Tag: Vince Camuto

Spring/Summer Thrift List

My spring thrifting was curtailed a bit by my Lenten thrifting fast, but leaving the Goodwill alone for awhile also brought me a lot of clarity on where I have enough and where I have wardrobe holes.  Thus, my thrift list is on the trimmer side this go-around. Hurrah!

I do have a few other items I’d be happy to pick up or that I want to replace, so I’m dividing my list into three categories:

  • “Need” – an active wardrobe hole I’d like to fill as soon as possible. “Need” is of course relative so it’s going in quotation marks.
  • Replace/upgrade – current item is worn or I’m tired of it, but I will keep wearing it until I find a replacement I love 
  • Long Game – a classic piece I know will serve me for years to come but that isn’t an acute need now. It often takes dedication and patience to find the gems – hence why I say “thrifting is a long game” – so it behooves me to keep my eyes peeled for just that right piece before it becomes a “need” or has to be replaced.

Without further ado… my current thrift list.

“Need“
Dressy navy pants
These, but navy, and ankle length (these are a bit short):
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If you’re listening, thrifting gods, I’d be happy with some Vince Camutos or Talbots Hampshire Ankle pants…

Dressy sleeveless top in sky blue or lemon yellow
I loved wearing this coral sleeveless top last year on HOT days and I’d like to add another one so I don’t have to wear this one every day:
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Replace/Upgrade
This beloved blue polkadot blouse, which sadly has a rip in the back (and which I will defiantly wear anyway until I find a replacement): IMG_1173
Yes, those are shoulder pads AND I LOVE THEM.

Navy leggings
I ripped a hole in my American Apparel ones while running in them (poor choice, I know), and while I successfully hid that sucker a few times by just wearing said leggings backward, I’ll need to find a replacement before winter so they can warm up all my cold-weather dresses:
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Casual tees/tanks for summer
I am bored of these; good thing that that’s what thrifting is for! I can donate them back to the thrift store and have zero guilt about having paid an arm and a leg or wanting “new” clothes.
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Long Game
As mentioned above, I’m keeping an eye out for great sheath dresses and a casual stretch or cotton dress since I donated my two that didn’t fit right anymore. I’m also keeping an eye out for a white or off-white blazer to go over my sheath dresses. I have a great white denim jacket but it’s a bit casual for work.

That’s it! It feels good to have a more concise list based on holes I know I have instead of an endless list inspired by “the gimmies.” It’s already made my thrifting trips more focused.

What’s on your thrift list right now?

 

Spring 10×10 Remix: Day 5

I’m doing the 10×10 spring remix hosted by Un-Fancy and StyleBee. All this work week and next, I’ll be using 10 pieces of clothing to create 10 different outfits, using self-imposed limitations to spark some creativity. All the details – and the clothes (all thrifted)– here.

Day 5: Get excited, no coat today! It was warm enough to wear just this cotton tunic and I am all in. I saved this gloriously Delft-plate-esque Chico’s top for Friday because it felt a little more casual than some of my other blouses… although on closer inspection the print is quite dramatic and that by itself makes it feel a little more formal.
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I paired it with my Vince Camuto pants and flat sandals instead of a skirt and wedges because I knew I’d be doing a lot of carrying stuff up and down stairs as a I break down the altar from Maundy Thursday and get ready for Good Friday. #holyweek #akaclergycrunchtime

Side view, with slits up the side for a little give in the hips:
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You may remember the original had little tassels but they were a different blue and kind of raggedy:
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I thought they made the otherwise striking print and clean silhouette look a little ratty, so I cut them off and just tied the ends in a simple overhand knot. They look weird actually tied together so I just let them hang:
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Closeup on that gorgeous pattern:
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Let’s take a second to discuss the hair. This relaxed side-ponytail is my current favorite hairstyle. It basically comes out of a mindless “agh, I need to tie my hair back to keep it from getting in my breakfast/coffee/toddler’s current art project” and then 20 minutes later I look in the mirror and realize it’s gorgeous so I secure the hair tie one more loop to keep it there.  I can’t make it look this way on purpose if I try!  Sigh.  (PS If you are wondering, I am still doing no poo 18 months in; update post to come.)

