Fashion

[MoJoV]

@MacDUFF  I think the RL top in the first photo looks great on you, don't care for it belted. 

One of my all time favorite blouses is one I bought at Salvation Army.  No label,tiny red and white checked and so comfortable.  I love the idea of thrift shopping.  Sustainability, price and a wealth of choices.  Clothing stores today have things so similar to one another.

Thanks for a great post, as usual. I'm going try thrift ing again.

[MacDUFF]

@Icegoddess  hahaha I hear ya!  I try to be careful, but have about a 50/50 success rate.  I'm just happy when I spot schmutz on my clothes...not just white!...and can clean it before it sets in.  I usually check things over before hanging them up or putting in laundry basket.  My heart goes out to your friend...I'll say a prayer for her.  (BTW, sense of humor is essential in marriage!)

@tends2dogs   ITA!  Location, location, location!  Call me snarky, snobby, whatever.  My neighborhood charity thrift is literally the only place I've been lately that hasn't raised their prices...all their jeans are $5.   BTW, I thrifted jeans that I think you'll appreciate and will post them tomorrow.  (Have I ever told you that I have one "singing in my soul," too?)

@PodyPo   No!  I had no idea.  I'll be checking it out soon.  Thank you!  Do you know how far it is from the Rack at 485 and South Blvd?  The Rack is about a 25 min drive west for me and is about as far as I'll go to shop...the Goodwill Boutique might be a bridge too far.   I'm jealous about the Johnny Was dress...great find.  Yes, lots of Chico's on the secondary market.  Talbot's, too.

@KCDiva   Yes, very hit or miss, even the ones I buy haha.  But, oh, the hits can be sooo good as you say!

@KaySD   Love the bright blues.  Love the shades of blue you mentioned with black, too (but won't wear navy and black).  I think you're onto something re putting a color under the JCrew.  Problem is, I don't have anything that will work.  I think this blouse will work better for me as transitional wear and will put "basic bright blue tank or tee" on my thrifting list.  Good suggestion...thanks!

@MoJoV   Thanks for mentioning another bonus of thrifting:  the wealth of "choices."  Including brands I've never heard of.  It's hard to believe, but I think the JCrew blouse I bought is the first JCrew I've ever even tried on.  I don't even recall ever being in their B&M stores...it's just not a brand that's been on my radar for whatever reason.  Also, many Q brands that I've never tried.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday.

[jackthebear]

no good thrifts here

real estate is expensive, and it must a be regional thing to my area 

[jackthebear]

---

@MacDUFF wrote:

Let's face it, I don't need any more clothes, possibly for the rest of my life haha.

But, I love clothes, and I love to shop.  

Solution:  Thrifting.

Huh?  If I don't need a thing, why not just refrain from shopping altogether?  hahahahahaha  Like that's going to happen!

I don't "need" anything, but I still love to get out once or twice a week to shop 'cuz there might just be something out there that I "want," so in July I challenged myself to 3 months of "thrifting only."  

I love thrifting, which is interesting because I thrifted out of necessity in my younger day and, once I started making enough money to shop at department stores, swore I'd never thrift again.  So it seems odd to me that I'm back to thrifting at my age...and loving it.  

I do know many women are skeeved out at the thought of buying used clothing...I completely understand.  I'm a little fussy about it, too.  Everything...and I mean everything...I've thrifted in the past few years gets washed before it goes in my closet.

I'd like to claim I'm all about sustainability, too, but, while I'm aware of and supportive of the issue and believe that the secondary markets surely contribute to sustainability, it's not a major part of my thinking.

For me, bottom line is that I want to have fun with fashion, I want "new" and different things, but I don't want to go broke in the process.  And many of you know without a doubt that I don't want to go back to an overstuffed closet full of expensive (or even inexpensive thrifted) items I rarely or never wear...those days are over. 

If I make a mistake thrifting, I don't have to package it up, run to the post office and spend time/energy tracking it or running back and forth to the store to return.  If I make a mistake, I'm not out much money.  If I thrift something fun or unusual or out of my norm and only wear it a few times, I haven't lost much and had fun in the process.  It's not a problem getting rid of a top I paid $3 for and only wore a couple months.  

