5 Career Outfits in 5 Days

Hello and welcome to my recap of this week's fashion choices! :)  My 5 Outfits in 5 Days challenge to myself went well, I think.  I forced myself to pull some things out of my closet that I hadn't worn for quite some time, but I also stuck with a lot of weekly staples in my work wardrobe as well.  Below is the rundown on each outfit; some items I've had so long I don't remember the brand or price.  Next time, I hope to have more clear photos; we used my phone for the pictures, so they turned out a little fuzzy.

Monday ~ The Power Suit

Let's face it, Monday is always the hardest day to get out of bed when you have to start your work week.  This week was no different, so I went with an outfit that was quick and didn't take too much thought.  I picked out one of my black suits, paired it with a new polyester blouse and black heel booties.  I accessorized with a purple and green cameo necklace.

Details:
Lane Bryant black slacks, size 18 (Salvation Army)
Lane Bryant black suit jacket, size 18 (Salvation Army)
Lane Bryant black & gold studded booties (Lane Bryant clearance $19.95)
Worthington striped blouse, size 2X (bought off friend $2.00)
Cameo necklace (custom-made for me by a friend at no cost)








 

Tuesday ~ Retro-Esque

 The second day, I sank deep into the back of my closet and stumbled across this lovely polka dot jacket.  I had a moment of "oh, I hope this still fits me!" apprehension, so I held my breath as I put it on...Voila!  It fit like a dream!  This belted scoopneck and cape style is so awesome on.  It's comfortable, stylish and honestly, I felt most like a put-together woman on this day of the challenge.  I paired the jacket with a purple polyester blouse and bright green scarf.

Details:
Just My Size purple blouse, size 2X (Goodwill)
Venezia polka dot jacket, size 18/20 (Goodwill)
Green Scarf (Flea Market)
Worthington dark blue trousers, size 18 (Goodwill)
Silver Bow Flats (gifted to me from mother)






 

Wednesday ~ A Pop of Color

The middle of the week found me searching for a different silhouette, so I went for a dress I had yet to go out of the house in.  This is the wrap dress I featured in my Dresses on a Dime post.  I chose a black knit cardigan and leopard print belt to go with it.  I usually have a strong stance against mixing prints and mixing black and brown, but I decided to throw caution to the wind and go for it.  I thought it turned out well.  I topped the look off with footless tights, silver heart pendant necklace and beautiful teal pumps.

Details:
Merona black knit cardigan, size XL (Goodwill)
Print wrap dress, brand & size unknown (Salvation Army, no tag)
Lane Bryant leopard belt, size 14/16 (Lane Bryant clearance $4.95)
Hanes Just My Size footless tights, size 4 (Wal-Mart)
Spicy Brand teal pumps, size 10 (local thrift shop, $10)
Lia Sophia rhinestone heart necklace (hostess party gift)



 

Thursday ~ Greywash

 After Wednesday's color clash, I decided to stick neutral for Thursday.  However, in order to make the neutral ensemble pop, I accessorized with a silver charm necklace and waist belt for a little shine.  This was the most comfortable outfit of the week.  The jersey knit tee and sheer print jacket were light and breezy, perfect for the sunny weather we had.  I paired with black slacks and the silver bow flats from Tuesday's look.

 Details:
 Plush Brand grey knit tee, size 2X (Goodwill)
 Elementz Woman sheer jacket, size 2X (Salvation Army)
 Briggs black slacks (gifted by mother who found at Shopko closeout sale)
 Silver bow flats (gifted by mother)
 Lia Sophia silver charm necklace
 Black waist belt (thrift shop, can't remember which)

 

Friday ~ Jean Day

Fridays at work are casual jean days, so I always take advantage of that.  A favorite pair of jeans can make any woman feel like a rockstar.  I chose my favorite dark wash and paired them with a pinstripe suit jacket and skull scarf for a funky fresh feel.  Underneath is a polyester print blouse and hot pink tank for layering. The skull scarf is one of my favorite wardrobe items.  It's soft, fun and HUGE!

Details:
Lane Bryant dark wash jeans, size 18 (Goodwill)
Style & Co. Woman pinstriped jacket, size 18W (Salvation Army)
Hot Pink exercise tank (Wal-Mart, $1.00 January clearance rack)
Worthington print blouse, size 2X (Salvation Army)
Skull Scarf (Ross Dress for Less $8.99)
Black bow flats (Wal-Mart)






I hope you enjoyed this little personal challenge!  I had fun, and I hope you did, too.  If you have a favorite look or piece, let me know.  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Much love,
-Heather

Stuck in a Fashion Rut?

