Welcome to 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, a consignment shop, a yard sale, ebay, Craigslist, a clothing swap, or anywhere else you find secondhand clothing.
Today’s model is Terry from Texas, wearing an entirely thrifted outfit that I just love. The skirt is exactly my style, and the kind of thing I wear all summer. I think flowing skirts look so pretty and are actually cooler and more comfortable than pants or shorts.
Terry says she started buying her clothes secondhand in the 1970s and never looked back. She likes to alter the things that she buys, like making a top out of a dress, a skirt out of a dress, change the length, cut off the sleeves, add trims or pockets, etc. She also sometimes makes shopping bags, purses, hot pads, or “whatever the item tells her to do.” Here are the details of this ensemble, in Terry’s own words:
“The outfit I’m wearing in the photo came from three different sources.
The skirt is a Crazy horse/Liz Claiborne that I purchased at the Hospital Charity Shop for $3.00. Linen, rayon blend with a cotton lining.
The top is a silk, linen blend, (maker tag was cut out) also purchased for $3.00 from the SPCA secondhand shop.
The jacket is an Emma James/Liz Claiborne. Linen, rayon blend with a polyester lining also $3.00 from The woman’s Resource Center Shop.
No alterations or changes were needed on these pieces although the skirt is a little big for me. (safety pin to the rescue)
All three shops are in my driving circle so no wasted fuel….”
Terry sells handmade soap and bath products and the photo was taken at one of her events. Click here to order from her online shop, Blue Moon Soap. The new soap today is Mango Peach, which sounds absolutely amazing. Terry uses no preservatives and dries her own herbs to use in the products. With scents like Lemon Grass, Nutty Pear, and Chocolate Mint, I’m sold! And the prices are very reasonable, especially if you order in bulk. Terry also has an etsy shop called Blue Moon Vintage Cafe, where she sells vintage items like shoes, hats, china, tins, and many other things.
Terry also has a blog called Urania’s Inspiration, where she writes about sewing, repurposing, and other thrifty things. Terry recently made her own shower curtain when she needed a new one, which was both frugal and Compact-y, since she already had the fabric.
Thanks Terry, for sharing that photo and all your thrifty tips! Readers, it’s your turn! Put on your favorite secondhand outfit, snap a photo, and send it to me at barton.angela@gmail.com. We all love to see your thrifty scores, so keep those photos coming!
What are your favorite secondhand shopping tricks? Please share them, plus compliments for Terry, in the Comments section. And click here to check out previous installments of Thrifty Threads.
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