I thought some of you might be interested, so I'll post my Thrifting Challenge finds, including mistakes, here along with pics of the things I passed up.   

Your critiques, suggestions for styling, and your yays or nays are welcome.

I've already been doing the challenge for about a month.  The big question is whether or not I can stick to thrifting only for the next two months.  Place your bets now! 

What I bought...

#1

Lauren by RL black/white striped cotton bracelet sleeve henley sweater...hugs my body enough to be able to tuck it in (something I almost never do), but I find it uncomfortable probably 'cuz I'm not used to it and am glad I can wear it out as well...

#2

Black/light grey/charcoal sheer silk J.Crew blouse...wear with white or black (no-brainers)...light as a feather (you can see how sheer it is).  I've never liked wearing a button front blouse as a topper/jacket and rarely do.  This one had a hidden button placket (placket and collar both pleated), so, for something different, I removed the buttons and wear it over a light grey Faded Glory tank (thrifted pre-Challenge $1)...

#3

After I thrifted this pretty white eyelet button front, I called a moratorium on white blouses.  A few months ago, I agreed with a poster that there was no such thing as having too many white blouses, but I've changed my mind because...I have too many white blouses (I have eight...it's enough already).  All tags were cut out, so I have no idea what brand this is, but it's well-made, soft, and has beautiful embroidery...I believe it's cotton.  Fortunately, I don't have to wear anything under it (not too see-thru)...

The eyelet and the Lauren went thru the washer and drier with flying colors, and I hand-washed/hung dry the J.Crew silk with no problems.

Here are a few items that caught my eye, but that I passed on for whatever reason...

Joan Boyce cuff...

Denim & Co. clip dot shirts...

Kate Spade handbag...

Ann Klein Sport flats...sooooooo cute...too small...

In real life, I rarely discuss what I paid for something (my Mom would be mortified haha), but on the fashion forum we discuss price every day and saving money is part of the reason for the Challenge, so, I'll probably brag...I mean mention what I paid for items during the Challenge.  I don't always remember to take pics of price tags, however (too much to keep track of), so you'll have to trust me.

Eyelet blouse $4...50% off day = $2.00

Lauren sweater = $4

J.Crew silk $5...$1 off coupon = $4

But WAIT...there's more!  Stay tuned...

---

remember when D&C used to do nice colors and styles like that

[jackthebear]

---

@teganslaw wrote:

MacDuff, nice outfits. Thrift shops are wonderful; one can find all kinds of neat things at great prices. I don't buy shoes at thrift shops, will instead check sales other places. 

I don't understand why someone refuses to buy used clothing. All the explanations for it don't make much sense to me, but that's their decision.  I personally think they're missing out.

---

agree,  and if you like a pair a jeans, for example that are old read vintage, and you need to replace them,  that is how to do it.

or something here that's too much $,  Poshmark for example has 1000's of Q listings,  more in the larger sizes.

[MacDUFF]

This post is more about the individual pieces than styling them.  Styling will be a no brainer...I guestimate that these pieces can be combined with at least 75% of pieces already in my wardrobe.  All other pieces in pics were not thrifted.  Total = $15 + tax.

Levi's!!!  That fit like a glove!!!!  And have the perfect inseam!!!  And a great mid-tone wash!!!  Two of the exact same jean!!!  $5 each!!  Bought them both!!  There aren't enough exclamation points in cyberspace to express the thrill hahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

No Brainer #1

for summer...white menswear inspired Cremieux shirt, Tommy Hilfiger espadrilles, roll up the cuff, and done...

No Brainer #2

for transition...black Calvin Klein mock neck, Eileen Fisher blue suede sandals, put on a jacket if necessary, and done...

Pashmina shawl.  I've been looking for this color for years.  I don't know how it's showing on your computer, but, trust me, this is a watermelon color.   Has a subtle paisley print and a subtle iridescence.  

I've never tried Pashmina before...does anyone know if this tag is genuine?  It feels like heaven, so I'm assuming it's the real deal. 

Can wear from early fall through late spring with lots of outfits.  I put a rubber band around the fringe and held them out of the water while I washed it in cold water with Woolite...perfect.  LOVE this shawl!

No Brainer #3

for winter...thrifted Levi's, white JJill long sleeved cotton tunic, Blondo suede booties, and done...