Do you ever find yourself stuck in a rut?  When it comes to fashion, and more specifically career fashion, I find it's not hard to.  During the work week, you get into a daily routine, and it never fails that you never have enough time in the mornings to devote to really seeking out a rockin' outfit for work.  You throw on "the usual" and call it a day.

For me, that "usual" is black slip on flats, black slacks, print polyester top and black suit jacket - every time.  Some days I'll mix it up and swap out the black for brown - whoopie!  Living life on the edge for sure!  But I find that I just don't have the energy a lot of mornings to really get passionate about my attire.

And then, when I go shopping, I find myself gravitating toward the same styles and color that I wear day-in and day-out.  I have found that if I don't buy "the usual" and start getting more comfortable with different looks, I'm more apt to put a different twist or variation on my daily suit.  Now, when I hit up the thrift stores and clearance racks, I focus on two things: Color and Cut.

Color:  First, I look for colors I don't normally gravitate toward.  I try out yellows, pinks and other pastels instead of the deep, dark purples, reds and blues that blend in with a black suit.  Let me tell you, yellow pops on black like you wouldn't believe!  So anyway, I buy the colors I wouldn't normally buy.

Cut: I think this is the most important thing when you're shopping, no matter what you're shopping for.  If the cut isn't right, it turns out being a crapshoot all around.  Tailored blazers are the love of my life; I have about 10 different blazers/suit jackets that are black, but all have different cuts that give each their own personality.  My problem is that you can only cut a blazer so many ways, and then you wind up buying the same cuts over and over again, hence the rut.  To get out of this rut, I keep an eye out for the cuts I like in blazers, but rather in a shirt.  Women's button ups are great for that suit structure and darting; Poncho style jackets are a nice, comfortable variation on the jacket as well.

~~~~~     ~~~~~     ~~~~~     ~~~~~

Now, to my reason for this post to begin with - I used these two key points today when out with my friend Kelly at the local Salvation Army.  Like all of us, she has been stuck in the so-called rut.  Kelly mainly gravitates toward neutral colors like black, grey and white.  She also feels comfortable in looser clothing that sometimes can lack the shape she needs to show off her beautiful frame.  So she asked me to head into the racks on my own, without her opinions on color and structure, and put a few outfits together.  Then she would try them on as a set rather than separates to help her get an idea of how to pair different types of clothing.

I happily dove into the racks, knowing exactly what I wanted to see her in.  I hit up the short-sleeved tops and found some great prints that had her neutral colors, but still had a little pop of color somewhere.  I also pulled tops that were solids like a beautiful light olive green one I found.  I then headed over to the blazers (you know, because I'm addicted to them!) to see if I could find anything I thought she might be open to trying.  

I spaced out the different tops I had found on the blazer rack and got to digging.  I chose to stick with her solid neutrals for the most part, but tried to find subtle uniqueness in them as well.  For example, I pulled a black knit poncho jacket and put a red printed top underneath.  I then pulled a turquoise colored suit jacket that matched a green print I found.  And then I pulled a darted, lightly pinstriped black blazer and put the olive green top with it.  Then I grabbed a couple colorful scarves and added those to what I had picked out.

I have to say, I am so proud of Kelly for her openness.  I had so much fun watching her come out of the dressing room in the different combinations, and she was pleasantly surprised by the different looks, I think.  She would up liking the pinstriped blazer (HALLELUJAH!), and ended up purchasing that as well as several of the printed tops and one scarf!  I was SO happy to see her smile when she came out of the dressing room each time, and I was happy to see her liking what I had picked out for her.

In the end, I was able to pull just a tiny bit of her personality out of the rut she feels like she's in for work, and I hope she uses that in the future to push herself to gravitate toward colors and styles she wouldn't normally buy.

Everyone deserves something different from "The Usual."

Much Love,

~Heather

Glam It Up for the Weekend!

With Monday being the Labor Day holiday tomorrow, today is my "second Saturday."  In order to celebrate, I thought I would glam it up a little bit and share my Outfit of the Day (OOTD) and Makeup of the Day (MOTD) with you!  Hope you like it!

