Adventures in Thrifting Part 5: Oversized Pink Striped Dress & Link Up On the Edge #229
I just realized that I have not shared an Adventures in Thrifting post since early December although most of my outfit posts tend to include thrifted items. The majority of shopping that I have done this past year has been in thrift and second hand shops and I have been an avid thrifter since my teenage years. As my wardrobe continues to grow (because I am a clothing hoarder), the percentage of preloved items becomes larger and larger. While I have proven unable to curb my shopping habits (and it’s okay really, I have accepted this weakness of mine and am willing to live with it), shifting the majority of these habits to second hand is so much better for a variety of reasons.
First, it is much easier on the bank account. But be careful to watch the brands you are buying second hand. Often clothing from places like Old Navy and Target can be cheaper if you wait for clearance and purchase new. I find that most thrift shops have a standard pricing system which is basically by category. For example, all dresses may be $8.99 while all tops are $5.99. I have found clearance items at huge retailers as well as discount stores like TJ Maxx for those prices or less.
But sometimes it isn’t as much about the price as it is about finding something fun and unique that you won’t be able to find elsewhere. Sometimes it may be an item from a well known, inexpensive brand that is a few years old or even an handmade piece (I do have a few of those from thrift stores). Even more importantly, however, is the benefit to the environment from purchasing second hand clothing.
Did you know that the garment and textile industry is the second biggest contributor to landfills and other environmental pollution? Really the only way to minimize the landfill problem is to stop discarding clothing that way. As my dear friend Rena of Fine Whatever illustrates in her series Reclaim-Recycle-Reuse, creating preloved styles can be fun, creative, and just all around better!
So let’s get to my featured thrifted dress…
I will admit that this dress was hugely problematic for me because of the oversized style and the drop waist. Two not very flattering silhouettes on my body type. But as I mentioned in a recent post, I am embracing some of the less flattering things simply because I like them and I will wear what I like, damn it, flattering or not!
I spotted this dress in my local Thrifty Shopper for $8.99. There is no brand tag in it but the quality of the fabric felt great and I found myself drawn to the contrasting stripes in pale pink and white. Not being able to try anything on in thrift stores right now, I made the impulsive decision to go for it. I had initially pictured the dress with black tights and combat boots, but when I put it all together on my body, it was the most ridiculous thing ever. So I tossed it aside in frustration to try again later.
When later came and I tried again, it was a complete disaster. So much so that I don’t even recall what pieces I paired with it. I think I tried to belt it to reduce some volume, but belting drop waist dresses never works. I do love the drop waist style but the length of the dress didn’t seem to be in harmony with the style. Again, I tossed the dress aside more frustrated than the first time but even more determined to make the damn thing work.
I am stubborn like that. I think that is why I enjoy style challenges and prompts so much. They force me to be creative as well as innovative and that just keeps one’s mind keen and functioning properly. Sort of like doing crossword puzzles can mitigate the onset of dementia. Maybe we all need to approach personal style that way…as a means to keep our brains active and healthy!
After my two failed styling attempts, I decide to approach this dress from a different angle…by pairing it with denim culottes to help balance out some of the volume of pink striped fabric. Heeled boots help to lift and elongate the frumpier fit of the dress. By adding a long cardigan on top, I was able to also slim down some of the volume. By the way, the cardigan is the brand Cabi and is also a thrifted item from a few years ago. Long necklaces are also great for breaking up too much pattern and elongating a look. While I successfully managed to tone down some volume, I then counterintuitively added my giant pink fuzzy coat that only added more volume to my frame! But how could I resist the pink furry goodness of this super cozy coat?
Overall I am pleased with the easy and comfortable vibe of this oversized outfit, however, I don’t really know how versatile this dress will be in my wardrobe. If I had any sewing skills at all, I may attempt to alter it so it fits me in a more suitable way. Or perhaps even craft something entirely different out of it. But alas, that is one skill that I never bothered honing and so now I must decide to keep the dress or resell it. Knowing myself as well as I do, I imagine I will keep it for a bit longer so I can try another way of styling it. But if it gets too frustrating, you may find the dress in my Poshmark closet!
Do you embrace wardrobe pieces that may not be as flattering as others? How quickly do you give up on an item if it isn’t working out the way you had imagined?
