The Thrifty Six in Leather
The Thrifty Six is back and heading into the new year all dressed in various forms of leather…genuine leather, vegan leather, faux leather, pleather…whichever it is, it suits this month’s theme that was chosen by Lucy.
The Thrifty Six is a group of six international fashion and lifestyle bloggers and influencers coming to you from all around the world. We span at least three different decades of life and we each have our own unique and individual style with a shared passion for preloved clothing and second hand shopping. Our goal is to share a variety of ways to be stylish while doing a little something good for the environment.
With our focus on preloved and second hand items, we want to share ways that you can stay stylish on a budget while also making a small contribution to helping our environment. Every month, one member of the group chooses a theme and we share our outfit creations with you to hopefully inspire you to shop more second hand and less fast fashion.
For purposes of this group’s style challenges, at least one outfit item that satisfies the chosen theme must be preloved or thrifted. So for this month, at least one leather piece in the outfit must have been thrifted or preloved or inherited or handed down. As long as the item was acquired second hand, it successfully satisfies the challenge. So let’s get to it…
When Lucy first presented the theme, I had to really think about what leather pieces I already owned that were purchased second hand and my brain kept drifting to shoes and bags because those are the most traditional wardrobe items that would be crafted from leather materials. Then I remembered that I had four different leather jackets and two leather skirts that would all be perfectly suitable for this theme.
After much deliberation, I finally settled on this dark brown distressed leather jacket from Wilson’s Leather. It is 100% genuine leather and I found it many years ago at my local Salvation Army for $8.
It was one of those second hand purchases that I probably should not have made at the time as the jacket was a bit snug across the shoulders and bust. It was the quality of the leather and the brand for the price that I simply couldn’t resist. I have a lot of thrifted items like this from my earlier days of thrifting before I learned how silly it is to buy things even at great prices that don’t fit quite right. Actually it wasn’t until Nancy and I started our Bad Buy Book series four years ago that I stopped purchasing things that “almost” fit.
For whatever hoarding reasons I may have buried deep inside my psyche, I held onto this brown leather jacket for years. I would take it out every now and then and try it on to see if it fit more comfortably, but never with any luck. The good news, however, is that I have lost 25 pounds since I first purchased this jacket and now it finally fits properly but it is only comfortable with a thin shirt underneath.
You can see how I styled it 25 pounds heavier in this post from 2016. I also wore the jacket in this post from last February.
My other preloved leather item is my cow print faux leather tote bag. This is a recent purchase that I also found at Salvation Army. I have been looking for cow print things for a really long time and I have to admit that a little squeal may have escaped my lips when I spotted this bag. It was very clean and barely used and I paid $6 for it. My silver tree of life tassel necklace is also a thrifted find that I got from Solitary Consignment a few years ago for $7.
The rest of my outfit consists of items that have been in my closet for many years…a thin black ribbed turtleneck sweater from Target, dark washed skinny jeans from Torrid, and tall brown distressed boots from Nine West. My other accessories include an old pair of brown leather gloves and silver tassel earrings.
Once I decided to feature this brown leather jacket, I was immediately reminded of Anne Hathaway’s outfit at the very end of The Devil Meets Prada and decided to recreate it.
And that is the story of my preloved outfit featuring leather. Before I get to my fabulous thrifty fashionista friends, I do want to write briefly about the location of my photos.
My husband and I enjoy driving around our little town seeking out cool backgrounds for photoshoots. I spotted this green building on this particular drive and really loved the color for this outfit. The building houses a dry cleaning business and when we got out of the car, I was immediately drawn to the steamy smoke pouring forth from an outdoor dryer vent. It was pure serendipity for the perfect dramatic effect.
It seriously made me so excited but then as I looked at the photos in the aftermath, I am wondering if it is a perfectly serendipitous smoky effect or if it just looks like I have really bad gas wafting out of me and engulfing my entire being in its fumes. You decide!
Now let’s get to my friends…
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 Thrifters:
- Emma of Style Splash
- Grace of Graceful Rags
- Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade
- Lucy of Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva
- Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
- Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge
Emma of Style Splash
“I stopped buying leather after going vegan three years ago and now only buy faux leather. I try to ensure my purchases are sustainable, as faux leather can be bad for the environment. There are some amazing brands that use recycled materials and no animal derivatives at all in their products. This Matt and Nat bag, which I bought on eBay, is certified vegan, and the lining is made out of recycled plastic bottles! My ankle boots are also preloved – I bought them from a charity shop just before Christmas but I don’t think they’d been worn.”
Emma
Grace of Graceful Rags
“I originally envisioned an edgy outfit for this theme, but given my limited supply of thrifted leather goods, I had to take a very different, old fashioned approach. This green leather purse belonged to my grandma and was a gift for my 16th birthday, including matching shoes and gloves. The heels are much too high for my walking abilities, but the purse was the perfect addition to this gorgeous dress—and I love that it matches the railings! My sparkly bracelet is also thrifted through an antique shop on Etsy.”
