Adventures in Thrifting Part 2: Teal Tie Dye Top & Link Up on the Edge #216
It has been a month since I shared my Adventures in Thrifting Part 1 where I featured a sky blue denim jumper. Although I am almost always wearing something preloved, I wanted to start putting more focus on the importance and the fun of shopping for preloved items.
With the fashion industry being the third largest contributor to landfill and other environmental pollution, there is no better time than the present to start making changes in our consumption habits to minimize the damage and make this planet a healthier place for our descendants.
I have to admit that I still have lots of improvements to make in my own shopping habits to lead a more environmentally aware existence, but I have been making little changes throughout the years. And little changes are really the only way to make progress toward big changes.
I have been an over-consumer for my entire life, but over-consumption and waste have recently really started to bother me from an environmentally conscious perspective. While shopping second hand may not really be your thing, there are so many other things you can do to cut back on the damage that humans do to the earth.
One example of unnecessary waste that really should be eliminated is the incessant amount of political mail that I receive daily in my mailbox. Oh, the amount of paper wasted to inform me of what terrible human beings politicians’ opponents are. Seriously, I don’t need a 12×15 flier telling me politicians suck. I already know that. And I really don’t need multiple 12×15 fliers stuffed in my mailbox everyday. The paper waste is absolutely disgusting, in my humble newly-aware perspective.
But I digress. Let’s get back to the topic of thrifted fashion. You don’t need to spend a fortune and you don’t need to contribute to the destruction of our planet in order to create stylish and fun outfits. Thrift shops and preloved websites are where it’s at. There are so many benefits to shopping second hand…unique choices, less expensive, and environmentally helpful.
On a thrifting adventure last month, I found this amazing teal tie dye babydoll tunic. Initially I had tried it with teal tights and a white denim skirt for our first Thrifty Six post, but something was off in the proportions and I ended up wearing a solid black tunic with that outfit instead. The babydoll style top is maybe not the best silhouette for me unless I can figure out the most appealing proportions in the outfit itself.
So I stuck with some basics to balance out the volume of the top. Black skinny jeans and black heeled boots helped to elongate the bottom half and a military inspired denim jacket masked the problem area around my muffin top. So while, the style of the top is not my favorite, the color and the tie dye were too good to resist.
I love that the top has long sleeves because I have definitely not been wanting to pack away my tie dye for the fall and winter. It seems that tie dye tends to get pigeonholed into spring and summer fashion, but there is no reason at all that we shouldn’t be flashing our colorful tie dye garments all over the darker and dreary months of fall and winter.
The top had no brand tag and I paid $5.99 for it at Thrifty Shopper in Watertown, New York. The rest of my outfit was shopped from my closet and the newest piece is at least 2 years old. My favorite denim jacket from Lane Bryant is at least 15 years old. I love wardrobe pieces that have that kind of staying power, don’t you?
Before we get to the featured favorites and the link up, I want to share a few of Archie’s artistic photographs from this photo shoot. It was really sunny that day and we had to go to a few different locations until we had enough shade to get some decent pictures. He was having fun with shadows, abandoned toilets, and super close-up selfie mode.
Featured Favorites
Reader Favorites (Most Clicked)
Jaymie of Everyday Style by Jaymie Ashcraft shared her Friday Favorites post with an adorable everyday outfit. I always love the combination of jeans, graphic tee, and blazer, but Jaymie raised the coolness factor with her cute sneakers.
Kellyann of This Blonde’s Shopping Bag also shared her Friday Favorites post featuring her adorable new combat boots. Also check out how freaking cool her niece’s boots are!
Fashion Favorite
Gail of Is This Mutton? shared her post, Skirt of My Dreams, and I am thinking maybe we share dreams because this skirt is the dreamiest thing I have ever seen! Styled brilliantly by Gail with her vibrant pink top and magnificent silver booties.
