Tag: thrifting

The Struggle: Eowyn’s 10×10 Challenge

Published on by jamielanelleLeave a comment

Those of you following this blog probably remember that I started this 10 x 10 Challenge because of a friend who reached out to me. My friend, Eowyn, also did the challenge with me throughout those two weeks.

A quick note about Eowyn: she came to me about a year ago saying that it was impossible for her to find professional clothes she liked and could afford. We went to the thrift store, and found her a whole wardrobe that day. Since then I’ve seen her make many fashion choices that are brave and inspiring. When she reached out to me to do this challenge I was so nervous – but also very excited. I wanted to see what she calls “Closet by Carley” in action. I wanted to see how she wore all the lovely pieces we painstakingly chose together. But mostly I wanted to see her in the clothes that had been making her so happy.

What follows are Eowyn’s thoughts on the challenge, edited only for clarity.

“Generally speaking, I identify as a minimalist. I find that limited items prevents me from getting overwhelmed, keeps my budget generally managed, and also I see minimalism as a way to reduce waste. So when I first stumbled across the 10 x 10 Challenge and the idea of capsule wardrobes, this seemed a natural fit for me.

In the past 10 years, I’ve tended toward mix and match clothing featuring solids and simplicity. This has been a huge advantage when traveling as well, as I usually only need what appears to be an overnight bag even for two to three weeks of travelling – except that one time that customs was suspicious of my limited baggage.

That being said, I wanted to try this challenge for different reasons. I wanted to stretch outside my comfort zone in some big ways:

  • Patterns
  • Modern and more “trendy” fashion
  • Brighter colours
  • Using layering as more than just temperature regulation

With all this in mind, I set to my choices (pictured above):

  • orange jumper (Amazon)
  • lavender tank dress (Amazon)
  • red leather jacket (Thrifted; added week two when I realized the relentless nature of the rain and unlikely use of a sheer mauve top)
  • high-waisted white pants with leopard and cactus print (Thrifted)
  • coral and navy striped tan cardigan (hand me down from Carley)
  • turqoise velvet jeans (Thrifted; added week two when it was apparent that I wasn’t going to wear those cute strappy sandals I just bought)
  • black and white crop top (Thrifted)
  • light blue denim tank (Thrifted)
  • navy blue ruffled tank (Thrifted)
  • black lace-less oxford heels (Thrifted)

Thus my weekly wardrobe choices were significantly simplified to the following:

Week One of the Challenge
Week Two of the Challenge
*red jacket added with black and white top but not pictured*

— What I Learned —

  • Fashion is something I have always thought of as unnecessary and beyond me a little, but I really appreciated dressing intentionally.
  • The last day (bottom left, second picture set) I wore things that layered pretty much for pragmatism only and I found this to be my least favorite outfit. I discovered my go-to fashion is frankly quite boring.
  • Layers! I truly enjoyed layering with the jumper and dress (such as with the jeans) over the articles to shape them into a top or bottom instead of a whole outfit piece, even adding depth to the jumper by layering items beneath the jumper. I will definitely be doing this more.
  • Accessories – you can reach change a #lewk by having a cute hat, belt, or scarf. I do this well in the winter when it’s cold, but I should do it more in other seasons.
  • Sensory issues – I have sensory issues with clothing. The length, the feel, the weight can all be problems. Layering items definitely allowed me to compensate for some of those things in new ways.
  • Minimalism doesn’t have to be boring. When wearing my typical tank/jeans/shawl, I was bored by cozy. Yet I was able to make new outfits every other day that honestly piqued my mood and made me excited.
  • Pattern mixing – this is still hard for me. I really wanted to wear the leopard pants with the black and white top, but I just didn’t have it in me to be so loud. I settled for the panted under the dress to act as leggings and still this was a lot for me. But I would do it again. I found that patterns really spiced up an outfit to create interesting ensembles.

— Some Additional Thoughts Worth Considering —

  • Fashion is a privilege – I think it is worth noting that everything in my wardrobe was thrifted, gifted, or less than $15. A long history of limited funds is a large portion of why I have always felt fashion unattainable and thus not worth exploring. This challenge really highlighted the ways in which income affected my fashion and I suddenly understand how certain brands can deeply alter a person’s sense of self. That being said, I think it’s important to note that it can be done. Knowing how to look for brands in the thrift store (and show a lot of patience) has single-handedly provided me with a professional wardrobe I wouldn’t otherwise have had access to.
  • Minimalism still works for me – I am all about the minimalist wardrobe. I love having a few items that I can blend together into interesting combinations. It’s practical, cheap, and requires a certain problem solving attitude.”

A big thanks to Eowyn for taking the time to write up all these thoughts, and for allowing me to share them here with you.

Have you tried a 10 x 10 challenge yourself? Wanting to try one? Leave a comment below, I would love to hear about it.

How To: Shop at Thrift Stores

Published on by jamielanelleLeave a comment

As tempted as I am to start this post with a quote from Macklemore’s song “Thrift Shop,” I won’t. I will, however, explain that the feeling of the song (and the reason it quickly became popular) is exactly why so many people love shopping at thrift stores. The thrill of the hunt, and the quest for a bargain can be intoxicating. It can also be why so many find it difficult and laborious.

