sequins and spots

If I had to choose one store to shop at from the Pyramid Mall (Ithaca, NY), it would be Old Navy.

Growing up I had very limited options: Abercrombie and Fitch, Old Navy, The Gap, American Eagle, and The Bon-Ton (you may have to Google that last one). Like I said, limited. Today, A&F is now a tractor display room.

However, in recent years I have been very happy with my Old Navy purchases. The head designer should probably get a raise. While I refuse to pay $50 for any top/dress or pair of shoes from Old Navy, they have great, great sales (like shirts for $5).

So, combined with the constant supply of cheap wonders from F21, I made a sequined/spotted outfit happen for a grand total of $35.
Sweater: Old Navy, $15. Skirt: Forever21, $20.

Shout out to my little brother for being my stand-in photographer and photo editor.

Next up: a little bit more Old Navy. I wouldn’t dream of passing up on five dollar shirts.

 

a sweater for your legs

There once was a time when I wore sweaters/shirts as skirts. How is that possible? You are envisioning me with sleeves hanging from very awkward places on my body. Solution: simply tuck sleeves inside skirt, creating instant pockets (just don’t put anything in them).

Don’t worry, I only used this DIY skirt a handful of times. As a jean-hater, I found wearing over-sized sweaters on my legs a more comfortable (and efficient) option.

It was a few weeks ago when I stumbled across the would-be-child of a maxi skirt and cable-knit sweater. See below.
Jacket: F21. Sequined tank: F21, $15. Skirt: Only (second hand), <$1.

A warm/comfy alternative. Maybe ask an older woman in your life if she has one to spare?
The backside slit allows flexibility.Proof that no woman is solely one size.
I hope you have enjoyed the idea of the sweater skirt as much as I have. After all, this is much easier than using an actual sweater.

Next up: my first (and certainly not last) trip to the Rockville Goodwill

bizarre bazaar and DIY

My apologies for the extended hiatus but I’ve been really feeling (and by feeling, I mean desperately seeking) A JOB. A job with a real person salary and benefits that will keep me from being indefinitely in debt to my dentist. In the meantime, I’ll settle with handing out newspapers on the red line and shopping at my good ol’ local thrift stores. Therefore, keeping you my dear reader, entertained with my shoddy wardrobe of used clothing!

And boy do I have some super thrifty finds for you my friends. It all started a few weeks ago when Jack and I ventured to a small church in Takoma Park for their annual crafts/book/clothing bazaar. Avoiding the $5 all you can eat pancake option, I came across a small corner of haphazard items. Little did I know, instead of endless pancakes I was offered a trash bag to stuff for a set price of $5. Five dollars. A volunteer explained that most people weren’t filling an entire bag, and if I didn’t find anything I would be returned some of my money (I’m going to compare this situation to my first experience in an all-you-can-eat dining hall).

While I did not fill my entire medium-sized kitchen trash bag, I collected a sizeable amount of random clothing items. For five dollars. Which means, the five items I found along with two pairs of brand new nike soccer socks cost me less than a dollar apiece.
Item 1: a little large/boxy black dress
I picked up this dress because I loved the stretchy cotton fabric (and it’s organic cotton!). Negatives: too big in the chest area, extra material in mid-section, all around an unflattering dress on my already manly-figure.That’s right, thumbs down. Sad that my first item was not going to be useful addition, I grabbed some scissors and snip, snip! New (very) crop top for future (gypsy/belly dancer?) outfits like below.I think we can agree this “top” may be a tad more practical come summer. Question remains: will it be worn more than the baggy-I’m a man!-dress? Yes.

Cardigan: Club Monaco (second hand), $4. Bag: Lancome aka makeup/perfume giveaway (second hand), $4. Eureka! The perfect travel/gym bag! Skirt: no tag (second hand), $6.

See, you too can be a preppy gypsy with a gym bag for only $14! All you need is a pair of scissors and a decent thrift store that supplies cardigans and plaid.This plaid skirt is just fabulous. Not only will I wear it as a skirt with blouse/cropped top/blazer/leather jacket, BUT also as… a dress! Could not be bothered to grab a belt or change up the  sweater, but just imagine the possibilities.

If you have learned one thing today, it is DO NOT underestimate the power of the church bazaar. Thus far you’ve witnessed my least favorite item, which ended up to be a fairly useful piece of clothing after all. Check back Friday/Saturday for another Bazaar bag find.

