Thrifty Threads

It’s time for another installment of Thrifty Threads, AKA Most Stylish Compact-y outfit, where readers model their favorite secondhand clothes. Thrifty Threads is usually on Thursdays, but better late than never…

A Compact-y outfit is used or recycled, from Goodwill, a thrift store, a consignment shop, a yard sale, craigslist, ebay, a clothing swap, or anywhere else you find used clothing.

Today’s model is Patricia, whose mom Alea blogs at Premeditated Leftovers. Alea says Patricia might be even more frugal than she is, which is saying a lot if you  read her blog. I love it for her humor and honesty, plus the recipes, menu plans, and tons of frugal tips. Many of her recipes have become my go-to favorites, in fact just a few nights ago I tried this delicious Pasta with Vegetables and Alfredo Sauce, and both my husband and I loved it. It’s not exactly low-cal, so it will be an occasional treat, but the sauce is so much tastier than the expensive jarred variety. Plus Alea decided to do The Compact this year and her whole family agreed to join in, and she often writes about that challenge and what they’ve all learned from it.

Alea says Patricia found this super cute top amongst Aleas’s old things in the attic, and that it’s about fifteen years old. This is exactly the kind of clothing I love: stylish but not trendy, so you can’t date it to a specific year. Patricia has worn this top with slacks to work, with jeans to a rodeo, and with the skirt to church. The Old Navy skirt was $3.99 at Goodwill. Patricia says it makes her feel feminine because she has to take smaller steps. For that reason, she says “it’s not part of her zombie survival plan.” Clearly, she shares her mother’s sense of humor as well as her thriftiness.

Mother and daughter went for some “therapeutic secondhand shoe shopping” at their favorite thrift store after a particularly rough day at school and work, and Patricia found these fantastic shoes for $4.99, along with a black pair for the same price. Both were brand new. I have to admit I’m a little envious of that incredible find, I am sort of coveting those shoees.

Along with that great top, Patricia found several other items in the attic which she added to her wardrobe, including a sundress that Alea was wearing when her husband proposed. Alea says Patricia was as happy with her finds as if she’d gone to a department store, and considers it a side effect of being on The Compact.

Patricia has modelled for Thrifty Threads before, and you can see the gorgeous dance dress she found and read more about her frugal philosophy here. I must say I find it particularly admirable and inspiring in such a young person.

Thanks Patricia for modeling, and Alea for sending that fabulous photo! Readers, it’s your turn. Put on your favorite secondhand outfit, snap a photo, and send it to me at barton (dot) angela (at) gmail (dot) com. Please put “Thrifty Threads” in the subject line, and if you don’t hear from me I didn’t receive it. Most of the submissions are going into my spam folder, so I’m trying to make sure I check it often. You’ll know I got it if you hear back from me. Remember, we like to see all types of models on Thrifty Threads, and that includes old and young, big and small, men and women. Anyone have a teenage son wearing Goodwill jeans? All photos are welcome, as long as they’re G-rated and you’re wearing secondhand clothes.

Please share your best tips for thrift store shopping plus compliments for Patricia in the Comments section. And click here to check out all previous installments of Thrifty Threads.