Non-Fashion Favorite
Michele of Living Our Days shared her post, There is Wisdom in Listening to the Lack. There is so much profound food for thought in this post on how to gain more insight into your feelings of restlessness, boredom, or lack of fulfillment. I think many of us can relate to those feelings right now.
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Link Parties.
Shop my look…
Outfit Details: Jacket-Lane Bryant / Top-Thrifted / Jeans-Torrid / Boots-Charlotte Russe / Earrings-Old
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
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.
68 Comments
Nancy
I think that denim jacket is fa bu lous!! Love it! Want it! Lol. And what a great backdrop too. Often pre loved clothing is so much more interesting then high street fashion! Have a good weekend dear friend!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! I have had this denim jacket forever and it is absolutely my favorite one that I own! I am really enjoying sharing preloved styles more these days! Happy weekend to you as well, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
I love that jacket and all the blues in your pictures today!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Tamar! I love the color of this old rafting building for a backdrop and it did coordinate perfectly with this outfit! Have a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
Yay for preloved fashion! This denim jacket is amazing and can’t believe you have had it for 15 years. The tie dye is perfect with it. Thanks for the link up Shelbee!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! I am loving preloved fashions so much right now! I remember when I purchased this denim jacket. It is one of the few pieces I own that I paid full price for. I am so glad that I did because it has never left my wardrobe rotation in all the years that I have owned it! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jaymie Ashcraft
Thanks so much!! Have a great weekend!
Jaymie
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jaymie! Have a great weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jill
Your tie-dye top is darling and such a great find! And your jacket is fabulous! I’m trying to shop more on ThredUp and Poshmark. And I agree about the political and junk mail. It’s such a waste of resources. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Jill – Doused in Pink
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jill, thanks so much! I am having so much fun with my thrifting adventures! I have been stalking some Prima Donna bras on Poshmark. They retail for around $150 per bra and the quality is totally worth it, but I find so many nearly new or new ones on Poshmark that I can get them for about 1/3 of the price. Happy weekend to you as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
I really love the colour of that shirt!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jennifer! It is a great color!
xoxo
Shelbee
Chrissy Rowden
Shelbee, you make me smile. First off, let me say that I love your tie-dye top find! The blue is gorgeous and the cut is adorable on you. You couldn’t have styled it any better with those jeans, boots, and jackets! As for the politicians suck and paper waste comment, I laughed out loud. Some politicians, especially here lately, are truly alarming. And I’m not referring to the top…it’s the little guys too! Anyway, I have to breathe deeply and remind myself that God’s in control on a regular basis. Signing off until the next post my friend…or that day when we meet over coffee…wink, wink!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
OMG, Chrissy, you crack me up, too! We need to schedule a virtual coffee date I think! Let’s do that soon. Switch that conversation to email or direct messaging on whatever social media platform you prefer!
Onto the other stuff…I am having so much fun with my thrifting adventures and staying as far from politics as possible! I have to elaborate for you the part about knocking on my door. Last year, we had a mayoral election and one of the candidates knocked on my door right around 6:00 or so while we were eating dinner. My dining room table looks right at my front door and it was open so he could see us sitting there and he kept knocking until we got up, only to hand me his wasteful flier and try to spew his politics at me. I dismissed him as kindly as could and cemented my decision to NOT vote for that guy.
So coffee…soon!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ellibelle
That tie dye shirt is another fabulous find! Loving it paired with this unique denim jacket. I’ve styled a really old jacket from my closet today as well, it may also be 15 years old but I don’t remember for sure.
Thanks for hosting today’s linkup!
