One of the inherent dangers of thrifting is that you find so many inexpensive incredible treasures that your closet has no more room. My initial response to this was to simply buy thinner hangers. Those flock lined ones are brilliant. That worked for a while…but now my thrifting habit has outgrown that solution. What to do?
I opened an online store.
I’ll be updating my store more often, I only have a small fraction of the items listed right now. Currently, I’m getting ready for my first vintage clothing show as a vendor…yes I’m excited! I must write a proper post on it though with photos of some of the inventory I’ll be taking so for now, this is just a teaser.
I am not the type of person that goes thrifting with a list.
In my mind, that defeats the entire concept of thrifting. How do I know I’m going to fall in love with something I’ve never seen before or knew existed? No lists for me. Just an open mind and a vivid imagination are required when I thrift shop. Oh! And sometimes a bit of perfume under my nose. That thrift shop smell gets to me after a while.
I honestly never thought this vintage inspired dress would fit me. Nor did I think the neckline would work since I can’t wear a normal bra.
Shoes – Naturalizer (sim), Handbag – Vintage (sim super cute!), Tatyana Dress – Thrifted (exact same dress but in a fit and flare)
The extra stretchy material works like green Spanx, comfortably holding everything in place. This dress really is pleasant to wear although I did notice it has the habit of many body conscious dresses, it rides up a bit. They should weigh down these dresses like they used to with vintage dresses, small weights were often sewn into the bottom hem so the dress would sit “just so”. Weights would keep the dress from riding up, everything would stay in place and I’d get some additional exercise.
I should invent a whole line of clothing that makes you exercise just by wearing it.
You heard it here first! Write that down pug assistant and get on it STAT!
Zoë always wants in on the camera action. When she isn’t allowed in the shot she is sitting on the sidelines judging me in that Anna Pugtour way.
She forgot to put her wig and clothes on in this photo. I’m not saying she is lazy but it seems that without her army of personal assistants the only thing she manages on her own with any consistency is sleeping, eating and pooping. Such is a pug’s life.
I’m delighted to announce the winner of the Karina Dress!
Congratulations Melissa Greco! Now you have the very enviable task of choosing your own Karina Dress from their collection. Have fun!
What do you consider to be the dangers of thrifting?
Aside from the most obvious one…bed bugs! Learn how to avoid them here.
I see dangers, but I ignore them! I tend to buy too much, then re-thrift. But it’s not a terrible addiction, really, and I can STOP ANY TIME. Gorgeous green dress, and your shop is marvelous. xox
Ha ha! That’s what I tell myself too Patti!
Probably why we get along so well ; P
You thrifted this dress? Well, now I know that life isn’t fair for sure! The UK charity shop scene has a lot to answer for. Anyway, congrats and best of luck for your new shop venture! How exciting 😀 x
I am stunned the number of really good repro dresses that I find thrifting. I have two more yet to show that I just picked up recently.
What a stunning dress!!
Jaymie
http://www.jaymieashcraft.com
Fridays Fashions link up
I adore this dress — and admire all of your fashion-choices. I’d buy half your closet if one of us wasn’t a giant. Go Zoe!
; P
Believe me…she doesn’t need extra encouragment.
Wow! You look like a movie star in that dress!
Good luck with your new adventures. Your eye for beautiful threads is very impressive and I so wish I lived closer to Toronto in order to check out your booth at the show…. well maybe Toronto isn’t too far to travel for cool, one of a kind, thrifted “save the earth” outfits to brighten any day :)!
Solidarity from Boston
Alba
We are just a short plane ride away ; P
Boston is a great place. I bet you have some wicked thrift stores our your way, no?
That dress is killer, and sweet with the bow= perfect!
Yes it can lead to a crowded closet, and I always take precaucations for bed beds. ( eauuuu)
Anna Pugtour has me rolling on the floor!
I have not yet found any downsides to thrifting, . 🙂
happy weekend!
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/
I think Ann Pugtour may have to have her own blog. She doesn’t like to share anything.
That dress is fantastic on you, what a perfect fit and a divine colour it is. Is it modern or vintage? I really can’t tell.
I’m so excited about you doing your first vintage fair. When you get a taste for it you’ll be secondhand shopping all the time. I’ve been out four times this week – luckily I’m now the proud owner of a whopper of a garden shed so I can still see the TV and eat off a table!
Is there any dangers involved? Well, I did once pick up a boyfriend in a charity shop so you never know what you’ll come home with! xxx
PS Zoe rocks! xxx
It is a reproduction dress. Well made though and considerably more comfortable as it is all stretch.
Believe me…I’ve got the thrifting bug already! And I don’t have a garden shed! Help!
My dining room has been turned into my booth mock-up. I’m grateful I have a large(ish) house and an accommodating husband.
Love the picking up a boyfriend while thrifting story. They really do have everything!
First of all, that second photo of you – so, so beautiful!!!
And as far as “dangers” of thrifting? Well I think you’ve got it exactly right about the busting out of the closet thing – and, I even went and bought the fuzzy thin hangers too!!!
I think for us “professional” thrifters though, we need like a transitional holding closet of sorts, to hang the items we find that are amazing, but that don’t quite go with something we own just yet, or need a bit of altering when we have time, or need some time “getting aquainted” with the rest of our current closet – meaning we need dress-up play time to find out where it can work with our current wardrobe.
So many times over the years, I’ve bought a great item thrifted that maybe didn’t quite fit into my current wardrobe, only to, within the next 6 months to a year, find the perfect thing to go with that particular item – like a silly meant-to-be scenario! So obviously, the most PRACTICAL answer to this thrifter’s dilemma – multiple closets… no problem 😛
Ha ha! Too funny we are all sucked into those thin hangers.
