Outfit of the Day: Thrifted Goodness.

I love a blazer...in theory. It's one of those things you can just throw on with jeans and a tee and just elevate your outfit. You instantly look more pulled together, less casual. I do have one, the Going Out Blazer from J.Crew, and it's a great basic but I've been wanting something a bit more interesting (totally driven by Marianne's second hand acquisition of a great Veronica Beard blazer.) I started checking the blazer section every time I go thrifting and lo, I found The Oversized Blazer by Everlane:

I haven't linked Everlane in a few years, but this blazer is a GOOD one. It's definitely an oversized fit and on me almost feels more like outerwear, but I can see throwing this on with a scarf and calling it my coat. I'm wearing an 8 and it fits me well. There are a few reviews saying it feels cheap, but I disagree. This is a nice jacket! 

Would I pay full price for it? Probably not, because I don't know that I'd get enough use from it, but we'll find out this fall. I'd already been looking at this glen plaid blazer at Nordstrom, sent to me by my friend Kate because she has a similar sweater blazer that I love. Madewell currently has this one going on, which is very cute. 

I'm wearing my blazer with a washable silk tank from Quince and my mid rise jeans from Madewell. These aren't the most exciting jeans, but the rise is PERFECT. I hope they come out with more interesting washes in this cut. My belt is also Madewell and it's fine if you need a basic belt. 

Here's a better look at my Quince tank. It's washable silk, which is so nice! I'm wearing the large which is a bit big on me but the medium (which I also own) is a bit narrow in the hip. I can't win. I do wear them both, mostly under stuff. If you haven't tried Quince yet, get $20 off your first order through my link! (Full disclosure: I also get $20 credit.) 

I added a red bag because that's literally the best thing you can do to a neutral outfit. This one is by Rebecca Minkoff, who does a great red bag. I saw this classic at NR recently but this is the one that I keeping going back to look it. And this one at Yoox is so good!  Also, will someone please rescue this cute MJ bag? My rescue closet is full but ugh, it's so good. 

A quick n' dorky closeup so you can see that I'm wearing the same jewelry I've been wearing all summer - my Gorjana herringbone chain and compass pendant. More bag and shoe action:

My shoes are the Madewell Harper mules by way of Poshmark and I love them but I gotta get them zip-soled. The soles are really slick and I'm afraid I'll bust my ass. They're cute though.  

That's it! What do you think of my oversized blazer look? Am I pulling this off? 

Outfit of the Day: Almost Completely Secondhand.

One of my favorite things about where we're living now is easy access to a truly fantastic thrift store. I go weekly and almost always find something. It helps the shopping itch without breaking the bank and while some of my finds are items I intend on reselling, a lot of them end up in my closet. This outfit is nearly all secondhand:

This silk blouse (which I've worn on the blog previously) is by Amour Vert and it's exactly the kind of thing I like. It's a subtle but funky print with little flecks of purple in it which I love! Mine is sold out but they have a bunch of other really pretty tops right now. I especially love this one, which is washable silk, and this one which comes in a bunch of really great prints.

I've also talked about my pants before, which are Lululemon On The Fly, a style that's not currently available but they do still have the crop version, so hopefully they'll bring them back. They're very similar to the Athleta Brooklyn Ankle, which I have and love, but I love these a tiny bit better. They're slightly heavier weight and I dig the drawstring detail - it's a more finished look when you want to tuck things in. 

Okay, this jacket by Pam & Gela was purchased with the intent on reselling but then I tried it on and was like, maybe? Do I keep it? It's made of Tencel so it's really soft and drape-y. I love the moto style though I'm not sure the pale sage color 100% works on me. It's an older jacket, so not available except on Poshmark (search for Twill Patch Moto Jacket) but this one by Free People looks like a comfier version and I like this one by BlankNYC as well. 

This is what it looks like zipped up! I'm still not sure. HOWEVER, can we talk about these cherry red clogs? I found them last week and I don't know that I neeeed them but aren't they fun? They're Lotta From Stockholm which is a favorite brand of mine and they are so unapologetically RED which I really need this time of year. 

The only part of my outfit that isn't secondhand is my jewelry. I'm wear my Gorjana lapis necklace which is still on NR and a moonstone pendant that was a gift, but this one is very similar! 

There's a peek of bag up above in the second pic! I forgot to sling it back on after I put the jacket on but here it is - my greatest Poshmark find - A Marc Jacobs Quilted Single for less than $50! I still feel a little bit guilty about it but what can you do other than give it a good home? There are some very good quilted bags out there, like this one by Furla and this blue version by Maison Heritage! Or, check out Poshmark or eBay for a good deal on something secondhand and never stop talking about it. Heh. 

Outfit of the Day: Oh, This Old Thing?

 Do you ever throw on some clothes and then walk by a mirror and think, "oh, this looks pretty good!" I did that last weekend and decided it would make a good outfit post. I wore it all again today and realized that nearly everything I'm wearing is secondhand. Go me! It makes me happy that I'm successfully changing my ways and now a decent chunk of my current wardrobe is thrifted or purchased on Poshmark. I'm practically an eco saint over here. Or something. Anyway:

Okay, so I didn't promise it would be a glamour lewk or anything. This is just my usual work-from-home jam. The top is Lou & Grey and it's thrifted. I don't know that it's super flattering but I loved the color and the floaty goodness of it. There are a bunch of these available on Posh but if that's not your thing, this tee looks like a good substitute. 

I'm usually freezing so I added this cardigan which was a very nice gift from my friend Nina! It's an old J.Crew cashmere cardigan (circa 2011) that she passed on to me and I love it so much. So soft and warm! The perfect cozy work-from-home option. For something similar, this one is a dead ringer for my cardigan and this one is a bit more drape-y and looks nice and I love this ombre cardigan as well. Your cheap and cheerful option is here! 

