Thrifty Threads

Welcome to 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 Goodwill, a thrift store, a consignment shop, a yard sale, craigslist, ebay, or anywhere else you find secondhand clothing.

Today's model is Janet, back for the second time. Click here to see her in a beautiful holiday party dress that she picked up on ebay, along with the cute shoes that give it that extra something special. Janet blogs at Taibhsearachd, which means "second sight" in Gaelic. Janet describes her blog as "a vehicle for me to take a second look at events and people around me, and give second thought to the way I live my life." One thing she's been talking about lately is her upcoming trip to France and Spain, where she'll be walking the Camino de Santiago. I am SO excited for her!

I love this outfit for so many reasons, but mainly because I think it shows that no matter how cold it is outside, you can still be stylish! It's such a creative combination. The entire outfit is pieced together from secondhand finds. She found the worsted wool jacket at Value Village for $10. Janet says the tag is gone but it's a beautifully tailored piece that she's guessing is Italian made. The Stephan de Raucourt boots are also from Italy. New, they would cost a few hundred dollars, at Value Village they were $20 and hardly worn. Janet likes their funkiness. I love them! The black skirt and the scarf were both from the Salvation Army, the skirt cost $6.45 and the scarf was about a dollar. The purse/backpack is Gucci, purchased on ebay for $34! You fashionistas out there will know that Gucci bags can sell for several thousand dollars (my head is spinning!)

Janet says she hates to have her photo taken but she bit the bullet and sent this one in. I am so glad she did! This is a fantastic outfit she's put together and a real inspiration. Janet, thanks so much for your participation. Readers, it's your turn. I always need more photos, so put on your favorite secondhand score, snap a photo, and send it to me at barton.angela@gmail.com. We all want to see your fabulous finds! So don't be shy. Thrifty Threads models are proving that we can all look great in secondhand clothes, whether we're young or old, and whatever our style.

Please share your favorite tips for finding great secondhand scores, plus compliments to our lovely model, in the Comments section. And click here to check out previous installments of Thrifty Threads.