The Thrifty Six in Summer Layers

Welcome to The Thrifty Six. We are 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!

Last month, we welcomed Sally as the newest member of our thrifty group. So this month, it is was her first turn at choosing our monthly style theme. Being a layering guru with a real knack for finding a thrifty bargain, Sally chose Summer Layers as our June challenge.

Being a layering guru myself, I was nothing short of excited for the ease of achieving the stated goal. Create a summer outfit with layers using preloved or thrifted clothing.

So easy. I have about a million options in my wardrobe to successfully complete this challenge. I pondered a few different outfit combinations incorporating some really cute kimono robes I recently found at a local thrift store for just a few dollars each.

But then, the week before my birthday, I received an email from Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks. She was cleaning out her closet and wanted to send me some of her unwanted garments that she thought I might enjoy, particularly Kantha Bae pieces. Having discovered the Kantha Bae brand through Daenel’s blog and being inspired by her easy bohemian style for years, I was happy to accept her generous gift…it felt like an extra special gift for my 50th birthday, too!

Daenel had indicated that she was sending me approximately seven garments so I was surprised when a very large box arrived at my house just a few days after my birthday. I quickly called my sister on video to join me as I opened this special birthday gift.

Be. Still. My. Heart. It was filled to the brim with all sorts of gorgeous garments from Kantha Bae and other similar style brands that speak directly to my bohemian soul. I tried on every single piece for my sister and we both loved every single piece. My sis is currently trying to talk me out of a few pieces so that I pass them on to her. But she will have to wait until I tire of them before she gets her thieving sibling hands on them!

Once I saw all the wonderful goodness inside this box of magic from Daenel, I immediately changed my approach to Sally’s Summer Layering challenge. I was just gifted a whole wardrobe of beautiful preloved clothing that was meant to be worn and layered together.

I used three gifted garments to create a really cool triple layered summer outfit with a long skirt layered underneath a short dress layered underneath a boxy top. After we took photos of this layered look, I decided to share some variations of mixing and matching these three pieces. I ended up photographing five different ways that I can style these three garments. But there are actually many more ways because the skirt and the dress are both reversible with completely different patterns on the opposite sides giving even more versatility to these already versatile pieces.

How do I wear preloved summer layers? Let me count the ways.

1. Long skirt layered underneath short dress layered underneath boxy top.

My seed bead necklace and earrings were both purchased at a flea market and my Shelbee mala beads were handmade by Katherine of Zen Spirit Malas. My rope sandals, straw hat, and short mushroom necklace are the only parts of this ensemble that have not been preloved by anyone else. They have only been loved by me!

2. Short dress layered underneath boxy top.

I simply shed the skirt and bared my legs for this easy layered look.

3. Just the dress. No layers here.

I ditched the top and was left with an easy breezy sundress. Remember the dress is reversible. You can see the reverse side here where I belted it.

4. Long skirt layered underneath short dress.

Then I put the skirt back on! I could reverse the skirt and the dress for different combinations as well.

5. Long skirt with boxy top.

This outfit doesn’t really constitute a layered outfit but it does allow you to see the reverse side of the skirt and the cute little pull up ties on the sides.

And there you have it. Five outfits with three preloved garments. I think I am taking all of this to the festival on Thursday. Thank you again, Daenel! I have been wearing all of it with so much joy and love!

Now let’s see how my thrifty friends have styled their preloved summer layers. 

The Thrifters:

• 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

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!

Be sure to check back on July 15, 2024, for our next challenge. Jodie has chosen Dark Colors as the theme. This should be a fun challenge as most of us steer away from dark colors in July.

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.