@tends2dogs     #3 shows the perfect (for me...I like to see my shoes!) inseam and width that I prefer for jeans (except for skinnies, which I prefer to be an inch or so shorter than these Levi's and except for summer crops, which I like a few inches above my ankles...OMG ridiculous, I know!).  I'm curious...do you like your jeans to be longer and wider?

Here are a few items that caught my eye, but that I passed on for whatever reason...

Silk Equipment pintuck blouse...2nd pic is qwappy, it's a saturated black...50% off day...too small d@%*!!

LDO suede jacket (accidentally deleted the full pic)...NWT...50% off day...sorry to say, but this was the stiffest suede, faux or real, I've ever felt

LOGO...cute, but not for me

Opps...pic cut off tag cuz I had to make it smaller to post here...$10 for 2 pieces, half off day

This woven leather Brighton bag would have mine if only all my junk had fit in it

Have a good one!

[Jtdmum]

@MacDUFF you always look so nice and put together!  Love the Joan Boyce cuff.   I wasn't planning on shopping yesterday - I just renovated (huge) one floor of this house and was looking for some decoration inspiration so I decided to head to a "gallery" (upscale cosignment( yeserday. 

Unbeknownst to me they opened a consignement clothing around the corner so I popped in. 

All brand new: 2 pairs of Toms shoes (20 each) Coach backpack (100) and a pair of Sam Edelman sunglasses!

I was so proud of myself!  I dont mind consignment jewelry or housing decor but I'm pretty fussy about used clothing/shoes.  Has to be new with tags for me.  Especially after last years debacle.  

Thans for sharing!  Keep us posted!

[jackthebear]

---

@MacDUFF wrote:

This post is more about the individual pieces than styling them.  Styling will be a no brainer...I guestimate that these pieces can be combined with at least 75% of pieces already in my wardrobe.  All other pieces in pics were not thrifted.  Total = $15 + tax.

Levi's!!!  That fit like a glove!!!!  And have the perfect inseam!!!  And a great mid-tone wash!!!  Two of the exact same jean!!!  $5 each!!  Bought them both!!  There aren't enough exclamation points in cyberspace to express the thrill hahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

No Brainer #1

for summer...white menswear inspired Cremieux shirt, Tommy Hilfiger espadrilles, roll up the cuff, and done...

No Brainer #2

for transition...black Calvin Klein mock neck, Eileen Fisher blue suede sandals, put on a jacket if necessary, and done...

Pashmina shawl.  I've been looking for this color for years.  I don't know how it's showing on your computer, but, trust me, this is a watermelon color.   Has a subtle paisley print and a subtle iridescence.  

I've never tried Pashmina before...does anyone know if this tag is genuine?  It feels like heaven, so I'm assuming it's the real deal. 

Can wear from early fall through late spring with lots of outfits.  I put a rubber band around the fringe and held them out of the water while I washed it in cold water with Woolite...perfect.  LOVE this shawl!

No Brainer #3

for winter...thrifted Levi's, white JJill long sleeved cotton tunic, Blondo suede booties, and done...

@tends2dogs     #3 shows the perfect (for me...I like to see my shoes!) inseam and width that I prefer for jeans (except for skinnies, which I prefer to be an inch or so shorter than these Levi's and except for summer crops, which I like a few inches above my ankles...OMG ridiculous, I know!).  I'm curious...do you like your jeans to be longer and wider?

Here are a few items that caught my eye, but that I passed on for whatever reason...

Silk Equipment pintuck blouse...2nd pic is qwappy, it's a saturated black...50% off day...too small d@%*!!

LDO suede jacket (accidentally deleted the full pic)...NWT...50% off day...sorry to say, but this was the stiffest suede, faux or real, I've ever felt

LOGO...cute, but not for me

Opps...pic cut off tag cuz I had to make it smaller to post here...$10 for 2 pieces, half off day

This woven leather Brighton bag would have mine if only all my junk had fit in it

Have a good one!

---

you could flip that equipment shirt if you were so inclined but that is a slippery slope

[itsmagic]

What a deal!  Finding two pairs of Levi’s that fit like a glove!  I think you look great in the Logo top. 😎

[MacDUFF]

Never mind, I'll just post in a different way to avoid the clutter.