The Thrifty 6 in Bold Monochrome
We finally had a few reasonably mild days where I could bare some skin for outdoor photos which worked out perfectly for our April Thrifty 6 style theme. Lucy has chosen bold and bright monochrome which is easy to do with a solid colored dress and accessories in the same color family. I realize that I have been styling lots of pink for these thrifted challenges recently, featuring the color in pastel for February’s Tickled Pink theme and a super vibrant shade of pink to Brighten Up January.
The trick with these thrifted challenges is that the piece that is meant to satisfy the chosen theme should be preloved. But as I dug through all of the many preloved garments in my closet room, the only preloved item that I could find that would work for monochromatic dressing was this little pink dress. So pink it is! Again. Which is fine because it is a very lovely color and I enjoy wearing it.
In terms of fashion, monochromatic dressing simply means wearing separate items in various textures, saturations, or shades of the same color to create a cohesively tonal look. Wearing all one color can create a dramatic impact in your outfit. While black, white, and other neutrals are traditionally the most common colors to use for monochromatic dressing, bringing bold, bright, statement colors to your monochrome game can have an equally dramatic impact with an intense punch of brilliance.
Whenever I am creating an outfit for any style challenge, I always try to incorporate the details of the challenge itself into every single aspect of my look. For thrifted challenges, I prefer to have most, if not all, of my outfit to consist of preloved pieces. It is a way for me to show that you can stay true to your personal style and create really fun outfits by shopping second hand. However, I struggled and failed on that part for this challenge. The only thing that I am wearing preloved is my lovely pink dress.
As much as I wanted to just wear the dress and bare my arms, we definitely are not there yet so I needed something with long sleeves. I was going to wear the bright pink shirt dress from January’s post as a jacket over this dress but the two styles absolutely did not work together. While I can usually combine many disparate style genres into one coherent look, the shirt dress was just too structured for the bohemian vibe of the embroidered shift dress. Speaking of embroidery, isn’t is so pretty on this dress?!
Instead I reached for my favorite color blocked duster cardigan in various shades of pink. While this sweater was purchased at retail from Torrid, it has definitely proven itself to be worth the purchase. I wear it often because it is easy to dress up or dress down and seems to coordinate with much of my wardrobe these days.
Once I had settled on the pink dress and the cardigan, I just started adding accessories in various shades of pink and white. I found the adorable pink straw hat on Kohl’s clearance last year for around $5. Considering how much pink has taken over my closet, it seemed like a perfectly good $5 investment. I added my new white cowgirl boots that I had treated myself to with our lottery winnings last summer. I only had the chance to wear them one time on a girl date in November before the weather changed and cowgirl boots were no longer practical for the season. But now we are coming back into the season for my cowgirl boots and I have worn these white beauties at least 3 times just last week. So you will surely be seeing more of them soon. The bad news is that I am now hankering for yet another pair of new cowgirl boots!
One final thing I want to highlight is my fabulous new necklace by Susan Shaw. This was another wonderful purchase from Traveling Chic Boutique in Asheville, North Carolina. It consists of a wide leather strap in a pale pink and gold cow print with brown and pink wood and glass beads and a big bold tassel on the end. I have been wearing this stunning piece as much as I have my white cowgirl boots recently. They sort of seem like they were meant to be worn together. I have some old brown wood bead earrings that used to have a coordinating necklace. The necklace broke long ago but they are perfectly coordinated to go with this new necklace so it’s nice to have made that match as well.
I got these photos done just in time because the ground is currently covered in snow as I type this post early on Sunday morning. It should all be melted by tomorrow but I must admit that I appreciate a white Christmas much more than I do a white Easter. Green Easter is so much better so I’m going to have to just pretend. Well, not really, because I will still have a green Easter with my jar of weed!
*Photo credits go to 10 year old Archie. His photography skills get better and better every time I ask him to do it for me!
Now let’s see my bright and beautiful thrifty friends in their bold monochromatic outfits.
