Friday, May 13, 2011
What Could Have Been...
I had a nice, long leather dye tutorial for you today, but Blogger managed to lose the last saved version during whatever maintenance/chaos caused them to shut down earlier. Hence, no post today. I'll redo it soon. :T
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
work outfit: embracing the bow blouse
Right after I heard that bow blouses would be big this Spring and Summer. At first, I didn't think the look was for me, but I found this olive-hued piece for a buck, and figured I could try out the trend without breaking the bank. I liked it so much that I recreated its inaugural outfit to share with you today... also, I hadn't picked out my clothes the night before, so it was easier to go with the old tried-and-true. ;) Also featured are my favorite blazer, my favorite pants, and my shiniest shoes.
In other news, a friend of mine thought it would be fun if I contrasted the retail prices of my clothes with the prices I actually paid. The Asian side of me tsk tsks and warns against being a braggart, but the blogger side of me thinks people might find it helpful to see how much of a "discount" one can get by shopping outside of the normal retail realm. The latter impulse wins out for now, so here's a fun chart depicting price details (but please do let me know if you think it's too much):
| Item | Original Price | My Price | Vendor Type | Location |
| Ben Sherman Cotton Blazer | $200 | $1 | swap meet | Huntington Beach |
| Merona Polyester Blouse | $22 | $1 | swap meet | Huntington Beach |
| Ann Taylor Slacks | $88 | $1 | swap meet | San Fernando |
| Carlos Santana Pumps | $88.99 | $25 | Ross | Los Angeles |
| London Fog handbag | $150 | $0 (X-mas money) | Marshall's | Costa Mesa |
| Outfit Total: | $549 | $28 |
Because of the secondhand nature of my clothes, some items are no longer available in stores. In these instances, I've done my best to find the closest approximations (considering brand, material, size, et cetera) for the purposes of price comparison.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
work outfits: surrounding my $10 Italian leather handbag
The last two days have been all about my new purple bag, scored for $10 in light of extensive water damage... which isn't obvious at all, especially after a good conditioning. I still have to decide if the damage bothers me enough to shell out $12 more to refurbish the leather (I probably will, as I'm a little compulsive like that, and I've had great results doing this in the past), but the bag is definitely usable as-is. I remember spotting this exact Cettu bag at TJ Maxx years ago -- I loved it, but passed it up as it was about 150 clams. All the rivets are stamped with little pictures of parrots, the lining is pristine (and orange!), and there is no structural damage to speak of. Even if I do spend a little more to correct the water staining, $22 is still way better than $150 - and way WAY better than the original $250.
Forever 21 blazer - $1 - swap meet, Huntington Beach
Purple Banana Republic top - $1 - swap meet, Los Angeles
United Colors of Benetton - half of a $25 suit - Goodwill, Santa Ana
Navy tights - $1 - 99 Cents Only, Venice
Burgundy Dolce Vita Jayce boots - $10 - funded (via Amazon for $103.50)
I also have to stop in my tracks and brag for a minute about this next jacket, which I picked up just this weekend. I had never heard of the brand before, but I brought it home because it looked well made, fit me, and told me the sweet lie that I am a size 0P. I Googled Lafayette 148 so that I could write about the jacket here... lo and behold: a jacket in a similar cut by the same brand costs $398! I nearly fainted. But I danced a gleeful little jig instead. :)
Lafayette 148 collarless blazer - $1 - swap meet, San FernandoBlack tank - $1 - swap meet, Cypress
Light gray skirt - $1 - swap meet, Los Angeles
Pearl Necklace - $0 - gift
Carlos Santana glitter pumps - $25 - Ross
Silver cuff bracelet - $1 - swap meet, Huntington Beach
Monday, May 9, 2011
How to Shop: Thrift Stores
I can't be the only one who does an affronted double-take at thrift store prices these days. $5.99 for used tank tops? Forever 21 has new ones for as low as $3.50! And they come in a bunch of colors! And all the colors come in your size! It's enough to elicit rude noises of disgust. For serious.
So why do I still thrift? And how do I leave with my dignity intact? There are many factors at work here, but here are a few of my personal strategies:
1) Dress to undress.
Thrift shopping isn't the time to break out your artful layers. If you know you will be heading to the thrift store before you leave your home, take a minute to make sure it involves easy-on-easy-off shoes and body-hugging separates. Sometimes, thrift stores do have dressing rooms -- but in my experience, it's always more trouble to hunt down a sales associate to unlock the dressing rooms than it is to assess fit by pulling a garment on over my clothes. Thin tees or tanks and jeans that are slim through the thigh work best for me, but you might also consider a long-is, full-ish skirt or leggings on your bottom half.
