Reminder: The Good Buy/Good-Bye Book-Pre-Loved Items & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #171

May 5, 2020 / 58 Comments

There is a huge movement toward second hand shopping and wearing pre-loved items with pride. It is so much better for the environment and for our bank accounts. Plus it really is a lot of fun. As a woman with an overflowing closet, sometimes the thrill is in the hunt. Because I must face it, I don’t actually need anything new in my closet. Wants are an entirely different thing and so I can have fun and be patient while I search the thrift shops and second hand sites like Poshmark for that perfectly wonderful and beautifully unique piece.

So for the May edition of The Good Buy/Good-Bye Book, we are featuring all things pre-loved. Nancy and I are both huge fans of pre-loved fashion, so we are super excited to see what fantastic things you all have found second hand. It can be anything you want to share as long as someone else loved it first! I have to be honest, some of my best buys ever have been thrift shop finds, but also some of my worst purchases ever have also been pre-loved pieces. I am getting better at leaving behind the almost perfect things.

What is The Good Buy/Good-Bye Book?

It is a monthly series that Nancy and I both publish on our blogs on the 15th of each month. Anyone who would like to participate and be featured can send us their photos with a short description explaining if the item was a Good Buy or one that you will be saying Good-Bye to. We will give you the theme for the next month in each post. Photos will be due to us by the 10th of the month. So please join us for May by sending us some photos of your favorite (or least favorite) Pre-Loved Items with a brief description as to why you love or hate them!

You can choose yourself whether you want to show a Good Buy (which is an item you are really exited about) or a Good-Bye (which is an item you are going to say good-bye to). We will keep purchasing Bad Buys every now and then for a variety of reasons…it was so cheap, you were in a hurry and really wanted (needed) to buy something, it fit almost quite right. But, of course, we also have those purchases that can make us so very happy. A piece of clothing or accessory that you have had for years and that you also wear a lot. Or something you bought on a holiday and every time you wear it you get that nostalgic holiday feeling back. Every month you can choose which item you want to submit. A Good Buy or a Good-Bye. We will provide the theme for each month. Photos should be submitted to us by the 10th of the month with a few sentences explaining why it is a Good Buy or Good-Bye.

So to get you all motivated to dig out your favorite (or least favorite) pre-loved items, I am going to share some of the second hand items that have made appearances on my blog throughout the past 5 years. Some of these items are on constant rotation while others may have only been worn once or twice for a variety of reasons. Let’s get started…

Pre-Loved Item: Old Navy Denim Jacket

Original Post: The Magnificent 8: How Does Your Garden Grow? (April 29, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: L.L. Bean Canvas Jacket

Original Post: What to Wear Hiking in the Chaumont Barrens Preserve (April 28, 2020)

Pre-Loved Items: Merona Striped Skirt & Cigar Box Purse

Original Post: The Fab 40’s Interpret Harajuku (April 27, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: Black Brocade Mini Dress

Original Post: How to Style a Kimono 2 Ways (April 21, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: Faux Leather Skirt

Original Post: Sunday Sillies: The Diarrhea Song (April 19, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: LulaRoe Kimono

Original Post: Accessorizing to Support Small Businesses (April 14, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: Purple Plaid Mini Skirt

Original Post: Wear Purple for International Women’s Day (March 19, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: Black Chiffon Midi Dress and Earrings

Original Post: Moontide Arts (March 10, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: Faux Fur Coat

Original Post: Inspired by Nancy’s Fashion Style: What to Wear to Winter Parties (March 5, 2020)

Pre-Loved Items: Brown Leather Jacket and Maurice’s Green Plaid Shirt

Original Post: Festival Season is Coming (February 28, 2020)

Pre-Loved Items: Faux Leather Skirt and Leopard Print Coat

Original Post: Inspired by Kathrine Eldridge Wardrobe Stylist: All Black with Burgundy Boots (February 27, 2020)

Pre-Loved Items: Black Gown and Faux Fur Coat

Original Post: Oscar-Worthy Outfits (February 20, 2020)

Pre-Loved Items: Old Navy Sweater and Corduroy Skirt

Original Post: Winter Break (February 14, 2020)

Pre-Loved Items: Orange Loft Mini Skirt and Black Peacoat

Original Post: I Get by With a Little Help from My Friends (February 11, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: Purple Loft Mini Skirt

Original Post: Eggplant Inspiration (February 7, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: Knit Hat

Original Post: Nothing but a Whole Lot of Something (January 31, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: My Grandmother’s Shawl

Original Post: The Magnificent 8 Style Heirlooms (January 29, 2020)

Pre-Loved Items: Faux Fur Coat, Talbots Tweed Blazer, and Some Necklaces

Original Post: The Fab 40’s Meet the Roaring 20’s (January 27, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: Lavender Gap Corduroy Skirt