Featured Favorites
Reader Favorite (Most Clicked)
Terri of MeadowTree Style shared her post, Yellow, Blue, & Pearls/Style Imitating Art, featuring her outfit that was inspired by The Girl with a Pearl Earring. I just started joining the Style Imitating Art challenges and it is so much fun. If you haven’t tried these style prompts yet, do go check it out. Terri is one of the hosts so you will find all the details you need in her post. It really is a great way to be creative with your personal style. I really enjoyed Terri’s style interpretation of the chosen artwork. She looks fabulous!
Fashion Favorite
Rena of Fine Whatever shared her post, Reclaim-Recycle-Reuse: Brocade Coat & Link-Up. I know I just referenced her series in this post, but I can’t seem to get enough brocade these days! I just scored a gorgeous brocade blazer on a recent thrifting trip and then I spotted Rena’s gorgeous brocade coat and I am having all sorts of sartorial feels!
Non-Fashion Favorite
Debbie of Fashion Fairy Dust shared her post, When You Literally Just Cannot…What To Do When You’re Stuck. I swear there have been many times when I read one of Debbie’s posts and I think I could have written it myself. She and I have been star crossed buddies since our first acquaintance! And I find that as she struggles through things and then finds her way out again, she has the most brilliant advice for getting the rest of us there as well. So if you are feeling stuck right now or find yourself stuck often, definitely go have a read. You are sure to find something that will help you get unstuck.
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Dress and Cardigan (Cabi)-Thrifted / Coat and Scarf-Target / Boots and Jeans-Charlotte Russe / Necklace-Walmart / Earrings-Old / Sunglasses-Kate Spade / Velvet Scrunchie-Torrid
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
46 Comments
Kellyann Rohr
I had a fun thrifting in Nashville! I scored a JCrew wool coat and a Talbot’s blazer – you are so right, gotta find good brands. I look for colors or prints that call out to me and then check labels. I love your tenacity with this dress and yes, we need to wear what we like – flattery be damned!!!
xo,
Kellyann
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kellyann! Those sound like fabulous thrifty finds from Nashville! I few years ago, I stumbled across a pretty awesome Talbots haul in the thrift shop. It was all the same size (my size) like someone had just cleaned their closet and donated. I got 3 or 4 Talbots blazers as well as a Talbots trench coach. I still have all of those pieces except for a blazer or two that were just not comfortable. Those I resold. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
Who cares if it’s flattering! If you wear it with flare it is! And you do! I especially love those jeans and boots! Have a good weekend my friend!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! I think I have 4 or 5 pairs of white boots now! Is that bad? They are all different!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
I used to work in a thrift store all through college; since I grew up shopping with my grandmother I tended to know brands and the approximate regular retail value of most items. Our pricing system was based on it’s typical price not on the set garment. Within just a few short weeks I had taken over inventorying our system.. best part was that as I priced items out I could put a little sticker on the tag indicating I wanted to buy it! Then it was mine before it ever even hit the floor. I soon realized that I could never work in retail or else I’d starve.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ha, Joanne, that is a great story! I worked in a consignment shop a few years ago for just about one year and I had first dibs on everything that came in as well. The problem was that I was the same size as the shop owner so we would bicker over the best pieces! But that ended up helping me to spend less since I had to share with her! And I have worked in retail many, many times over the years. The struggle is real to keep more money in your paycheck than what you put into the cash register! Thanks for sharing your story! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
I love how you changed this dress up to work in this look! The cardigan is lovely layered over it and the culottes add a very cool vibe with the boots. Thanks so much for the link up Shelbee!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Kathrine, thanks so much! I maybe felt a little ridiculous in this outfit, but I strutted my stuff anyway because why the heck not! I do love layering dresses over jeans though. I have to remember this trick if I am struggling with styling a dress again. Have a great weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
I’ve had that happen, where I buy something and struggle to style it. You nailed it this time!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jennifer! I am definitely going to try another way of styling this dress…when I get motivated! Have a great weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Deborah Stinedurf
My friend, I so agree with wearing pieces because you love them even if they aren’t traditionally “flattering”. Tulle skirts make my hips look 3 times as broad as they are & I really don’t care. I’d rather feel like a fairy princess with a wide ass than not…lol! You look killer cool as always! And the dress is flattering because your happiness is apparent.