Ellibelle’s Corner
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Ellie! I love this denim jacket. I have worn it every year since I have owned it. I may have to go thrifting this weekend again because I just received a coupon today. Haha. Always tempting me back! Going to check out your new old jacket styling! Have a wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jacqui Berry
That top is cute but I love your boots! They are just that little bit different aren’t they Shelbee. Thanks too for hosting the #linkup party. Jacqui x
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jacqui! I really liked the quilting design on these booties, too. I have had them for a few years, but I have only worn them a few times. The heel is rather high!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anita Ojeda
I still have my Levi’s denim jacket from 1984–I love timeless classics, too ;). I don’t have time to go thrift shopping much these days (the nearest thrift store is 60 miles away), but I do enjoy finding bargains!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Anita, thanks so much for stopping by! I bet your 1984 Levi’s denim jacket is amazing and so perfectly broken in for maximum comfort. You can’t beat that! I would be super sad if there were no thrift shops near me, but there are always the online resale sites, too! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
I love how you found some blue backgrounds! That color looks great on you and love how you worked out the proportions with the jacket and boots (which are amazing!). I have been trying to figure out how to wear certain tops/dresses that are not so flattering on me and adding a jacket or a belt at my real waist has helped otherwise I just look pregnant lol!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Mireille! Baby doll styles are hard for anyone to wear unless you are of super model proportions, I think. But playing with belts and layers and things like that can definitely make a not so great piece suddenly pretty awesome. After looking at these picture, I realize I should have worn a better bra with this shirt. The bra sometimes makes all the difference in how our clothing fits. And I hate when I create a super cute outfit and look in the mirror and think to myself, “Hmm. This is really adorable. If I were 8 months pregnant!” We all know that looking pregnant when you are pregnant is a beautiful thing. But looking pregnant when you are not and your youngest child is 7, that’s not so great! I hope you have a lovely weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Niky
Wow, your thrifted finds are fabulous! I love how you put your outfits together, too. Always so unexpected, but they always work, too!
-Niky @ The House on Silverado
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Niky, thank you so much! This is such a lovely comment! I do relish in doing unexpected things. I suppose I have tamed in midlife because now I only do unexpected things with my style! I leave all the other crazy behavior and exhibitions to the younger generation. Haha. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Cindy Handy
Blue tie-dye doesn’t really have a season b/c it goes with denim all year long! Back “in the day”, bell-bottom jeans balanced out the “pouf” of the baby-doll tops. I even remember the name of the shoes that we wore under the big bell-bottoms: Famolare wedge sandals! ….. then after the bell-bottoms, the style flipped 180 degrees to Jordache skinny jeans with zippers at the ankles……
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Cindy, thanks for this little fashion flashback! And now I need to try this top with my black flared denim. I don’t have any wild bell bottom jeans but I have a few with moderate flares. And I have wedges and platform sandals and clogs that would be perfect for a 70’s retro vibe! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I love your baby doll turquoise tunic and think it looks fabulous on you! I also really like Archie’s other photos. He has an artist’s eye.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Michelle, thanks so much! Archie is very artistic and creative when he takes the time and puts the video games down! I thought of you when I purchased this top! It reminds me of something you would choose. And I couldn’t try it on the store, so I told myself if it didn’t fit, I was going to send it to you to try! But it fit and I love it! But when I get tired of it, it’s coming to you!
xoxo
Shelbee
Cheryl Shops
Ugh, I hear you on the political mail—I’ve already voted! Thankfully our postal carrier has taken to folding all the fliers together, so I pull them out of the stack and send them straight to the recycling bin. Also, yay for secondhand—that tie-dye top is a great find!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Cheryl, thanks so much! Oh my gosh, I didn’t even think how annoying all the fliers must be to the postal carriers! And then you have such a kind one that they take the time to bundle all the crap together for you. But they still have to carry it all! And I am over here complaining about a few dumb fliers in my mailbox! HI hope you have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
I don’t think there is anything in my closet that I’ve had for 15 years! That’s fabulous that your jean jacket has had that kind of staying power and it does look good paired with this outfit.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Joanne! I do have a few things that are really old in my closet…including myself! Haha. As quickly as fashion trends change, the basics really do stay the same for extended periods of time which is nice because it does give certain pieces lots of staying power. I hope you are recovering well and have a relaxing weekend ahead.
