Thrift tip: Invest in alterations

You may remember back in the day that I bought this amazing Badgley Mischka gown for 20 bucks. Very cool the way it was, but it wasn't a perfect fit. Before a fine function this fall, I took it to Ginger Root Design, where Erin took a gander at it and quickly decided it could be made even better.

Before...sorta grumpy

A bit of hemming and some tucks on the side, and it looked as if it was made for me. Check it out:

You can't even tell I was recovering from the plague!

MC looks dapper too!

Dress: $20. Alterations: $80. Shoes: $10. Jewelry: borrowed. Handbag: old as heck.

Piece of cake.

The Find: Mom's Closet

My mom came to visit last month, and as she gazed at the vintage goodies hanging from my rowing machine, she mumbled something about letting me take things from her closet the next time I was home. I didn't even have to use any of Sammy D's tips for raiding a family member's wardrobe!

One weekend later, I jumped into the catch-all family closet.  Our hall closet has everything from my sister's prom dress to old Girl Scout handbooks.  It's a pretty eclectic place.

I pretty much grabbed everything except the beloved fuschia prom dress and brought it back to DC for evaluation.  In the stock were my mom's prom dress, her wedding dress (Not white or traditional at all, sorry wedding enthusiasts), and a variety of dressing belonging to either my sister or my mom.

I immediately wore this green maxi dress to work, and got heaps of compliments throughout the day.  I don't usually take photos in the office bathroom, but it was the best full-length option I had going for me that day.

I have not done the proper research, so while I suspect my mom might have made this dress in the '70s, I can't guarantee that.  All I know is that I am even more of a spitting image of my mother when I'm wearing some of her clothing that fits like it was made for me.  Family ties, I guess!

♥

The Find: The Red Dress

Last fall, MC invited me to accompany him to a DC society-types event that had a nautical theme. Those who know me know I love a good nautical theme and even have a nautical tattoo. The "black tie recommended" note made me nervous. I didn't have anything remotely nautical in my closet that was remotely black tie-appropriate.

Off to Value Village I went. I happened to choose the Silver Spring location that has a Unique Thrift Store attached to it. Double your inventory...double the options. Seeing nothing on the Value Village side, I wandered over to the Unique side and started rifling through the dresses. I considered a short gold number, but I couldn't get it zipped. The bonus of this location is that is has fitting rooms, so there was no guessing game with any options I picked up.

Then it was almost as if it found me: a long, red Bill Levkoff gown with pleated shoulders, a boat neck, and a tiny fishtail train. I clutched it close to me as I scampered over to the fitting room. The attendant had to zip it up for me, but then turned me around and smiled and murmured something in Spanish about how nice I looked.

It was the one. And it was $14.99. Thank you, discount card.

I brought it home and hid it from MC for two weeks until the day of the event, when I hauled it downtown hanging in an elaborate trash-bag set-up. (I have since obtained a garment bag, promise.)

But by then, a sinus infection had knocked MC out so hard that he couldn't fathom going to the event. I had my heart set on wearing that dress around DC's "in" crowd, but I couldn't argue with a sick boy. I pouted a little and eventually got over it.

The dress is still in my closet. covered by a trash bag. Waiting for nautical-black-tie-recommended bliss.

♥

The Find: The Best Seven Dollars I ever Spent

Last winter, a colleague asked me to participate in a date auction for charity.  I said I'd do it if my friend signed up as well, and we dove in head-first.  Everyone up for auction needed to wear a red dress, but since red isn't exactly my color, I didn't already have one I could wear.

Two stops at Value Village later, and I was set.  I found a Nicole Miller* dress for a whopping $6.95.  Add that to the $10 clutch I got from Payless and the $11 shoes from Target that happened to match, and I was ready for the auction.

A year later, I'm still dating the guy who bought me, a stranger who took a chance on the first girl up for bid.

No matter how often I purge my closet, I don't think I'll be getting rid of this dress for a long time. 

*That little number is most certainly backless.  Double-sided tape is required for any public appearance.  And yes, my hair was short.  And I was that happy that MC bought me.

♥

Get This: Little Black Dress (with a twist)

Little Black Dresses come in many shapes and forms. This one is pretty bland, so I decided to spice it up with some color. I never invest in belts because I'm picky and nothing ever seems to look right, but for our purposes I improvised with a nice piece of ribbon I got on a gift. It's long, so I wrapped it around a few times and tied it in a bow in the back. Doesn't look too shabby, does it? It's all about confidence.











Look: Classic Little Black Dress
Label: Isaac Mizrahi for Target
Likewise: Put a dress shirt on underneath for the office, or add colorful tights and ankle boots for a cocktail party.

Get it here for a limited time.

In other news: Andrew at New Columbia Heights is compiling a list of things the neighborhood is missing. Thrift store makes the list! While it's practically considered a mainstream neighborhood at this point, it's still pretty cool. A funky consignment shop or thrift store would fit right into Columbia Heights.

♥

Thirft Tip: Buy Now, Wear Later

Thrift stores don't change their stock with the seasons like other stores do. Yes, there is some movement as the winter coats come out of storage and the swimsuit collection dwindles and vice-versa. But whatever the season, rest assured that you'll always be able to find something for the complete opposite.

If an out-of-season item fits--and is likely to still fit in a year--consider it. If the price is right, it may be worth stowing something away for later. In the case of this dress, I found it in August and wore it to a bridal shower and a wedding rehearsal dinner in the span of a week (separate crowds, I promise). After a hand-wash, it's going in the back of the closet until Memorial Day, when I'll be pulling it out every chance I get.

Label: Ann Taylor
Location: Value Village, Hyattsville
Look: Seersucker for your preppiest days
Likewise: Do it with patent white accessories if you dare, or brighten the look with a clutch or flats in a bold color. Pearls are a must.

Get This: Indian Summer

Remember fall? Autumn, the season of warm, sun-kissed days and cool, comfortable nights? I fear it may have skipped us over here in DC. If you luck out with a warmer weekend, check out a dress like this one. My scrawny body doesn't do this medium any justice, but you can get it for yourself here for a limited time.

Label: BCBG Max Azria
Look: Jersey dress for day or night
Likewise: Wear it with riding boots or dress it up with an armful of shiny bangles. Flats are a must for a frock like this.

♥