2) Identify the deals.
I don't know if this applies across the nation, but most of the thrift stores I frequent offer discounts on one or more type of item at any given time. Goodwill will post a sign at the entryway letting you know which color(s) of hang tags entitle you to 50% off. Salvation Army uses a similar system. Smaller, non-chain stores will often offer blanket discounts on "all shoes" or "all sleeveless tops." As you begin your search, tell your brain to zero in on these items, as you will get the best deals. Depending on what mood I'm in, sometimes I will not even look at an item unless I see the half-price hang tag dangling off it. Goodwill also has an option for their outlet locations on their locator page.
3) Focus on investment pieces.
Let's face it: hardly any of us have the time or energy to scour a thrift store from top to bottom and pull out every single gem the store has to offer. When I thrift, I usually only hit up the shoes, handbags, jackets/coats, and possibly the dresses or jeans. My theory is that these are widely considered to be "investment" pieces and, thus, are the most likely to be more expensive, high-quality, durable items that have been properly cared for... not cheap, kick-around clothes worn to paint the house and mow the lawn. Definitely skip out on items that typically wear very easily, such as knit tops.
4) Embrace your inner snob.
It's true that every single label out there is capable of producing a garment that fits you perfectly -- and in a retail setting, it makes sense to look at all your options. It may not make as much sense, however, to test drive the quality an obscure or unfamiliar label that's already on its second life (at least). I'm not saying you have to hold out for Burberry at the Goodwill (you will likely wait quite a long wait), but look for brands or manufacturing details (e.g. 100% leather for shoes or a "made in Italy" label for handbags) that you feel confident will hold up. A $5 handbag sure sounds like a good deal, but it's just a waste of money if its Chinese PU shell flakes off after a week of use.
5) Don't forget quality control!
It can be economical and fun to refinish an otherwise sturdy table or shine up cosmetically worn shoes, but don't go overboard. Even the best-reputed or most expensive piece is not worth the money if it is severely damaged, heavily worn, or ill-fitting. Be ruthless with items that don't pass muster. You'll be glad you did when a lovely, pristine item comes your way and you have funds waiting in the wings.
These are just some basic guidelines that help me stay focused amidst the onslaught of random items in a thrift store. What say you? How do you find the best deals?
So why do I still thrift? And how do I leave with my dignity intact? There are many factors at work here, but here are a few of my personal strategies:
1) Dress to undress.
Thrift shopping isn't the time to break out your artful layers. If you know you will be heading to the thrift store before you leave your home, take a minute to make sure it involves easy-on-easy-off shoes and body-hugging separates. Sometimes, thrift stores do have dressing rooms -- but in my experience, it's always more trouble to hunt down a sales associate to unlock the dressing rooms than it is to assess fit by pulling a garment on over my clothes. Thin tees or tanks and jeans that are slim through the thigh work best for me, but you might also consider a long-is, full-ish skirt or leggings on your bottom half.
2) Identify the deals.
I don't know if this applies across the nation, but most of the thrift stores I frequent offer discounts on one or more type of item at any given time. Goodwill will post a sign at the entryway letting you know which color(s) of hang tags entitle you to 50% off. Salvation Army uses a similar system. Smaller, non-chain stores will often offer blanket discounts on "all shoes" or "all sleeveless tops." As you begin your search, tell your brain to zero in on these items, as you will get the best deals. Depending on what mood I'm in, sometimes I will not even look at an item unless I see the half-price hang tag dangling off it. Goodwill also has an option for their outlet locations on their locator page.
3) Focus on investment pieces.
Let's face it: hardly any of us have the time or energy to scour a thrift store from top to bottom and pull out every single gem the store has to offer. When I thrift, I usually only hit up the shoes, handbags, jackets/coats, and possibly the dresses or jeans. My theory is that these are widely considered to be "investment" pieces and, thus, are the most likely to be more expensive, high-quality, durable items that have been properly cared for... not cheap, kick-around clothes worn to paint the house and mow the lawn. Definitely skip out on items that typically wear very easily, such as knit tops.
4) Embrace your inner snob.
It's true that every single label out there is capable of producing a garment that fits you perfectly -- and in a retail setting, it makes sense to look at all your options. It may not make as much sense, however, to test drive the quality an obscure or unfamiliar label that's already on its second life (at least). I'm not saying you have to hold out for Burberry at the Goodwill (you will likely wait quite a long wait), but look for brands or manufacturing details (e.g. 100% leather for shoes or a "made in Italy" label for handbags) that you feel confident will hold up. A $5 handbag sure sounds like a good deal, but it's just a waste of money if its Chinese PU shell flakes off after a week of use.
