The Thrifty Six Focus on Hemlines

Extending downward from March’s Neckline theme, Sally chose this month’s thrifty prompt of Hemlines.

At first, I had absolutely no idea how to approach this style challenge. Hemlines is a very broad prompt since basically every garment has a hemline. So you think this would be a simple theme to style. I could have worn absolutely anything and talked about the specific hemline of my outfit.

But I don’t normally take the easy route when it comes to a style challenge. So I decided to take this simple hemline theme and turn it into a master class on layering! Since my closet is filled with a variety of hem lengths and lines, I challenged myself to see how many different hemlines I could combine into one wearable outfit. And I ended up with six…four longer hemlines on the bottom and two shorter hemlines on the top.

Everything I wore for this challenge was thrifted or preloved except for my hat. But I did purchase my hat from my favorite accessory wholesaler so it was only a few dollars making it quite thrifty. It is also made from paper, keeping it environmentally friendly as well as budget friendly…which is the entire purpose of this thrifty group!

Now let’s talk about all these layers…

I started with a long yellow lace slip dress that I thrifted a few years ago. It is very sheer and came with a matching liner that I immediately threw into my scrap bin. The dress is a few sizes too large and I’m afraid to try to alter the delicate embroidered lace so I just wear it as a slip underneath other dresses.

For the next layer, I added the newly thrifted dress that I just styled for our April Belt It thrifty theme. It is a maxi length dress but slightly shorter than the very long yellow lace slip. For the third layer, I pulled on this gorgeous patchwork skirt that I wore for last May’s Crochet Revival theme. The skirt is also a maxi length, so I pulled the waistband all the way up to the bottom of my bra to shorten it enough to allow the first two layered hemlines to show.

The patchwork skirt and the next layer were hand-me-downs from Daenel. Two years ago, she very generously sent me a big ole box of beautiful clothing that I am still wearing and loving! The fourth layer is a really interesting piece. It is shaped sort of like a sleeveless smock or an apron with an open back and has two giant front pockets. It is also reversible with one big center pocket on the other side. I usually wear it over leggings and a tee shirt so this was a fun way to change up the way I style this funky piece.

That covers the bottom four layers with various hem lengths. I could have just stopped there except it was still a bit chilly for bare arms so I topped all the layers with a newly thrifted bright yellow kimono robe with a colorful paisley print. The kimono has a longer hemline but I decided to tie it at the waist for some structure and shape because all of these loose layers create abundance fullness.

Finally, I added a newly thrifted patchwork jacket which is just so cute that I couldn’t resist bringing it home even though the sleeves are bit too short on my long arms. I temporarily solved that issue by pushing the sleeves up to my elbows. But I’m thinking I might add some kind of long frilly cuff to each sleeve at some point, I’m just waiting for the specific inspiration to hit me!

I accessorized with a secondhand brown floral scarf, my preloved tall moccasins, my matching flea market earrings and necklace, three new thrift store necklaces, and of course, my floral paper hat.

I know this is a crazy amount of layers but the chaotic collision of colors and prints is so totally me. This is definitely one of my favorite outfits that I have ever created in the last 11 years of blogging! What do you think? Would you wear this many layers, colors, and prints together or is it just too much?

Now let’s check out how my thrifty friends have interpreted this Hemline theme. Just click on the links or images below for details about each outfit. 

• Emma of Style Splash
• Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade
• Jodie of Jodie’s Touch of Style
• Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
• Sally of Within a World of My Own
• Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge

The Thrifty Six is a group of international fashion lovers 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 not only to inspire you to shop second hand but to also get creative in your closets.

Emma of Style Splash

Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade

Jodie of Jodie’s Touch of Style

Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style

Sally of Within a World of My Own

And Me!

I hope you have enjoyed this wide array of different Hemline styles. If you would like to see more preloved outfits created by this budget- and environmentally-friendly group, please stop back on June 15, 2026, to see how we style Nancy’s next prompt…Fringe. Until then, happy thrifting…and styling! 

Keeping it on the edge, 

Shelbee