7 Sep
It is (semi) officially fall! Time to cozy up in some sweaters and watch the leaves turn the same colors as our clothing. Why not embrace this season with some frugal finds from those vintage mavens and creative goddesses at Etsy.
Yellow Cloche, $30
Bolero Air Force Jacket, $45 (vintage)
Knee High Socks with Bows, $8.90
Sweater Skirt, $28 (vintage)
Wildberry Cowl, $25
Mod, Tan Handbag, $16 (vintage)
70′s Clog Platforms, $49 (vintage)
1 Sep
This week I will be covering fashion for the endlessly busy and broke college chick! But first I want to add some afterthoughts about last week’s post on eating vegan for cheap, on (and off) campus.
There were some wonderful comments on part one of this article which made me realize I missed a key budget shopping point! Comparison shopping is probably the best way to save money while grocery shopping. Check out your weekly circulars or email updates from your favorite stores. You can also only buy produce that is on sale and flex your culinary muscles by developing new recipes with the random items you have bought. And did you know that there are these magical places called salvage grocery stores? They are kind of like food outlets and you can find some wonderful bargains. (A special thanks to Miss Molly Horn for these additions. )
Now, on to some fabulous fashion tips for all of you busy (and broke) collegiate ladies!
Before you toss the clothes you haven’t worn in years, stop and evaluate them closely. Why are you going to get rid of this? Is it too big for you? Too small? Is there a rip, burn or stain? If there is some aspect of this piece that you still love, be it the fabric, the cut, or the buttons – Save it and turn it into something else. Turn an old pair of jeans into a skirt, a sweater into a tote bag.. use your imagination and learn some crafty skills along the way!
Go to a thrift store and consider what the clothing can become instead of what it is. $30 and a bit of time can give you a whole new season of clothes. Plus you’ll be known as “that cool indie chick”. Check out this girl who is making totally adorable clothing from $1 thrift dresses that most people would typically turn up their noses.
If you are not the crafty, sew-y type, just learn to embrace the amazing world of vintage shopping. And I’m not talking about buying a tacky 80′s prom dress on Ebay for $200. I’m talking about down and dirty second-hand shopping. The frustrations! The endless searches! The questionable odors! But working for that perfect (super cheap!) item is worth the feeling of satisfaction you get when you find it.
Evaluate every purchase - Every time you go to make a purchase ask your self – “Do I really need this?” Most of the time you don’t. An easy way to squash impulse buying is by doing the 48 hour test. Wait 48 hours after finding something you “have to have” and see if you still want it badly.
Buy off season - A $300 winter coat for $60? Yes, please! At the end of each season, every store has a blowout sale. This is when you should buy your clothes. I have solemnly promised myself to never purchase anything at full price (unless it is from an indie business, but that is a story for another time). If you have the patience to let new items sit in your closet for a few months, you will save loads of money!
Don’t buy trendy nonsense - Don’t buy any trends that you know will only last a season. Sometimes these trends are obvious (trucker hats, ponchos) and sometimes they are not, but just try to use your best judgement. If it is a trend that is popping up in every teen boutique.. it probably wont last too long. The best way to save time and money is to develop your own unique and timeless style. That way you are not heading out to stores every season to stock back up on clothes.
Buy quality staple pieces – You should probably fork over a good amount of cash to purchase staple components of your wardrobe, like blazers, the little black dress, white button up, and jeans. This may seem counter-intuitive, but these timeless pieces should remain just that – timeless. They should be quality items that will last for years to come. The initial investment will be worth avoiding the stress of purchasing these same items over and over.
Budget! - You shouldn’t be buying anything unless you have it budgeted in every month. When I was in college, I had all of my expenses planned out except for clothing purchases. I would then randomly go on shopping excursions and blow my whole budget! Or I would put it on a credit card. Bad news. Don’t ever put anything other than emergencies on a credit card. Ever. You will regret it.
Did you know Einstein wore the same outfit everyday so he wouldn’t waste his precious mental energy deciding what to wear? You may not be developing the Theory of Relativity but you have a lot going on! Getting dressed every day should not be stressful or time consuming.
Opt for comfort - Everything you own should be comfortable. I personally cannot concentrate on anything if I am wearing something that is uncomfortable or restricting. When trying on clothing, be sure to move around a lot – sit down, bend over, do jumping jacks.. whatever. And only buy shoes you can comfortably walk in….even heels, ladies.
Develop a core wardrobe - Most of your closet should contain items that can easily be worn with each other. This is another post in itself, and thankfully Megan over at Charade has covered this beautifully.
Mis-match – I randomly go through phases where I will throw on random things in my closet without giving it much thought or consideration. Those are the days I get the most comments. Have fun and play!
Plan out your outfits for the week - Or at least the night before. There is nothing better than getting dressed and going! This is also a great time management tip if you find yourself getting lost in your closet every morning and then getting to class late.
