I recently bought a Magical Outfit Maker.
Not only does this garment create outfits, it also very handily helps to camouflage two of my most problematic spots: my middle-aged, menopausal midsection and my middle-aged upper arms.
And best of all? It was only $5.
Let me introduce you to The Golden Topper and some of the outfits I have created with it. I couldn’t have worn any of these outfits without it because of the aforementioned trouble spots that didn’t need to be trotted out for public view.
The fact that The Golden Topper is a neutral color makes it endlessly versatile and the fact that it is whisper-thin makes it a breeze to wear on the hottest day.
I got the gold necklace at a thrift store thirty years ago!
You may remember this dress from a post last year. I found it at a thrift store and fell in love with the pattern but hated the style. I took it to my seamstress and had her cut off the top and just add elastic to make it into a skirt.
Don’t those pictures made you want to run right out and find a Magical Outfit Maker of your own?
And speaking of gold toppers, I wore this one for the first time yesterday. It’s a little more billowy than the other one, so it has to be worn over either a slim skirt or slim legged pants/leggings. But it’s kind of the same idea–light and flowy and very camoflauge-ish.
If you want to re-read the post that features the above skirt in a variety of ensembles, you can click here. It was amazing to me that a brightly colored skirt can actually be so versatile.
I purchased that second gold topper at one of my favorite consignments stores, a place called Phase 2 Consignments. (Warning if you are at work: music starts playing automatically on the site.)
Unfortunately, I don’t get there often because it’s ninety minutes away in Elizabeth City. Occasionally though, I have a doctor appointment in that direction and so I always make it a point to drop in.
If you are someone who tends to picture thrift/consignment as dreary or tacky, maybe this store will help change your mind.
The best part about this business is that I can take clothes in and get paid money for them right on the spot. So using the money I earn, I basically ending up shopping for free! (Or pretty close to it.)
I picked up this pair of pants last time I was there. I was a little hesitant at first, wondering what I might have to go with them since they are not necessarily an “easy” color or pattern. However, I loved them as soon as I saw them and figured I could make a few things work.
Here is what I have come up with so far.
I wear very few dresses. Up until recently, I didn’t own even one “regular” dress although I do have a couple of dressier, special occasion dresses.
I’ve always had a hard time getting dresses to fit and I feel a bit limited by them because they can’t be mixed and matched. (And mixing and matching is my wardrobe bedrock.)
But since I do love the idea of pulling on just one item out of my closet instead of several, I’ve always kept my eyes open for a dress that might actually work for me.
And you will be happy to know that I actually (finally) found something at Chicos. It was originally about $120 but it was on sale for $34. (Plus, I had a gift card.)
Note how the color blocking with the orange and brown insets on each side give the illusion of a waistline when a waistline may or may not actually exist. Love that! It also has on trend bell sleeves, which is a fun detail.
I also love that the dress is as comfortable as pajamas and I can travel in it for hours with nary a wrinkle. There really is nothing I do NOT like about this dress. My once-in-a-decade dress find!
I had been looking for a beige or tan top that had midsection camouflaging features on the front AND the back. Some tops have beautiful details on the front–ruching, gathering, ruffles–but then the back is just a piece of thin fabric which doesn’t help me with my camouflaging mission at all!
I found this Coldwater Creek blouse at Goodwill and was delighted that the lace details goes all the way around the shirt. It’s a good thick fabric that is very forgiving of any lurking lumps and/or bumps. Here are a couple of ways I’ve worn it. (I also wore it in the one of the pictures above.)
My goal when I buy any article of clothing is to try to think of several things I already own that will go with it. That way, I haven’t just bought just one thing; I have, in essence, just bought four or five outfits.
Let’s hear it for those Magical Outfit Makers!
What about you? Do you have a Magical Outfit Maker in your closet?
Do you wear dresses? Do you have anything to add to this post that I may have overlooked?
Other posts in my Thrifty Style 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 Animal Prints. Scarves. Color.
Oh my goodness!! You are always so stylish and tasteful! I love how you mix and match. I could use you as a personal stylist and shopper!!
