The Thrifty Six are Shining Bright in Metallics
Emma chose this month’s thrifty theme and it sparked some seriously shiny sartorial magic to help us sparkle in the new year. In our preloved metallic styles, my five friends and I present you with shimmery outfit inspiration for those who are environmentally friendly, on a budget, and craving some sparkle.
The Thrifty Six is a group of international women with a passion for preloved fashion 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!
When we play our monthly thrifty style game, the challenge is to make sure the item representing the theme is a preloved piece. It could be purchased at any variety of secondhand stores such as thrift stores, consignment shops, charity sales, online resale markets (eBay, Postmark, Vinted), garage or yard or estate sales, or flea markets. The preloved item could also be a hand-me-down, a regift from someone else, or an inherited item as long as it was owned by someone other than a full price retailer before it got to me.
When I create my thrifty outfits for this group, however, I like to incorporate as many preloved pieces as I can to show a truly sustainable and budget friendly outfit. I generally fail at creating an entirely preloved outfit because I often wear hats and I always wear shoes and I rarely purchase either of those things secondhand. I have a few pairs of thrifted shoes and boots and even fewer preloved hats. Footwear has to be clean and barely worn and hats have to be able to go in the washing machine if I am buying them used.
I guess I don’t need to clarify that my hat and boots were both purchased new. So were my tights. Another thing I don’t tend to buy secondhand unless they are new in the original packaging at the thrift shop. And my belt. Thrift store belts are generally garbage so I don’t even look for them when shopping secondhand. But I have transitioned to investing in higher quality belts that won’t need to be replaced after a few wears. My arm warmers (they are the same as the ivory ones that I wore in today’s SIA post) were purchased on clearance from Kohl’s so long ago that they are probably considered vintage by now. Although they are not preloved, wearing new things until they are vintage is also being kinder to our environment than getting stuck in the throw-away mindset of our culture.
I know, I know, that is quite a few pieces of my ensemble that do not fit into this thrifty challenge, but the main components of my outfit (my shirt, skirt, scarf, earrings, necklace, and bag) all came to me secondhand-ish.
First let’s talk about this amazing and fabulous teal and gold fringed scarf. I was searching through the thrift store scarves for pretty prints, patterns, and colors to add a rag curtain when I spotted this beauty for $1. I scooped it up with every intention of cutting it into rag strips but after laundering it, I realized that it was a gorgeous piece of art and I simply could not put the blade to it. So I rescued the scarf from the rag pile and have been wearing it on repeat ever since.
And then it ended up saving the day when Emma announced metallics as our thrifty challenge.
I have a total of one preloved garment that has a metallic effect and I just wore it for last month’s thrifty Winter Wedding theme. I could have restyled the dress for this post but it is the kind of dress that doesn’t offer very many styling options. It’s kind of a one and done deal and the only thing I could restyle would be my shoes and earrings. That’s kind of boring to me so I had to think a little harder about how to showcase metallics in a thrifty way.
And then the scarf that I have been wearing on repeat was right there, already around my neck, when I remembered that it was preloved and perfect for this challenge. Then a few more secondhand items with a bit of sparkle started to surface. The black brocade skirt, which was purchased secondhand years ago, has a bit of shiny thread in the pattern. The black turtleneck was in a very large clothing donation from a friend to make more rag curtains. It has silver pinstripes which were perfect for this outfit. I wore it, I photographed it, I almost kept it. But I don’t want or need more things. I want less things at this stage of life so I have already cut the black shiny pinstripes into strips for a future rag curtain project.
Just before Christmas, I purchased these copper and turquoise earrings from a local flea market booth that specializes in preloved jewelry. I wrapped them up and put them in my Christmas stocking and I have worn them at least half a dozen times since. My teal beaded lariat necklace was not purchased but rather it was handmade by my dear friend Michelle and gifted to me. And the gold purse is not a purse at all. It is a wine cooler that was gifted to me long ago. I don’t drink wine so I don’t really need a bag to keep my wine cool but it does make for a really fun purse.
Although I have already chopped up the turtleneck (it was really tight, not very comfortable, and has 3/4 sleeves which I hate), I will definitely be wearing this outfit with a different black turtleneck soon. I am thinking it will probably come with me to North Carolina next month!
Now let’s check out the sartorial metallic magic that my thrifty friends have created.
