If you follow me on Instagram, you know I just returned from a relaxing, well needed Hawaiian vacation with the family. Still feeling the sand in my toes (and hair!), I came down with a nasty stomach virus immediately upon returning and have been laid out in bed for the past 6 days. Good news is, I am feeling much better and today’s look is the first outfit photo I’ve had a chance to share since I returned. I was forced out of the house as my ‘lil Maltese had an appointment at the Vet, one I had rescheduled to many times to not show. I share all this as comfort was forefront in my mind as I popped on this very loose fitting black and white abstract print dress by House of Harlow, Prada cork wedges, and quickly switched my essentials from my flight bag to my macrame tote from Monserrat de Lucca. The Kate Spade statement collar necklace I’m wearing was a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Find – a statement in it’s own right so I kept the earrings and bangles to a simple silver combo. Don’t you love how a large pair of sunnies and some red lipgloss can disguise how your body is really feeling? The best!
Truth be told, I was not planning to share this look here on the blog, but a few things happened. One, despite how crappy I was feeling, I received many kind compliments on this dress. Second, when I took a closer look at this unplanned-to-share outfit, I realized that the entire look, with the exception of the jewelry, was purchased second hand! Yes, the Prada shoes, Monserrat de Lucca bag and House of Harlow dress – all thrifted! Now, how fun its that?
Then it dawned on me, about 50% of my entire wardrobe is thrifted!
So why shop the second hand market?
Great Value at a Great Price
I love high quality, unique items – always have, yet my shopping budget did not always support my taste for designer pieces. Yes, I love to save money by shopping sales and deals, but more importantly I love the hunt – discovering that unique, well made piece that I won’t see everywhere. Just to show the savings, all 3 of the designer pieces I’m wearing today cost me a total of $135.74. Yep, that’s right. Prada Sandals: $56.24 | House of Harlow Dresss: $31.50 | Monserrat de Lucca bag: $48.00. In addition, if you are into reselling your clothing, high quality designer items tend to hold their value in the resale market, making them easier to sell or trade when you tire of them.
Less Waste
Via Thredup.com Due to the rise of fast fashion, textile waste has risen from 7% to 30% in the past five years. Resale has proven to be a smart alternative that is good for the planet and our communities. Sustainable fashion? Yes, please. The average American throws away 70 lbs of clothing annually. If all of that clothing were reused or recycled, it would save 6 million items from ending up in landfill per year.
Why Not?
The days of sifting though an unorganized thirft store reaking of stale popcorn has passed. Many resale stores, like Millie Mango in Burlingame or Repeter in Los Altos to name a few, if you didn’t know differently, you’d think you were in a full priced boutique. With friendly help, chic displays and current like-new and new product, these are just 2 of my favorites. Whenever I visit a new city, I check the web for chic second hand stores to check out. Online, ThredUp (read more in this post HERE) and Poshmark are just two of my faves.
Tips for Shopping Second-Hand
Everything is a deal in the second hand market, so I always have my “wish list” on hand as to not stray off into the berries, purchasing things I don’t need just because they are a great bargain. The search engines on these sites are so good, approach shopping here as you would with your favorite online retailer. I always shop by size, type and color to start. This way, when I am searching for a Prada pump, I don’t end up checking out with a Marc Jacobs wedge sandal that was too good to pass up. ThredUp offers a return policy which is huge for me – I only keep what I love.
Kate Spade Collar Necklace | in 4 colors | HERE
Style Tip
Is a trip to Hawaii not on your schedule this month?
Try this little beauty secret and show off those legs!
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs | Spray on, let dry and off you go! | Amazon (HERE)
Let’s Chat!
Do you enjoy shopping second-hand? Why?
How do you approach thrift shopping?
Do you have a favorite thrift find?
What is your favorite online second hand site? Do share!
Drop a line down below, I know I’d love to hear your thoughts and insight on Shopping Consignment!