Lisa,
You are so sweet; thanks for your compliment!
Mixing and matching is so much fun because I never know what outfits are going to pop up out of my closet when I start the mixing/matching process. It’s a fun, creative exercise. 🙂
I really like the patterned pants with the lacy shirt unbuttoned. They are also super cute with the Magical Outfit Maker!
I only wear dresses on special occasions or to church once in a while. Otherwise, my daily wardrobe consists of shorts in the summer and jeans in the winter. My Magical Outfit Maker would have to be my jean jacket. So soft. So comfy. So versatile!
LeeAnne,
Yes, those jean jackets are wonderful items, aren’t they? I think most women have one in their wardrobe.
Glad you liked the patterned pants outfits. It took a little thinking to figure out what might go with that particular item. 🙂
Hi Becky,
I don’t comment much, but I love your blog, especially the fashion shows. I love the Coldwater Creek blouse and the pants, especially. The necklace you have had for 30 years and the outfit in that frame are great! I hate trying on clothes in stores so I always appreciate how much work goes into these posts.
How is Sarah?
Diane,
I always enjoy hearing from an infrequent commenter. Thank you!
I love Coldwater Creek anything so I was especially delighted with that blouse find. Glad you liked that outfit; it was one of my favorites.
As far as the style posts, I just try to take pictures of outfits as I wear them and I store them in a folder on my phone. That way, when it’s time for a post, I don’t have to try too many things on. Even if I didn’t blog, I would still take pictures because it is so helpful for me to remember what outfits worked and recreate them in the future.
Becky, I always enjoy your Thrifty Style articles! I would have passed up on those pants until I saw your photos! I like them best with the turquoise top.
Love the coral skirt with the gold flowy top. I like hems that are not straight around.
The pattern on the dress is very pretty. It seems to draw the eye up and down, thereby elongating the body! Also a big big plus that it doesn’t wrinkle!
You look really good in turquoise and/ or coral colors. I don’t care much for all beige tones on anyone, too blah! My niece decided on a champagne themed wedding and all the girls wore champagne (aka beige) dresses. Very blah wedding photos as the color did not flatter anyone!
Kari,
I do SO love wearing color (like the coral and turquoise you mentioned) but every once in a while I get a hankering for a monochrome look. Usually it’s all brown though, as opposed to all beige. The thing I’ve found with wearing all one color is to try and change up the fabric in each piece so that there is still something interesting for the eye to look at.
It does seem a bit unusual to have bridesmaids in beige since it’s so close in color to the bride’s dress but on the other hand, it would be a peaceful look and very elegant.
Lookin lovely as always! Great magic topper! You could sell them and make a million bucks! ?
Deb,
Yep, everyone needs at least one MOM! (Magical Outfit Maker.) 🙂
Cool magical outfit maker!
My magical outfit maker is my jean jacket, I wear it with eveything from shorts to slacks to dresses and I feel somewhat pretty when I wear it.
I love your new pants.
Jenna,
I totally agree–denim jackets are amazing. They can go over shorts, pants, capris, dresses, skirts and make themselves right at home anywhere. Unfortunately for me, it is difficult to find one that fits. I’m so glad you found one you love. Enjoy!
I wear dresses to church on Sunday AM. Most of the other time I am in t-shirts, jeans, capris, and regular tops. I have a coverup much like yours (two of them) only mine that ties is called coconut and has sequins. I wore it to have a picture taken at Jim’s church. The white lace top I enjoy and I have a long top that is lace, too. Love ❤️ your pictures and tips.
Ann,
T-shirts, jeans and capris are clothes that say “happy and comfy!” I love wearing those things.
Your coverup and lace tops sound beautiful and it sounds like you are getting a lot of use out of them. It’s so nice to find a piece that works with a lot of what you already have.
Prayers continue for you as you wait for results.
I think you should become a Thrift Shop Personal Shopper!