~~~~~     ~~~~~     ~~~~~

My outfit today was 90% thrift store & clearance items, and the rest was gifted:

Purple Striped T-Shirt/Size & Brand Unknown-No Tag (Goodwill $3.49)
Uproar Cropped Denim Jacket/Size XXL (Goodwill $3.99)
Lane Bryant Lightly Flared Jeans/Size 18 (Goodwill/Mother bought for me-FREE)
Lane Bryant Black Booties w/Gold Studded Heels/Size 10 ($19.99 clearance last winter)

Chunky Black/Silver Chain Necklace (Goodwill $3.99)
Silver Knotted Ring (Gift from Fiance/Price & Brand Unknown-FREE)
Lia Sophia Chain Bracelet Cuff (FREE Gift for hosting a Lia Sophia party)

TOTAL PRICE OF OUTFIT OF THE DAY: $31.46 (before tax)

~~~~~     ~~~~~     ~~~~~

This cropped denim jacket is one of my favorite pieces currently in my closet.  It's fun and a little edgy with the zippers and black stitching details.  I wear this jacket all the time for casual Fridays at the office.  The jeans are to die for!  I love super long jeans for my short stature.  If I wear heels with them and let the hem brush the ground, it helps me feel taller!  I will need to wear a little higher heel next time to get these off the ground more, though.  I also like pairing chunky jewelry with edgy pieces.  I think they mesh well and show off a little of my personality at the same time.  A pop of bright color, like purple, is a fun way to jazz up a mostly denim outfit.  I also like to make sure I never pair two denim pieces that are the same wash color.  It ends up looking to matchy-matchy, so I try to mix it up whenever possible.

~~~~~     ~~~~~     ~~~~~

I had to have a little fun with the hubby's guitar since he had it out for his own photo shoot today.  I can't play it, but it sure is fun to accessorize with!

~~~~~     ~~~~~     ~~~~~

My makeup of the day consisted of a full face of products by Maybelline, Hard Candy, CoverGirl, NYX, E.L.F. and Wet 'N Wild.  I chose to go with browns and a little glitter shadow, black eyeshadow for eyeliner and two lipstick shades with a gloss over top.  NYX eyeshadows blend super easy for me, so I usually only stick with them for my eyes.  They are a brand you can get at your local drugstore or Target (and budget friendly, too!).  I used E.L.F.'s brow duo to fill in and shape my brows.  I don't like super strong, defined arch brows for me, so I keep it soft and with my natural brow shape.  I also chose to define my nose and cheekbones with an NYC bronzer compact to give my pale complexion color and a more sculpted face.  The hardest part for me is always the lips.  I can never get a shape I like without looking too caked on.  I still need more practice and better products in order to get the right shape and fullness without the products bleeding into my liplines.  I'll keep you posted as I find new products I like.  I used a Fergie Wet 'N Wild lipstick, NYX Black Rose lipstick and NYX pink gloss to get the color. 

I hope you enjoyed my first OOTD/MOTD post!  I enjoyed doing it, so I will most likely be posting many more that will include more thrift store finds.

Much Love,

~Heather

Thrift Store Haul!

I have some goodies to share with you from my thrift store adventures yesterday!  I was invited by a friend of mine to go out to the Salvation Army to look for work clothes.  Of course I said yes.  We spent quite some time picking through their stock and came across some great items and at bargain prices.  Purple tags were automatically $0.69 cents, so I kept an eye out for those when shopping as well.

~~~~~     ~~~~~

I didn't come across too many things that worked out for me, but I still did well on bargains.  I found a bunch of beautiful tops, but they either didn't fit or I didn't like the style on me.  Here's what I found at the Salvation Army:

Item: Kenneth Cole-Reaction men's button up
Price: $0.69 cents

I try to find button up shirts for my fiance when I go out on 69 cent day at S.A.  This Kenneth Cole one is in great shape and a pattern that I really liked.  He wears button ups for work, so I always keep these in the back of my mind when I go thrift store shopping.  He is building up quite the collection from my thrift store trips.

Item: Merona (Target brand) women's long-sleeve t-shirt
Price: $0.69 cents


The second item I found was this basic grey, long-sleeve t-shirt.  These are super soft and a comfortable option for casual weekend days.  I would pair it with a colorful camisole underneath, a tied scarf, jeans and boots.  For fall, you could add a jean jacket or a green, military style blazer for an edgy feel.

I know these items don't seem like much, but I feel if I can find these basics in good shape for 69 cents, they are definitely worth it.  It's a way to keep rotating your basic pieces cheaper.  69 cents is still better than a cheap Walmart item that's $3.00!

Item: The Travel Selection brand red basic shell tank
Price: $2.99

I've been trying to keep an eye out for these shells to put underneath my suit jackets for work.  It's your typical sleeveless tank top, but I liked it because of the beautiful deep red color and had a flower pattern on it.  It's nothing exciting, but it will look nice and professional underneath a suit jacket.  Since this one wasn't a purple tag item, it had to pay full-price for it, but still at $2.99 it's a great deal.

