thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Adventures in Thrifting Part 1: Denim Jumper & Link Up On the Edge #212

September 25, 2020 / 55 Comments
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Kicking off my new series with an amazing group of international fashion influencers, The Thrifty Six, made me realize just how many preloved wardrobe pieces I own. I am guessing about 30% of my closet was purchased at thrift stores, consignment shops, yard sales, or second hand resale websites. While that may not sound like a huge number, if you consider the immense amount of clothing, shoes, and accessories in my wardrobe, there actually are quite a lot of preloved pieces.

So that got me thinking…I have been preaching for years about the environmental benefits of reselling and purchasing preloved items as a fun and stylish way to help our planet. Also, you save and can even make a little money for yourself in the process. And who doesn’t like more money?

I wear preloved pieces almost daily and I share them here all the time, but I never really made it a primary focus. And if I am going to preach about it, I should probably show that I also try to live up to my own soapbox sermons. You have to walk the walk if you are going to talk the talk, right?

thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

This line of thinking then led me to the idea of sharing my adventures in thrifting. Just another little category to add a little something different to Shelbee on the Edge. I don’t know how frequently I will write posts about my thrifty adventures, probably just when the mood strikes me (similar to my Friday Favorites posts). But I will be posting every third Monday of the month with The Thrifty Six where we will style thrifted items focused on a theme.

For these Adventures in Thrifting posts, I think I will just share the outfit and let you know about the thrifted pieces that I incorporated into it. And that’s about it. If there is more you want to know or think would add value to these posts, please do share your thoughts with me.

Now onto the outfit. I found this sky blue denim jumper dress (I guess that’s what you would call it) at Thrifty Shopper in Watertown, New York. Thrifty Shopper stores are operated by the Rescue Mission to help generate revenue needed annually to provide Rescue Mission programs and services to end hunger and homelessness. When you patronize a Thrifty Shopper, you are truly “shopping for a greater good.” Visit iShopThrifty.org/locations for a full listing of stores. (This is not sponsored. I just figured I would share that information for other thrifty folks.)

thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

I was drawn to the color of this jumper and the oversized fit. I was not permitted to try it on at the thrift shop due to COVID restrictions so I had to take a chance. I thought it would be a fun piece for fall and winter layering. I tried it first with just a long sleeve black tee shirt which you can see in the photos taken in my back yard. I wasn’t totally digging it so I switched to a black bell sleeve sweater which I found at my local consignment shop, Solitary Consignment, a few years ago. You can see that in the photos at the park (Archie was behind the camera for the park photos).

The jumper dress is Denim & Co. which is a QVC brand with dresses retailing in the $50 range. I paid $5.99 for this one (about 12% the cost of full retail). The sweater is Dress Barn brand Roz & Ali which carries sweaters in the $60 range. I paid $6.99 for this one, also about 12% of full retail. Everything else was purchased new by me but shopped from my closet. Most of it is at least of few years old except for these suede combat boots. I snagged these on clearance at the end of winter from Torrid. But I had reward points so I paid absolutely nothing for them!

thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
thrifted style, jumper dress, fall outfit, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

My overall thought on this thrifted styling is meh. It was one of those outfits that looked really cute in the mirror and just would not photograph that way. And that happens sometimes. But I still have fun with my adventures in thrifting. What are your thoughts on the whole thrifting movement?

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Shelbee

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Shop my look…

Outfit Details: Dress-Denim & Co. (Thrifted) / Black Tee-Target (Old) / Black Sweater-Roz & Ali (Thrifted) / Jacket-c/o Ruby Ribbon (Old) / Tights-c/o Sheertex / Boots-Torrid / Beret-TJ Maxx (Old) / Scarf-Gap (Old) / Earrings-Old

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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55 Comments

  • Joanne

    September 25, 2020 at 9:44 am Reply

    I think that outfit is absolutely adorable and while I like it the plain black shirt the lacy bell sleeves of the second styling give it a little something extra.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 25, 2020 at 10:51 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Kathrine! I definitely have to be in the mood and have a few hours to kill before I will venture out thrifting! But if I am in the mood and have the time, I could spend all day picking through the racks! I hope you have a great weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Kellyann Rohr

