Thrift Shopping Tip – S.T.O.P
How do you know when clothing is right for you? There are so many choices out there it is overwhelming.
If you shop thrift like I do, it is a minefield of great pieces that are awesome and inexpensive but aren’t exactly right for you.
Recently I bought a few pieces thrifting.
Suprise!
Ha ha.
Not.
Anyhoo… I picked up this gorgeous silk patterned dress by Marciano for $10 that would normally cost around $150.
Stunning right? It is a babydoll shape, empire waist and above the knee. This style isn’t good for my body type. I decided to disregard that knowledge and take it into the fitting room. It was too pretty, too silky, and so cheap, I was determined to make it work.
When you’re trying to convince yourself of all the reasons why you should buy something you need to stop yourself, literally.
Think of this acronym…
STOP
S – Shape…is the shape right for your body type?
T – Timeless…will you tire of this quickly?
O – Objective…are you being objective and looking at the garment with a critical eye? Will this work with other pieces in your closet?
P – Positive… does it make you feel positive about yourself and your body? It should make you feel amazing.
It is obvious that I choose to ignore each of these tips and bought it simply because I liked the pattern, colour and fabric, and the fact that it was such a great deal.
This is the bests photo I took. Every other photo made me look like a linebacker that had just swallowed another linebacker and then chased him down with a magnum of red wine, two family sized chocolate bars, a couple of banana splits and a wafer thin mint (cause that’s classy).
Let’s talk about what went wrong here.
The V is too deep (even when I’ve tacked it) the arm holes are too large, the shoulder straps are too narrow and angled inwards showing more of my armpit area (so sexy!), the empire waist and pattern emphasizes the chest, the band of graphic flowers emphasizes the stomach/hips and finally there is no defined shape.
I knew it was wrong.
Just look at my face. I look pissed grumpy.
This didn’t lift me up.
I went against my gut feeling and bought it anyhow thinking somehow, magically, on the drive home I’d lose 20 lbs and grow three inches.
I was a bad thrift shopper.
On the other hand, while I was making my way out of the store, a skirt yelled out to me, “Rescue me! I’m perfect for you!”
It was eccentric, bold, artsy, unique and all-the-way-out-there.
I knew immediately that this would work.
STOP
Did it tick all the boxes?
S – Shape
Yes, I’ve learned to really love a midi circle skirt on my frame even though I’m petite.
T- Timeless
This is such a unique piece it defies trends.
O – Objective
Objectively I knew I had pieces already in my closet that would work with this skirt. Also, the skirt is a piece of art. I wish the photos captured the beadwork and sequins better.
P – Positive
Yes, I felt happy with a positive self-image when I looked in the mirror. It made me feel like a million bucks even though it cost me $5. (Yes, I know I wasn’t supposed to mention price here, but I have to brag, it’s a thrifter thing.)
And now, for your viewing pleasure, I shall dance.
Scoring a one-of-a-kind piece like this while thrifting often makes me feel like dancing. It’s like winning the lottery on a very small scale.
What happened to that other dress?
I took it to my favourite consignment store.
I know it will look fantastic on someone, it just wasn’t me.
Do you have any shopping or thrifting tips to pass along? Or maybe a rose for between my teeth?
Linking up with Visible Monday, I Will Wear What I Like, Shoe and Tell, Turning Heads Tuesdays, Throw Back Thursdays
I love acronyms (ILA)! Good thinking and analysis and while the dress is pretty on you, it doesn’t sing and dance like the skirt does. And that skirt is fantastic – we sould’ve wrestled for it (again!) if we’d been shopping together. xox
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Hmmm …. well, were it not for that awful under-bust elastication, you could have shortened the shoulder straps a tad – which would have given a bit more ‘wrap’ to the ‘hello boobs’ front neckline and have flattered the decollate (instead of giving a case of matron-bosom). And then an underskirt that would have given it an actually flattering length (to mid-calf), or black silk, wide-legged trousers to luxe it up. But that’s just what I’d do.
A lot of work in this for something you feel meh about – other than just IT’S A BAAAAARRRGAIN!!!
The skirt is MUCH better.
My tip is – just because you can get into a garment that you have the eye-lust for – doesn’t mean that it FITS.
GREAT tip!
Matron bosom is the perfect word!
I am ever-watchful for the matronly effect. More and more it seems, clothing is cut for a waifish figure with little pips – which is where my tip comes in – no point in wearing something that makes you look a bit like a sumo wrestler lol
I find it happening more and more – unless you have a pubescent girl-bod and tits under your chin – you are doomed. No excuse for that underbust elastic thing – that’s lazy – beautiful silk deserves a less parsimonious treatment.
What a gorgeous find! That dress is stunning!
XoXo,
Tamara – LoveofMode.com
I love your acronym – STOP!!!! As in, NOT GO. That should be my thrifting mantra. I have too much stuff! But like you, I keep bulldozing my way through the shops, especially the $5 racks, arms akimbo, windmill style, with musical accompaniment, ooooh, aaaah, yeeeees, noooo. It’s pathetic. If I see a deal, I try to MAKE it work, like you. Four sizes too big? Not a problem. Hahaha!!! Doh.
Clearly you do not like that dress but I hope you get bucks from consignment for it. Then it will have been a wise investment. The skirt is divine.
Sometimes when I’m thrifting and know I shouldn’t be I try to think that every article in the store is infected with unspeakables. It helps me back off.
Great post! I will start using your acronym. I would have had trouble resisting brightly printed silk, too.
That skirt is beautiful on you – the colors are summery and it’s extremely flattering. I am petite and have always stayed away from midi lengths out of fear of looking dumpy … but you may have convinced me to give it a try sometime.
I have the opposite problem from yours: I seldom see anything I like, shops have very little to offer. Well, I don’t go thrifting… But, I sometimes buy something that I so not my style, simply because it fits or out if sheer frustration. And then, when I’m not even looking for anything and I’m just browsing to pass time, there is a piece of clothing that is whispering my name, promising ever-lasting love and passion… I have to learn to pick those gems up then and there because when I come back, after some deranged self-induced ‘thinking about it’ break, it will have run off with another woman!!!
You’re right and this happens to me a lot. Because of my history, I often can’t resist a thrift-store purchase if it’s something I always wanted — but frequently there’s no way the item will work on me (bad fit, etc.). I have to tame my wild enthusiasm for clothes I wanted when I was younger (and thinner and cuter).
This is a great acronym – and one I need to use more often. I’m a sucker for a good deal – I tell myself “well, it’s practically free” and end up with things that aren’t right for me. I LOVE that skirt – it is stunning and so perfect on you.
Great tips, Suzanne.
Its too easy to be swayed by a fancy label and snap something up thinking you’re getting a great deal but if it makes you feel frumpy and lumpy no matter how cheap its not a bargain and besides, unless you wear it inside out who’s gonna know who made it anyway?
That first dress looked good without a body in it but the shape and length did your fab figure no favours, you did right to move it on. The skirt on the other hand is fantastic on you, A length and style I’d never consider thinking it would make me look wider and even shorter but looking at you I think I might have to hunt something similar down and try it out. xxx
Another great post Suzanne. We’ve all been there. Buying cos it’s a bargain, buying cos it’s designer, buying cos it’s perfect for someone – just not me! STOP is a great idea and I’ll try to remember that next time. That dress was so pretty, and I’m sure I would have fallen prey to it too, but it wouldn’t have worked for me either. The skirt, on the other hand, is the perfect example of why we love thrifting so much. It’s original, beautiful, unique and so worth whatever you paid for it. A great addition to your closet and looks totally you. Lovely!
Anna x
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
Ahhh….I can see why the pattern, colors and material sucked you in…it is a beauty! With that being said, I do tend to shy away from empire waists because they simply do not work with the girls. I am a huge fan of that skirt though; so unique and beautiful. And it is perfect on you…it literally screams “Suzanne”. I can hear it all the way down here!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
Excellent analysis of why the dress failed and the skirt was a resounding success. I have become better at leaving things behind at thrift stores even though they are beautiful and a great price, if they don’t look great on me, but occasionally I find myself doing the “but if I got it taken in a bit here, and did this, and this, and this..”. If it needs work, it will sit in a pile on my floor until it gets donated to another thrift store. I will use your acronym the next time I go thrift shopping, which hopefully won’t be for a while.
Fantastic tips. I need to follow your advise when I see a piece that catches my eye, but doesn’t excite me when I get home. Sometimes I have to make a quick decision at an estate sale, and it’s all wrong. Thanks for reminding me that I need to put more thought into the treasures that I add to my closet and never wear!!!
Love everything about this post! Such great tips. That skirt is incredible, love the photos.
Mary
http://www.marymurnane.com
It’s true how the price of something can totally influence our thinking at the moment! But that material was luscious! I probably would have taken it apart and used it for other things—a skirt, a greeting card, wrapping paper? I’m actually going to try that with a dress I own—make it just a skirt—we’ll see if I’m successful!!
The skirt you bought is definitely art in clothing form!! And your dancing? Priceless!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I absolutely believe in following my gut feeling – do not ignore it because it’s always right! I also find that clothes yell out to me. And Timeless and Positive are the ones I follow. Will I love it forever and will it make me feel fabulous? Thanks heaps for this great post, Suzanne. I LOVE the skirt which obviously makes you feel amazing.
What a shame. You are right though, the dress isn’t doi g you any favours. Ai hope you bet your money back by reselling it. The skirt is, as you point pit so correctly a stunner.
Great read this post. I grinned a lot.
But it doesn’t help me to stop buying. Lots of thing look great, work with the rest of my closet etc But Ineed toco trol myself. Cannot find the break. Need a psychologist.
Greetje
Oh, I’m SO guilty! Some thrifted items are only good for a photo and then off to the consignment store they go. Sigh…
That skirt you found is #everything!!
lovely tip and even more lovely that you share your Acronym Tip with us!, that’s really good advice for any purchase you’ve tempted to do!
I would buy this dress too, because fab prints and shiny fabrics appeal me too much!
But I think that your skirt is a perfect purchase!, the fabric is fabulous, love the shape, the colors, the originality!, that ‘spanish’ print is amazing!. Gorgeous!
besos
As a fellow thrifting junkie, I think these are great tips! And I must say, I don’t blame you for grabbing the dress…it is beautiful! I admit to doing that more often than I should and also end up consigning items or giving them to one of my daughters…though occasionally I’ll just play with it and find a way to make it work! I can be stubborn like that!?
I really do learn so much from your posts, Suzanne. When I go shopping now, I think about another post you shared that said, if you don’t truly love something, don’t get it. Now I have this one to think about when I set out on my searches.
And, pardon my yelling, but I LOVE THAT SKIRT!!! It is such a work of art and looks fantastic on you!!
I’ve never seen a skirt like this in all my thrifting days! It’s gorgeous Suzanne, I would have bought it in an instant! Perfect for dancing, like in your last photo!
❤️carmen
https://fashionableover50.wordpress.com