Original Post: Inspired by Pumps and Pushups & Hello Katie Girl: DIY Raw Hem Skirt and Shades of Lilac (January 23, 2020)

Pre-Loved Items: Black Pea Coat and Denim Skirt

Original Post: The Sunday Afternoon Quarterback #19: A New Look for the Carolina Panthers in 2020 (January 19, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: Star Wars Tee Shirt

Original Post: Friday Favorites 2 (January 17, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: Corduroy Skirt

Original Post: A Kindness Conundrum (January 14, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: Orange Loft Skirt

Original Post: The Sunday Afternoon Quarterback #18: LSU vs. Clemson-Who Will Win the National Championship? (January 12, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: LulaRoe Duster Cardigan

Original Post: Friday Favorites 1 (January 10, 2020)

Pre-Loved Items: Blazer, Plaid Shirt, Jeans, and Sneakers

Original Post: Radical Ralphie Styling Seersucker and Plaid (January 6, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: Black and White Retro Dress

Original Post: A New Decade: Regrets, Resolutions, and Reinvention (January 1, 2020)

Pre-Loved Items: Both Denim Jackets, Ralphie’s Sweater and Jeans, My Necktie

Original Post: The Canadian Tuxedo: Twinning with Radical Ralphie (December 16, 2020)

Pre-Loved Item: Striped Merona Skirt

Original Post: Why Getting Dressed Up is Important to Me (December 13, 2020)

Pre-Loved Items: Faux Leather Jacket, Shirt, and Pants

Original Post: Radical Ralphie: The Boy in Black (and Red Plaid) (December 9, 2019)

Pre-Loved Items: Coat, Shirt, Pants, and Boots

Original Post: How Radical Ralphie Got His Name (December 2, 2019)

Pre-Loved Item: Plaid Wool Skirt

Original Post: The Sunday Afternoon Quarterback #13: We’ll Get By With a Little Help From Our Friends (December 1, 2019)

I only went as far back into my blog archives as this past December. As you can see, I have quite a thing for pre-loved items! I am looking forward to digging through the thrift shop racks once we are able to go shopping again. Until then, I will be enjoying all the things that are already housed in my closet room. Come join us and share your favorite pre-loved pieces!

And now your featured favorites from last week.

Reader Favorite (Most Clicked)

Jill of Doused in Pink shared some wonderful items in her post, The Best Mother’s Day Gifts (under $50). With Mother’s Day just around the corner, you all expressed a lot of interest in these gift ideas. Understandably so since Jill has included a little something for everyone!

Doused in Pink

My Favorite Fashion Post

Darlene of Aquamarina Style shared the loveliest most vibrant dress in her post, All Red Dress-ed Up and No Place To Go. There is something really special and dramatic about a bright red dress with a bold floral pattern. It is super eye catching and head turning and is bound to make both the wearer and the passer by smile!

Darlene of Aquamarina Style

My Favorite Non-Fashion Post

Tina of Amanda’s Books and More shared her post, Quarantine Life, with some fun photos of her backyard wonderland. While I haven’t much minded quarantine life myself, I certainly would enjoy it even more if I had such a beautiful garden and swimming pool. Tina’s yard looks like the perfect place to escape!

Amanda’s Books and More

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

If you would like to participate in this month’s Good Buy/Good-Bye Book and be featured on our blogs, just email photos of your pre-loved items with a brief description to shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com or to nancy@nancysfashionstyle.com by May 10. You are welcome to submit more than one item if you would like.

*By joining The Good Buy/Good-Bye Book, you agree to receive a monthly email reminder.

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

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.

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58 Comments

  • Gail

    May 5, 2020 at 9:44 am Reply

    Wow Shelbee you have some fabuous pre-loved items. I love the leopard print coat and the fur coat with black gown! I haven’t had much luck thrifting – most of the charity shops near me sell rubbishy pieces that were fast fashion. I had a wonderful Vivienne Westward skirt that I bought from a pre-loved website, but I can’t find it so fear I gave it away when I was in a ruthless mood (it used to be too tight).

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 5, 2020 at 9:56 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Gail! The thrift shops near me have mostly fast fashion items but I have been able to find lots of gems over the years. However, I rarely find super unique, high end, or vintage pieces near me. But I still have fun with it! And there are always the online resale sites as well. I hope your VW skirt turns up and that you didn’t ditch it in a ruthless mood!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Jill

    May 5, 2020 at 11:44 am Reply

    I would love a tour of your closet! So many fabulous looks and pre-loved pieces! Ralphie looks so dapper in his pre-loved pieces too! Thank you so much for featuring my post! Have a wonderful day!

