Thrifty Threads

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, ebay, Craigslist, a yard sale, a clothing swap, or anywhere else you find used clothing.

Today’s model is Janet, back for the 3rd time on Thrifty Threads. I’m really excited about showing you this gorgeous 50s outfit she put together for her annual office Christmas party. The color is exquisite and she looks amazing!

I love the way Janet creatively combines pieces she buys secondhand with items she already owns. For this ensemble, she found the dress at a secondhand shop for just five dollars. She says she could tell by the fabric that it wasn’t vintage, but made by someone who was an excellent seamstress using a vintage pattern and authentic metal side zipper and “rope” belt loops.

For the wrap, Janet found this black wool shawl with rabbit fur pompoms in a local thrift store and modified it by removing some lace trim and rounding out the lines in the process.  The jewelry is a combination of gifts and pieces from local secondhand shops and ebay. The pretty yet comfortable shoes and marvelous beaded bag had already been in her closet for years.

Click here to read Janet’s post “Deconstruction of a Party Outfit,” where she posts individual photos of the items she assembled and goes into more details. It’s quite fun.

Thanks Janet, for yet another fabulous outfit and terrific example for Thrifty Threads! Readers, you have about 48 hours to put together one of your own in time for a New Year’s Eve bash. Why not go retro like Janet did? I think it’s very chic and modern to create your own style like she does. And if you put together something that includes thrifted items, snap a photo and send it to me and I’ll post it on Thrifty Threads!

Please leave your best advice on secondhand shopping, plus compliments for Janet in the Comments section. You can check out Janet’s other appearances on Thrifty Threads here and here.

Happy New Year, everyone! Have fun, and be safe.

Comments

  1. says

    I love Janet’s blue dress! Fur (even used) isn’t very appealing to me, but the rest of the look is great. I really miss glamour. We’re such a dressed down society now, especially in winter. Seeing people in their pajama pants at the store is nothing unusual (sadly!) I love the gloves and own many vintage ones myself, mostly from my mother and grandmother. Here’s to looking retro and fabulous, and to being thrifty.

    Happy New Year!

  2. says

    What a gorgeous colour! I used to buy a lot of vintage clothing back when I was in university but have gotten out of the habit since then. I’m thinking I should start looking around again – you can find real quality pieces in vintage shops as opposed to thrift stores!

Leave a Reply to Katie Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *