Tuesday, August 4, 2020

A Day at the Thrift Shops

I had today all to myself, so I got up early and prepared to go hit the few second-hand and thrift stores that are open downtown. 
I promised I would wear this dress again soon! 

  • Dress - Sandwich; last seen here in May for a home day
  • Shoes - Half Truth Veda, Fluevog; last worn here (3rd outfit) in June for a brunch and shop with L

This was perfect for my marathon shop! 
It's cotton, with lots of stretch. 
The back zip was excellent for quickly trying clothes on. 

Of course, I masked up. I was chatting with my friend Cat on the weekend about masks, and was keeping my eye out for cheap clothes that could be chopped up and made into masks. I love having a friend who sews! 
My camo one is by Goody, picked up in the drugstore a week or so ago. I kept it on the whole time I was out. 

The stuff: 
I tweaked my ankle slightly playing badminton at Nick's park party, so babying my feet in these low kitten heels. 

Copper and turquoise bling: 
Coordinating with my mask! 

  • Enameled copper cuff - Renoir, vintage 60s, vintage expo
  • Brooch - thrifted
  • Enameled copper earrings - Matisse by Renoir, vintage 60s, Grandma J's
  • Copper/turquoise ring - vintage, Grandma J's

I started out at Flavour Upstairs, where I had to wait a bit to get in due to a line. On a Tuesday! Outrageous. 
I picked up this huge silk scarf for $9.99. 

It's made in India, and it's seen better days, but I love the ombre dye. 
This is going to Cat for mask-making.

I also picked this up for Cat, but if it doesn't fit her, I'm going to tell her to cut it up for more masks. 
"You can tell her I approved it."


It's a lovely silk dress by Lane Bryant.
Regular price $29.99, marked down four times before I spotted it on the $5.00 rack today! 

That chilly season is just around the corner, and I'm always on the lookout for good quality sweaters. 
This is a lovely shade of blue, and will go with tons of stuff in the fall. 

And it's 2-ply 100% cashmere, by Marina Luna, which is a TJ Maxx line. 
For $34.99? Yes, do you know what cashmere costs these days?? This would have been at least $100 new, easy. 

I cannot resist a fun print. 
This jacket is just pure awesome. It's 100% cotton, is a very cute fit - that wide waistband gives a peplum-ish effect, and those are short sleeves. 

The backside. I have shoes in all those colours. I like the scribbles in between the groups of flower shapes. 
It's by Marc Jacobs. 
For $34.99 - that feels like a deal. 

Flush with my success at Flavour Upstairs, I saw that Mango's had Canadian-made masks, so I picked up a couple. 
The top one is by Au Noir, who make some of the fabulous shirts in L's closet, and the bottom one had no label. Gotta build up my mask wardrobe, as I'll be wearing one every day when I'm out in public, and I may as well have matching ones for my wardrobe. 

I quickly took a peek in Fluevog, as their sale is so tempting (I resisted!), and as I was talking to Rae (one of the lovely Fluevogologists), and showing off my purchases, she insisted on pulling out a bag of her own clothes that she had in the back, and offered me my pick! 
So, thank you, Rae! I love this groovy sweater. 
Which is also by Marc Jacobs! 

Look at that sweet little button placket on the back.
And all those colours in the plaid - I'm going to have fun with this in the fall/winter. 

I also selected this mustard-y yellow/brown fine sweater. 
It will be a good layering piece, I think. 
It's by Zara...and it was free! 

From there, I strolled over to Upcycle and found this lovely maxi dress on half price, for $19.99. 
The brand is Lucca, which feels like...not an expensive designer brand. It looks like fast fashion. 
I really liked that the dress is fully lined in viscose (the printed fabric is polyester), and I love that fabulous print, and giant ruffled hem. However, someone removed the elastic all along the shoulders and neckline, so it doesn't sit right. I'm not a fan of off-the-shoulder styles on casual clothes (too much bra/boob wrangling for my taste), so I thought...hmmm....

What's a girl to do? Chop it off! 
Muahahaha! Now I have an excellent maxi skirt with an elastic waistband. Never mind that those waistband ruffles are a little ragged and uneven! Don't care. 

From Upcycle, I went over to the Patch, which has gotten slightly better (but not much) with their safety protocols. At least they had hand sanitizer, but it is still way too crowded in there. I spent a couple of hours going through the entire store and phew, I need a nap. 

Here's what I found, starting with this gorgeous gold velour pleated midi skirt. 
It's very swooshy! 
I didn't recognize the brand - A New Day - so I dug around in the tags down the seams and...
...there we go - it's a Target brand! Shocking! 

It was $19.95, which is about what it sold for new. 
I'd rather buy it second-hand (always!) and I have only been in a Target a few times ever (ugh, no thank you), so I'm fine with this.  

This was truly an "OMG OMG OMG" find. It's a really sweet swingy dress. 
That deep V is super-flattering, and the floral-ish design is reversed on the opposite sides (dress, cuffs, hem). 

The cuffs have a lovely split, so I'm sure I'll be dragging them through the soup soon. 
The pattern is bright pink, burgundy and black. 

The hem also has small slits on either side, which make it flippy when I walk. 
It's fully-lined in black. 

And 100% silk! 
"But what about meeeeee?"


Even the lining is silk! 

It's by Proenza Schouler for Barney's New York. Holy smokes, I found Proenza Schouler!! (here's the Vogue link - links 'cause I love, of course).
As Barney's is now closed, enjoy a look at how much this brand sells for via Saks Fifth Avenue (here) - my dress would probably have been around $2,500 (since it's silk and has sleeves), possibly marked down for around $600-700 (as I see their sale dresses run). *choke* Wow, I got a deal for $22.95! I get a kick out of a Patch employee writing "Barneys" on the tag - obviously their pricer hasn't heard of this brand! 

Well, now I have some new things to play with! What's your favourite? 

32 comments:

  1. I like the gold Target skirt.

    Can you give the bodice you cut off the Lucca dress to your friend so that she can make you a mask to match the skirt?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Me too! I have saved the fabric and I'll see if she can use it, but it's viscose and polyester, not cotton (best choice). I had the same idea!

      Delete
  2. The Proenza Schouler dress is my favourite. Such fun browsing what you got as I'm on a thrifting diet because my wardrobe is FULL. Good idea from the above Anonymous. Lise

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it amazing, Lise? I had so much fun. My wardrobe is full too, but this is my art! I can't deny it. I already have the fabric set aside for Cat!

      Delete
  3. Gosh Sheila, still not getting emails! I have now subscribed with another email. A lot of great fonds! That Marc Jacobs jacket is super! And I love the gold pleated skirt. I bought a gold satin skirt! Now I do hope I am receiving soon as I keep forgetting to check your blog! Sorry!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy, thanks so much for alerting me to this! I have done some tweaks and hopefully it will start working again!

      I love those pieces too! Hey, we can match in our golds!

      Delete
  4. Hi Sheila, I love the red cotton dress you look stunning. I too am on a thrifting and ebaying diet (did slip up and buy a dress on ebay birthday I'm saying!) so loving looking at your haul. My favourite is the red silk dress. I can see you having fun with all of them though. I must comment on the beautiful blue of the jumper though and also that turquoise jewellery...ahh been admiring Vix's pendant and she said you have the same one! Thanks for adding colour to a boring admin filled day. Shazxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Shaz! I don't shop online, so this is a diet for me! I don't get to shop now anywhere near as much as I used to. I'm glad you like my new purchases - I know, isn't that funny that Vix and I have the same pendant! Happy to see you - thank you!

      Delete
  5. That red dress is a sight for sore eyes, and you accessorized it perfectly with your copper and turquoise bling and your matching face mask! How lovely that Cat is willing to make you some. I was lucky Jos's daughter made us a couple, but even luckier when I found a small shop near my office with a huge selection. I'm afraid I went a bit mad, but I'm sure you'll understand :-) That cotton jacket you found is such fun, I'd definitely picked it up as well. And how lucky you were to be given that Marc Jacobs jumper for free. I agree the maxi dress will look much better as a skirt, and in fact you've given me ideas. The velvet pleated skirt and the swingy dress caught my eye as well. Can't wait to see you wearing the latter in particular. Also love the idea of having a face mask made from the bodice of the maxi, as suggested by the other commentors! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ann - I picked the face mask, and that drove the jewelry. I need more masks to go with all my clothes! I had such fun shopping and sharing my new items. Yes, I'd already put the fabric in the pile for Cat to make masks with!

      Delete
  6. Since it looks like masks are here to stay for the foreseeable future it's a great idea to have several and to co-ordinate with your wardrobe!

    You always seem to find the best things when you thrift, but I think my favourite item of your newest purchases is the swingy dress followed by the pleated skirt and the jacket. Of course I also love the blue sweater and the scarf because, well for one thing, they're blue and fabulous. The freebie sweater says "60's apres ski" to me - can't wait to see what you do with it, but I'm sure I will have to wait unless you get some very horrible weather in August, lol. I had a moment of shock when I saw that you had cut your maxi dress in half, but it actually makes perfect sense.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I can't see any time in the near future when masks are NOT going to be needed, so may as well get on board and get a bunch.

