Recreate: One Vest, Many Styles

1. Thrift Store Vest - $2.99

a. Outdoors b. Country c. Urban/European

I. sandals II. suede boots III. Converse IV. leather boots

So you're not ready to own an entire wardrobe of thrift store clothes yet. That's fine. Every thing I owned isn't used. I'm tall making pants hard to find and shoes nearly impossible. Someone donating an item and you purchasing said item saves a garment from years in a landfill. That makes a difference.

A basic denim vest provides great versatility allowing you to mold it to your personal style. In the examples, I only changed the bottom half of the outfit. The vest, tank top and scarf remain the same.

Outdoors - You like to spend time with mother nature usually at the beach or in the mountains. You want your clothes to be lightweight and not constricting. You could easily throw on a pair of shorts or short skirt and sandals, and you're out the door ready for your next adventure.

Country - You don't mind time in the great outdoors, but you also don't mind being inside watching a Reese Witherspoon movie (Legally Blonde, Sweet Home Alabama, Walk the Line). You want your clothes to be something feminine that you don't mind getting dirty. You could wear a ruffle skirt along with boots to show off your southern charm.

Urban - If you're spending time outside, it's usually because you have to get to somewhere inside. You want your clothes to be classic, but a little unique. You would put on a basic black trouser for something simple, but leave your shoes to say what you're really like. My choice Converse.

European - I don't have what I need to show you for an outfit with a European flair. I would take the urban look, change out the black trousers and replace them with black skinny jeans. Then add the leather boots on top. Magnifique.

The great thing about fashion is you could be anyone of these different styles any day you wanted, and it all started with a $3 thrift store vest. Go forth and browse!

And yes, I have seen all those Reese Witherspoon movies. What can I say? I'm a little bit Country and a little bit Rock N Roll.

Resemble: J Crew Inspired, Thrift Store Bought

All the items combined in this outfit cost less than $15. I was obsessed with this one J Crew outfit that featured a tie and a sweater vest, so I was thrilled when I stopped into a thrift store and found a tie, vest and belt. Finally, something to work with. The white shirt and skirt I had picked up some time ago. The hardest thing about putting it together was learning how to tie a Windsor knot. I'm still not sure if that's right.

Breakdown
tie - $1.59
vest - $2.99
belt - $1.99
skirt - $2.99
shirt - $2.99

Off to Los Angeles. I have a few stores on my list to check out while I'm there. I'll update my trip blog when I get back.

Reinvested: Separates Not Equal

I’ve been seeing all these cute girls in vests on the Madewell website since the beginning of Fall. How I envied them with their cotton tees, dark jeans and fitted vests looking so relaxed. Leave it to a thrift store to provide the perfect one.

Originally, this vest was a part of a 2-piece vest/skirt combination priced at $7.99. Would I buy this outfit for only the vest for $8? Yes. Would I buy it for half off during a sale? Double, yes.

The wool skirt doesn’t fit, so I’m donating it back to the thrift store. Maybe someone else can use a nice Herringbone skirt. The vest, however, is all mine.

Oh, and the belt, was $1. Take that girls.