I am planning a little post of the thrift and consignment stores that I visited when in NYC recently and I thought I’d show you one of the pieces I picked up at the Goodwill store.
A crocheted jacket/dress by Elif for Jordan Taylor.
Sometimes it is good not to know too much about a garment when you buy it.
When I saw this I knew the colour would be good for me and I liked the crocheted texture. It reminded me of something you’d see from the 70’s.
To me it just looked like an interesting boho layering piece that would go well with a bunch of other pieces in my wardrobe.
I just looked up that label online.
Guess what?
It is resort wear.
A swimsuit coverup!
Ha ha!
It’s a good thing I’m not going to let that influence how I wear this.
Keeping an open mind and seeing the possibilities that lie within pieces you discover while thrifting is where all the magic happens.
The more you thrift, the more advanced your “possibility radar” will become.
11 Tips To Train Your Thrifting Brain
- Take that item out of the context of the overstuffed rack you just pulled it out of. Hold it up to the light. Give it a chance to be seen on its own and judge it accordingly.
- Can you see that shape working well on your body?
- Can you see it with going well with other items in your wardrobe?
- Is it a colour you often wear?
- Does the fabric interest you?
- Is it something you will feel comfortable wearing?
- How many different ways can you see yourself styling that piece?
- Would it be something you would have chosen in a retail store? Don’t let the, “It’s so darn cheap I should buy it anyways. ” thought enter your mind. That is reserved for hoarders.
- Try it on. I know sometimes you don’t feel like trying on an item, especially in a thrift store, but often how something reads on a hanger and how it looks on your body are two completely different stories.
- When you have it on…does it make you happy? Do you feel good about yourself? Do you feel like it is accenting all your positives? Do you want to wear it as soon as possible? Then it’s a piece worth buying.
- Lastly, always check the seams and overall condition of thrifted items. It’s terrible to get it home and discover a hole or stain that won’t come out.
Soon you will know instinctively if a piece will fit with your style, your body and your life. You know what they say…practise makes perfect!
Is your brain trained for thrifting?
Do you have any thrifting tips you’d like to pass along?
That was a great find, it looks utterly brilliant on you, perfect with your jeans and that tassel-tastic stunner of a necklace.
Some of my favourite dresses are swimwear, padded boobs and quick drying. I’d love to have seen the bikini from the collection, bet it was a crochet beauty.
Love the tips, I agree with them, especially the one about not buying it just ‘cos it’s cheap. If you never wear something, even if it was a quid, it really is a waste of money. xxx
So true! Items can be re-purposed, intentionally or not, to great effect. I learned this lesson and now pull fun pieces out of unexpected places — like the maternity section, formal gown section, and even work-uniform section. A piece stands on its own and its use is limited only by your imagination.
Brilliant tips! I eventually came to the same conclusions. I am rather a hoarder, though I prefer to call it “experimenter”. 🙂 So in the last two years of intense experimenting with my closet I gathered a few pieces “just ‘cos they’re cheap” – they looked interesting enough to try and new enough for my style, which made them a good investment. I also find that sometimes it is hard to predict whether a piece will become a favorite or not. Do you ever have such experiences? Sometimes I get excited about a piece and love it in the beginning, but soon realize that it does not make me want to wear it. Again, for experiments it’s just fine, otherwise how to learn?
Your piece is beautiful, love the way you style it! I wore a kaftan which was actually a swim cover over jeans too. Multi-purposing! 🙂
That is a great find. Very flowy and boho which works so well on you. I think when it comes to thrifted clothing the less known about its previous life the better.
Good advice…even for retail shopping. I found shopping in the men’s or kid’s department can also work at times!! And can I say (without being too weird) that you look HOT in this outfit!!! (the extensions look fab too!!) jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
True true! I try to pay attention to how I feel and if my creative juices start flowing. I have made some thrifting mistakes this way, but so what? I re-donated the item and considered the $6 or so well -spent on saving a kitten : >
You look fab and just the perfect amount of retro in this. xox
I think these are great tips for any shopping trip. This is a great topper and now you can use it also for your next beach trip.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Would love for you to stop by & join TBT Fashion link up.
My mom is a master thrifter, so I’ve learned a lot from her. My biggest issue is time – not enough of it to do the quality thrifting I want!
This is an incredible CARDIGAN. I have a few man robes, one that had cigarette burns in it which I had to repair, and I truly, truly do not want to know their history!! But I have a couple of pieces where I think it might be interesting to know some of the background. Or not.
Your tips are right on. Sometimes, though, if the item is only $5 and would be an experimental piece, I’ll go for it but I have been wrong as often as I have been right.
I love your chair photo!
Love this! You have a great eye for what looks good on you. Love, love, love your hair!!!
Darlene
These are excellent tips and I couldn’t agree more!!! Often, wearing something in a different context is what makes it unique and special!!x
Good advice! My brain is most definitely not trained for thrifting. There weren’t really any thrift stores in the area (well, there was one in a church basement run by little old church ladies but it was only open from 10-4 on Thursdays so I’m not sure they sold anything. Like- ever). Suddenly there’s like, 5, in my childhood hometown’s main street. Which is, honestly, quite weird because it is only two block long and maybe 15 stores….
Anyway, I really like these tips. It is hard for me to separate things from the rack and think about it context of the closet, but I didn’t realize that till you phrased it that way. Your posts are always so helpful!
PS Never would have thought that was a cover-up in another life. It is a great boho piece though!
Suzazne,
Love it !I am so glad you found Goodwill! Smart just to see the garment and imagine what it would be out of the store belching with items, into your fabulous closet.It is a great pice, expertly styled.
Yes, my mind is trained, marathon ready…
Great tips! Some of my most fabulous lace dresses were swimsuit coverups, with a full slip underneath , that i added for modesty, and they would cost about 10 from TJ Maxx! Great minds..
This outfit is so on trend. and you look natural and radiant.
xx, elle
http://mydailycostume.com
I love your crochet cover-up, who cares if it’s beach wear? I’ve got a beach maxi which I love and wear as a regular dress (needs a slip underneath though, it’s practically transparent!)
I think my secondhand sense is pretty sharp. Being open-minded is the best tip I can give, sometimes the most unlikely charity shops have great pieces. And you have to be prepared to really look! xxx
Great tips!
Keep forgetting to say how much I love your extensions, they look amazing!
My brain isn’t trained to pick out the good stuff at all, whether it is retail or thrift stuff. Just sometimes I am lucky. And it doesn’t help that our thriftshops aren’t anywhere near as good as yours.
Love the dress/jacket and the way you styled it. I wou