Thrifty Thursday: Thrifting Tips - Look at Everything

So you want to pinch your pennies, but you're afraid of thrift stores. How do you shop cheap without looking it? 

If you want to find something worthwhile at Goodwill, you will have to search for it. For me the local Salvation Army is a Store Of Adventures. But if you have to take half a Xanex before going into Ross, you may want to avoid the jumble. Thrifting isn't hard, but it does take finesse, and a lot of patience.

First off, it's best not to look for anything too specific at a secondhand store. If you go in looking for a Yellow Peasant Blouse, you'll probably be disappointed. Instead, keep an open mind. What could you use more of? Dresses? Skirts? Tops? When I walk into a thrift store, I head to the section I'm looking to boost (skirts, jeans, dresses), I start at the front, and then I look at every. single. item. All of them. Generally, there is no organization in these places - forget S, M, and L racks. Even if a thrift store claims to have sizing sections, they are probably all messed-up. 

Also, thrifted items are usually inexpensive, so if you find something in a fabric you adore, you might want to get it even if it doesn't fit. Sometimes I'll buy an ill-fitting dress and use the fabric to make a hair bow or a throw pillow. 

I found this a few months back, and though it hangs on me like a sack, I'm excited to alter it, or use it for scrap. 

The moral of this post, and my first official Thrifting Tip: Look at Everything.

Oh, and just in case you haven't heard it yet, here's the best song ever written (NSFW):

Fashionable Friday: Opening Night

Remember when I went to Clothing Warehouse? And I kept one of my finds a secret? Well, it's time for the big reveal. 

Drumroll, please...

Wild-eyed and windblown.

I put this on and I could not stop smiling. It's horrible - hideous, nearly - but for some reason I just love it. And it made it's first outing last week at the opening night party for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. 

I got the best comments about it. Overall, the girls and gay guys loved it, and the straight men were appalled. In my book, that's a Royal Flush. 

Here are some pics from the party:

Rachel and Andrew Jackson

As a nefarious friend pinched my backside

With one of my wonderful sisters from "Taffeta Christmas"

With my actual sister - and a special guest artist

The dress underwent a mild alteration before it hit the party - I cut off the bottom ruffle. I need to hem the fabric (it's already fraying like crazy) but I like the new length. It's less "I just fell off the turnip truck," and more...no, it's still pretty ridiculous. 

I won't lie, I was ever so slightly nervous to wear it. It's not exactly fashionable. But that doesn't actually matter.  The only thing that does is how great I feel when I have that silly thing on. 

The best compliment I can ever get (besides a friend telling me that I remind him of Amy Poehler) is "You really make that work." It's usually followed by a demure, "I could never pull that off..." but I promise you, you can. 

"Pulling it Off" has nothing to do with curly hair, or height, or weight. It's all about attitude. If you feel kick-ass in it, then you will pull it off. End of story. So forget everything you know about "dressing for your body shape," and swear to me that you will never worry about trends again. Promise that from now on, you will wear whatever you feel GREAT it - whether that's bandage dresses, or burlap sacks. I can't tell you how happy I was when I wore that dress - even though several people told me it was hideous. Style is 100% subjective, and yours is the only opinion that counts.

I had about eight more paragraphs typed about personal style, but I'll spare you that rant. For now.

Thrifty Thursday: Thrifty Disasters - Outerwear

Last night was the second dress rehearsal for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. At Actor's Express, second dress is open to the public - they call it the Director's Rough Cut, and the audience pays whatever they can. Normally, anywhere between 15 and 50 people might show up. Last night? We were sold out. 

My jaw just about hit the floor when I went onstage for our pre-show jam session. At 15 til curtain, we were already at 3/4 capacity. I have never seen anything like it. People were singing with us, sipping their drinks, and cheering us on. By the time the actual show started, I felt like a bona fide rock star. 

Guys, you have to come see this show. We open Saturday, and we've already played to a full house.

Now, about Thrifty Thursday: I'm starting a new series called Thrifty Disasters - and it's exactly what it sounds like. For this first set, I'm highlighting a particularly dangerous section - outerwear.