    Jill – Doused in Pink

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 5, 2020 at 12:07 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Jill! My closet is more of a wreckage cite than a place that is tour worthy! Haha. Maybe if I ever get around to cleaning and organizing it, I could take some photos of what lies within!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 5, 2020 at 12:05 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Jennifer! I think the success of thrift shopping depends entirely on the area where you live! I have a lot of success thrifting here but I rarely find super high end items or cool vintage ones. I think online resale sites might be better for that.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Ellibelle

    May 5, 2020 at 1:51 pm Reply

    You found so many amazing pieces and created such fun and fabulous outfits with them! I’ve been wanting to buy a jean jacket but don’t think I’d wear it much, therefore I never wanted to pay $$ for one. Looking at Goodwill once they open up is a great idea! Maybe I’ll look around on poshmark in the meantime!

    Thanks for sharing and for hosting the linkup!
    Ellibelle’s Corner

  • jess jannenga

    May 5, 2020 at 2:09 pm Reply

    Wow, you are the Queen of thrift goodies! You have found some great gems. I do love finding items on Poshmark and have bought quite a few pairs of designer denim via Posh for a fraction. Love the faux fur coat, The first outfit is precious with the floral and jean jacket! I bought both of my jean jackets thrifting too. Love that you bought the kids clothes this way, they are quite dapper!
    Have a great day friend
    jess xx
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylsh.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 5, 2020 at 4:12 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Jess! I need to check out Poshmark more often! I always forget to, but I also really enjoy digging through the racks in an actual store. But online is the only way to second hand shop right now, so it will have to do! I love finding quality denim pieces pre-loved. I think that is the one thing I can’t resist!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Chrissy Rowden

    May 5, 2020 at 2:40 pm Reply

    So many fun looks Shelbee that represent the fun, creative side of you. Love how you’ll roll with whatever you’re feeling and mix patterns, colors etc. Keep creating my dear!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 5, 2020 at 4:09 pm Reply

      Chrissy, thank you so much, my friend! That is such a lovely compliment! I definitely like to switch things up depending on my mood! It keeps things interesting and is a great source of entertainment for me.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 5, 2020 at 4:27 pm Reply

      Aw, thanks so much, Michelle! I do have a lot of pre-loved items! I started thrift shopping way back when I was just a teenager and the passion for it never died. I look forward to seeing your pre-loved items!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Patrick Weseman

    May 5, 2020 at 5:04 pm Reply

    True pre-loved items are great for the environment. I am a big fan of second-hand stores. The sad thing is that they are closing around here.

    All of your looks are fabulous and stylish.

    Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week. Stay safe.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 5, 2020 at 5:14 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Patrick! I love buying second hand, too. The thrill of the hunt is my favorite part. It is sad that we are unable to shop in thrift stores right now. I hope they have lots of good stuff when they open again.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Deborah Stinedurf

    May 5, 2020 at 6:05 pm Reply

    Okay…so I was going to comment on my big love for the first purple outfit, but realized I love all of them so I’ll just say your outfit skills are off the charts and you are 100% gorgeous…I think that covered it…lol! I love second hand pieces too, but I will admit that I am somewhat of a lazy shopper. I enjoy digging/searching for things up to a point, but then I’m just done. That’s not to say I haven’t found some amazing pieces, I’m just impatient! xo
    Debbie
    http://www.fashionfairydust.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 5, 2020 at 6:53 pm Reply

      Debbie, thanks so much! I do love creating outfits! It is my favorite part of the day…digging through my closet mess and making something new and interesting come out of it. I was just going through old blog posts to find more thrifted items and they show up in about 75% of my outfits! I do have to be in the mood to go digging in the thrift shops though. Sometimes I get lazy, too, especially if it is something specific I am looking for…then I might just look for new.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Joanne

    May 5, 2020 at 8:30 pm Reply

    I was thinking I didn’t have any pre-loved items but then I realized I had inherited a few coats from my grandmother. Thanks for hosting! I finally remembered to actually link up.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 6, 2020 at 11:33 am Reply

      Thanks for stopping by and linking up, Joanne! I will be visiting all the links soon. Things inherited from grandmothers might be my favorite things ever! There is something special about the item going back more than just one generation. If you get the chance to take some photos of your inherited coats, send them on to me and we will feature them in the post on May 15! It is so fun to see what everyone sends in all consolidated in one post!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • ratnamurti

    May 5, 2020 at 9:47 pm Reply

    Faves? The black outfit with combat jacket: very flattering. Radical Ralphie standing on a big stone – love the expression. And am fascinated that black, eggplant, and shades of purple keep turning up in your photos; they are my favourite colours.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 6, 2020 at 11:30 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Ratnamurti! Ralphie makes some of the best faces when I take his photos! Such a little character. Black is absolutely the biggest staple in my wardrobe and I do love deep rich jewel tones like purples and reds and greens. I think I always have!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Lucy Bertoldi

