Thrifty Threads

It's Thursday, time for another installment of Thrifty Threads, AKA Most Stylish Compact-y Outfit, where readers model their favorite secondhand clothes.

A Compact-y outfit is used or recycled, from the Goodwill, a thrift store, or a consignment shop.

Today's model is Patricia, looking lovely in this gorgeous black silk Maggie London dress she bought at the Goodwill for just $6.99. She also found the shoes for $4.99, which she was thrilled about because she and her friends like to go ballroom dancing several times a month and she needed shoes that were comfortable and secure, but still stylish. She loves the dress because it twirls, so it will be perfect for dancing. Patricia actually found the dress and shoes as part of a challenge issued by her mother to see how much she could buy with $20. Click here to read about it and see what other great items she found.

Patricia's mom is Alea, who blogs at Premeditated Leftovers. Alea describes her blog as a "journal of the ideas I have implemented to save money, time, and prevent waste in our household." Her blog is one of the best I've found as far as offering great time and money saving tips, recipes, and menu plans. She also has a brilliant vegetable garden and posts beautiful photos of her efforts, and she does a lot of canning and preserving, plus swaps produce with the neighbors. Here's just one example of the kind of great information she offers: did you know you can attach a glass jar to your blender and it works like a food processor? That's what they did back in the day. You can read the details here.

Alea says Patricia is naturally frugal, so she knew she would do well with the $20 challenge, but she was still surprised at how much her daughter came home with. And that's exactly what Thrifty Threads is all about: inspiring people with all the great finds they can pick up at their local thrift store or Goodwill. Alea says Patricia loves secondhand clothing because she doesn't want to be a walking advertisement by wearing clothes with logos, and she doesn't want to look like a cookie cutter dressing just like her friends. Instead, she enjoys creating unique outfits and even has some items in her wardrobe from her great-grandmother. She managed to find a beautiful, formal gown on a clearance rack for just $35 for her prom, even though her mom would have been happy to splurge for the occasion. Patricia's attitude will pay off in a big way when she graduates from college debt-free, unlike some of her friends.

Thanks Patricia for sharing that fantastic photo! You'll look so pretty out on the dance floor. It goes to prove that you can be stylish while wearing secondhand clothes, even if you're young and very much aware of fashion. Readers, it's your turn. Put on your secondhand clothes, snap a photo, and send it to me. We all want to see your fabulous finds. So don't be shy. I want to continue this feature every week. So keep the photos coming! You can find my email address on my profile page.

And be sure to check out Patricia's other great finds on Alea's blog, including a gorgeous tango dress and "the most comfortable pants she's ever worn." And while you're there, maybe you'll learn how to can tomatoes or plant blackberries.

Do you shop for secondhand clothing? Do you have any tips about how to find the best scores? Please leave your thoughts and advice, plus compliments for Patricia, in the Comments section. And click here to check out previous installments of Thrifty Threads.