Grace
Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade
“Roberto Cavalli my hero!…I’ve always been a devoted fan of Roberto Cavalli and I believe this awesome leather jacket is the absolute zenith of his creative achievements! It’s a true classic with just enough edge to satisfy the modern aesthetic. It exudes urban relevance, it’s chic, streetwise and ‘kinda’ badass’. It’s all of this yet somehow it’s timeless…A vintage piece that could’ve been made yesterday or 50 years ago – truly inspirational, so glad I own it!”
Jane
Lucy of Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva
“You know you’ve scored big when you find a mint-condition-never been worn-Danier leather jumper that is adorable! Found it at my local charity store and paid 9$ for it. WHAAAT? Yep-tags and all! The leather is as soft as butter and it most probably goes with any, and every, top I own. Like we’ve said before-style is everything, but so is quality! Paired it with another little thrifted gem-I’m crazy about lime green (another animal print!). This top is sheer and also a huge trend for this year. Wondering if I’ll be getting a lot of wear from this little black dress? Let me tell you that I wear this one already too often-and almost all year round! Oh the styling possibilities!”
Lucy
Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
“Only after I bought this antique blue super soft leather blazer I realized that I had to take it to the dry cleaners to wash before I wanted to wear it. And somehow I never wore it after it returned. Only to show this outfit years ago. Thrifted leather and shoes are not my thing, although this is such a gorgeous blazer! I really should get over it!”
Nancy
And me!
“I found this brown leather jacket at Salvation Army a few years ago and it was too snug in the shoulders for a long time. After losing some weight, it now fits and I do love the edginess of it with its broken-in look. My faux leather cow print tote bag is a more recent thrifty find and this is the first time I have styled it. I kept the rest of my outfit simple with skinny jeans, a black turtleneck, and a really old pair of tall brown leather boots.”
Shelbee
Once again, my thrifty friends have delivered some magnificent style with so much variety and inspiration for everyone. How do you feel about thrifted leather goods…yay or nay?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
Outfit Details: (Everything is old and shopped from closet) Jacket, Necklace, and Bag-Thrifted / Turtleneck and Boot Socks-Target / Jeans-Torrid / Belt-Bed Stu / Boots-Nine West / Gloves and 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.
36 Comments
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
Rock it! Love your bag, too!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar! I am so happy I found this fun bag!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
Loving this rocker vibe on you!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jennifer!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy
You all look fabulous, Shelbee! I’m absolutely LOVING your particular outfit though, and I can totally see the inspiration from Anne Hathaway’s The Devil Wears Prada look (I SO need to watch that movie again soon!). That necklace, by the way, is divine! I love jewellery that has nature / trees on it!
And what about that green backdrop??! It’s utter perfection. And I love that you got the steam coming from underground too. Freaking genius, my friend!
I wish your group was the thifty seven lol. I need to join some more blogger groups!!!
Huge hugs
Suzy xx
P.S I really do love my exclamation marks, don’t I?!!! LOOOOL
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Suzy, thank you so much, my friend! This was super fun and I have wanted to create an outfit inspired by The Devil Wears Prada for a really long time. It’s funny that I chose the most basic of all her outfits to replicate! I really love nature inspired jewelry, too, particularly trees! We definitely need to get you into some more blogging groups…let me inquire and get back to you! (Clearly, I love exclamation points as much as you do as well. Haha).
xoxo
Shelbee
Ellie
This outfit looks fantastic on you and so glad you kept hoarding this jacket! It looks like it was made for you! Love your photo location too! I think the steam looks great, actually! How lucky are you that your husband is so patient and willing to find the perfect spots! Mine used to be but he’s getting bored of taking photos LOL. Because I always complain about how they turn out……LOL
Ellibelle’s Corner
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ellie, thanks so much! The steam was a fun unexpected surprise that really made me laugh! We did have fun taking photos in it. My husband gets annoyed with me at every photo shoot, too, because I am always complaining and adjusting and shifting and plain old annoying! But we still have fun doing it and he enjoys scoping for new locations. And I think your husband isn’t bored of spending time with you taking your photos! Maybe try it with the approach that it is a little couples time to go exploring and have some laughs!
xoxo
Shelbee
Barbara
Naah, you’re being too hard on yourself re: the ´gas’ ..tho it probably makes your editing more fun when you can find the humor in every photo! Happy thrifting!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ha, thanks, Barbara! I think if I had stood with the vent directly behind me, it may have looked more realistically like gas! And yes, I approach most everything in life with a sense of humor or else I may have perished long ago! Have a great week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
You got a fantastic bargain with that jacket, and it fits you really well! You are looking very svelte! The cow print bag is fabulous!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Emma! I am glad that I hung onto this jacket for as long as I did. And the cow print bag is so fun! It makes me smile!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jacqui Berry
Fab faux leather challenge, I love a bit of this. You all look super and have been very creative. Jacqui x
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Jacqui! This was a fun theme!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ashley
I absolutely love this beautiful outfit, Shelbee! You are rocking it, my friend!
