3 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Turquoise velveteen blazer: thrifted
- Gray nursing cami: Target
- Gray skinnies: thrifted, skinnied by me
- Pointy toe pumps: Target
- Leaf pendant: Polli, gift from husband
End Notes:
This jacket is one of my favorite thrifted pieces ever. Not only is it a fantastic fit and a fun color, it has elbow patches. I’m keeping things from looking too stodgy and professorial with my favorite skinnies and pointy toe pumps.
Although it was thrifted a couple of years ago and was new-in-stores who knows how many years before that, this blazer manages to reference a couple of current fall trends, brights and menswear. The always fabulous Sal of Already Pretty had a great piece this past spring about thrifting for trends as a means of tempering spending on fleeting fads. Now that I’ve done my fall closet reassessment, I’m ready to go thrifting for some trendy bits! Surely there is some plaid waiting for me. And thrift-store pricing may be just the sugar coating I need to step out of my comfort zone and finally try some leopard print.
Have you been successful in thrifting for current trends? What great finds have you landed? Any tips for a relative novice?
3 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.
I love the gray and turquoise together! I just picked up a plaid flannel shirt which harks back to nineties seattle grunge, which I love, though I’m not sure how I’d work it in with more classic pieces.
If you get one, I’d love to see how you wear it–you do such great things with color!
Now THAT is a fantastic blazer! Thanks for the shout-out, E, and just so’s you know, I attribute my ever-growing blazer collection to YOUR influence! All thrifted, of course.
That’s a great blazer!
Lately, I’ve had a lot less success thrifting than I used to. :( I think it’s because so many more people are shopping at their local Goodwill because of the economy. I also theorize that people are buying fewer items of clothing in general, so there are less instances of someone making a purchase, wearing something a couple of times, it sitting in the closet for 6 months, and then finally making it to Goodwill.
Love that color on you, the blazer is fantastic!
I want gray skinnies from seeing them on you! Looks fabulous =)
The charity shops here in Oxford (the equivalent of thrift shops, I think?) are pretty dismal because Oxford is a relatively small town and since the recession they have been picked clean but have had a dramatic fall-off in donations. On the other hand, people are quicker to list on Ebay, so I have done quite well there, especially for the baby – LOTS of Baby Boden stuff on ebay.
I finally got a belt last week too! Boden, double belt, brown leather, hips rather than waist and just £5!
I live in Chicago and thus have many options for thrifting. I’ve had much luck in the resale stores and Goodwills in the nicer parts of town. I never buy anything that isn’t in absolute perfect shape. For example, I’ll buy pants that need to be hemmed but never something that is stained or not quite right. I have very small feet and have also had a lot of success with shoes, but that might be pure dumb luck. I’d also say that if you’re going to rely mostly on thrifting for clothes, pick a few stores that are pretty reliable and make friends with the sales associates. Find out the day/time of day that they put out the new stuff and show up then if possible. Also, don’t go with a specific piece in mind because you’ll never find it. Keep your eyes out for good stuff and hope for the best. Patience is key.
Love love the color of that blazer. You all talk about pops of color, but I’d say this is more of a boom! of that vibrant turquoise. What a wonderful way to usher in the colder weather!
As for the thrifting question- for me, accessories are the easiest thing to find, especially hats. They are an inexpensive way to give an outfit a great vintage vibe without having to alter clothing (something I certainly don’t know how to do.)I wash what can be washed, and put in a new lining if necessary. Costume jewelery is also easy and fun.
i went to the thrift store last week looking for a few items, including jeans to skinny (inspired by you guys). lo and behold, i found pair of when seem to be new, already-skinny jeans–they fit me perfectly! i’m wearing them for the first time today and i’m thrilled.
I adore the color of that blazer!
Love love LOVE this look!
That blazer! What a find! I love how it’s a smart, feminine twist on a traditionally male garment. Seems to sum up what you ladies are all about.
I’ve been lurking for quite some time and I thought it’s about time I de-lurk! I love your blog, and your sense of style-It’s pure inspiration! I’m definetly more creative and stylish with my outfits than I have ever been :) I am not much of a seamstress and I would love it- if you could give some tips on how to “skinny” a pant! Thanks!
You look great! I am sure you don’t need any advice on finding cool stuff.
Goodness, I love that blazer! I just picked up a plaid skirt in the thrift store, so it’s out there! I also love that necklace, by the way. What a great combination.
I LOVE that turquoise color! And the blue/gray is a wonderful pair, I need to try to start getting clothes in that combination!
As a seasoned thrifter, I’ve got my die-hard go-to rules.
1) if you hate the color, don’t even bother looking at the rest of it. This applies to washes of jeans, patterns of skirts, blouses… Unless you plan to dye it anyway, you know perfectly well what colors you will and won’t wear. Don’t waste the money.
2) completely ignore whatever ‘size’ is on the tag. No, seriously. Just ignore it. Also ignore who the garment was originally marketed toward. I don’t care if you’re a petite size extra-small. If a maternity shirt looks amazing on you, or if you feel the most fabulous you’ve ever felt in a cuffed pair of dude’s jeans, by god, just buy them and call it a day. Everything is irrelevant besides the two questions: “Do you love it?” and “Does it make you feel awesome to wear it?”
3) wear your best bra and undies when you shop, because you need to try on everything, and if when you strip down in the dressing room, you hate how you look in the mirror (under the ubiquitous bad lighting), you’re not going to like how you look in the clothes. Seriously: whatever it takes to make you feel sexy? Do it, because when you feel gorgeous, you’ll be a lot more willing to keep going when you try on the inevitable thing that makes you look like a salted slug.
4) if you see somebody your size go into the dressing room, lurk around until they’re done and then see what items they left on the ‘put-back’ rack. They’ll likely be in your size and if you like them, it’s so easy!
5) dress in easy to remove clothes and shoes, and if you have hair that’s prone to static, bring a hair elastic for the inevitable, “Ugh, my hair is EVERYWHERE” moment that will come from taking clothes on and off. Slip on shoes are best, so you don’t spend all your time trying to tie laces…