    September 25, 2020 at 10:59 am Reply

    So cute Shelbee – you look like you came straight from Paris! I am loving your boots – I am waiting on a pair to arrive and I am so excited to see how they’ll look on me! Have a great weekend!
    xo,
    Kellyann

  • Lise

    September 25, 2020 at 11:49 am Reply

    I had the same dress 25 years ago. I loved and wore it until it had holes in. It is so versatile for most seasons. I wore it mostly with spagetthi strap tops and sleeveless or short sleeved tops underneath. I like it best with the fitted black T sleeves btw. Looking forward to your thrifting adventures. I try and only thrift, however for this year I am have not been doing so as I have more than enough!!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 25, 2020 at 2:19 pm Reply

      Lise, thanks so much! And how cool that you had the same dress. Is this exact dress really that old? And still stylish?! How fun is that! I have been focusing way more on thrifting than buying new these days, but I also have way too much so am keeping it all to a minimum! I think I will just focus on sharing the thrifted pieces I already own with the occasional trip out to scour for something “new”! Have a great weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Lucy Bertoldi

    September 25, 2020 at 1:54 pm Reply

    Oh Shelbee I love thrifting hauls or episodes- anything that you will share I’m gonna love. It’s a styling passion of mine! I hope you’ll also be posting on INstagram!! Love what you found- so original in the color as well- love it! Have a great weekend xx

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 25, 2020 at 2:15 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Lucy! I love the thrill of the hunt and can spend hours digging through the racks at thrift shop! I love looking for those unique and special gems! And I have so many thrifted thing, I think it will be fun to focus on them! Have a great weekend, my friend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • mireille

    September 25, 2020 at 2:38 pm Reply

    You really have a French vibe going on! I miss my beret and need to get one. Until then maybe I should add a neck scarf to my outfit here and there. I really want to make it a point to go thrifting once a month in the new year. Actually wearing a thrifted sweater today and it reminds me how I like finding things that are different than what everyone is wearing!
    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 25, 2020 at 3:46 pm Reply

      Mireille, thanks so much! I love my berets and just ordered a navy blue one for my Penn State outfits! I have black, pink, burgundy, navy, leopard, and houndstooth berets, but I really want a red one and a green one and a gray one! Haha. Always wanting more accessories! Haha. I like your plan to thrift shop once a month! I may try that, too. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Di

    September 25, 2020 at 2:51 pm Reply

    This is such a cute look you styled with the thrifted jumper! Plus, I love the beret-it looks so good on you, and adds a lot of personality to the outfit. I have found some wonderful items at thrift and consignment stores, and frequently some part of my outfit is vintage. No shopping in brick and mortar shops since Covid, though, and I miss it!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 25, 2020 at 3:43 pm Reply

      Di, thanks so much! I love berets and wear them often in the fall and winter! I do love the little extra they add. I found this dress on my first and only shopping excursion since March. I missed shopping, too, but it is still super weird to go shopping in public so I probably won’t do it often until we get back to normal. Or is this normal? I hope you have an amazing weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Ellibelle

    September 25, 2020 at 3:07 pm Reply

    Loving the color of this jumper dress, I think it would look perfect in spring too! And what a great buy at under $6! I’m also really loving the boots!!

    I’ve only discovered second hand clothes shopping in the recent years (although I always enjoyed looking through other stuff at the thrift store as I love antique/retro/old looking things) and I find it like a treasure hunt of sort. The environmental aspect is one of the best reasons to shop second hand, it’s just a little something we all can do to help eliminate all the waste.
    Ellibelle’s Corner

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 25, 2020 at 3:41 pm Reply

      Ellie, thanks so much for such a wonderful comment! I agree with it all! And I think I could layer a white short sleeve tee with this in spring and maybe wear cute little sneakers! I will keep spring styling in mind, for sure! I hope you have an amazing weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Gail

    September 25, 2020 at 4:16 pm Reply

    Oo la la, tres chic! Looking forward to your adventures in thrifting. I haven’t had too much success but you get some fabulous pieces! Have a great weekend my friend.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 26, 2020 at 11:42 am Reply