Stay tuned next week for Part Three of A Thrifty guide For College Bound Vegans covering cruelty free beauty and makeup!
Photo Cred : This stunning lady.
16 Jun
It has been a while since I have done an Etsy roundup. Let’s fix that!
Etsy is probably one of the best places online to get awesome vintage scores at a reasonable price. Usually handpicked items like these cost a pretty penny, but that is not always the case on Etsy. Everything on this list is under $100 with exception of the micro-striped yellow dress, but that was just too cute not to include. So hurry up and scoop up some fun, airy, summery dresses!
Other than Etsy and Ebay, where are your favorite places to shop vintage online?
Adorable Strapless 70s Dress, $36
1970s Boho Empire MAXI Dress, $89
1950s Yellow Micro Striped Dress, $225
Valley Girl Dress, $26
80s Red Flower Summer Dress, $80
9 Jun
In my new city, thrift shops run rampant. Thrifting is an art here and is not taken lightly. This is good news to me since my budget is precisely $3 and I have copious amounts of time to do things like rummaging through piles of used goods. I’ve always enjoyed shopping in vintage joints but have never taken the time to truly hone the craft until recently. Here are some great tips I have learned!
Explore – You know that vintage shop in the bad part of town that has spooky mannequins sporting Muumuus? Go there. Chances are it is not as picked over as the popular vintage shops, and you have a better chance of finding some gems. If you are serious about thrifting, you should go into every single shop you see. Every..single…one. Even if it is just to browse quickly. That way you can determine which shops are worth your time and which are not.
Discern – Some things are just unsalvageable. Check everything closely for rips, stains, burns or busted seams. If the garment you desire is ripped or burned in a place that cannot possibly be fixed, just let it go. If it smells funny, it can always be washed. Ripped seams can easily be fixed up. And, of course, make sure your selections are free of leather, silk, wool and other animal products.
Get crafty – If something is not your size – can it be altered to fit you? Almost everything can be made smaller (unfortunately not many things can be made bigger!) depending on your skill level. If you really like the fabric of a piece but not the style, consider turning it into something else. If you are creative enough, a thrift shop can be an upcycler’s dream.
Get schooled – Try to be familiar with all brands and where they come from. (I recently found a pair of used Forever 21 shoes for $60! You’re not fooling me trendy vintage shop!!) You might get duped into buying a $15 Target shirt for $40 but you could also get some designer gear for super cheap. Knowledge will get you far, my friends.
Try it on – Sizes have changed drastically through the decades. If your potential purchase is from another generation, make sure to try it on. Some clothes might look cute on the hanger but fit like a burlap sack. Wear leggings and tanks so you don’t get arrested if a dressing room is not available.
Bargain – You can totally haggle with shop owners, and if you are paying in cash you can usually get things for a bit cheaper. However, don’t bargain at charity stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army) that’s just bad manners.
Become a stalker – Find out when your favorite shops get new clothes in. Usually, if you ask the shop owner they will happily tell you the best days and times to come.
header image via L’excessive
15 Feb
This is the first in a series I’m starting called the “Retro Style Series“. Each week I’ll be counting down the style eras from the 20′s to the 90′s. I’ll be outlining the key fashion elements in each era, and how you can recreate them to work seamlessly with your current style.
The 1920′s were really an exciting time for style and freedom of expression in women. Corsets were dumped, hemlines rose, women became more brazen and outgoing. The 20′s were filled with a lot of unique ideas about fashion and also featured some trends that we still see today. If you wish to recreate a look with a retro Roaring 20′s vibe, be aware. As with all vintage fashion, I would not recommend attempting to replicate a total 20′s style – Just pick what you love and apply it to your current look. You don’t want to look like a novelty item. That being said – enjoy! (more…)
21 Dec
‘Tis the season for chips and dip, fizzy cocktails and festive music. Holiday parties are in full swing from now until the new year and what better way to celebrate than in a gorgeously unique dress.
By now you probably have realized that I fully believe, if you are attending a formal party or gathering that vintage is the way to go. I’m not really sure why I hold that belief. Maybe because formal parties are traditional in themselves. Perhaps it is the thrill of wearing a one-of a kind dress that has a story behind it. Or maybe it is just because 50′s and 60′s fashion rocks my socks off. Whatever the reasoning is, here are some great vintage finds for your upcoming holiday soiree. (more…)
12 Oct
Is it party time yet?
It is just another few short weeks until holiday time is in full blast and social calenders become jam-packed with parties and other events. Whether you are looking for a dress for Homecoming, Thanksgiving or Christmas parties, New Years, or even just a random social event – vintage is definitely the way to go. It is a great way to look like an individual while carrying an old-school air of grace and femininity. Not to mention it ALWAYS makes mother nature happier when you buy old instead of new. Here are some choice frocks I found on Etsy. If you find one you love, hurry and gobble it up -they are virtually one of a kind.