Any guesses to what I did with the rest of the black dress?

-J

faux fur and Furstenberg

I hope you all really enjoyed yesterday’s feature on Gen-XY Vintage, a local e-commerce company specializing in all things vintage and second hand. After all, where else can you find Furstenberg for under $25 and a faux fur coat for $20?

Check out a few more photos from our little fashion shoot (compliments of Adam Simms of Simms City Productions). Items are going fast, so grab these great vintage pieces before someone else does (like me).
Coat: “Polar,” $30 (on sale from $42). Warning: I am seriously considering this purchase, I’ll give you until tonight to snatch this up before me. Jeans: Mixit (second hand), my own. Shoes: “Gone Hiking,” sold.
On me: blue dress, “Working girl,” $20. I chose this cerulean blue dress because I loved the length and broadness in the shoulders. Not to mention, the material feels like being draped in a sheet made of silk. Maybe have a belt on hand to make the style a bit more flattering, but this versatile piece is perfect for work or any fashionable occasion. Bold jewelry and over-sized clutch optional.

On Ashley: skirt, “Furstenberg,” $24. The colors in this pleated skirt bring any outfit to life. Did I mention this is vintage Furstenberg? Trust me, this won’t be on sale for long…
My new favorite color. Also, the website lists this dress as a size 7/8, but it would most likely fit anyone who is normally between a size 2-8 (depending on how tight you want it to be).
Who would have guessed that black, blue, purple and red would make such a perfect palette? This skirt reinforced my need for a worn denim jacket and brown ankle boots. Et voila! A nice little fall outfit.
Here is a better shot of “Polar.” An ideal fall/winter jacket for an evening on the town.
But wait. There’s more! Tomorrow, make sure to stop by for the last few pictures of our pas cher chic and Gen-XY Vintage collaboration (my favorite outfits yet).

-J

[suit]able prices

Considering I have never purchased a suit at retail value, I was more than willing to pay $18 for this black Sisley skirt suit (again, from the Opportunity Shop). It obviously needs to be ironed/lint-proofed before wearing, but it will definitely do the trick.

I’ve never had much success finding bottoms and a top that both fit. I guess it’s been pure luck that some girl in DC (with her real job), does not need her perfectly nice suits anymore and is donating them. Lovely.Suit: Sisley (second hand), $18 (there is one on sale on Ebay that was originally $310). Tights: Old Navy, $6.50. Shoes: Zara.Have I inspired you to try a second hand suit? I hope so. After all, unless you plan on wearing it every day, I would rather buy a nice pair of shoes or purse to wear with such a standard {boring} outfit. Skirt suits are definitely not on my top ten list, but it’s good to have one just in case.

Next up: more from the Opportunity Shop!

more pleather please

Along with leopard, leather/pleather has been everywhere. Inspired by fellow fashion blogger Alejandra (check out her sweet blog here), I have been on the lookout for leather shorts/skirts/pants.

Forever21 never disappoints. This knee-length pleather skirt was a only $15, and I’ve worn it 4 out of the last 6 days. What can I say? It’s suuuuuper comfy!

Bracelets: F21. Watch: TokyoBay. Ring: H&M, $4.99.

And unless someone is touching the material, real vs. faux leather is pretty hard to distinguish. Try pairing leather-looking fabric with silky, more feminine pieces. This combo usually balances the outfit and avoids creating an uber-punk/biker chick look.

Shirt: Filene’s, $14. Shoes: F21, $25. Scarf: vintage, $5.95.On y va! Find yourself some pleather/leather and see what happens. Most likely, you will wear it multiple days in a row.

You can thank me later.

 

a splash of color for $5

Just when it seemed Fall was upon us, this 80 degree weather had me scrambling for something that wasn’t brown, black, taupe, tan, or navy (my typical fall color scheme).

When it comes to colors, especially bright ones, I tend to play it safe. Maybe a little too safe. Lately, all this talk about “color blocking” got me thinking… maybe I too could mix colors that neighbor one another on the color wheel! As long as you aren’t doing the entire rainbow, I think a little mixy mix action is kinda cool. Eye catching in the least.
Skirt: vintage, $3. Tank: vintage, $2. Shoes: Nine West, $35.

Thoughts on the red/pink combo? Too Valentine’s Day-esque? Regardless, $5 is definitely worth the injection of color lacking in my wardrobe.