Grand Total at Salvation Army: $5.18

After all was said and done, I wound up spending $5.18 total for 3 shirts and 2 decorative pillows for our living room.  While the trip was not a huge haul, I wound up finding some good items at great prices.


I still had time before stores closed Saturday night, so I decided to make a trip over to my favorite Goodwill store in town, and man am I glad I did!  I found several items that I absolutely love.  The Goodwill sale was 1/2 price blue tag items.  Sadly, only one item was a blue tag, but I still got great deals on things I know I'll wear all the time, and one not-so-great item I should have noticed before I purchased it.

~~~~~     ~~~~~

Item: Star Vixen leopard print top
Price: $3.49

I am super excited about this leopard print top.  It's a short-sleeved polyester top with large flutter sleeves.  I would wear this to go out on the weekend in.  I'd put a black tank underneath, toss on some colorful jewelry, trouser jeans and heels and head out on the town.

 



Item: East 5th tank top
Price: $1.75 (1/2 price blue tag item)

I was really happy to find this polyester embellished tank, and it was even better when I noticed the blue tag.  However, what I didn't do was pay attention to the details of the shirt.  I even tried this one on and still didn't notice there were a whole string of brown beads missing from the neckline.  I was so focused on the fact that it was 1/2 price that I didn't make sure to check the top over for blemishes.  I may be able to string new beads, but chances are I'll end up donating this one back to Goodwill before getting around to doing it.

I was really disappointed when I pulled this one out of the bag today to take pictures of.  If I would have noticed the missing beads, I never would have bought it.  And I think it's plenty noticeable, so I'll wind up never wearing it.  I should always use my own advice and check for rips, tears, missing pieces, etc before buying anything.  At least I'm only out $1.75!

Item: Tommy Hilfiger navy blue, asymmetrical cardigan
Price: $3.49

I am a magnet for cardigans.  They are easy to wear, comfortable options for work if dressed up appropriately.  This one is a soft knit material, and it has a rolled and buttoned 3/4 sleeve.  There's nothing quite like finding name-brand, quality items for killer deals!

Cardigans are so easy to pair with other separates for work and weekend looks.  I will wear this piece with black or neutral tops, long necklaces and a belt for work, and for weekends, I would pair it with a brighter tank top underneath, chunky necklace (or scarf) and no belt for a breezy, comfy outfit.  A belt can give a shapeless piece the right structured, polished look you need for a day at the office.

Item: Simply Vera by Vera Wang straight-leg denim capris
Price: $5.99

These jean capris happened to be in the denim racks with my size, but they are way too small for me.  I picked these up because my mom LOVES Vera Wang pants.  I'm pretty sure 99% of the denim she wears is by Vera Wang.  I have to admit, if her jeans came in my size, I'd probably be hooked, too.  Wang uses classic shapes and adds a touch of style to her pieces with buttons, studs and splashes of color.

This pair are in like-new shape and have the whisker detail at the hips and a cute, slit hem at the bottom.  The back pockets also have a small flower detail on them.  These were the most expensive item I bought, but at $5.99 and in such great shape, I couldn't pass them up.  Simply Vera is sold at Kohl's and usually run $44.00 and up.

Item: Purple striped 3/4-sleeve t-shirt
Price: $3.49

This shirt was my favorite piece of the day.  I am thrilled with this pattern and color!  There is no tag, so I don't know the brand, but it is the comfy knit material and super lightweight.  It's perfect for fall layering.  I wore this today with a blank tank underneath and a black button up long-sleeved shirt with buckle details over top of it.  I buttoned one button just under my bust at the waist to give a little shape.  The button up is a tailored, short hemline, so the striped detail of this top peaked out from underneath the bottom as well.

I would wear this fun print with and for almost anything.  I love this top!  :)

Item: Villager by Liz Clairborne grey blazer

Price: $3.99

I always take my time and dig through the racks of blazers at Goodwill because while they organize most styles by size (jeans, slacks, etc.), they don't do that with blazers.  You have to go piece-by-piece and check every size tag.  But I always do because I always wind up finding great items like this grey blazer for work.  It is a polyester/rayon blend material, but it has a tweed-like feel and look to it, without having the weight of tweed.  I also like that it has the black stitching detail around the lapels and bottom hemline.  I think this blazer looks chic and polished; I can pair it with a pencil skirt, a colorful top underneath and heels for a perfect office look.

Item: Valerie Stevens-Woman (plus-size line) pinstriped suit jacket
Price: $3.99

Did I mention I LOVE the blazer section at Goodwill?!  Holy cow this jacket is beautiful!  I'm a sucker for pinstriped detail.  It has red and light blue pinstriping and fits like a dream.  The two-button suit jackets work better for my body type because they button slightly lower, allowing me to button them both without any tugging on the sides due to a larger bust.  I am able to get the shape I want without feeling like a stuffed sausage.  The other great thing about this jacket is that it has pockets.  Pockets are a nice surprise because most of my suits have faux pocket detailing.  It looks great, but utterly useless.  I work for the government, and we often have to carry our badges to get through security in the building, so I always like having pockets to slip my badge in since I don't like clipping it on the outside of my clothing.  I am thrilled to have found this gem among those racks!

Grand Total at Goodwill: $28.00

