There is no doubt that secondhand shopping fuels my creative juices when it comes to my personal style.
Thrifted Eclectic Style
My thrifted eclectic style is a direct result of the unique and diverse pieces I’ve found shopping secondhand.
I don’t shop with a list or an idea of what I want when I’m thrifting. Keeping an open mind helps expand my options. Expert thrifters have highly creative imaginations. Thrift stores are packed with endless style opportunities if we free our minds.
This outfit has some higher end pieces, a silk Tory Burch bug blouse and a velvet Anthropologie skirt.
When I stumble upon such sweet pieces my heart skips a couple of beats.
I make sure to stifle any squeals of delight under my breath though.
I don’t want to inform my competition fellow shoppers of the treasures I’ve just discovered. People have been known to casually “lift” items out of other shopper’s carts.
The world of thrifting can be cut-throat as I mentioned in this Thrift Fighting post but it is worth it. Once you fall in love with secondhand shopping regular retail shopping loses its appeal. As an added bonus secondhand shopping is one way of reducing your carbon footprint and helping the environment. Winning!
The silk neck tie I’m wearing was found in the menswear section.
It is a bow tie but works perfectly as a pussy bow with my blouse.
Even quality belts like the one I’m wearing here can be found when shopping in thrift stores.
If you’re a secondhand shopper
, do you take a list to shop? Or do you allow the selection available help you expand your horizons and mix up your personal style?If you don’t shop secondhand what is holding you back?
Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday, Fancy Friday, and Spy Girl
I do find that I’m much more successful when I don’t go by my list. Just checking everything and being open to the possibilities is the best route most times. Granted, I do have a list, just to remind me what to keep an eye out for (because my closet is so lacking…yeah right!!)
You are a vision in blue in this Suzanne!!
XOXO
Jodie
What a lovely outfit, Suzanne! You look very demure. Love the velvety skirt which looks very stroke-able and what a fab match for your ankle boots.
Whenever I’ve gone charity shopping for specific items I rarely find what I want. So now I just, like you. keep an open mind and see what happens. I’ve been after an animal print pencil skirt for months but couldn’t find one. Then whilst I was out for a random rummage last week I found one; in my size and in my price range!
I try not to squeal, too, when I spot something I like in my size…
Hope your week is going well.
xxx
very chic and cool outfit – in every detail – dear suzanne!
and the best thing is that it is 2.hand.
of cause i have no list in hand when i hit the 2.hand stores – even just looking for one kind of garment (winter dress/summer jacket/etc.) can be very disapointing in our shops…..
best to go there with no plan – just to have a look – and then i find the one & only piece that i was secretly wishing for 😀
xxxxx
Oh my, that skirt is sumptuous! I really love this look, it’s very you, very gorgeous, and win-win for helping save the planet too! I honestly have to really talk to myself sternly whenever contemplating a brand new purchase – there has to be a darn good reason before I let myself. Way more fun secondhand.x
What a absolutely gorgeous outfit, Suzanne! That tactile skirt and fabulous “bug” blouse are a match made in heaven. Like you, I never shop with a list when I go thrifting. I might have something in particular in mind, but I’m prepared to wait until the opportunity strikes, which could be months, or never! I’m always keeping an open mind which often leads to meeting the most unexpected treasures. That’s what I love about second hand shopping. Not squealing with delight is the only difficult part! xxx
Oh you are singing my song! My list is more of what not to buy. I have learned to hold up every find and try to visualize how I would actually wear it. Gorgeous outfit!
I love all these textures! And I don’t think I’ve seen a velvet accordion-pleated skirt before. That is amazing. Whenever I go with a list I fail, so I try to keep an open mind, although once in a while I get hijacked by a particular style or even a particular person in the choices I make. I get home and think, what was I thinking?! Hahaha.
I’m a go with the flow kind of thrift shopper. I think you become even more creative when clothing isn’t ” coordinated, styled and displayed” as it is in department stores and boutiques. I’m much more likely to engage with color, texture and design in unexpected ways when thrifting.
That jacket is so unique and gorgeous. Textures are plentiful and wonderful in this look you’ve created!
This blue with your hair. Swoon!
I shop with an idea of sections sometimes i.e. Skirts or pants etc.
But mostly just wander around and see what the thrift shop gods want to send my way!
xo
That’s a fantastic outfit, it’s a got a very Gucci-inspired vibe going on.
Shopping with a list? That sounds like the actions of someone clueless about charity shopping to me. The same as those women who painstakingly go through each and every item on the rails peering at labels (and blocking my way!)
It would be lovely if you could walk round with a wishlist ticking things off – especially for our festival shop as we know exactly what sells – but honestly where would the fun be in that? I didn’t need another massive sleeved vintage maxi, more clogs or a Chinese dragon embroidered jacket last week but they were there calling to me. xxx
I don’t have any sort of shopping list when it comes to garment shopping. I do best when I take Severo, who is a much better at finding treasure!
I totally love your eclectic style, those textures and colors, the interesting details (your bow!), everything is so well combined to create an elegant ensemble. You’re gorgeous!
And yes, I take a list to shop, a sensible list of whatever I need in my wardrobe, like ‘trousers in solid colors’, and then I buy whatever caught my eye (anything printed probably!). But I try it! ;D
besos
This is such a great outfit. You were so fortunate to find those pieces! I thrift, but not frequently enough. I also forget to look in the men’s section. Sometimes I have a shopping list, but it’s more fun when I don’t!
I love thrifting for the same reason — its opportunity to be creative. But I’m a novice compared to you. Re-purposing a men’s bow-tie as a woman’s pussy bow is BRILLIANT! The move of a master. I bow before you. 🙂
I don’t have a list of things to look for when thrifting, unless I need to replace a basic such as a black t-shirt. My best finds have been things I would have never imagined buying. The pleated velvet skirt has a huge WOW factor – what a stunning colour! I’ve tried to wear blouses but they just don’t feel like me. You wear them very well, and have amassed a beautiful collection.
Love your mix of shades of blue in this outfit!
I like thrifting, because it gives me a chance to experiment and try new things that I wouldn’t want to buy new, since I’m not sure if I’ll love them or not.
I don’t usually go with a list, since you never know what you might find- though I do have a few items in the back of my mind to keep an eye out for (such as a 7″ vintage glass pot lid to replace one I broke!)
Ha, you know that when it comes to eclectic style I shy away. But I like it on you. You did well.
I shop secondhand like you do. Just go through the racks and see what you like. Don’t be bothered with the sizes too much and see whether you find the treasure. Had a couple of treasures last week. One dress will be on the blog next week. Rather classic. Nothing eclectic haha.
Greetje
What a gorgeous skirt! You look very chic as usual. I do shop with a list in my head, but also like to keep an open mind. One likes to have options! Problem I find with second hand is, because the prices are so reasonable, I tend to buy way more than I should. So trying to keep to my list helps. But I do get distracted.
Theresa