One time, while flipping through the clothes in a local thrift store, my mom stopped and looked at me.

“I will never understand how some people look like they shop at the thrift store. I shop at the thrift store but I don’t look like I do.”

It took me a minute but I realized exactly who she means – the people who pick out the ill fitting denim shorts that look like they are from the eighties and pair them with a t-shirt for a resort they’ve certainly never been to. The people wearing the button down denim coverall dress that goes to their ankles without a hint of irony. It is a look that I think most people dread (though if it’s your thing – rock it!) and I believe is another common reason for hesitation to really enjoy thrift shopping.

Yet thrift shopping can be a beautiful thing for both your closet and your wallet. It’s no secret that thrift stores offer clothes at an extreme discount, since they are all donated. A thrift store can be a great place to upgrade your style if you’re on a tight budget, try out a trend without investing too much money, or fill out basics that you wear a often.

I’m hoping that these tips will help make thrift shopping into something that is easy and enjoyable for anyone willing to try.

thrifted items pictured: purple leather jacket, gold velvet shirt dress, blue velvet dress

—–> Tip One – Have a Broad Goal in Mind

Goals or quests or things you’re hunting (or whatever you call it) make thrift shopping fun and provide structure and purpose to a place that’s built around chaos. Many shoppers suffer from two common thrift goal problems. The first set has no goals at all, and often leaves the store regretting half the things they purchased. The second set has goals that are too specific and leave empty handed and frustrated. I like to have two or three main goals that I keep pretty broad: comfortable dress pants, black sneakers, and chenille sweaters have all been thrift shopping goals of mine in the past. Sometimes I find what I’m looking for, and sometimes I don’t, but making the goals broader gives more room for success. Having multiple goals helps too, because if you realize it’s just the wrong time or place for one item, you still have other things to look for and it won’t feel like such a waste of time. Keep an open mind though – if you’re too laser focused on your goals you might miss something amazing.

—–> Tip Two – Size Is Just A Number

Never has this statement been more true than when you’re at the thrift store. If you struggle with sizes, try starting a thrifting experience with self acceptance – this is who I am right now, and that’s okay – because starting positive will color the experience in a positive light. Also, remember that at the thrift store you’re working with sizing through the ages. A 10 in the seventies won’t be the same as a 10 today. Not to mention that sizing can change drastically from brand to brand. I start with a base range of medium for shirts and 10-14 for pants. If I try on a bunch of pants or shirts in a row that don’t fit, then I expand the range in whatever direction I need. Remember: no one will care what the number says if the clothes fit well.

thrifted items pictured: grey pants, red sweater, green pants

—–> Tip Three – TRY EVERYTHING ON

This is probably what I would call the golden rule of thrift shopping, so I will say it again – try everything on. I don’t care if it’s not your style, or your size, or you don’t think it will work, or whatever… you really do not know for thrifted items until you try them on. So many of the items you pick up and laugh about or scoff at will end up being favorites, and just as many pieces you think you love might not work. If it catches your eye then it’s worth trying on.

—–> Tip Four – The Buddy System

Thrift shopping generally works better if you bring a friend (or a few) for several reasons:

  • having someone to chat with makes sifting through the piles and piles of things less of a chore
  • a friend makes a good editor to help you if you are on the fence about an item. Sometimes even just saying your reasoning for or against an item out loud is enough and this comes off a lot less crazy if you’re with someone.
  • more sets of eyes means higher likelihood that you will find what you are looking for.

thrifted items pictured: teal sweater, purple skirt, flower raincoat

—–> Tip Five: “But It’s Only $3!”

This is by far the greatest thrift store struggle and one that leads to the most post-thrifting regret: buying an item because it is cheap. When an item of clothing is surprisingly cheap, a switch flips in our brain and we start to rationalize why it might be worth it. This is the reasoning behind the impulse shelving at stores – it’s easy to throw a bag of chips or candy bar in at the last minute because it’s only ___ amount of money. This is even more problematic when it comes to clothes, especially if there’s one thing we already like about an item. Here’s an example from my most recent thrift:

Sifting through the sweaters, I find a cardigan in a light peach color made of suede. The garment fit okay, and it was so soft, and it was only $3, and I was so tempted to buy it.

I eventually decided against it because a) I don’t really wear suede, b) it’s not a color that goes with anything else I own, and c) I knew I wouldn’t wear it

When you’re stuck in the impulse, it helps to ask yourself some key questions that weed out things that just won’t fit in your wardrobe. Here are some of the key questions I use:

  • Does this go with things I already own? try to mentally create three outfits
  • Do I actually like this color/style/fabric?
  • Is this an item I usually wear? i.e. if you’re always hot but tempted by a coat, you should probably put it back
  • If I was exhausted, would I pick this item to put on?
  • Where/when would I wear this item?

If the item misses three or more questions in a row, then it’s not worth it.

Any of these tips helped you? Feel like you’ve tried all these and are still stuck? Have any tips of your own? Have a specific question about thrifting? Feel free to comment below!