I agree 100% with you that often times we find amazing pieces and can’t wear them for a while until we find the perfect item to go with them. I bought a tapestry bolero jacket a few months back, vintage, made in Italy, and about 10 days ago found the matching skirt to go with it at a totally different store in a different town. It is literally the exact match for the jacket. What are the chances of that happening? I should have bought a damn lottery ticket now that I think about it!
Oh yeah…I’m all over that multiple closet thing already! Ha ha!
🙂 Dear Suzanne,
no, I wish I could say I do. I haven’t found anything even close to the kind of thrifting places you have in Canada and the US.
But I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that eventually we’ll have these kind of stores here, too.
Have a wonderful weekend xo 🙂
Such a shame. You’re in Germany and Austria right? I’m always shocked when European countries don’t offer thrifting.
Tres chic! xx
Sounds exciting to become a vendor! And what a find that dress was, amazing searching skills there. I don’t often go shopping with a list either, I might have a few things vaguely in mind, but tend just to try and be open-minded. x
wouuu, such a fabulous dress, it fits you like a dream, and you look gorgeous (as usual!). And it’s wonderful that you’re becoming a vendor, making the most of your thrifting skills!.
And your pug always put a smile on my face!
besos
She is quite the suck up. Pugs are like that. They want to be wherever you are. My house isn’t a home without a pug…that’s for sure.
That’s a fabulous dress! And, yes, it makes sense not to go thrifting with a list. And I guess that’s why I haven’t looked too hard for a great thrift store (or two or three) close to me. I used to work right down the street from a fabulous thrift store. But I had much more closet space back then… These days I’m trying hard to stick to a “list” of things that I truly need… So the dangers of thrifting for me are finding fabulous pieces I have no room for… And that would be too sad…
I agree…small closets are a good deterrent for thrifting. I’m grateful we don’t live in our downtown flat anymore.
Your ‘thinner hangers’ solution cracked me up. My sister has been in love with the fit-n-flare version of the dress you’re wearing for a long time–I know she loved it, but I’m not sure whether or not she actually got around to buying it from Modcloth. It was that green colored one, too. It’s gorgeous!
I loved this dress on ModCloth so you can imagine how shocked I was to see it hanging there in the thrift store.
Can I just say your sister has great taste? ; P
It’s true about thrifting…when you get such good deals, it seems okay to bring back more than you intended!!
But that dress on you is more than amazing Suzanne—I don’t care if it rides up to Timbuktu—it’s beautiful! (could you put those weights in the hem yourself?—I’ve seen the weights before —they were in something I altered—and silly me threw them out! )
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Next time I’m in a fabric store I may check for those weights although they are so old school they probably don’t sell them anymore. Unlike you and your Mom I’m not keen on sewing.
Where did my comment go? I know I commented because I thought it was such a stunning sxxy dress and that I wish I had an assistant. Don’t know whether a pug assistant would do…. But I could try.
Greetje
Some monster ate your comment? Not cool.
I can tell you that a pug assistant is totally useless other than for unconditional love, which ain’t so bad after all : )
I never thrift. Perhaps I should! You look lovely in that dress……any dress!
Oh…be warned! It is addictive! Seriously addictive.
That dress is glorious and it fits like a glove, what a marvellous garment.
I can relate to that idea of overabundance.. I assist a market twice per year that helps me find homes for thrifted and not thrifted goods.
That is a great option.
I loved your dress and the Pug Wintour wig 🙂 Bith adorable, the dress and Zoe! I liked the bag as well, and I think this shade of green is perfect – you look super classy and gorgeus! Well, I very seldom went to a thrift store, mainly because when I did, I was living in a small town and I didn’t see many things I liked in the shops. Or that were my size. But I agree that going with a list is not the best approach; I know some people that love thrifting and I net their wardrobes are full as well! Hope you have a very lovely week, dear Suzanne! Bisous!
DenisesPlanet.com
I’m writing you here again Denise as I still cannot seem to comment on your blog : (
I agree that thanks to blogging I’ve met some really lovely people, some that I now call FIRL (friends in real life). That is truly the reason I continue blogging, to connect with like minded people from around the world.
I agree with the statement that you are kind and positive. When I read your blog it is always full of positive energy.
Also…can I just say you have one of the best shoe collections I’ve ever seen?
Oh…m…g, that pug of yours is the cutest!!! I’ve really got to start selling my clothes too…but it’s so much WORK! Kudos to you for doing it!!
That dress on you is #perfection!
It is lots of work, but doing a show should make it a bit easier…I’m hoping! Fingers crossed!
The green dress is stunning on you; gorgeous colour and fit! Your online store looks good, and I hope it is a success. It has been suggested to me more than once that I sell some of my things online instead of donating them, but honestly, I have one full-time job and I don’t have the energy or desire for another.
I’ve cut back on my thrifting trips just because of the “over-accumulation”, and I’ve become much more selective about what I buy. No matter how much I get rid of, I seem to be drowning in clothes.
This is such a fantastic dress on you – both color and shape, and the photos are great! I think you will enjoy being a vendor at vintage shows – it is so much up to your alley, and you are such a people person, you will attract lots and lots of buyers, and in time your own following will form. Good luck with moving forward!
That dress was made for you. Wow! Absolutely perfect. Your hair and skin tone bring out the emerald green so beautifully. <3
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
I just went through my closet like a tornado and gave away all of my size 12s and larges to a co-worker who had moved and accidentally gave away ALL of her winter clothing in donation. The thrift shop Gods then smiled on me and I scored a black amazing Oscar de la Renta and turquoise print retro Liz Claiborne jackets. They are heading off to the dry cleaners for a freshening up.
So the skinny is my closet and I have shed some pounds.
Now, if I could just get up the wherewithal to do some fashion posts again …
That is exciting! Good for you! Cannot wait to see some new posts : )