it doesn't get too sweet or sappy.

Sweater: Mossimo-Target

Jeans: Land's End Canvas-thrifted

Jacket: thrifted

Booties: Sam and Libby

Leopard Pants: Take 2

I love these leopard pants!

When I styled, this time I stayed with a black shirt but accessorized with more casual pieces.

  

I was happy to keep my ankles covered and liked the way these booties and denim jacket gave off a casual vibe.

Shirt: J.Crew

Pants: Merona-Target

Boots: Steve Madden

Jacket: Old Navy- thrifted

Linked up for: 

Pizza Party!!

I wore this outfit out with my husband, daughter and two friends for a Sunday afternoon pizza party. A chambray, striped shirt, jeans, a military inspired blazer and link necklace: how can you go wrong!

I brought the camera along to highlight the joy that comes out of these three little girls, and my husband liked my outfit so he ended up taking photos of it; thanks babe!

 Silly girls!

  

 I threw this outfit together quickly and it worked. Sometimes you hit it just right and pull off something stylish.

Shirt: J.Crew-thrifted

Chambray: F 21-thrifted

Blazer: Lucky Brand-thrifted

Jeans: Joe's (honey fit)

Necklace: J.Crew Factory

Watch: Walmart

Linking up with Penniless Socialite and The Tiny Heart for Look what I got:

And All Things Alisa

Hand knit vest

I found this hand knit vest and knew I had to make it part of my winter wear.

There is just something so special when you pick up a piece in a thrift store (for four dollars, no less) and know it was made by hand. For some reason I often have the notion that I need to rescue these pieces from some untimely demise or neglect.

This sweater vest is just beautifully made and an item I will wear and love as I appreciate the hours that someone put into crafting it!

For me it is a perfect piece of extra warmth without adding the extra bulk of a full sweater.

Vest: thrifted (no label and a hand stitched zipper)

Cords: J.Crew

Work attire?

As you can see these photos were discretely snapped in my office with a tripod and camera. You may question my choice of leather as work appropriate attire but, really, I think the look was smart and stylish.

Let me tell you of the awesomeness of this leather, it is just so beautiful! So Soft! I had to wait six months to wear this since I thrifted it in the summer and I was thrilled to finally wear it.

The yoke front detailing of this pencil skirt gives it such amazing lines and a great fit.

Paired with a tweedy sweater, tasseled necklace, tights and brown boots, I think it totally fits into the category of work attire. Even if it doesn't, I'm still wearing it!

Sweater: local boutique

Shirt: J.Crew tissue Tee

Skirt: thrifted

Necklace: Walmart

Bracelet and earrings: thrifted

Boots: Frye

Winter white

Welcome to November.

No, I didn't get hit from a bird above, that my friends, is snow!

And you can see, from there I took my photo shoot indoors.

I took a nod from a few other gals that were carrying their white crochet and lace into fall by pairing it with black.

 I really liked the way this outfit turned out. The harder edge of the leather bulked up with the sweater contrast well with the sheerness of the skirt.

And boots!

Skirt: Solitude via TJ Maxx

Jacket: JouJou- thrifted

Sweater: super old gift from my brother

Boots: Circa- Joan and David

Linked up with Marion Berry Style Trend of the Month-Boots



Citron and rain

Today it is rainy and not a good day for outfit photos. But, I wore it, so this means I have to photograph the clothes, rain or shine!

I felt a little Aubrey Hepburn in this outfit. And when I say that by no means draw any conclusions that I think I look like her, just quite the opposite: I'm the beast to her waif like beauty.

It's the cropped pants, flats and wide swing style coat that get the comparisons. 

 Enough talk about Audrey Hepburn, the real star of this outfit is the 100% silk boy shirt from Madewell that I thrifted for $2.00.

Shirt: Broadway and Broome (Madewell)-thrifted and still available here.
Pants: J.Crew Minnie
Trench: Larry Levine (old)
Shoes: Ann Taylor Loft (old)
Necklace & Watch: Walmart

Dots on Dots

 I wore more polka dots, what a surprise!

 This outfit came about by accident; I was in a mad panic to pull something together out of my closet. It went something like this: one skirt, then off, another skirt on, now off again, different skirt, same shirt and bam! Now we have it a purple polka dotted shirt with a pencil skirt with purple and black dots. And, I liked the way it looks!

It was probably a bit much for those non-pattern mixing folks out there but, it worked perfectly for me!

I even added a dot themed bracelet!

Skirt: J.Crew

Shirt: Gap-thrifted

Shoes: Sofft

Bracelet: Inspiranza Designs

Watch/bracelet: gift