    May 5, 2020 at 11:35 pm Reply

    Shelbee, I’m so happy you are on the sustainable movement! I love that you girls are doing this challenge- so fun! BTW…Shelbee I’m in love with your style!! All your looks are so stylish and creative- I adore that Merona especially!!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 6, 2020 at 11:27 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Lucy! I have been a proponent of sustainability and second hand shopping since I was just skinny little freshmen in high school! That would be over 30 years of thrifting under my belt! Haha. But I am definitely getting more in tune and conscious of the environmental benefits of recycling clothing. I also love the thrill of the hunt and finding unique pieces. One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Laura Bambrick

    May 6, 2020 at 1:25 am Reply

    What a great idea for a theme! So many of my designer or more expensive brand name items are secondhand. I just can’t stomach the idea of paying full price! You have some fantastic finds too!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 6, 2020 at 11:25 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Laura! I don’t like to pay full price either and if I were in the market for a high end designer piece, I would totally look for it second hand first! You should join us this month with some of your favorite pre-loved finds! Just send me a photo or two!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Darlene Messinger

    May 6, 2020 at 1:42 am Reply

    Shelbee, thanks for the great surprise! It’s always a shocker to scroll down and say, hey, I know that person!! Lol! I appreciate the shout out, my friend! Now you have done amazingly well with pre-owned items. Those faux fur coats are totally amazing!! As is the plaid skirt outfit, pleated skirt, striped skirt, Radical Ralphie—well, all of them! My local Thrift Stores are questionable, but I will have to check out Poshmark again. I haven’t had much luck with them in the past, but it’s always worth another shot! Take care and stay safe.

    xx Darlene

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 6, 2020 at 11:24 am Reply

      Aw, Darlene, thanks so much! You are so cute! I always have the same reaction when someone else features me on their blog. I get so excited and it totally makes my day! Thrift shopping really is a hit or miss situation. And a lot depends on where you live and how people generally dress around you. I can never find really cool vintage pieces or high end designer pieces around me, but there is a decent selection of mainstream styles available. It also depends on the specific thrift shop. The Salvation Army near me has the best selection and I like the way they organize the store. There are a few other second hand shops, one being the consignment shop where I used to work, that always have great stuff. And then the other thrift shops are much more miss than hit! Poshmark is a great place because there are millions of users on there so a huge selection! Happy thrifting!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Leslie Susan Clingan

    May 6, 2020 at 1:59 am Reply

    Oh, my gosh…I don’t know where you find all of these fabulous pieces but I can say with certainty, we don’t have thrift shops with such great items here in El Paso. So many darling looks. And I love seeing your babies in your posts. They have such a great sense of style!! Mentally going through my closet and trying to think what I could use to participate in this episode of Good Buy/Good-bye.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 6, 2020 at 11:17 am Reply

      Leslie, thank you so much! My little guys have a tiny bit of style, but for the most part they spend their lives in sweatpants and tee shirts! I find success at thrift shops really does depend on where you live. There is some cultural component involved in it, isn’t there? I don’t find very many high end designer pieces or cool vintage items around here, but I do find some pretty great mainstream stuff. I hope you find something to share with us this month. We would love to have you join us!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Cheryl Shops

    May 6, 2020 at 3:10 am Reply

    I love Poshmark, eBay, and the Real Real for pre-loved treasures, and one of my resolutions was to shop these sites as much as possible this year (rather than buy new). I love that you can often find brand new (with tags!) items there for a fraction of the price. Plus, it’s way better for the environment! 😉
    Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 6, 2020 at 11:14 am Reply

      Cheryl, thanks for stopping by. I have never checked out the Real Real, but Poshmark and eBay have been go-tos for me for many years. Although, I do still prefer shopping in person at thrift shops. I guess that is a thing of the past…at least for now. And yes, I am making efforts to shop second hand much more than new because it is better for the environment! And it’s fun and less expensive.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 6, 2020 at 11:12 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Nanchi! Darker colors and deeper hues are definitely my favorite colors to wear, but I try to branch out and incorporate other shades every now and then. But I always return to black and jewel tones!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Maureen

    May 8, 2020 at 12:04 am Reply

    It is getting kind of hard to stay motivated isn’t it? Some days are better than others for sure but with still so much uncertainty it’s difficult to navigate which way to go. I love all your pre-loved items. All are gems and look amazing! I haven’t personally thrifter or second-hand shopped but will definitely look into it. It looks like there so many treasures to be found! I hope you are hanging in there and happy Thursday!

    Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 8, 2020 at 11:07 am Reply

      Thank you, Maureen! Getting motivated is definitely a struggle these days. Thrifting is so much fun. I love the hunt for unique items. Have you checked out any of the resale sites like Poshmark? There are so many really cool things to be found. I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

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