Thrifty Threads

Welcome to a special edition of Thrifty Threads, AKA Most Stylish Compact-y Outfit, where readers model their favorite secondhand clothes.

A Compact-y outfit comes from Goodwill, a thrift store, or a consignment shop.

Today's model is celebrity blogger Katy Wolk-Stanley of The Non-Consumer Advocate. Anyone who's been reading my blog for more than a few days knows that it's my favorite blog and if you haven't checked it out, you should click here right now.

Katy joined The Compact almost 3 years ago, and her blog is all about her fabulous non-consumer lifestyle. I could relate to it right away because her attitude was so upbeat, creative, and resourceful. She has a funny take on everything from picking up coins in the street (she's nicknamed herself "Coin Girl") to why she had to finally give up cutting her 14-year-old son's hair: "the particular boy's haircut she'd perfected looked good on a 2-year-old, even on a 10-year-old, but unfortunately not so fab on a 14-year-old." She's a great writer and she manages to make almost any topic interesting: air drying laundry, food waste, putting together her sons' school supplies out of items in the house. Her blog is infinitely readable. I try to visit almost every day.

Katy found this chic ensemble at her preferred venue, Goodwill. Actually, the pants came from Goodwill but the cute green top cost 50 cents at a garage sale. I wish there were garage sales like that in my neighborhood! Katy says the pants were a little pricey at $7, but they fit her perfectly. And the super-cool shades set her back a dollar, also found at Goodwill. Katy calls them her "don't bother me, I'm a celebrity" sunglasses. I am SO envious, no joke. You should see my sunglasses. The chance of a pair like these showing up at our neighborhood Goodwill? When pigs fly.

The only part of the outfit that was bought new were the Dansko sandals. Katy says that as a nurse it's important to wear really good shoes and she's become a "Dansko addict." She bought this pair in 2005 and they still look great.

The rest of the accouterments and backdrop: the Yerba Mate, sharpies, and cash were accidentally left behind by a houseguest. (Nice bonus of hosting guests: left-behind swag.) The Adirondack chair was made by her husband (wow!), the tile table was found at Goodwill for $3 (another thing I've been searching for!), and the plant and planter were a freebie.

Thanks for the great photo, Katy! More proof that secondhand is not just stylish, but the smartest way to shop. Readers, put on your favorite thrift store score, snap a photo and send it to me at: barton.angela@gmail.com. I love doing this as a weekly feature, but you've got to keep those photos coming! Isn't it fun to see what people are finding out there?

Do you shop secondhand? What are your favorite purchases? Does your Goodwill have stuff you would wear? I've found two great Hawaiian shirts for my husband at our Goodwill over the past 7 years, and nothing for myself. I've got to expand my secondhand shopping. Please leave your thoughts in the Comments section. And click here if you want to check out previous installments of Thrifty Threads.