      Yes, the swingy dress is amazing, and you also picked my other two favourites. I hope you weren't too shocked! I'm never afraid to mess around with my clothes, Nana! :)

      Delete
  7. Oh that Proenza dress is such a great find !I love both your mustard pieces too! It's sweet that your friend can make you some masks as well and you found her some nice clothes for fabric - that's a great idea as I know there are a lot of fabric shortages at the moment! I've bought a handful of masks which came in helpful now that the supermarket we use has requested masks to be worn (although not yet required), and I see a lot more people out in masks now. Our state government says to only wear them while sick now, but other states have recommended them for general use and I think more of us are following that advice.

    I've ordered more that haven't arrived yet - with them being mandatory in other states it's hard to find places that have them in stock! And my mother in law just said she is going to start making them - so my husband may finally wear some. He's been going out to work sometimes, at least he drives so it's not public transport.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it amazing, Mica? I knew you would get the name. I know, all this mustard - so weird that I found it all. I'll have to bit and spend a bit more to get some good vintage cotton fabrics, though. We have a lot of mask-wearing here, and we're encouraging it in our office as people come back.

      Delete
  8. woww, love your red dress (pockets!, Red!, totally amazing!), and love your fab copper&turquoise jewellery (a huge fan of turquoise myself!).
    And you made some fab purchases too!. I'm admiring the groovy jacket, the knits and the lovely prints and colors. Great idea to make a skirt from a dress, it's easy sewing and usually Works nicely!
    besos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it a cool dress? Thanks so much, Monica! I love turquoise and copper!

      I had so much fun shopping - I've really missed it, but can't do it anywhere near like I used to.

      Delete
  9. You look stunning in that red dress and how nice it is cotton- simply perfect for summer. I love the black pumps you wore with it, very chic. Your face mask is so pretty as well.
    You picked up some amazing things, it looks like you had a nice shopping day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ivana! I love a nice cotton dress. The shoes are great, but my feet were so tired by the time I got home.

      Delete
  10. Arghhh! Sorry, I've fallen behind with my fave blogs. Now I know where that lovely mustard skirt came from!
    That red dress looks so good on you and the mask is perfect with it. I'm swooning over the turquoise & copper jewellery, we'll have to syncronise our pendants and wear them on the same day.
    Didn't you do well with the shopping? Loving the print on your Marc Jacobs jacket and that swooshy sleeved silk dress. I really struggled with finding good quality cotton clothes to cut up to make masks when I went to the charity shop on Tuesday, almost everything's synthetic! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No worries, Vix! I'm just happy to see you! We will indeed have to try to synchronize our copper!

      Thank you - it was so fun to take my time and go through everything. I'd really missed it. Men's shirts are the way to go - I raided L's giveaway stash and found 4 that will work!

      Delete
  11. I love how your mask matches your brooch - I noticed that straight away!

    And look at you spotting all the lovely silk and cashmere pieces - what good quality finds. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jess! I am going full matchy right now with my masks.

      I was so happy to find some nice quality items.

      Delete
  12. This red dress is so chic on you. Dressed totally in my corner haha.
    Love the pleated golden skirt.
    Greetje

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Greetje! yes, that dress is right in your wheelhouse. I love that skirt too - I'll be wearing it in the fall.

      Delete
  13. Golly, that was a shopping trip of swings and roundabouts - no savings on the Target, perhaps, but that Proenza Schouler more than makes up for it. I don't know how you do it!

    I love the way you've co-ordinated your mask with your outfit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was a fun trip - so much like "normal" and a lot of fun. I don't care that much about the Target skirt, but the Proenza Schouler just killed me! So cool!

      Thank you! I'm doing that with most of my outfits now.

      Delete
  14. Great second hand scores there!! I am head over heels in love with the Marc Jacobs jacket - how fabulous?! I am a big fan and have been lucky to find a few of his pieces pre loved myself. Sorry, I'm way behind with blog reading but I do like to read them all in order!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Fay! I know, I love that jacket too. No worries, just happy to see comments!

      Delete

Comments are so incredibly special, and I love them and hug them and treasure them forever. Please feel free to tell me what you think!

I'm not currently able to respond to comments, but I will make every effort to answer questions. I do read every single one, and appreciate your comments.

Please note that comments containing affiliate links spam-y sites, spam comments and anything I deem inappropriate will be deleted.

Cheers,
Sheila