Thrifty Style Series: Animal Prints. Scarves. Color.

January 27, 2017
Well, since it’s been a couple of months since I have regaled you with my vast collection of fashion knowledge (I jest!), I figured it was about time to put up another Thrifty Style post. 
 

 Just to review:  Most of the items in these pictures came from a thrift store with an average price of $5.  If something was more expensive than that, or if I bought it new, I will mention it.

 

The Scarf

This is an outfit I put together with a collection of thrifted items. I wear very few animal prints but this is a Talbots brand, in my size and my color–PLUS it doesn’t wrinkle, has Lycra in it, and was $3. What’s not to love?
 
 Anyway, the outfit looks fine like this . . .

but look at how much of a difference it makes to add a scarf,  (Scarf was new but half price at $15)

An added benefit of the scarf is that it ever so capably hides any tummy issues. (Not that I would ever need any of that sort of coverage since we all know I have abs of flab steel.)

I actually wore this outfit two different ways; one time with tan boots/tights and one time with dark brown boots/tights.

Which do you think looks better?  

  

An interesting side note: I am in a FB group where members can post photos and ask for advice or input. I had never posted a picture before, but I thought it would be fun to share the above collage and ask for an opinion. I ended up getting 170 comments which were almost evenly divided between the two options. That just goes to show how subjective fashion opinions can be. 

I topped the outfit with my (thrifted) $10 leather coat from Nordstrom before heading out the door.

I can’t begin to tell you how good I feel in my base colors of  brown and gold. Whenever I put them on, I feel like I’m coming home; when I put on black, however, I feel a little like I am a stranger to myself.

On the other hand, I know I have many readers who would never  dream of wearing brown, whereas black pulls you right in. It’s your best color.  

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again–when you find your colors, then finding your clothing confidence will follow right behind.

However, just because I use brown as my main neutral doesn’t mean I can’t take a walk on the wild side into the world of color.

The Jacket

I had seen plenty of jackets similar to this one over the past couple of years but they were always beyond my budget. So you can imagine my great delight when I popped into a Goodwill recently and spotted this bit of colorful loveliness. However, when I went over for a closer look, I made the dismaying discovery that it was an extra small. 

Now let me just say that I haven’t worn an extra small in anything since I was three years old;  when I held the jacket up, however, it really didn’t look all that smallish so I thought I would try it on, just for fun.

Believe it or not, it fit! Obviously it had been mis-marked somewhere along the way which is possibly the reason it ended up in a thrift store.

I was beyond thrilled: quirky, citrus-y, sherbet-y colors (and designs) take me to my happy place.

The jacket can go with a casual, cotton skirt . . .

or jogging pants.  It would also work with jeans and a pair of nicer pants.

I had to take a close up to show one of my favorite necklaces I got from my sister for my 50th birthday, almost 5 years ago.

 

The Skirt

In a previous Thrifty Style post, I showed you this skirt with other tops. Since then, however, I have paired it with a different top, which I think is my favorite, especially with the scarf that almost looks like it was made just for that skirt.

Speaking of scarves, one tip is not to knot a scarf over your stomach if you are trying to keep from adding extra width there. I went higher with the knot so that the only thing over the stomach area is a nice, soft flow of fabric–not a girth-expanding collection of knotted material.  You could also put the knot even higher than shown–just experiment till you get it where you like it.

I added a fun pair of gladiator sandals in bronze, very much a go-with-anything color.

Throwing on a shawl from Chicols (originally $119, with a sale, a coupon and a store credit, I got it for $18)  I was ready for the day.

  

Helpful Videos and Blog Posts

While I am on the subject of scarves, here is a great post about wearing them from one of my favorite fashion bloggers.

Here is another post from the same blogger called The Basics, Four Ways.   She starts with one pair of pants and one top and makes four outfits, taking her from running errands to going out to a nice dinner. I love how she demystifies the process.

And here is a great post about using lines to create a look of elongation. Very helpful information.

Lastly, I absolutely love this video showing before and after pictures of women who didn’t know how lovely they really are.  We are ALL lovely–regardless of shape or size or height or hairstyle.    