And thank you a thousand times over for sharing my post, I’m glad you benefitted from reading it! xo
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Debbie! I love tulle skirts, too, and they make my hips look enormous and I don’t even have hips. But you are so right, a fairy princess in Frumpville is way better than no fairy princess at all! This is definitely one of my quirkier outfits, but it was fun to challenge myself and it did make me happy. And we should all be doing things that makes us happy! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend. And thank you for sharing your wisdom with us!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
I love how you put this outfit together. Unexpected but it works!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! It is definitely one of my quirkier get ups, but it was fun rising to the self-imposed challenge! I hope you have a fabulous weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jacqui Berry
You’re twinning with Nancy with your cream boots Shelbee – when you’re done with them chuck them my way please – love them. Jacqui x
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jacqui! Nancy and I were just having conversations in the comments on both of our blogs about white boots! And I just ordered a tall pair of what I thought were white boots, but when they came they are more of a really pale taupe color. Still cool, but not white! I hope you have a great weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy
I love that you admit to outfits you tried that really didn’t work, Shelbee. I also LOVE that you’re willing to wear things that aren’t flattering. I happen to love this look — it’s very different but certainly fun! I bet the dress will be great in the warmer months too.
Huge hugs
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Suzy, thanks so much! I am definitely going to find another way to style this dress. I just love the dainty pink stripes so much! As Barbara suggested in the comments, I may try to have the dress altered and turned into a jacket or kimono. I think that may be super cute! Stay tuned! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I’m right there with you on drop waists. They do nothing for my shape. But you did an excellent job of moving the focal point away from the drop waist itself. I think the culottes were a stroke of genius in that regard. And what a sweet pink color! It’s a great color on you – one I like, but it does me no favors.
Sometimes when I like something that’s truly unflattering but comfortable, I just move it over into the loungewear category.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Michelle, thanks so much! I agree that the culottes definitely helped with the shape of the dress on my frame. I often find myself drawn to cutesy oversized pieces forgetting that I am not a tiny waifish thing. I find styles like drop waists look adorable on smaller framed women which I am not and never will be. Turning my cute drop waist things into loungewear is not something I had considered and I love the idea! In fact, this dress would be great in warmer weather just for hanging around the house. No worries about accessorizing it or even deciding what shoes to wear! I hope you have an amazing weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Darlene
“Maybe we all need to approach personal style that way…as a means to keep our brains active and healthy!” OK, I’m in! Lol! Love your thinking here. This is the time of year I do less shopping and work with the pieces I already have in my closet. But I am not as creative as you are, Shelbee! Somehow you made this look work and it looks so stylish and cozy on you. I love dropped style dresses too but being on the shorter, squarer (?!) side, I look terrible in them. I love Debbie’s writing, too, and always find myself nodding along. Have a great weekend.
xx Darlene
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Darlene, thank you so much! I am constantly struggling to find more ways to exercise my creativity and I seem to forget that personal style and putting together outfits is my favorite medium for exercising my creativity. I haven’t shopped much at all during this entire pandemic, but there were tons of sales going on this week at some of my fave retailers that I did indulge myself a bit! New things coming to the blog soon. But still mixed with my old and thrifted pieces. I hope you have a fabulous weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Barbara
It would probably look great as a duster. If only it was as easy to make as it seems! It definitely doesn’t involve cutting a dress open in the front and try to make it work at the seams, as i’m sure at least a few ppl have tried with me. But if you have a good seamstress? Around here these alterations cost about 20 euro’s. Similar there?