The Thrifters:
- Emma of Style Splash
- Grace of Graceful Rags
- Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade
- Jodie of Jodie’s Touch of Style
- 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
“My Metallic Chameleon… Metallics is the T6 theme for January, perfect for me, I have it in spades! I chose this skirt because it’s one the oddest things in my wardrobe, I call it my Chameleon skirt! You’d be forgiven for thinking it was purple but it’s much more complicated than that… …it seems to change colour depending on it’s surroundings and the intensity of the light… …it can appear to be blue, green, black and sometimes even neon pink but it’s always metallic!”
-Jane
Jodie of Jodie’s Touch of Style
-Jodie
Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
-Nancy
And Me!
-Shelbee
How do you plan on sparkling in the new year?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Turtleneck, Skirt, Scarf, Earrings-Preloved / Belt-Torrid / Boots-Durango / Hat-Wona Trading / Necklace-Handmade and Gifted / Bag-Gifted / Arm Warmers-Kohl’s / Tights-Old
20 Comments
Nancy
I don’t buy shoes pre loved, tried it once, not my thing. And the other day I wanted to use a belt, a cheap oone, and I was looking at it and thought: no more cheap belts. They look cheap, of course they do, lol. What a gorgeous topper is that, such a beautiful colour!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Nancy! I have a few pairs of preloved shoes, mostly boots that were new or almost new. Actually, I have 3 pairs of thrifted cowgirl boots that I wear frequently so I can’t completely discount thrifted footwear. And what it is with the cheap belts? I actually find it rather difficult to find high quality belts even in high quality stores. I have a drawer full of the icky cheap belts that I should just get rid of. Or maybe there is a funky craft I can make with all the old belts! Hmmmmm…time to brainstorm.
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking very nice there. You sparkle in the snow (Bad Line).
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Hehehe, thanks so much, Patrick! I do like a little sparkle on occasion!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
That’s so funny you say that about preloved belts. I find some of the best ones while thrifting. Sure, there are some that are cracked and worn out, but I’ve found some of my favorite ones there.
You should come thrift with me one of these days,
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
People must buy better belts where you live, Jodie! LOL Although, I haven’t really checked out the thrift shop belts in quite a long time. Maybe there are better ones in stock now. I would love to come thrifting with you! Wouldn’t that be an absolute blast?!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
I think it’s amazing how you come up with outfits for so many different themes! This outfit…I love! The teal scarf works so well with your brocade skirt. And, I love that hat! The whole outfit is so good, Shelbee! You look stunning!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aww, Marsha, thank you so much! I really loved this outfit, too! Now I just need somewhere to go to wear something this fabulous! I am such a recluse these days. Ha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
You look so cute!!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rosemary Davis
Ladies, I love your shiny and glowing looks!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Rosemary!
xoxo
Shelbee
Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life
Very “cool” outfit! Sorry about the cold weather pun! LOL. But for real, this is awesome outfit for winter! And I love to thrift clothes as well, but I also do not buy shoes or hats or more personal things like tights secondhand either. 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Erin! It’s good to look cool even when it’s too cold! Haha. And now it has just gotten even colder this weekend. Way down to double digit negatives. Ugh. I am already looking forward to spring. I am surprised by how much I enjoy thrifting considering my parasite-paranoia! I guess that’s why I stay away from secondhand hats! I hope you have a most wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
Your outfit turned out so pretty! I need to wear my pashmina scarf, it reminds me of yours.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! I know that big oversized scarves like this one are not really trending right now, but I will always love and wear my scarves regardless of trends. The pashmina ones are always so darn pretty!
xoxo
Shelbee
Stephen
Shining bright with metallics! ✨🌈 Your style is truly a beacon of fashion inspiration, and I love how The Thrifty Six showcases the stunning versatility of metallics. Each of you brings a unique flair to the ensemble. Thanks for lighting up our feeds with your fabulous fashion moments!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Stephen! We do have fun with our monthly style challenges! I hope you have a most amazing day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jack
Wow, the metallic vibes from The Thrifty Six are truly shining bright! ✨ Each of you looks stunning in your unique metallic styles, proving that fashion knows no budget limits. Thanks for inspiring us to embrace the shimmer and make every day a runway.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jack! I really appreciate your kind words. Have a wonderfully sparkly day!
xoxo
Shelbee