~~~~~     ~~~~~

When all was said and done for the day, I spent a whopping $33.18 total for this haul.  That my friends, is why I love thrift store shopping.

Much love,

~Heather

Always Have a Game Plan

I think it's important to always have a game plan when you go shopping.  But more importantly, have a game plan when you're going thrift store shopping.  If you don't, you're almost always destined to leave disappointed or empty-handed.  I try to map out my trips before I ever set foot in a Goodwill because if I don't, I'll find myself getting scattered and never really digging for the gold in those racks upon racks of clothing.

~~~~~     ~~~~~     ~~~~~     ~~~~~

Without further ado, here are my tips on having a Thrift Store Game Plan -

1. Prioritize your needs and/or wants.
Are there holes in your wardrobe (or shirts even) that need filling first?  I often find two types of items that I have to keep rotating in and out because of wear and tear, weight fluctuation and the changing seasons - Suit Jackets/Blazers and Dress Slacks.  If I am needing new suit jackets, I make sure I hit up that section first.  Basically, make sure your budget is well spent before pilfering through all of those impulse buys waiting to snag at your purse strings.

2. Be willing to try things on.
I never knew how much of a problem this was for a lot of people until a friend of mine once said "I hate trying clothes on in the store.  I just hold it up, and if it looks like it'll fit, I buy it."  I couldn't hardly get over that!  Maybe it's because my mom always made me try things on before she bought them, but I ALWAYS try EVERYTHING on in the store first.  Why spend the time and money buying something that you may not end up liking or may not even fit in the first place?  Sure, in regular retail stores you can return the unwanted item and get your money back.  But most thrift stores have a "no return" policy.  You're SOL at that point. Also, it's good to try things on in the store because that is often when you notice any blemishes in the item - tears, holes, snags, discoloration, etc.  Good bargain or not, try that sucker on first!

3. Be patient.
Great things come to those who wait.  Trust me, those great deals are there just waiting to be snatched up.  You just have to be willing to dig.  Allot enough time in your day to spend time going item-by-item, rack-by-rack; that's how you find the good stuff.  And if you're short on time, keep an eye out for the sale items; if you're at Goodwill and the 1/2 off price tag color is Blue that day, make sure you stick to the blue tags.  Swiftly slide items on the rack, always keeping a keen eye out for a blue tag.  You may be able to get lucky and score a good deal on something you love.  Salvation Army is great for that since they do a $0.69 cent-sale every weekend based on random color price tags.

4. Avoid the "Boutique" section, if possible.
Some thrift stores, like Goodwill, have a section that they use to jack up the price on brand name and trendy items.  Since Salvation Army doesn't separate their items by general price ranges and individually price-mark their items, the higher priced items will be blended in with the cheaper pieces, so you have to be careful there.  I have a rule at S.A. - any item priced above $6.00 is considered a "boutique" item and off limits.  I'm there to score a great deal, not a good deal.  I'm not saying I avoid the higher priced items all of the time, but 4 out of 5 trips I won't even touch them.  If I have the extra cash in my shopping budget, then I splurge if I happen to find a piece I just HAVE to have.  Or if I'm looking for a specific style or color for a special occasion; I'll splurge then too, because it's still a cheaper option than buying at the mall.

5. Stay within your budget.
That brings me to my next game plan tip - SET A BUDGET AND DON'T GO OVER IT.  I will admit, sometimes, I can be the first one to break this rule, and I wind up regretting it later.  Granted, you're getting some great deals that you wouldn't find elsewhere, but you're still spending more than what you plan on.  It's easy to do when everything is super cheap, ironically enough.  You throw anything and everything in your cart and wind up spending $100+ at the checkout.  Set a "top dollar amount" and leave it at that.  Remember, you're thrift store shopping because it's CHEAP and good for your budget.  Keep a mental tally of the items that go in your buggy.  When you reach your limit amount, go try things on in the fitting room and weed out what ends up not working for you and keep moving, doing the same process until you reach a point where you top out at your top dollar or are happy with your finds and ready to checkout.

6. Take a friend and share the wealth of goodies!
Thrift store shopping is almost always more fun when you go with a friend.  You help each other find the great prices and get to give opinions on what you try on.  If I don't take a friend, I often end up chatting with the people next to me in the fitting rooms and share opinions that way.  I like to know another person's take on the clothes I pick out.  It can put things into perspective a little more.  I don't mean simple things like "Love that top!" but rather things like "Wow...that color works great for your skin." or "That dress would look awesome with a jean jacket."  I like getting comments like the latter two because it helps me keep a mental note for future shopping trips.  Someone says green is my color?  I'm going to watch out for that color next time and see how it works out for me.  Someone shows me how to pair separates?  Hell yes!  It's always more fun to have friends with you when shopping.  Recently, I tagged along with my 19-year-old cousin to help pick out some business/professional clothes for her upcoming school year where she will be required to student teach.  We were able to scour through several racks and stores and get some great professional looking pieces at dirt cheap prices she could afford.

7. HAVE FUN!
I really think this is the most important tip I can offer.  Thrift store shopping should be an adventure worth taking.  I look forward to every thrift store trip I take.  It's my relaxation and my gift to myself for working hard everyday.  I set aside whole days devoted to thrift store shopping most of the time.  I get excited when I come across a brand I love at a great price.  When I find going out blouses and jackets that I feel represent my personality and style, I start to get giddy.  My fiance often winds up standing at the fitting rooms waiting on me because I've spent the last two hours trying stuff on.  I can't help it; it's an adrenaline rush when I find so many treasures in one or two stores at killer prices.  Who wouldn't be excited when they score $70, name brand dress pants at the staggering price of $0.69 cents!