Have a great–and lovely– weekend! And as always, let me know if any of this was helpful to you or if you have something extra to add.

Check out the other posts in this series.

Small Changes     Favorite Style Bloggers      Stars and Understudies    Proportions and Alterations.      Mom Jeans    In the Middle    Patterned Pieces  Two is Best    The Rear View and Flowiness   Take a Picture Already!  Style Words

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31 comments so far.

31 responses to “Thrifty Style Series: Animal Prints. Scarves. Color.”

  1. Mel says:

    Oh, like the dark boots with the outfit and love the sandals. I wish I was a shopper but it just isn’t something that I like to do. I also wish that I could wear scarves but i can’t handle anything around my neck. I think it must be a claustrophobic thing! I wear very delicate necklaces on occasion but really very rarely. Jewellery does just finish off the look but alas I have issues I guess. 🙂

    • Becky says:

      Hi Mel,

      Well, delicate necklaces can add their own bit of charm to your wardrobe! The most important thing is that you are comfortable with what you have on!

  2. cath young says:

    Love, love this post and your fashion combos

  3. Sharyn McDonald says:

    I really liked the first one with the tan boots – beautiful. I think the black boots detracted from the rest of the outfit. I also liked your zebra/tiger skirt on you. And your scarf(s) were great. Your colorful jacket – love items like that and you can put it with so many other outfits. The Makeover Guy video. I sat here amazed at the wonderful transformations – some of them looked younger, many of them looked so pleased with the results. Was glad to see at the beginning I believe the greyhaired woman, that the color was not change. So attractive – well they all were. Thanks for sharing Becky.

    • Becky says:

      Sharyn,

      I know, wasn’t that video amazing? I love to see women discover the best versions of themselves and be hapy with who they are.

  4. dmantik says:

    Always love the style posts! ?

  5. Kari says:

    I too, prefer the dark boots, but I LOVE those bronze sandals! You’re so right that bronze can go with almost anything.

    You find such great deals at thrift stores. I’m another person that hates shopping other than online. Shopping online I can take as long as I want and can easily compare prices. I always use discount coupons and most times get the free shipping also.

    Yeah, sizes are ridiculous. I can wear anything from a small to a large, depending on the brand.

    • Becky says:

      Kari,

      Yes, I can see that shopping online can be much less stressful; you can sit in your pajamas and slippers and make your choices without hurry or worry. 🙂

      I’ve shopped for clothes very infrequently online, mostly because there aren’t a lot of thrift stores there. However, there ARE some great online consignment stores, which is sort of cool. Can’t remember all of them but ThredUp.com is one.

      • Kari says:

        Becky, thank you for the info. I didn’t realize there were sites like ThredUp.com, I will check it out!

        • Becky says:

          Kari,

          I have shopped there once or twice. I love the search capabilities they have; it’s very easy to zero on exactly what you are looking for. I know there are other consignement sites as well . . . happy shopping!

  6. Kristy Smith says:

    I’ll bet you could change up the animal print skirt yet again by adding a red or deep orange (saturated, not palish) under the cardigan for a little surprise burst of color.

    • Becky says:

      Kristy,

      I love that idea! As much as I enjoy monochromatic dressing, you I love color, too. I’l keep my eyes open for a shirt in the deep orange family; I could mix and match that with a lot of things I already have.

  7. Ann Martin says:

    I like both! You look amazing in all the pictures, Becky. I do not have luck in thrift stores but we do not have many around here and I do not go to them. I have tried ones out of town but no luck. Guess I just do not have the knack of matching outfits. I, too, wear lots of browns and black. Do not like the prices in the stores unless it is a sale. I have to try on clothes because sizes do not mean a thing anymore. Try to stay away from long skirts because I am so short. Thanks for the tips. Always enjoy them.

    • Becky says:

      Ann,

      You’re right–you can find some great “new” store prices if you watch the sales. There are no sweeter words than “40% off the clearance price.”

  8. mrs pam says:

    dark boots.

    mrs. g. just shared make up guy’s (or another guy) book w/ me. amazing, isn’t it? this book showed the ladies in ridiculous before-clothes, which looked slightly phony to me.

