Thrift Style Thursday: Thrifting on Trend

Martyna's challenge this week was truly a challenge for me: "Create an outfit that rivals those seen in current magazines." It's just vague enough to make it incredibly difficult, right?

Never in my life have I been called trendy. Or if I have been, it was likely said mockingly behind my back. I was the girl whose pants were always too short. I was the teenager who decided bell bottoms and platform shoes were cool (this was not the general consensus at the time). I was the young adult who lived almost entirely in unisex t-shirts and jeans because I didn't know how to dress for my body shape and size.

It is only in recent years (i.e., post-weight-loss) that I've begun to pay fashion any mind whatsoever. Being the penny-pincher I am, I don't subscribe to any magazines though, much less fashion magazines, so I looked to the all-knowing Internet. I probably spent hours browsing Pinterest for current trends, looking at photos from the latest runway shows, searching through street style galleries. Still, I was left with no idea which direction to take this challenge.

I went to every thrift store in the area searching for some inspiration and found none. In the end, I gave up on trying to be super trendy. I decided to simply show you what I wore on yesterday, an outfit I felt cute wearing, whether it's "right now" or "so last season."

Top: $2 thrifted // Pants: $4 thrifted // Shoes: $4 thrifted // Necklace: Granma's faux pearls
Tourmaline ring: $25 Etsy // Pink CZ studs: old, like from when I was a little girl

Do you think the other Thrift Style Thursday ladies are trendier than I am? Yeah, probably so. Click their pics below to go see their blogs, or the TST logo in the center will take you to our Facebook page.

Thrift Style Thursday: Show Your Stripes

Unlike last week's florals, Miche's TST challenge for today was a bit more of a struggle for me. Years of being overweight taught me to avoid stripes like the plague. That's not to say that stripes can't be flattering on a fuller figure, but I had a difficult time telling the difference, and so I just stayed away from them altogether.

Now I'm not saying I'm 100% happy with my body as it is now - some of the weight I had lost has found its way back - but I'm a hell of a lot more comfortable in my skin than I used to be. As a result, I've begun to dabble in stripes over the last couple years, though almost all have been in the form of sweaters and cardigans, nothing appropriate for the current weather around here - highs in the 70s-80s (25-30C).

So I found myself with an excuse to go thrift shopping this weekend: to procure a spring-and-summer-worthy striped top or dress. And procure I did! This pink and white LOFT tee only set me back $6, while the mint green J.Crew "matchstick" cords were $10. I also snatched up a pair of like-new copper-colored sandals with little rhinestones along the straps for just $4.

Then I added an accessory for each color in my new outfit: a hot pink wooden bangle, a mint green statement ring, and a bronzy-copper necklace and earring set I made from one of my Granma's old brooches. My favorite Fossil crossbody bag also came along for the ride!

Top: $6 thrifted // Pants: $10 thrifted // Shoes: $4 thrifted // Bag: $20 thrifted
Bracelet: $3 Target clearance // Ring: $4 Yerdle (now available for Android and web!) // Necklace and earrings: me-made

What kind of stripes do you think the other Thrift Style Thursday ladies have donned today? Click their pics below to go see their blogs, or the TST logo in the center will take you to our Facebook page.

Sunday Sew-Day: Floral Follow-Up

On Thursday, I shared with you my collection of refashioned floral dresses. Today, you get to see how a couple of those started out and how they got where they are today. The black and red number has been hanging in my refashion closet for a while now. I believe it came from a clothes swap, though I can't recall for certain. The navy and turquoise leaves set me back $3 at the thrift shop down the street. As you may surmise from the 'before' photo, it was missing a few buttons in... key areas.

Thrift Style Thursday: Bloom Where You Are Planted

From the moment I read Brittany's challenge for this week - florals - I knew I had this in the bag! I practically live in floral dresses during the spring and summer. They're just so easy! Throw on a flowy floral dress, a fun belt, and a pair of sneakers, and you're ready to go. In fact, I have enough refashioned floral dresses, fun belts, and sneakers to fill an entire week's wardrobe.

Sunday: Getting a 50s/Rockabilly vibe from this dress.

Dress: refashioned // Belt: $2 thrifted // Patriotic Converse: $2 Yerdle // Bracelet: hand-me-down from a friend

Monday: Last year's Easter dress refashion is still one of my favorites.

Dress: refashioned // Belt: $2 Old Navy clearance// Pink Converse: $15 Target clearance // Necklace: me-made from Granma's brooch

Tuesday: These blue roses remind me of that episode of the Smurfs. You know the one.

Dress: swapped and refashioned // Belt: $2 thrifted// Navy Converse: $2 Yerdle // Tiger's Eye Necklace: me-made

Wednesday: Technically, these are leaves, but I think they still fall into the floral family.

Dress: refashioned // Belt: $2 thrifted// Grey Converse: $5 Yerdle // Necklace and bracelet: ?? (old)

Thursday: I can't help but feel spring-y in this pastel number.

Dress: refashioned // NY&Co belt: $2 thrifted// Olive Converse: $5 thrifted // Necklace: $5 thrifted

Friday: Bright and cheery - perfect for summer!

Dress: refashioned // Belt: $2 thrifted// Orange Converse: $2 Yerdle // Necklace: me-made

Saturday: Wearing my kimono-inspired dress makes me want sushi.

Dress: refashioned // Belt: $2 Old Navy clearance // Pale grey Converse: gift from a friend // Necklace: Granma's pearls

See a couple refashions you don't recognize? Tune in Sunday to see those transformations!


What do you think the other Thrift Style Thursday ladies have growing in their wardrobe gardens? Click their pics below to go see their blogs, or the TST logo in the center will take you to our Facebook page.