~~~~~     ~~~~~     ~~~~~     ~~~~~

I hope these tips have been helpful.  Keep an eye out for a thrift store haul post within the next day or so.  I'm heading out with a friend to help search for work attire, and I've got 50 bucks to spend on those great deals!  :)

Much love,
~Heather

Thrift Store Vs. Consignment Shop: Part II

Yesterday, I spent a lot of time talking about thrift stores, and why I love them.  Today, I want to shine some light on consignment shops, when I choose to go to them, and why.

Property of Consignment Chic, LLC.

The Consignment Shop

Consignment shops are stores that take in outside products from individuals and agree to sell them for the individual in return for a percentage of the sale.  Selling on consignment is a popular avenue for gently used prom dresses, wedding gowns and other formal wear that has already been worn and will probably not be worn again by the original owner.  I also see a lot of name brand clothing go through consignment shops.

I think consignment shops can be a great way to find nice, designer clothing for a fraction of their retail value.  The nice thing about this type of store is that the majority of the stock will be current style trends.  A lot of stores pick and choose what to accept on consignment based on the probability of a successful sale, so you should be able to find something you like that's fashion forward on the racks.  The other thing I like about consignment shops is that they are set up like a boutique.  The racks are organized, spaced well and arranged in sections similar to retail stores, making them easy to navigate.  Sometimes, they will even separate by color which can be beneficial if you're looking for something specific.

If I'm looking for a specific item, I will sometimes choose to go to a consignment shop over a thrift store because you can usually find better quality, fashionable styles with less effort.  For example, if I'm looking for a specific color dress for a special event, I can go to a consignment shop and have a better chance of finding what I'm looking for that's nice, formal and at a good price point.

~~~~~~~~~~          ~~~~~~~~~~

The main reason I don't choose a consignment store on a normal basis is because of the prices.  Granted, you are getting a good deal when you pay a quarter of the retail value, but I have a hard time paying $15-$20 for a work blouse that's used.  I feel I can keep an eye out at retail department stores for deals to get the same price on a brand new blouse instead.  I understand that the items in consignment shops will generally be higher than thrift stores because the profit is being split two ways instead of one, but if I'm just looking for general clothing basics, I feel I can get a much better bargain at a thrift store.

The other reason I tend to avoid consignment shops is because the plus sizes are either very small sections or nonexistent altogether.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, the average woman in the United States is 5 foot 4 inches in height and weighs 164 pounds, putting her around a size 14 by general standards.  I find the majority of clothing in consignment shops to be in the size range of 8 to 14, so I'd say the majority of women who shop in these stores probably find several items in their size.  However, I am above the national average, so if a store does not carry plus sizes, I won't find a piece that fits.  I have walked through an entire shop only to feel awful by the time I leave because I searched tag after tag without finding a single item in my size.  I'm not saying all consignment shops are that way because I have also been to a couple that carry plenty in my size, but I don't like the feeling of walking into a store and feeling ashamed of my body because it's not important enough to even carry clothing in my size.  That's why I avoid most stores in malls (unless they advertise plus sizes), so I'm naturally going to avoid these stores in the same respect.

