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, consignment shop, yard sale, ebay, craigslist, or anywhere else you find secondhand clothing.

Today's model is Stephanie, who's become my most regular contributor to Thrifty Threads. Thanks Stephanie! You may remember her modeling this glamorous velvet holiday dress paired with seamed stockings last December. Stephanie and I worked together in Los Angeles before she moved to Portland and then Dallas to pursue other dreams, starting with becoming a singer/songwriter. She's a self-taught musician with a beautiful voice, and you can listen to her original songs plus some great covers on her My Space page. Recently, she's also costumed a play, produced a TV commercial, and started up her own company called Sweet Ruby Productions to do PR/Creative Consulting/Personal Styling projects. You can keep up with her on her blog Those Tricks.

Stephanie says this outfit is mostly thrifted, with the exception of the long socks from American Apparel and the shoes which are Payless Lela Rose, a high-end designer that sometimes works with the budget shoe company. The shirt is from Buffalo Exchange in Los Angeles, the skirt is from a thrift store in Dallas, and the belt is from Buffalo Exchange in Dallas. Stephanie estimates the total cost of the resale items at less than $30. Talk about some fabulous finds, and she knows how to put them together! What a great look.

Thanks Stephanie for that super cute photo! It really makes me want to go thrift store shopping. Readers, it's your turn! I always need more models, so put on your favorite secondhand outfit, snap a photo, and send it to me at barton.angela@gmail.com. Don't be shy. It is so much fun to see how one person's trash becomes another person's treasure. And remember, we want to see all kinds of models on Thrifty Threads - young and old, big and small, male and female.

Please leave your tips for secondhand clothes shopping in the Comments section. And click here to check out previous installments of Thrifty Threads.