xoxo
Shelbee
Di
I love your blue tie dye, and this set of pictures with the terrific turquoise and blue building in the background! Enjoyed your thoughtful post promoting shopping pre-owed. I really miss poking around in thrift shops due to Covid. Thanks for the link up and have a great weekend!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Di, thank you so much! I love this crazy run down turquoise building! It is one of my favorite spots in my little town. I have been going thrifting every few weeks but only just in the past 2 months due to Covid. Right now, I am not very comfortable venturing out into public very often, but I find thrifting quite relaxing and most people in the thrift shops really tend to keep to themselves. I hope you get to poke around the thrift shops again, too. Have a lovely weekend1
xoxo
Shelbee
Donna
Dear Shelbee,
I just adored your blouse, leggings and the super cute/sexy quilted boots, and your smile is amazing! My only negative thoughts are that you had a much prettier background for the photos; goodness, you deserve to be photographed in a setting that truly compliments your beauty.
Hugs,
Donna
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Donna, thanks so much for the lovely compliment. And I do like to alternate my backgrounds from pretty nature shots to run down old buildings. My husband and I call the run down locations ruin porn because we tend to find so much beauty in all the broken down bits. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michele Morin
What a huge encouragement to find myself featured here today!
Thanks, Shelbee!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Michele! It was my pleasure to feature your wonderfully inspiring post! Have a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Laura Bambrick
I do a lot of shopping and shopping for my children by thrifting. I even talk about the positives of thrifting with my oldest. It’s so much cheaper and better for the environment! I wish we could eliminate political flyers. I NEVER look at them and it’s such a waste.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Laura, I love that you are passing on your joy of thrifting to your girls. My kids enjoy it, too! And they really don’t care if something was preowned or not. I have also taught my children to complain about the waste of political fliers, too! Haha. Have a great weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lauren Renee Sparks
You make a great case for thrifting. Even though I already love it because I’m cheap! My sisters, mom and I also pass on to each other!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Lauren! I do love the bargains to be found in thrift shops, however, sometimes you can find new things cheaper when you hit clearance racks at places like Old Navy and Target. But still, the thrifting has all those other environmental benefits. I love that you pass things on with your sisters and mom. My sister and I do the same thing. Have a blessed weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
I’m all about second hand…heck, we just went to a grand opening of Goodwill today and came home with tons…not just clothes either!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I do love my second hand finds, probably more than any new purchases, because you have to work for it a little bit! How great that you attended the Goodwill opening! I bet you found some amazing pieces and not just clothes!
xoxo
Shelbee
Darlene
Shelbee, I love the color in that tie-dye top! What a great find. Styled beautifully, of course. And your photos with your blues against the blue building are just gorgeous!!
xx Darlene
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Darlene, thanks so much! I think I was drawn most to the color of this top and this building is such a great place for photos. Have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking so fab and chic. Very nice. Thanks for hosting this party and I hope that you have a wonderful weekend.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Patrick! I hope you have a great weekend! We will be watching the first Penn State football game!
xoxo
Shelbee
Melody Jacob
Tie-dye is a great creative craft of clothing making. Your top is very lovely.
https://www.melodyjacob.com/2020/10/what-to-wear-to-all-white-party.html
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Melody! I agree with you about tie dying. Have a wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Lucy Bertoldi
Love that jean jacket Shelbee- but the top is what I’m swooning over. So pretty! And I love this topic of thrifting- it’s good for the planet and there’s such a thrill and satisfaction in shopping this way- love it xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lucy! I am planning another thrift shopping adventure this weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marielle
I miss tie dye! I don’t have any that currently fits me. 🙂 I love your blue though!! And I really appreciate your perspective on thrifting. I’m a definitely a thrifter too! Have a great weekend Shelbee! And thanks for hosting!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Mareille, thank you so much! It was the color that really caught my attention and of course, tie dye is so fun, too! I love how many people embrace shopping second hand! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
mahryska
i am loving the top babe!!
kisses from the sandpits of dubai
http://www.mahryska.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mahryska! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jean | Delightful Repast
Shelbee, I love that you’re emphasizing the effect on the environment. Buying “preloved” items is a great idea, but one that doesn’t work for me because I’m not a shopper. It takes a lot of time and effort, and I’m just one of those rare women who hates shopping. But I buy quality items in classic styles, not fast fashion, that I then wear for decades. So I’m doing my bit! Love your glasses! I would love to find something similar; can you tell us the maker and style number?