      Thank you, Cheryl! I am picturing this dress in spring with a little white tee and some Converse! I have to be in the right mood to go thrifting because it can be a bit overwhelming. My local Salvation Army thrift store is so incredibly organized and it is huge but I don’t feel that same sense of overwhelm because it is so organized. There are other thrift shops that are absolute disasters and sometimes I can’t handle that. But online sites are really great, too! I should check Facebook marketplace more often as well because people sell a ton of stuff on there! Have a great weekend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • jodie filogomo

    September 25, 2020 at 7:31 pm Reply

    I ADORE thrifting too Shelbee. I think it’s hard being a blogger to promote it all the time since we don’t get any affiliate links to preloved items. Yet I wear thrifted things all the time because you can find similar pieces at almost any store.
    BTW, you should join our #thriftedchicstylechallenge on Instagram too. There is always such great inspiration there. It’s only 3 days out of every month. We just finished September’s challenge this week, but keep your eyes peeled for October….the best part is you can win a prize!!
    XOOX
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 26, 2020 at 11:39 am Reply

      Jodie, thanks so much! I wear thrifted items with nearly every outfit as well. And I am so weird that I know where every single piece came from and approximately how long I have had them. I keep meaning to join your #thriftedchicchallenge and then well, I forget again! I literally cannot keep everything straight now that I am having to supervise the kids’ schooling from home 3 days a week. It’s just too much, my friend, just too much! I need a secretary! Hahaha. I am going to mark my calendar though so I am on the lookout for October’s challenge! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Cindy Handy

    September 25, 2020 at 8:29 pm Reply

    I have that exact same jumper! In fact, I also have it in medium-wash denim too ~ and similar boots. Never thought of the jumper in winter though…. now I just need to figure out where I put it (haha). If you don’t like the look of the jumper, maybe b/c it’s TOO light blue ~ how about a black & white funky brooch on the inside top corner of one of the pockets or a black & white scarf hanging out of a pocket? That would cut up the all-blue look…. (I’m definitely not the “Goth” type, but going to a resort in Mexico for Halloween/Day of the Dead, so was looking at Day of the Dead jewelry yesterday. One of those brooches would work on the pocket of the jumper)

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 26, 2020 at 11:33 am Reply

      Cindy, thanks so much! That is a brilliant suggestion to solve the too blue problem! I agree with you that might be the issue and I even left my scarf long down the front of the dress with the purpose of breaking up the blue, but the scarf just didn’t look right and so I gave up the idea. But I wonder if I should have tried a long bold necklace or a brooch like you said. Either of those may have done the trick! I also like the idea of adding something to one of the pockets. I bet this dress in medium wash denim is super cute! I hope you can find it and try styling it for fall!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 26, 2020 at 11:30 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Katie! It is such a fun experience, but you have to have lots of time and patience to go digging through the racks. I love finding thrift stores, consignment shops, and vintage shops when I travel, too. Because different geographical areas have cumulatively different styles so you find a totally different selection of items. I hope you get the chance to give it a try!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Leelo

    September 28, 2020 at 6:16 pm Reply

    I like both of your outfits! I used to visit thrift stores quite a lot 10+ years ago, but not that much any more. Too bad there aren’t any good ones in the small borough where I live.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 29, 2020 at 9:58 am Reply

      Leelo, thanks so much! That is a shame that you don’t have any good thrift shops nearby any more. I love finding cool second hand stores when I travel as well because you get a better variety. I hope your week is going well!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Grace

    September 29, 2020 at 4:27 am Reply

    30% is a lot! I love hearing about people’s thrifting adventures because I think the experience in and of itself can be so fun. I’ll probably have a thrify adventure of my own pretty soon because I’ll likely need to buy something for our next collab! I really love your cute beret, Shelbee. Hope you’re having a great week so far!

    Miles of smiles,
    Grace

    gracefulrags.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 29, 2020 at 9:54 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Grace! Is 30% a lot? I know people who buy everything except their underwear second hand soI was feeling like a thrifting loser! Haha. I almost went on a little thrifty adventure yesterday, but ended up sitting and relaxing by the river instead. I hope you don’t have to buy too many things for The Thrifty Six. That wouldn’t be very thrifty if you have to go buying new stuff! I hope your week is going well, my friend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

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