As you may know, one of my jobs includes preaching twice a month at a local church. Since dresses are the easiest thing for me to throw on on Sunday mornings, it’s a continual struggle to remember to wear something to which the mic pack can attach: pants, a skirt, or at least a belt over my dress. This week, I succeeded!
New York & Co. red button down, thrifted; Ann Taylor floral skirt, thrifted; turtle necklace, gift; shoes, gift
I love this shirt. It is my idea of a perfect button down: curve-hugging and with a v-neck instead of buttons at the neck, it has a feminine feel to it that strictly business shirts seem to want to stamp out. Its 3/4 length sleeves hit the business casual sweet spot between full sleeves (too fussy/hot) and short sleeves (incongruously too casual in a button-down), and its double buttons solve the gapping problem I’ve had with every other New York & Co. button down I’ve tried to make my own. I love the vibrant-but-just-a-touch-muted shade of red, but unfortunately it’s a little red-white-and-blue when paired with the navies and whites in my wardrobe; this is why my go-to red is a tomato that is muted enough to avoid the you’re-wearing-a-flag look. So I only end up pairing this top with jeans, my olive shorts or taupe skirt, and this floral skirt.
I thrifted the skirt on a family holiday thriftscapade somewhere in New England 4 or 5 years ago and immediately loved the cut of the skirt and the poppin’ floral (I’m a sucker for florals with texture and interest). I’ve since moved more towards a pencil silhouette in my skirts (which is longer and more office-appropriate), but this beauty has stuck around to be paired occasionally with this top or a white button-down of similarly feminine proportions.
Because neither the skirt nor the top play particularly well with the majority of my closet and therefore often go unworn, by my own definition of a capsule wardrobe I should probably donate them. But I just can’t seem to let them go–when I put them on I feel put together but also sexy, and it’s a fun little throwback to a former version of myself.
What do you think? Should clothes we wear occaaaaasionally still merit space in our closets, or should we release them out into the universe to be snatched up by someone who will give them the love and wear they deserve? Scroll down to comment!
Sneak peak for tomorrow–the August edition of Thrifted Finds. (Hint: not what you’d expect for August in Atlanta.)
Lovin’ the thoughtful thrifting highlights and especially the photos! There are many things I have purchased in thrift shops that I keep for a while then reintroduce to the second hand world. And then there are things that I may never part with… like it was meant to be! I have a few treasures from my grandma’s closet and her jewelry collection (some are older than me!). Many are unique and tell a story all their own, and some connect me to fond memories with her. I cherish the style they add to my wardrobe and the conversations I have when they are noticed and appreciated. Most of all, it feels good to have something of hers close to me now and then. How about you? What success have you had with pieces previously owned by someone you love?
Thanks for the comment, Sarah! I love that, like you said, thrifting means you can introduce something fresh into your wardrobe without having to commit to it forever–but it also introduces you to a lot of things you’ll keep forever.
As you probably know I do have some treasures from my grandmas, like the cuff in this post (which I wear almost every day). I get compliments on them all the time and it feels good to have the chance to remember their spirits when people ask about their pieces, like I’m carrying them with me. I think I’ll have to do a post on those, thanks for the great inspiration!! Xoxo