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jean! And your way of “shopping for the environment” is way better than my way! As much as I do love shopping, I know my husband would love it if I wasn’t much of a shopper! Haha. So I do my little part to be more environmentally conscious. Now my eyeglasses, that is where I am not very thrifty at all. Since it is something I wear all day everyday, I have to go for quality, comfort, and style. These particular frames are from a Swiss brand called Gotti Switzerland. I got these frames about 3 years ago so I am not sure if this exact style is still available, but they have some really unique designs from Gotti.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jean | Delightful Repast
Shelbee, thanks so much for the info on the frames. I’ll check out the new-to-me brand. I always get wistful comments from married men when they learn of my dislike of shopping! 😀
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
You’re welcome, Jean! I would love to see whatever new frames you end up with! And I know that wistful look…it is probably similar to the one my husband gave me when I proposed to him and then told him I don’t need a stupid ring! Hahaha. It’s just not my thing and he thought I was joking. Once he realized that I wasn’t, he felt like he scored big time! Little did he know that in exchange for a diamond, I would rather have a lifetime of shopaholism!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anna
Great finds Shelbee, you certainly have a knack of finding them. Love the blue top, the jacket and of course, the boots.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Anna, thanks so much! I do enjoy scouring through the thrift shop racks to find those pretty gems! I found two really great pieces over the weekend as well! Have a great week, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Lovely
The denim jacket and tie-dye tunic look wonderful together. Your earring is cute!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Lovely, thank you so much! This top is one of my favorite thrift store finds recently! Have a great week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Grace
That jacket is so cute, Shelbee! I’ve started thinking about the environmental impacts of fashion a lot lately, too. In fact, I created a whole mock business for my entrepreneurship class over the weekend that’s an affiliate marketing program that allows people to make easy donations through their purchases to combat the effects of fast fashion. Along with political mail, another thing that drove me absolutely crazy in high school was marketing from colleges… Sometimes they would send entire packets of wasted paper, even though I wasn’t remotely interested in the schools! Ugh. Anyway, I hope you’ve been having a nice Monday. 🙂
Miles of smiles,
Grace
gracefulrags.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Grace, thanks so much for this wonderful comment! I love your business idea for your entrepreneurship class! That is such a cool idea. As for the the other stuff, I feel like this digital age of technology has a lot of good and a lot of bad to it. But the good thing is we are able to eliminate so much paper waste by doing things digitally. I mean, you rarely even have to physically sign official documents anymore, you can just type your name on a computer screen and it’s official. So if we can do that, we certainly can shift political mailings and college solicitations and things like that to digital platforms. Or maybe send a postcard instead of the giant fliers. If each flier were substituted with a postcard, that’s like 1/8 of the paper used. But yet, the same brilliant humans who created technology can’t seem to figure this out. I hope you are having a wonderful week, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jessica A Jannenga
Hi Shelbee
what great pieces here! I love a jean jacket like that, looks great. This blue tie dye top looks so good on you, love the color with your eyes! I can’t help but stare at the boots as I love quilted stuff. I just bought a pair of leather gloves like that. I do find some great things on Poshmark – since I dont shop much in stores, thats how i thrift. Your hair looks so long! I love it.
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jess, thanks so much! This jean jacket is super old but I love it. And I do love Poshmark as well but I am so tactile that I don’t like to buy clothing online all that much. I need to touch and feel it before I know if I want to buy it. And my hair is getting crazy long! I am not sure where I want to stop it. Haha. Have a fabulous day, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee