Tales From The Thrift: Now With 110% More Thrift

It’s been a hectic month, which means lotsa thrifting-as-stress-relief … but I actually haven’t bought a lot. Most of what’s recapped here was actually bought in June, when I went a little a lot overboard. The deals, they are just too good, you guys.

But first, a few things I didn’t get.

Lucian Matis skirt
Lucian Matis skirt ($5)

I totally squee-ed a little when I found this Lucian Matis skirt. Does anyone else remember his season of Project Runway Canada? It was the only one I watched, I think, back in the days I still had time for TV (sigh) and I loved Lucian … not least because he’s also from the Old Country. Anyway, I think he’s still a pretty big name in Canadian fashion these days. This skirt was way too tiny for me to even try on (maybe a runway sample?) and a little too 90s-vibed, but it was an exciting thriftspot nonetheless.

Kors blazer ($6)
Kors blazer ($6)

Talk about a walk down memory lane! I think this was a vintage Kors blazer, from MK’s pre-diffusion line days. It was too comically large on me, but I think it’s a vintage piece that could definitely work on the right woman today.

vintage brooches
vintage brooches

These were not thrifted (but, rather, purchased at the Strathcona Antique Mall) but they were pretty and I wanted to include them in the round-up anyway. They were each $15 or less.

D'Orlan brooch ($3)
D’Orlan brooch ($3)

This teeny bee brooch, on the other hand, was thrifted, and a bargain at that. I didn’t realize it was a signed D’Orlan piece until later. Fun fact: back when we first started dating, my husband used to call me “Bee” — apparently, because I was always buzzing with energy. Things change a lot in 8 years (and two kids later) is all I’m gonna say about that. [In fact, I could use a nap right about now.]

milkglass vases ($2 each)
milkglass vases ($2 each)

I already have two of these little vases, but I figured I could use two more — they will make perfect table decorations at some future dinner party.

Hello Kitty luggage tag ($3)
Hello Kitty luggage tag ($3)

I could not NOT get this, you guys. And I am NOT sharing it with my daughter.

necklaces ($6 and $5)
necklaces ($6 and $5)

I did not set out to buy turqouise boho necklaces but here we are. I found these on separate occasions, and while the style is not right in my wheelhouse, I think these are fun additions to my casual summer wardrobe.

Italian bags ($2.50 and $4.50)
Italian bags ($2.50 and $4.50)

Two Italian-made leather bags in perfect condition? For under $10 together? Yes, please. I bought these as gifts (for my mom and for a friend) and I think they were hits.

Maeve dress ($4)
Maeve dress ($4)

Not entirely in my current style wheelhouse, but too cute to pass up nonetheless. [Damn you, Anthro!] Also, it was $4 (at VV’s 50% off sale). How could I not buy it, you guys? No, really: how could I not? Tell me how to resist the lure of cute dresses that cost less than a latte. Made in China, 100% cotton (with cotton lining).

mystery label ...
mystery label …

The label on this dress confounded me, but the details were cute (and read as very Anthro-esque to my eagle eyes) so I took a chance because I was in a rush, and didn’t feel like dithering in the aisle at Goodwill for another 10 minutes.

Coquille dress ($7)
Coquille dress ($7)

And what do you know? It IS an Anthro dress. I have a sixth sense for Anthro, I’m telling you. Made in China, 100% silk (with poly lining).

Tulle top ($6)
Tulle top ($6)

I’m a sucker for butterflies. This one replaced a solid yellow/chartreuse top that had ruffles on it. The care label was cut out so I don’t have deets on this top, but I’m guessing it’s 100% poly.

DKNY blazer ($5)
DKNY blazer ($5)

The fit of this blazer was really good, and I thought it might be nice to have a pinstripe version. No gonna lie, I haven’t purged any of my older blazers to make room for this one. Made in China, poly-viscose-elastane blend (the extra stretch is nice).

J. Crew blazer ($8)
J. Crew blazer ($8)

I’m also a sucker for tweed. This “English tweed” cloth was too gorgeous for me to resist. It was a size 10, which meant that I had to take a leap of faith and trust that alterations were possible and economically feasible. Made in China, 88% wool, 12% polyamide (with poly lining).

Ted Baker blazer ($20)
Ted Baker blazer ($20)
gorgeous lining
gorgeous lining

Yes, that is the THIRD new blazer I bought (having purged zero). I fail so badly at following rules. Anyway, how could I resist new-with-tags Ted Baker? Just look at that gorgeous lining! Made in Malta, 55% wool, 44% acetate, 1% elastane (with poly blend lining).

Citizens of Humanity ($4)
Citizens of Humanity ($4)

I have a lot of casual pants, but here I am — adding a new pair. Citizens of Humanity (in the Ava style) for under $5 though. That’s all I’m gonna say. Made in the US, cotton-modal-lycra blend.

Stuart Weitzman sandals ($12)
Stuart Weitzman sandals ($12)

I spent an entire summer looking for a pair of yellow sandals. Two years later, I finally found one. The heel is quite a bit higher than I would have hoped for casual wear, but I will take new Stuart Weitzmans any day of the week. Made in Spain, 100% leather.

Elie Tahari dress ($4)
Elie Tahari dress ($4)

Impulse buy I will probably regret, but it was only $4. Bought this before the rules came into effect (lololol!), but I have been downsizing my dress collection so I feel like I’m even on this score. Made in China, 98% polyester, 2% elastane.

James Perse shirt ($6)
James Perse shirt ($6)

I’m tentatively thinking of replacing my worn-out chambray shirt with this grey (non-chambray) James Perse one, but I want to wait and see how versatile this version is first. One thing I was disappointed to see was that this shirt was not made in the US, as I had assumed from the fact that it’s JP. I didn’t check until I got home, and lesson learned. I probably would have passed on it had I realized that in the store, to be honest. Made in Vietnam, 100% cotton.

Club Monaco dress ($4)
Club Monaco dress ($4)

Too cute to pass up for $4. Story of my life, eh? Made in , 97% wool, 3% elastane (with acetate-rayon-elastane blend lining).

Club Monaco dress ($6)
Club Monaco dress ($6)

Here’s another one. Made in China, 98% poly, 2% elastane (with 100% poly lining).

Moulinette Soeurs dress ($9)
Moulinette Soeurs dress ($9)

What’s that, another Anthropologie dress? Sigh. Ok, fine. Toss the rule book out of the window. Made in China, 55% silk, 45% cotton (with poly lining).

LK Bennett dress ($14)
LK Bennett dress ($14)

Wait! Bring the rule book back. This retro-style dress definitely qualifies as a “special piece” — and it was new with $375 price tag still attached. Made in China, 100% silk (with acetate lining).

Akris dress ($7.50)
Akris dress ($7)

You guys, this was probably a $1,500-$2,000 dress originally. I want me a piece of that, even if I’ll need two pairs of Spanx to fit into it comfortably (fingers crossed). Definitely a “special” piece. Made in Switzerland, 100% silk (with 100% silk lining!).

All in all, I … mostly failed miserably at following any sort of thrifting rules. But I had fun and bought a bunch of cool things, for not a lot of money, and that’s a pretty good score at the end of the day. How was your (thrifting) month?

Blue Crush

Blazer, Zara (swap); top, Banana Republic (thrifted); skirt, Tory Burch (thrifted); shoes, Calvin Klein
Blazer, Zara (swap); top, Banana Republic (thrifted); skirt, Tory Burch (thrifted); shoes, Calvin Klein

I’ll be honest: I mostly posted this outfit because I was having a Very Good Hair Day in these pics. You guys know my stance on VGHDs — shout them out from the rooftops or, as the case may be, all over one’s blog. Consider it SHOUTED.

Ahem.

The outfit was ok too. At least 8/10, solid effort. I kinda got lazy with my choice of footwear, but it was mostly practicality-driven. I knew I’d have to stand a fair bit that day, and these CK wedges are, bar none, my most comfortable non-flats.

A Good Hair Day
A Good Hair Day
Here's another picture for proof, just in case
Here’s another picture for proof, just in case

Bright Friday

Blazer, Theory (via consignment); top, Theory (thrifted); pants, LOFT; shoes, Calvin Klein; bag, Marc Jacobs; necklace, Lulu Frost
Blazer, Theory (via consignment); top, Theory (thrifted); pants, LOFT; shoes, Calvin Klein; bag, Marc Jacobs; necklace, Lulu Frost

It’s no secret that I’m not a huge fan of pants, and have struggled in the past with my lack of desire to wear them. I simply don’t get as excited about pants outfits as I do about dresses or skirts. Add in my minimalist experiment, and the struggle is all the more real: how to to make a pants outfit interesting? Well, this attempt turned out ok. One bright piece, a simple print, a little bit of sparkle. Definitely makes black anything but boring, right?

bright, bright, bright
bright, bright, bright
through a windowpane brightly
through a windowpane brightly

I haven’t worn these Loft pants nearly as much as I thought I would, and they’re now a little loose (and oddly itchy — how have I not noticed that before?) so I don’t think I’ll be wearing them much going forward. It’s a shame, particularly as these are an example of a very intentional (as opposed to impulsive) purchase. Has that ever happened to you — finding that you’re not wearing an item nearly as often as you anticipated you would?

TGIF!
TGIF!