~~~~~~~~~~          ~~~~~~~~~~

In my humble opinion, I will always choose a thrift store first because of the price point and ability to find clothing in my size.  I am happy to search through racks upon racks of clothing to find quality pieces hidden inside for pennies on the dollar.

I would love to hear other opinions of the Thrift Store versus the Consignment Shop from your experience, so please feel free to leave a comment below!

Much Love,

~Heather

Thrift Store Vs. Consignment Shop: Part I

The next two posts to my blog are going to be about the pros and cons of the Thrift Store bargain versus the Consignment Shop bargain.  In my opinion, the true bargains lie in those jam-packed racks of thrift stores, but I think consignment shops can be worth a trip to every now and again for different reasons.

Property of Goodwill Industries, Inc.

Property of The Salvation Army

The Thrift Store

The most popular thrift store in my area is Goodwill.  We have a couple of Salvation Army stores as well, and several locally owned stores.  I will usually dedicate an entire Saturday to traveling to several of the thrift stores in the area to allow myself enough time to look through every rack, try on styles and stand in line to purchase items.

I am such an advocate for thrift store bargains because of the consistently cheap pricing system.  Goodwill has a simple setup for the most part by using a categorical system.  For example, jeans and blazers are $4.99 per piece.  Dress slacks and blouses are $3.99.  Scarves range from $0.99 to $3.99 depending on size, brand and material.  Shoes are $3.99.  They do have items in what they call the "Boutique" section that are generally nicer articles of clothing for slightly higher prices.

Basically, I can walk into Goodwill, search through racks and fill my cart with items to try on, knowing the price without having to look at each tag for a number.  It saves me the hassle of determining whether or not it's worth the price to buy because I know all items are priced cheap enough that I will buy if I like something.  And I may just happen to pick up an item with the right color tag that will be half-price at the register.  I can fill a cart to the brim with items and walk out spending less than fifty bucks.  That goes down in the books as a bargain day for me!

Aside from the consistent pricing system, I also like thrift stores because of the variety of choices.  You just never know what you'll find in a thrift store.  It could be a dress from the 1970's who's style has come back in more recent years.  It could be a jean jacket someone modified with patches, zippers or frays from the grunge era.  Or it could be a piece that's from a current brand in great shape and oftentimes with the original retail store tag still on it.  You are almost guaranteed to find something that fits your own personal style, and you'll get it for a low, low price.

~~~~~~~~~~          ~~~~~~~~~~

One disadvantage to thrift stores can be the organization of their racks, or lack thereof.  It seems to vary from store to store, but most thrift stores do minimal sorting before putting on racks.  One of the Goodwill stores I go to organizes jeans, slacks and skirts by size, but their shirts, blazers, dresses and shoes are just put out on racks in big sections with no size or color organization whatsoever.  It can be discouraging because you are forced to go through these racks piece by piece to find the clothes that are in your size and also suit your style.  If I'm short on time, I find myself gravitating toward the pants because I know I'll be able to go right to my size and then sift through for styles I like.  Sometimes, I'll ignore the tops and dresses completely because I don't want to hassle with or don't have time to check every size tag and style hanger by hanger.

The other disadvantage to bring up is that these stores are often "hit or miss" with successful finds.  I can go to a thrift store five times, and I'll only leave with clothing one out of the five trips.  The stock in these stores just depends on the amount and timing of donations from the public.  If you can find out the days they receive a new truck of goods, you may be able to time your trips appropriately for a better chance to find brand names and current styles you like.

~~~~~~~~~~          ~~~~~~~~~~

The disadvantages of thrift stores are definitely notable, but if you are consistent and take the time to sift through racks piece by piece, it's worth the adventure.  I often find the act of searching for the bargains just as much fun as buying name brand clothes for a fraction of their retail price.  You have to be willing to search through overflowing racks of old, shapeless clothing in order to find the gems hidden within.

But when you do find those gems, and you will, it's totally worth the time and money spent.

Much Love,
~Heather

Part II: Consignment Shops will appear tomorrow.  Come back soon!

Thrifty is My Middle Name

It's true - I'm addicted to thrift store shopping.  I can't get enough of digging through racks upon racks of old, used clothing...It's a rush for me to dig through an entire rack of stuff right out of the 80's to find that one gem that suits my style.  How can you go wrong with the price, anyway?  Ninety-nine percent of the time when someone asks me where I bought a piece of my outfit, I reply with "Goodwill, of course!"  I live for thrift store finds.

So without further ado, here are a few items I've found over the last several months that I feel are expressive pieces worth mentioning.  I will try to find these items online, if possible, so you can know where to purchase. :-)

The first I want to share with you is this pair of boots I found at The Salvation Army.  I went to both SA stores on President's Day weekend because everything was half off, no matter what color price tag was on it!  (For those of you who may not know, they pick a "color of the day," and any clothing item with that color tag will be half of the price marked.)

These beauties were marked $4.99, so I paid $2.50 for them.  A steal to say the least!  These boots are by Truffle in a size 9.  I found a couple different similar styles here and here.  Both are inexpensive and definitely worth checking in to.  These are comfortable to walk in, and I can wear them all day without any problems.  I like how the tops can be rolled down for a more relaxed look, but I prefer to lace them up all the way instead.  I also like that they were already broke in to a bit of a worn, creased look.  I think it helps with the rustic effect.  You'll notice there is a bit of a scuff on the left toe, but for $2.50 I wasn't going to complain!  I will just take a similar colored marker and color that bit in to make it much less noticeable.

My next thrift store steal are these gorgeous teal pumps by Spicy.  

I can't seem to find them online, or anything close to them in style for that matter, so I'm assuming they are probably discontinued.  They are a pair of faux snakeskin, stiletto pumps in a beautiful teal shade.  I would say they are probably between two and three inches in height.  I am a sucker for the pointed-toe style heels, so I was super excited to see these at a local thrift store for $9.99.  The snakeskin adds a nice textured feel, and the buckle gives them a little bit of a pop.  I like to wear these to work underneath a pair of floor length trousers so that the pointed toe peeps out underneath to show the color and silver buckle.  Wearing them like that with the pointed toes gives me a nice streamlined look, which I love.  I have to admit that they are uncomfortable if I'm on my feet for a long period of time, but they are tolerable for my daily desk job.  Quite a bit of weight will rest on the ball of your foot when standing in these, so I recommend purchasing a gel sole to slip inside styles like this for more practical wear.

The third "steal" I found was at The Goodwill.  I found a pair of bootcut Lane Bryant dark wash jeans for $4.99.  I am always ecstatic when I find Lane Bryant brand clothes at thrift stores because buying Lane Bryant in their own store is always way too expensive.  A regular price pair of jeans at LB runs around $60-$70. 

    

I really like this style of jean for three reasons: 1) the dark wash, 2) the whiskering at the hips and 3) the extra panel above the back pockets.  Dark wash is universally flattering on all body types, but especially among us thicker gals.  I also like that a dark wash can be dressed up with a nice blouse and blazer or dressed down with a fitted tee for a more casual look.  I have always loved the whiskered pattern on jeans; I think it gives them a fashionable look without being overbearing and full of holes.  The big reason I love this pair of jeans is the way they sit on the hips.  Because of the extra panel of fabric above the back pockets, they cover the entire rear without fear of showing more than I bargained for when I sit or bend down.  They have a fair amount of stretch in them as well, which helps with the comfort factor.  Shown here, they do look a little big in the back, but this was after I had worn them all day long so they relaxed quite a bit.  When I first put these on after a washing, they feel and fit amazing.  The fabric lays flat in the front, which is something I always look for in a good pair of jeans as well.  I don't like feeling like I'm carrying around a pouch...not very flattering!

The last item I want to talk about is this necklace I found at The Goodwill.

I have no clue who this piece is by, but I love the costume style chunkiness to it.  It's fun without being too gaudy.  I have been gravitating toward extra long necklaces lately because I like the idea of drawing the eye down to lengthen the neck area.  I think in this case the knotted beads intertwined with the chains gives it a unique interest.  I use this piece to give an otherwise stale outfit a personal flare.  This necklace is two of my favorite things in fashion - Black and Chains.  It's edgy and fun, and for a price of $3.99, I wasn't about to pass it up!

Well, that wraps up my first thrift store haul!  I have tons of other great items from thrift stores, so I'll make sure to include them in Outfit-of-the-Day posts in the future.

Much Love,

~Heather