Here's a jacket that's covered in tiny black and white worms. 

This is a personal favorite - for someone who wants the right blend of casual and classy, consider this one-piece dream. Careful, though - if someone asks to take your coat, you may be revealed for the fraud you are.

This one made me feel like Janet Jackson.

I actually almost bought it - it's very Halloween - but the collar was stained to oblivion. It looked like someone had a seizure while holding a mug of coffee.

And here, a blindingly pink blazer whose hue puts Pepto Bismal to shame.

...wait. Is it actually kind of adorable?

Oh, crap, it is.

Yeah, I totally took it home.

Just goes to show - you never know what will look great until it's on your body.

Fashionable Friday: The Wearhouse

I love clothes. I really do. And there's this stigma against fashion as frivolous pursuit - which it might be - but I really don't care. For me, and for a lot of other people, getting dressed in the morning isn't just about being Not Naked. The clothes I don set my mood for the day - when I'm wearing something great, I feel invincible  So you can try to dismiss personal style, and you can roll your eyes and say that Smart Girls Don't Care About The Way They Look, but I will respectfully disagree. This Smart Girl cares, and she's proud to say so. That's why Fridays around here are Fashionable - this clothes horse wants to share her passion for dress-up.

Yesterday, I tried a LOT of different looks. As I mentioned, my roomie and I went to Little 5 Points and hit up one of the vintage stores, The Clothing Warehouse. While I'm a big thrifter, I usually avoid "vintage" stores. And while I found some good stuff yesterday, I'll have to stick to that policy in the future. 

Their Dress Shop, in all its glory.

In case you're not familiar with how used clothing is usually marketed, there are three kinds of stores where you can find pre-owned clothing: Thrift, Consignment, and Vintage. Thrift stores (like Salvation Army and Goodwill) feature clothing of all styles and levels of use; you can find things that are threadbare, alongside items that still have the tags. Consignment shops (Plato's Closet or Rag-o-Rama) have gently-used clothes, but the price is a little higher. Since these items are handpicked for their trendiness and good condition, there's a markup. Vintage stores (like Clothing Warehouse) are generally the most expensive. Vintage stores feature clothing that is at least 20 years old, and the items are generally priced regardless of wear or damage. This...can be problematic. I often find that the clothing at vintage stores isn't in much better shape than the stuff I find at thrift stores, but the prices are MUCH higher. For comparison, every dress at every Goodwill is $5.95; most of the items at Clothing Warehouse are around $40. But the great thing about a vintage store is that you won't have to wade through racks of mumus, nightgowns, and High School Musical footie pajamas. 

Though, why would you want to avoid this madness?

I am a cheapskate, so normally I can't convince myself that Vintage stores are worth the premium, but Clothing Warehouse is running a sale that lets you get 2-for-1 dresses. When I heard that, my little ears perked-up. Before I knew what was happening, Roomie and I were screaming toward Moreland. 

First, I tried some potential Gatsby Dresses:

In response to this picture, my friend Jeremy said, "If you wore that dress, I'd be so upset that you had a boyfriend."

Not a sheath.

So cute! But also not a sheath. And a LOT of sequins were missing.

20s style, 80s execution

Roomie is an excellent photographer.

And then, it was time to play:

Believe it or not, this is from Saks Fifth Avenue

Just...just the best.

Mmmmm...

Closer...

This is cute, but I've never been a fan of 80s wear, so it's a pass

Now THIS is what I'm talking about!

Playing with the hemline

Okay...

Amazing!

In all, I walked away with three dresses - the third will be revealed another day. 

The pain to my wallet was decreased by the sale, and one of the dresses was damaged, so I got it for half-price. Still, I paid $60 for my troubles. I was happy with all of my choices, but I just can't shake the feeling that I would have paid a LOT less at Salvation Army. I like Clothing Warehouse, but this Poor Kid will have to avoid shopping there until another sale arrives.

One last thing: TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY! For most people, the holidays officially ended four days ago - but not for me!