My Best Thrift Haul (+ how I started wearing whatever I want)

I’ll never forget the day I saw someone else wearing the same thing as me. I was fifteen, rocking my (up until then) favorite floral pants. I described my style as “whatever is popular”.

15-year-old me and her floral pants.

I strutted confidently around the dock, feeling like a princess, if princesses shopped in Forever 21’s clearance rack. Until… “Look!” I said to my family, in a carrying whisper. A young woman was holding a leash in one hand, a purse in the other. And she was wearing my pants. This was a formative moment in my fashion journey. I stopped defining my style as “whatever is popular”. I started to buy what I liked rather than what every woman and her mom was also wearing.

Yesterday, I struck gold. I found almost every top that you’ll see in this haul, all on the same rack, next. to. each. other. I looked around, shocked at my good fortune, expecting someone to swoop in and say “sorry, I left my picks here.” The only person was a lady to my left, smiling at my shocked facial expression. These Y2K pieces couldn’t be hers, I reasoned. She wouldn’t want to dress like a teenager. Which left me with my loot. Behold, find #1:

Here’s how to feel like a walking work of art.

Crocheted pieces are all the rage. But why buy a crocheted top from target (produced with child labor), when you have the opportunity to wear a gem like this:

I would pair her with a tank top underneath, a brown suede mini skirt, and brown knee high boots to match.

Wearing business casual five days a week taught me that almost anything will work with your dress code if you pair it with a cardigan. This cardigan is from Moda International (vintage Victoria’s Secret)

It’s mesh and see through, but oh so beautiful.

Another black vintage cardigan, with a tie detail at the front.

If you follow this blog, you know that I exercise a lot. Tragically, I am no stranger to see-through leggings. There is nothing worse than using the squat rack, only to feel many pairs of eyes on your bottom as you realize that your hot pink underwear is on display. Ever since, I will not buy leggings unless I’ve gotten confirmation that they are squat-safe.

These “like new” pants got my grandma’s stamp of approval.

Last, my favorite find were these converse sneakers. I scrubbed them, hard, and they came out whiter than I am after the winter season.

The cashier lifted her foot to show me the black pair of converse she was wearing. “I’ve had these since high school!” she said. I can remember a time when converse were on everyone’s feet.

I’m excited to style all of these pieces. Thanks for reading! I hope you guys have just as much fun in your fashion and shopping adventures.

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