February 25, 2010

Thrifty Threads: Encore edition


The following is a reprint of a previously published Thrifty Threads post.

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.

6 comments:

Alea Milham said...

Patricia has got so much use out of that dress. She even paired it with a gold long-sleeve bolero and wore it when she played violin at Church on Christmas Eve.

RobbieKay said...

So glad you didn't forego the post this week--I look forward to it all week long. I've told at least five people (that I can remember) about your blog and this feature who I think would be able to provide good photos for you. Haven't heard that any of them have submitted anything to you yet, though. And I have it on my to do list to let one other person know about your site who I have since learned has the knack for finding goodies at Goodwill. I was wearing a compact-y outfit the other day, but it was such a busy day and I was feeling kind of gross and just never got around to asking anyone to take my picture (and even if I had, then there's the issue of taking the time to download it off the camera...)

Non Consumer Girl said...

Stunning dress- you look fantastic!

Non Consumer Girl

Rebecca said...

Great "fashion show sound" to your post, and a great subject! Very inspiring!

Forest Parks said...

Awesome find.... Be good to see some guys on Thrifty Threads, i'll have a look through my wardrobe and see if I have any standout buys I can send in....

Thanks,
Forest.
http://frugalzeitgeist.com

Angela said...

Alea- It is indeed a marvelous find- the very essence of what Thrifty Threads is all about!

RobbieKay- So glad you like Thrifty Threads- I just love receiving the photos- it really makes me realize how much more creative it is to dress using secondhand clothes. Please send a photo- I know what you mean about it never being the right time- I've been meaning to get my husband to take one of me for months, and just recently finally did it...

Non Consumer Girl- Isn't it amazing that someone gave that up?

Rebecca- Thanks. It's a very fun feature for me to write.

Forest Parks- I would LOVE to get a guy on Thrifty Threads- I've only had one so far. Please send a photo! That would be so great!