Looking to try ThredUp? If you like, take $10 off your first purchase with my share code (HERE).
or take 50% off your 1st purchase on womens clothing with Promo Code “WOMENS50”
You can also read more on when I first discovered ThredUp in this archived post (HERE)
Be sure to follow me on Facebook (HERE) as I share any promotions that come my way, not only from ThredUp, but other retailers as well! And for more Second Hand Style Shares, follow me on Instagram (HERE).
XOXO
Suzanne
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Even as a kid, I loved to get the hand me down clothing from my cousin in California!! She always had the coolest stuff, and it was like christmas every time she sent a box!!
I think thrifting is the best way to keep the costs down, while still looking great!! And your look today is perfect, Suzanne!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Hi Jodie! I love the story of the packages coming from California – you must have been so excited, lucky girl! I too was thrifting at a young age. Mostly because I always wanted a higher quality than my budget could afford and I never wanted to look like everyone else. Then I got into the joy of vintage shopping – pieces with a past and a story to tell, I love that! As a retail buyer at Nordstrom, I even introduced a line back in nineties that consisted of repurposed denim and blazers – so fun and a huge hit! I think when we make it simple and easy to shop second hand – even more will jump on board. I simply look at it all as another one of my favorite places to shop – full of treasures, and just mix it all up!
Thanks for your kind comments, Suzanne
Sorry to hear you havent been well, i need that Sally Hansen! Stat! You know how much i love to thrift shop, what goes around comes around! Take care H x
Hi Helen! You are the Thrifter extraordinaire! THe Sally Hansen basically looks like you are wearing hosiery – but not! I wipe it off before I go to bed – not sure if it would come off on your bedsheets – I’ve not tried. Let me know if you give it a run, it’s a Big Bang for the buck!
XO
Suzanne
couldn’t agree with you more about the magic of sunglasses and Lipgloss! Love this outfit and really enjoyed your vacay outfit posts on instagram!
Hi Jennifer! Happy to hear you followed along on my Hawaiian vacation – it was the best..till I got home and brought an Hawaiian pest home with me 🙂
We are on the same page with the lipgloss and sunnies – the best for hiding just about anything – maybe that’s why I have too many of each, LOL!!
Thanks for dropping a comment!
XO Suzanne
Hi, I am a thrift store/second hand junkie. I have been thrifting since my kids were little. We HAD VERY little money and I was a SAHM with 3 kids. So, the kids wore clothes from the consignment stores. Played with toys from the second hand stores and no one would ever know except when I bragged about how much I spent. I would get such a thrill from finding such terrific items. Then, I decided to refurnish my home. All second hand from Salvation ARmy AND FAITH Farm down here in South Florida. No one would know if I didnt tell them, Which I always do because I get so excited about all my finds.
I just posted a few items on the Group page of what I scored today. I also am a big Thred up customer. I have purchased some fabulous items from them. Once I get my blog up and running I can’t wait to show off my PRAda shows that I purchased for $24.99!
BTW I love the black net bag.
Hi Lori! I am so happy you stopped by today, and I LOVED reading your story..it makes me so happy to hear the joy you find in thrifting – I bet your kids were the cutest dressed kids in town! When my daughter was a toddler, I loved dressing her in a brand called Baby Lulu, if you know it, you know it is crazy priced, but adorable as heck! I found I could buy it on Ebay and next thing I knew I was a toddler thrift collector! I then bought her vintage dolls, refurbished the cutest wooded play kitchen for her dolls and so on. It was so much fun and she always had the most unique style. I’ll pop over to the FB page, be sure to let me know when your blog goes live, Id love to check it out!
your fellow Thrift Prada Lover,
xx
Suzanne
You are looking fabulous! I love browsing through a thrift store on the hunt for a buried treasure!
Thanks so much for linking up with Fun Fashion Friday!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.com
Me too! I get giddy just walking into a chic little consignment store, you never know what goodies you will find…and then when that perfect shoe is in your size…happy dance! Have you checked out Millie Mango in Burlingame? Its a great store and Lori is the owner. There is a cute little on here in Los Altos as well, Repeter, it is small, but Mellie does a great job with SELECTION and VARIETY!
xx
Suzanne