The Thrifty Six is a group of international fashion influencers who meet once a month in our little space on the internet to share our thrifty outfits. On the third Monday of every month, we will all share an outfit based on a theme that features preloved wardrobe pieces. Shopping and reselling preloved clothing is so much better for the environment and you can find some of the best fashions in thrift or charity shops. The Thrifty Six are here to inspire you to shop second hand!
The Stylish Thrifters:
- Emma of Style Splash
- Grace of Graceful Rags
- Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade
- Lucy of Lucy Bertoldi
- Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
- Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge
Emma of Style Splash
Grace of Graceful Rags
Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade
…or is it more like manic mandarin!?!
I’m calling it sun-kissed satsuma – a whole eyeful of orange!
I love a 90’s classic suit and this one is a genuine vintage piece.
It’s far from high-end but what it lacks in class, it definitely makes up for in colour!“
Lucy of Lucy Bertoldi
Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
of that brand pre loved, because I know the quality is very good and
sizing too. Although this skirt didn’t work for me, it’s too short and
the pink in the blazer and shirt don’t work for me at all. I wore it
once, when we went for pizza at my sister’s! Didn’t feel as me, so sold
both the skirt and the blazer. Bold colours aren’t really my style, but
I do love them.”
And Finally Me!
Are you feeling bright and bold this season?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Dress-Thrifted / Cardigan-Torrid / Boots-Idyllwind Fueled by Miranda Lambert (Boot Barn) / Hat-Kohls / Earrings-Old / Necklace by Susan Shaw–Traveling Chic Boutique
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.
16 Comments
Nancy
What a colourful page! It’s very nice to look at all these amazing colours. A dress and cowboy boots always give me such a relaxed feel. Love the combination and I think that this shade of pink looks very good on you. Have a great time with your in laws!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! Cowboy boots with dresses give me all the bohemian feels! I will be posting another colorful dress with cowboy boots soon. We had a lovely visit but we are at the end of our spring break now. The kids are back to school tomorrow and my house is clearing out!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
This look is so chic and perfect for spring! I love the color you chose and dying over the boots with this cute dress.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Kathrine! I definitely felt super happy and cheerful in all the pinks!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lizzie
Absolutely adore your outfit!! Pink looks AMAZING on yoU! Love how you styled this whole thing, especially with the white boots!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Lizzie! Every time I wear all pink like this, I immediately think of you! I am so glad that you like it! Have a fabulous day, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
Everyone looks so fabulous in their bold and monochromatic looks! I really love that embroidery on your dress, Shelbee! And, all of the additions were perfect…that necklace is amazing!!! Can’t wait to see more of your cowgirl boots!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Marsha! I was really happy with how this came together! It’s the only way spring is coming here…through my clothing! More cowgirl boots coming your way!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
You look fabulous in pink! So I will never tire of your pink outfits. This one is particularly adorable!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, my friend! I am thinking pink might be my second favorite color…after green, of course!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
You all look fabulous in your bright monochromatic outfits! I love all the pink you are wearing– it just shouts “spring!”
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Yay for spring! Thanks so much, Joanne! It seems the only spring I am going to get around here is in my wardrobe choices. It is snowing, snowing, snowing, again, again, again!
xoxo
Shelbee
Carol
Monochromatic outfits always look classy and elegant. It’s an easy way to look well put together.
Thank you for participating in Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 16.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Carol, thanks so much! I have become a big fan of monochromatic dressing since I started blogging. It really makes a statement and is super easy to put together.
xoxo
Shelbee
Grace
Such a cute look, Shelbee! I was so glad to see your outfit in the thrifty emails because it inspired my own look – I think I was too caught up in trying to find multiple clothing items in the same color but forgot about accessories. Also, I found your ‘monochrome’ definition very insightful – I only ever thought it was color but I never considered texture too for an overall ‘tonal’ outfit.
Miles of smiles,
Grace
gracefulrags.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Grace! I am glad that both my outfit and my monochrome explanation were helpful! I started out focused on mixing separates in the same colors but I didn’t really have anything thrifted that would work. I think that’s when it dawned on me to wear a solid dress and matching accessories. Plus I really wanted to share this cute pink dress! I freaking love your orange jumpsuit and those fabulous orange shoes!
xoxo
Shelbee