5) Don't forget quality control!
It can be economical and fun to refinish an otherwise sturdy table or shine up cosmetically worn shoes, but don't go overboard. Even the best-reputed or most expensive piece is not worth the money if it is severely damaged, heavily worn, or ill-fitting. Be ruthless with items that don't pass muster. You'll be glad you did when a lovely, pristine item comes your way and you have funds waiting in the wings.
These are just some basic guidelines that help me stay focused amidst the onslaught of random items in a thrift store. What say you? How do you find the best deals?
Sunday, May 8, 2011
party outfit: you make me feel like dancing
The fiance and I went out to a very alternative-style dance club last night - you'll see every kind of outfit there from gold spandex catsuits to flip-flops and shorts. I mostly aimed for comfort so, even though the outfit could have been more elaborate and interesting, I felt good about it.
Lime green dress - $2.50 - Salvation Army, Pasadena (half-price sale)
Studded PU bag - $1 - swap meet, San Fernando
Patterned tights - $1 - swap meet, Torrance
Born Miriam moto boots - $5 - funded
Twisty bracelet - $0 - gifted
Saturday, May 7, 2011
casual outfit: fleece for the rest of us
Fleece: for some, it's one of the fashion's cardinal sins - and I wore it twice within a 24-hour period. Yesterdays fleece was also - wait for it - the dreaded "polar fleece" that left me cringing long after Old Navy's jingle-happy commercial campaigns died away. Why did I do it? Well, because fleece is warm, I'm always cold, and my style happens to embrace gear-ish elements, anyway. If 20-year-old men can wear Britney Spears tees in the name of irony, then I can wear my fleece jackets in the name of rugged style, yes?
This jacket is a little different in that it looks like a jersey blazer on the outside, and is only fleecy on the inside - oh, the cuddly deception! I love it so much that I also have it in bright red.
The necklace came together through pure fate. My boyfriend and I spotted the lion charm will 'trolling a swap meet on vacation in New York. We bought a handful of them for $0.10 each (they are actually plastic - more deception). I actually found the sterling chain on the ground somewhere, and no one ever claimed it.
Vintage baseball-style tee - $1 - swap meet, Huntington Beach
Merona (Target) red polar fleece jacket - $0 - gifted
Gap white/tan striped sweater - $1 - swap meet, San Fernando
Bee ring - $1 - swap meet, Santa Clarita
Calvin Klein tan cross-body bucket bag - $10, swap meet, Torrance
Lucky Zoe bootcut jeans - $9, Goodwill, Anaheim
Born Miriam moto boots - $5 - funded
This jacket is a little different in that it looks like a jersey blazer on the outside, and is only fleecy on the inside - oh, the cuddly deception! I love it so much that I also have it in bright red.
The necklace came together through pure fate. My boyfriend and I spotted the lion charm will 'trolling a swap meet on vacation in New York. We bought a handful of them for $0.10 each (they are actually plastic - more deception). I actually found the sterling chain on the ground somewhere, and no one ever claimed it.
Vintage baseball-style tee - $1 - swap meet, Huntington Beach
Leather belt - $2 - swap meet, Paramount
Lucky Zoe bootcut jeans - $9, Goodwill, Anaheim
Born Miriam moto boots - $5 - funded
Ted Benson Italian leather handbag - $1 - Ebay, funded
LL Bean Freeport Fleece jacket - $24.99
Lion neclkace - $0.10 - swap meet, New York, fated
LL Bean Freeport Fleece jacket - $24.99
Lion neclkace - $0.10 - swap meet, New York, fated
Friday, May 6, 2011
Work Outfit: Comfy, Cozy, and a touch of Citron
Nothing too elaborate today. I was feeling a bit down, so I thought I'd wrap myself in soft and un-restricting fabrics. I thought I'd have to change my bag, but the yellow-citron thing didn't bother me after all (convenient, since I also felt a bit lazy this morning).Citron top, $1, swap meet, Huntington Beach
Deco necklace, $3, swap meet, Huntington Beach
Black patent skinny belt, $0.60, thrift store, Ontario
LL Bean Freeport Fleece sweatshirt jacket, $24.99, LL Bean
Banana Republic navy midi skirt, $1, swap meet, Huntington Beach
Jessica Simpson Floral Garden Satchel, $10, via Amazon (funded)
Nine West black patent pumps, $20, Ross
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