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Barbara, that is a fantastic idea! I think it would make an amazing jacket or kimono as well. I will have to look around locally for someone who could do it for me. I have no idea the price of alterations here as I have not had any done in quite a few years. Thanks so much for the suggestion!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lucy Bertoldi
This post speaks to me!! I love, love thrifting! I find you did a great job with the dress- it really looks great with the denim- you are rocking the look my friend! Have a great weekend xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lucy! Thrifting is totally my jam! This dress was challenging, but I do have so much fun rising to challenges! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend,
xoxo
Shelbee
Cheryl Shops
I am always up for a dress over jeans, and you went a step further with your duster too—way to layer, my friend! And I had no idea that sometimes things are *more* expensive in a thrift store than new, but hey, if you love it, buy it!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Cheryl, thank you so much! I have definitely learned lots of creative ways to layer my clothes since moving to this arctic place! I think with fast fashion being so prevalent, those retailers can afford to practicality “give away” their clearance items where most second hand stores are either nonprofits or independently owned businesses so they have to price certain things a bit higher. I agree with you that if you love it, buy it! I hope you have a great weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Laura Bambrick
I absolutely love thrifting! I wish I had more time to scope out the good shops around here! Heck I wish I had more time to do anything at this point! That dress is really fun and I hope you are able to use your skills to find other ways to wear it.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Laura! I can totally relate to that lack of time! With the kids home every day again, the only time I really do get out of the house is on the weekends and it usually ends up being Sundays when I am motivated to go anywhere. Most shops are closed here on Sundays. But that’s not a terrible thing because then I have less opportunities to spend money. Haha. I hope you have a fabulous weekend and can find some time to go scope some shops!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jill
I always enjoy thrifting and need to do it more often! I love how you styled your dress over jeans! Such a fun look!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Jill – Doused in Pink
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jill! I have been styling dresses over jeans since at least the late 90’s! I love it! Have a great weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
You rock thrifting. Such a nice job. Looking very cool. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Patrick! I hope you are enjoying the weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Terri Gardner
Hello Shelbee,
I’ve been meaning to get over here to tell you how happy I was to be featured on your blog. And a big thank you for sending something for my first SIA and for letting folks know how much fun it is!
XOXO
Terri
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Terri, thank you so much! Of all the style challenges and themes that I have done over the years, this is by far my favorite. It really gets my creativity flowing in the best way! It is my pleasure to share about it! I hope you have a fabulous week.
xoxo
Shelbee
Leelo
Both of these looks are unexpected but I think you did a wonderful job with these. I especially like the second look with pink coat – that coat looks just so cool!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Leelo, thank you so much! I had fun challenging myself to get this dress to work. And this pink furry coat makes me so happy!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sheila (of Ephemera)
I’m a big fan of wearing what you love, so I’m admiring how you just kept on trying until you made it work, Shelbee! Most of my wardrobe is second-hand, whether thrifted or consignment, and lack of label means we have to rely on the feel of the fabric or the cut/construction. I love your long cardigan (cABI is a solid brand for quality), and adore the fuzzy pink jacket over it.
Thanks so much for the linky party. I’ll be along shortly!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Sheila, thanks so much! The fabric of the dress is cotton broadcloth and it feels like decent quality which kind of helped me along towards deciding to get it. I will definitely find some more ways to style this fun piece. I think you will really like tomorrow’s outfit, too!
xoxo
Shelbee
Angie
Hi, Shelbee – I really like your blog and keep coming back to it again and again. When something is the wrong shape for me or color or pattern, I put it in a giveaway pile because I am like you — I collect new things all the time. We are creative creatures and need the artist’s materials to continually create new outfits. It’s so much fun! But I really have to get rid of things and really have a hard time doing that. So if I realize something doesn’t work, I avoid getting it no matter how much I love it. Or I try to get rid of it. Mind you, I often go back to my giveaway piles and retrieve things. You never know if you might miss things in the future. Haha! XOXO – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Angie, thank you so much for your very kind words! I am glad that I can provide something that is worth coming back for! I definitely do like to keep lots of styling options available in my wardrobe because I never know where my mood will lead me. So I can relate to the difficulty in getting rid of things. It seems as soon as I dispose of something, I find that I need or want it a month later! I just retrieved a dress from my giveaway pile and photographed it for tomorrow’s post! It may go back to the giveaway pile, but I am not sure yet!
xoxo
Shelbee
Grace
The (sometimes) cheaper prices of thrifting is always good, but I agree, it’s the thrill of the hunt and finding that one unique piece that I love most about it!! I really want to start thrifting more and maybe even shift to thrifting only eventually… Except for the occasional sale items that are cheaper, of course! Cute outfit with the baby pink. 🙂
Miles of smiles,
Grace
gracefulrags.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Grace! I have been trying to switch primarily to thrifting except for those basics that you have a specific thing in mind and it is way easier to find retail. And lately I haven’t been able to resist some of the amazing sales going on and have indulged myself in a few new things. I just found out last night that my sister is coming to visit me in a few weeks and we have some grand thrifting adventures planned! She says I have the best thrift shops in my town so I am excited to spend a entire day with her scoping out all the local thrifts!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rena
Oh no, I’m so sorry that I didn’t see this post sooner. Thanks for featuring my post from a couple of weeks ago. Also, I adore your outfit. Sometimes trying something new just works out.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Rena! I do enjoy trying out new things and challenging myself creatively.
xoxo
Shelbee