Thrift Finds: February 2018

As I continue in my Light Summer wardrobe overhaul, February has been a month of delicious thrift finds!

I stumbled upon an incredible wonderland in Waltham called Global Thrift with a huge selection, decent prices, and a friendly, fun-to-be-around staff. (Seriously, if you get into a discussion with the cashier about how your cousins dolled you up and made you lip sync to Linda Ronstadt songs when you were little, it’s a good day.)

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have caught my IG story showcasing the racks and racks of clothes, which are color-sorted, neat, and uncrammed (I’m looking at you, local Goodwills). They have several well-lit dressing rooms that don’t need to be unlocked because they’re right by the cashiers (looking at you again, GW). Between a visit on Monday and a visit on Friday (can you tell I love this place?) there was new stuff on the racks.

They are a for-profit, locally owned business; they support a foundation working to end homelessness and they give vouchers to folks at a local shelter in need clothes. My kind of people.

Let’s start with the misses, just for fun.

I’m on the hunt for light-colored blazers; this cool Zara number with no collar looks great buttoned:

IMG_20180212_140534157

But I like my blazers to look good unbuttoned, too, and alas, it bells out in a way I do not care for:

IMG_20180212_141344975

The baggy sleeves and special item $15 price weren’t doing it for me either. I had faith I’d find something better.

This green blazer was a perfect match for Light Summer’s palette but was made out of cheap, stiff, shiny stuff – nope:

IMG_20180212_135437827

Too bad, as it fit decently.

 

Next up, some blouses – looking ahead to spring!

The color is just a bit too muted on this salmon number, plus it was baggy and mediocre quality fabric

IMG_20180212_140702065

Which is too bad, because look at the cool button details on the back:

IMG_20180212_140706627

I’m not a huge fan of color blocking, and the fabric was cheap; but the green on this blouse was a perfect Light Summer color:

IMG_20180212_135950800_BURST001

Too tight in the chest!

IMG_20180212_140131673

Lovely blues, great cut, but that slick/stiff feel of cheap…poly? in this Liz Claiborne shirt – I’m used to better from her. Plus it was a little

IMG_20180212_140356811_BURST000_COVER_TOP

Can you tell by my smile that I love the print on this Van Heusen tee? It’s a perfect Light Summer hue, its Provençal-style fabric reminds me of happy days in the south of France, and I dig the split hem and navy blue back (hard to see, sorry!). It is about two sizes too large, though, as evidenced by its hospital gown chic:

IMG_20180212_135226768

I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled on online secondhand sites for it in a smaller size.

This tee had a great mix of Light Summer white and pink with some darker Winter pinks in there – but too big:

IMG_20180212_135150152

Baggy, saggy fabric made this Banana Republic top in a great purpley taupe a NO:

IMG_20180212_135309499

A dress with awesome pleats & salmon color, a not-awesome stain, and a size (or three) too big:

IMG_20180216_111116583

The awesome Light Summer green of this Gap vest – which, sadly, was too big – is just making me beam:

IMG_20180216_111416011

Plus how adorable is that faux fur hood? I’ll be looking for you on the internet in a better size, green vest:

IMG_20180216_111413030

Corduroys by D. Jeans in a great soft grey that fit fine in the legs but were a little too loose in the waist:

IMG_20180212_141147606

I’ve learned that that give, while it feels minor in the fitting room, equals constant hitching up in real life, and I want to spare my congregation & my colleagues from clergy crack. You’re welcome.

Still on the misses, here’s a sweater by Pink Rose that was both too warm in color and too see-through – I want to be able to wear my sweaters without a layer underneath:

IMG_20180212_135912619

 

And now, on to the hits!

First up, some amazing drawstring pants by Zara Men. I’ve thrifted a pair of Zara Men pants before and loved the slim but slightly slouchy fit and the huge POCKETS that men’s pants have. (There’s a whole rant in there about why women’s pockets are so tiny – sexism + keeping the handbag industry profitable being the short version. I’ll spare you.)

Anyway, look at this linen chambray! I die:

IMG_20180212_140912131

Here’s a better pic, just so you can glory in them with me:

IMG_20180218_143838898

Come warm weather, I’m getting my steamer out and these babies are getting WORN.

I surprised myself by liking this Old Navy dress with a pleated skirt. The pattern was simple and fun, the blue can pass for Light Summer; but mostly the fabric felt uber-soft and lovely against my skin. It’s a tad bit big in the bust, but I have plans for that:

IMG_20180216_110924734

Another linen summery item, this time a charcoal-and-white striped Girl Krazy blouse with roll-tab sleeves (my favorite). I can’t wait to wear it with trousers and a blazer for a menswear/gentlewoman chic feel. Bonus: it’s new with tags:

IMG_20180212_140234680

And a smooth-as-silk poly tunic with brass studs and ace tailoring by Pomelo – SO excited to wear this one:

IMG_20180212_135601664

A couple of Light Summer sweaters to improve my winter sweater palette – Gap Designed & Crafted followed by Loft:

IMG_20180212_135654142

I love the texture of both of these:

IMG_20180212_135817800

The side seam with overlapping hem is a great detail:

IMG_20180212_135813221

And let’s finish this where we started, with a couple of Light Summer blazers – yes!

First up, a slightly iridescent grey number by Oasis with a dramatic, long ‘n’ lean lapel and a couple of tucks in each shoulder for an understated pouf:

IMG_20180212_135341421_BURST001

Look at that trim line! So refreshing when the vent on blazers so often sticks out funny in the back:

IMG_20180212_135345934

Another long and lean lapel with some funky notches happening in this Kenar light oatmeal blazer – yes please on that smooth silhouette!

IMG_20180216_111622499 (1)

Again with the good fit on the vent:

IMG_20180216_111627371

Let’s see those two in better lighting:

IMG_20180218_142903793 IMG_20180218_143002673

Yes. Please.

Thanks thrifting gods – I’ll see you next month. Mwah!

2 thoughts on “Thrift Finds: February 2018

  1. Too bad on the fit of the salmon sleeveless dress. It looked like a fun dress. My fave of those that did fit you is the oatmeal blazer. It looks tailored to fit you perfectly!

  2. I admire your restraint in not getting some of those not quite right items. Sometimes it’s hard pass up an almost right item when the the item itself is unique and appealing the price is so good. I loved the green vest and coral dress and hope you find something just as wonderful that is perfect for you. The cream shirt with the studs was my favorite find, although everything you did pick up was great.

Leave a Reply

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