Make Life Marvelous
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Ashley!
xoxo
Shelbee
Donna
Shelbee, your leather jacket and boots style outfit is such a great look!
Hugs,
Donna
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Donna!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
The smokey, steamy pictures are awesome! I love this outfit and it reminded me of the Wilson jacket I donated some years back has after 4 kids, it just fit a little too snugly everywhere! I went to take my pics at the golf course today recreating your white and tan outfit! Why I haven’t taken pictures there yet is beyond me. It is only 1 and half mile from my house at the end of the subdivision: not part of our subdivision but off of one of the main road of it. I scoped out a couple cool spots for another photoshoot, a lake and a couple bridges would be fun. Today it was cold and it was so busy, I was like: let’s take pictures close to the road!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! I was definitely having fun with the steamy background! I am so excited to see your tan and white outfit! And I am glad that you ventured out to the golf course for photos. My husband and I have lot of fun just exploring for new photo locations. We make it like a game…who can find the coolest spots! We just did a photo shoot the other day at the entrance to a cemetery…so no graves or anything visible just the really cool gated entranceway! It is a fun way to exercise our creativity in addition to just creating the outfits. Have fun!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
You seem a totaly different woman 5 years ago! The steam looks real cool. But I don’t know what I would have thought if you hadn’t said a thing. The jacket looks very good on you!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! Oooh, I have definitely evolved in many ways over the past 5 years! That’s the fun of life, I think! This was such a fun theme this month. I have no idea who is up next, so I will wait for your email! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Sheila (of Ephemera)
I love that leather jacket, Shelbee, and the Wilson’s label is very familiar to me – we used to have a couple of Wilson’s Leather stores here in little ol’ Victoria BC Canada – the last one closed back in the 90s, I think. I am also guilty of buying leather ANYTHING just because I love it in clothing. I have had to slap my own hand when I’m looking at leather!
Love your fun background! That green is a great shade for popping against your look.
I had to go visit Lucy’s blog – I have nearly that identical Danier Leather dress to her (mine is a mini, though).
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Sheila! I had to go look up Wilson’s Leather because I wasn’t sure if they even still existed. I haven’t seen an actual store in years either. There was one in a tiny strip mall in my hometown when I was a teenager and I used to love shopping there. I could never afford retail priced leather goods but every once in a while they would have amazing clearance sales. I remember I had a black suede moto jacket all covered in fringe when I was in high school. I felt so cool and badass when I wore it! Anyway, the brand does still exist but at their peak in the early 2000’s, they operated 763 retail stores in the US and Canada. Today, they only have 170 retail locations. I have always loved the look of leather as well and since I could never afford retail leather, I began seeking it out in thrift shops! And I think I have seen your leather dress that is similar to Lucy’s! The two of you have similar style that is so unique and inspiring!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking so very nice and I love the pics with you and steam. So Glam.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Patrick! The steam is the best part of the photos, I think!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
LOL! Definitely not bad gas. Yay that the leather coat now fits you comfortably! Perfect re-creation of the Devil Wears Prada outfit. Well done!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! This was a fun outfit. I felt super sassy! And I didn’t have gas at all that day! Haha
xoxo
Shelbee
Maureen
I love Wilson’s Leather. I never owned anything by them but my goodness, their products are so buttery soft and for what you got this leather jacket for, that is a total treasure. So glad you also held on to it as it looks fabulous on you Shelbee! That cow print is also a stunner. I love how it’s unique and adds a dash of pizazz to your look! I hope you had a great long weekend and happy Tuesday!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Maureen! I am really glad that I held onto this jacket, too! And cow print is so fun, isn’t it? I really want a pair of cow print boots but I can’t find any in my budget! My weekend was great but I am already looking forward to the next one! I hope you are well and having a great start to the year!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lucy Bertoldi
Hey Shelbee- you know how much I love this! Brown leather- another good thing I have a hard time finding. Love the way you put it altogether. And so happy to be doing this nifty challenge once a month xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lucy! Brown is a sparse color in my wardrobe because I usually anchor my outfits in black. But I do love brown and black together! So this was a super fun outfit to create. Cheers to our nifty thrifty group!
xoxo
Shelbee
lorena
Anne Hathaway was the perfect inspiration – 25 pounds is a huge accomplishment!
You are rocking that jacket Michelle!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lorena! I adore Anne Hathaway and the style of so many different characters she has played!
xoxo
Shelbee
Shelly Janac
I absolutely love this outfit on you Shelbee and you look darling in these pics. And what a find for your closet.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Shelly! Some of my favorite, most cherished wardrobe items are fabulous thrift shop finds!
xoxo
Shelbee