Sometimes you just gotta admire your clogs, you know? I'll talk about those in a minute but first, my jeans. These old Madewell Boyjeans have been THE BEST. I wear them an obnoxious amount and they just get better. I definitely suggest seeking out a secondhand pair! (But get measurements - they can run big.) I prefer the mid rise style but the high rise version is super popular. Madewell just really does this style amazingly well. 

I'm still carrying my Lo & Sons Pearl crossbody more than any other bag and I'm still really digging my Madewell camera strap as well. (Y'ALL. Check out this Kule strap! Ahhh!) Now, details:

I'm wearing one of my Twist Style necklaces, made by my friend Maryellen. Her jewelry is really pretty and wearable! Definitely check her out. (And just to be clear - I purchased this with my own money! This is not a sponsored item,  I just really like her stuff. Support your creative friends!) 

Finally, my clogs. I have never been hugely into clogs but Birkenstocks are a slipperly slope to Clogtown and that's where I live now. I got these Sanita professional clogs at my favorite thrift store ($4!) and they're great. Super well-made and clompy AF. I mostly wear them around the house and now declare them perfect quarantine shoes. The end. 

Tutorial: Let's Go Thrifting For Fun and Profit! (Part Three)

Hi all! This is the third in my three-part series about buying/selling on Poshmark. (Here are part one and two.) This third installment is specifically about sourcing to resell but also includes general tips about thrifting for fun (because I certainly don't sell everything I find. Nope.)

First, a general note on thrifting: Never go in looking for something specific, just go with a clear mind and get into that zen state as you work through the racks. It definitely helps if you like to dig and enjoy the "thrill of the hunt" aspect of shopping. If you don't, this might not be for you because it really takes time and patience.

Also, I am pretty new at this! I used to thrift a lot in college but only got back into it a year ago,  so I don't consider myself an expert by any means. Mostly I am just giving you a starter's guide based on what I've learned:

A decent haul.

Find Your Honey Hole
First, you gotta find your best sourcing spot. In my area we have Goodwill (too expensive), Salvation Army (cluttered but much less expensive) and a few locally-owned thrift stores that are popular with students and therefore get picked over. There is also a "Bins" (aka Goodwill outlet) near me but I've been too scared to try it. (Apparently things get...aggressive at the bins.) For reselling purposes,  I don't like spending more than $4 on any item unless it's higher-end and immaculate.

At my favorite thrift store they have one day a week where all clothes are 50% off. Check around and find out what kind of deals/discounts your local shops run and take advantage of it! On half price day I usually hit the tank top racks and really go through them - I've found Lululemon, Lucy, Athleta, etc. They're regularly priced at $1.99, so at half price my cost per item is super low. Even if that tank sells for $12-$15, I am making a fair profit!

I can't resist leopard print. 

Go Consistently
If you go often enough and really dig into the racks, you'll train yourself to spot the good quality items. My fingers usually know before my eyes have registered a good brand. Good quality feels like good quality, especially when it comes to knits, denim and athletic wear. I generally stick with the women's racks but have found some great men's stuff on the women's racks! Also, my best athletic finds are usually mixed in with regular clothes. Lululemon can be especially stealthy because the logo isn't always obvious. Once you know your store, you'll know it's strengths - spend the majority of your time on areas where you find the best stuff.

Men's jeans I found on the women's rack.

Find Your Best Sellers 
I love to sell casual current styles - jeans, athletic wear and cute tops do best for me. Skirts and dresses don't move and I rarely find shoes or bags worth selling. My best rule - buy what you like and sell what you like. I try to keep my closet "on brand" by only selling items or brands I'd wear (with a few exceptions.) Brands I will always pick up: Patagonia, The North Face, Madewell, Rothys, Tieks, Frye, Dankso, Birkenstock, RRL, J.Crew (mainly black label - if it's got two diamonds on the tag, it's Factory), Lululemon, and Athleta. To date I have not found Rothys, Tieks, Frye or Birkenstocks (edit: I have since found Rothys and Frye!), but I am always hopeful.

I love this cool blouse but the brand is a mystery.

Live Thrift!
Don't be afraid to stop what you're doing right in the aisle to look up a brand on Posh or eBay. Check the "sold" comps. I overlooked an RRL (Ralph Lauren black label) men's western shirt on three different trips before finally looking up the label and being like, Oh. I sold that puppy on eBay for $60! Anything that looks interesting or high quality? definitely look up sold comps and see if it's worth your time. I still make dumb mistakes (looking at you, mesh BR top) but I've definitely gotten better at buying things that sell. Also, there are some higher end brands that just don't do very well on Poshmark, so before you buy that $15 Joie top, check to see what similars are selling for. It might do better on eBay or it might just not be worth the effort.

This blouse was riddled with moth holes...I discovered after purchase.

Check and Check and Check Again.
I can't state this enough: before you get in line to purchase your great finds go find a well-lit corner of the thrift store and really look your stuff over, inside and out. For jeans - check the crotch, the back pockets, the hems, the waistband, and, very important, check the front for the dreaded elastic puckering:

This is bad.

If you're sourcing high end jeans, look for any signs that they're fake (sloppy stitching, spelling mistakes on the tags, etc.) For knits: look for holes and stretching. For tops: check the pits. For buttoned tops: check for missing buttons! I can't tell you how many times I've overlooked a missing button. For everything: check for stains and damage. Occasionally I've bought something with a stain that I was able to get out, but mostly I throw it back because it's not worth my time. I really can't stress how important this step is because I STILL miss stuff and it's incredibly frustrating.

That's it for now! Next week I'm going to do a post about your reseller toolkit - the items you should have on hand always. Whee. So fun.

Now, any questions?