Bonus: when I try to do a different pose and it turns out horribly corny:WP_20170414_10_19_24_Pro

Thoughts on this outfit: It’s a win. 3/4 length-sleeves are my fave and the bold pattern, as I noted above, dresses up an otherwise poolside-worthy top (don’t get me wrong, I’d still take it to the pool). So light and breezy but with a great torso-skimming cut. (I’m looking at you, soft wash shirt – THIS is what we’re aiming for!)  Those bright, contrasting colors will feel even more spot-on once the weather heats up.

Happy Passover to those celebrating, and a meaningful Good Friday and Easter to those celebrating as well. (I meant to wish the same for Maundy Thursday yesterday but forgot.)

Scroll down to tell me how your remix is going and what you think of Day 5.  I’ll be back on Monday to start off week 2 of the 10×10. Thanks to all those who have commented for making it so enjoyable thus far!

10×10 Spring Remix: Day 3

I’m doing the 10×10 spring remix hosted by Un-Fancy and StyleBee. All this work week and next, I’ll be using 10 pieces of clothing to create 10 different outfits, using self-imposed limitations to spark some creativity. All the details – and the clothes (all thrifted)– here.

Day 3: You may be getting tired of this Tahari by Arthur S. Levine dress coat (coat dress?) but I’m not! It goes with everything:
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Sandals by Clarks (retail); shirt by Banana Republic; pants by Vince Camuto; bracelet by Monet; necklace = heirloom

I actually thought about wearing my grey marled Merona blazer pictured in the post mentioned above, just for some variety; but the grey in it is juuuust different enough from the grey in these Vince Camuto pants that I wasn’t feeling it. There goes my idea to pair its pattern with these solid pants for a “casual suiting” look! (Don’t worry, the blazer will still get plenty of wear in this 10×10, paired with skirts and my dress.)

The action shot – long-haired people, you know that move where you untuck your hair from the coat/jacket/cardigan you just put on?
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Without the coat:
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This is the “Soft Wash Shirt” by Banana Republic – a mix of linen & cotton. I love how soft it is and how it combines that softness with some clean lines – see those seams on either side of the placket? They give it a little polish that brings its relaxed linen texture from “weekend” to “work wear”:
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And check out the roll-tab sleeves (y’all know I love a good roll tab):
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But. (Why does there have to be a “but”?!) The “fitted” look those seams give it is just not fitted enough for my torso:
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Meh. Now we’re back in weekend territory.

See the difference when I pin it behind my back?  Don’t know why I didn’t see this in the dressing room.
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It’s not terribly noticeable (especially when I’m wearing a coat/blazer), but not ideal. I’m not sure if I should re-donate it as-is so someone else can enjoy it, or take it to my tailor and see how expensive it would be to bring it in a little. With a spot of tailoring it could be a wardrobe star this summer when Atlanta hits 90+ degrees and 90 percent humidity every day.
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My overall feeling about this outfit? The color palette is right in my wheelhouse, and I love the way the coat looks over the blouse. I am not happy with the fit of the blouse, but since I included it to get a better feel for how it plays with the rest of my wardrobe, I see that information as a win. I’m looking forward to pairing it with a skirt next week to see how it does tucked in, since the fabric is stiffer than the blouses I usually tuck.

What do y’all think of the outfit? Would you donate the shirt or take it to the tailor? How’s your remix going?

 

Summer Wrap Up

Time for a quick retrospective on the summer wardrobe before we turn the corner into fall – or, more accurately, before y’all turn the corner into fall. It’s gonna be hot here in Atlanta for awhile yet but I’ve worn these clothes four and a half-ish months already and I’m probably just as ready to put them away as you all are ready to get your autumn on.

So. Summer review today, and more on what I’m thrifting and wearing for fall tomorrow and next week (including how I’m incorporating little tastes of autumn while still dressing for highs in the 90s). Continue reading “Summer Wrap Up” →