    • Becky says:

      Mrs. Pam,

      Yes, some of those books/videos can be a bit ridiculous trying to make a huge difference between before and after. I liked that this video seemed to be pretty true-to-life.

      I agree on the dark boots. 🙂

  9. Wendy says:

    I like the dark boots with the outfit better. It just breaks up all the tan and browns. However, I am NOT a fashion person by any means. Give me jeans, a t-shirt or sweatshirt and I am set to go. ha! But, I loved watching the video of the change in women with the hairstyle changes. Oh my goodness. Some of them I couldn’t believe were the same woman. Amazing. Wendy

    • Becky says:

      Wendy,

      You’re right about that video! It is absolutely incredible what can be done with a few simple changes to hair and make up.

      And that’s a good point about darker boots breaking up the tans and browns.

  10. Phyllis says:

    I like the dark boots better also. And I also agree with Donna and Vicki – I don’t necessarily like to shop either. Probably because I too have those abs of flab and a rear-end to match. I’m very fortunate that most days I can wear jeans to work so many days it’s jeans and a striped t-shirt or sweater. I’m not much of an accessorizer either. All thumbs when it comes to tying a scarf.

    • Donna says:

      I forgot to add that I also have “abs of flab” along with the rear end to match too! It is hard enough to find clothes in a department store that fit and look good, much less trying to find something in a thrift store. I just wished I had Becky’s shopping skills. I am like Wendy too: just give me jeans and a sweatshirt and I am good. My friends like me for my friendship, not for my clothing size!! Hey, maybe we could start an “Abs of Flab” club!!

      • Becky says:

        Donna,

        The Abs of Flab Club is a great idea. 🙂

        I love to read that your friends like you for your friendship, not your clothing size. That is exactly how it should be.

    • Becky says:

      Phyllis,

      You are so fortunate to have a job where you can wear the clothes you are most comfortable in. Jeans and striped t-shirt sounds cute!

  11. Vicki B says:

    I prefer the dark boots. I’m with Donna – I hate shopping! I like shopping from the comfort of my couch. I’ve gotten really good at getting great deals online by combining sales and coupons and “cash back” rewards. My last spree from Talbots I averaged $9.50/piece. Not quite as good as your deals, but the lack of stress of having to shop in a store is priceless.

  12. Donna says:

    Yes, I like the one with the dark boots too! Sort of breaks up all the browns/tans in the outfit. I can NOT believe all the beautiful clothes that you find at thrift stores. My problem is that I hate to shop and whenever I go into a thrift store, I have to dig thru so many items. And the thought of doing that just exhausts me so I never go into thrift stores. I suppose if I liked to shop, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal.
    Love your fashionista posts!! Keep inspiring us, your loyal followers.

    • Becky says:

      Donna,

      Thanks so much for your encouragement on the fashion posts; I truly appreciate it.

      If thrift stores are overwhelming you may do better at consignment stores; slightly higher prices but, as a rule, much better choices and not so much “stuff” to dig through. They are still way cheaper than a regular store so they are a good compromise.

      Interesting how everyone preferred the dark boots; that’s actually the ones that Steve and I eventually chose.

  13. LeeAnne says:

    I like the way the dark boots look with the animal print skirt/outfit. And I really like the colorful jacket! I, too, have seen these around and really would have liked to get one but haven’t bought one because I’ve only seen them online and I prefer to go to a store and try on. Sizes are just NOT universal. Example: recently I went shopping and bought a pair of jeans (size 6), 2 long sleeve tops ( 1 medium, 1 large) and two button up shirts (1 a small and 1 a large). Different brands, different sizes. My goodness. 🙂
    Again, thanks for great styling tips!

    • Becky says:

      LeeAnne,

      Yes, sizes can be just a little bit confusing which is why shopping online (with all of its benefits) is a bit of a challenge. Of course, some stores offer free shipping and returns so that’s a big help.

      It’s funny your shirts on your last shopping trip were a small, a medium, and a large. You’ve got all the bases covered! 🙂

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