Mrs. Pam,
Mmmmm . . . that would certainly be an unfilled niche, wouldn’t it? Except my full title could be Thrift Shop Thrifty Personal Shopper. (I might have trouble getting that on a business card.)
Oh my,, one of my favorite blogs – your outfits. I really need a magical top such as yours – and the creamy color really goes with so many of your outfits. I had flags before, but now since I lost 16 lbs. they are worse than ever and have been trying to find tops with longer sleeves. Becky I can’t think of anything new that I haven’t said before – your outfits are great – from the top of your head to your feet. And to know that your wonderfulness comes from consignment or thrift stores – YES! Love the dress. You go girl!!!
Sharyn,
So glad you enjoy the thrifty style blogs; that makes me happy! Thanks for your sweet compliments.
And congratulations on your weight loss. Sixteen pounds is a big achievement! It’s really interesting, when you lose that much, to pick up something that weighs about that same amount and carry it around the house for a few minutes. When you finally set it back down, you realize how big your accomplishment really is!
Oooooh! I love that dress! It also looks faboo on you. 🙂
My go-to “outfit maker” is a long-ish cardigan. They cover many flaws (my bohunkus is an issue, as are large thighs), plus they’re great in my office for a little extra warmth, even in the summer. I work with 30 male engineers, and there are only 5 females in the office, so we suffer while they’re “comfortable” lol.
I always look for these sweaters in thrift stores, but I did recently buy three brand new (!!!!) sweaters for £8 each – beige, black, navy – which are my staple colors. I fretted over spending the money, but Mike just sighed/rolled his eyes and told me to BUY THEM. haha! I was thrilled to find them at my favorite super-cheap store in London (Primark) and I’m wearing the blue one today. I just wish Primark had an online presence. They’re similar to H&M, as they’re considered “fast fashion.” I know there are a couple of locations in the Northeast USA – in Boston and Philly. Just hope they move west soon!
I frequently wear dresses in the summer, and just picked up a Chicos sheath for $4.50 at my local Goodwill over the weekend. It’s that wonderful fabric that doesn’t wrinkle, so it’s going into my travel-clothes-kit. 🙂
We in the UK wish Primark had a website too! They do a really good range for kids as well but I have to travel 10 miles to my nearest one which I hate doing (especially as I have to pay to park there!)
It always tickles me when Brits talk about how “far away” things are. We rented a cottage 10 miles from my in-laws and they were aghast that we were “so far” away from them. I drive 20 miles to work every day – one way. 🙂 I frequently drive 50 miles to go to different shopping centers. I know our traffic and roads are completely different than yours, though! We drove from near Peterborough to North Wales in a day, and it truly took ALL DAY to go such a (relatively, especially to an American) short distance. My (Brit) hubby has fully embraced the American driving-distance thing, though. Yesterday we drove to see my dad for Father’s Day – 400 miles round-trip. 🙂
I think if we had to do a 400 mile round trip I would cry – it would take all day to get there let alone come back 🙂 I live in the Midlands so bang centre of the country and from my house to say, centre of Edinburgh it is actually cheaper and quicker to drive to the airport, catch a plane and fly there! According to Google Maps, it would take just under 6 hours of nonstop driving – just over 300 miles! Our roads are rubbish, usually closed at the worst times and always in need of repair!
We actually drove Route 66 a few years ago for our honeymoon and can well remember sat nav saying our next destination was over 100 miles with no deviations off route – but amazing how quickly the time went by and even the back roads (country lanes?) were easy to drive – easier than ours! For me though – i have a 12 mile commute to work (one way) and that’s fine. My nearest Primark, however, may be 10 miles but like you say they are not “easy” miles – more roundabouts than you could shake a stick at and in a really built up area. I always have the toddler with me too which doesn’t help! I loved the American layout of keeping residential and commercial areas separate, it really does make a difference! We were both really impressed and loved driving there (maybe not in LA, however!)
I’ve driven in LA and yeah, it’s insane! But I think Houston is worse… lol As for the roundabouts, they always scare the poo out of me! My husband does ALL the driving when we’re over there, and I’m just fine with that!
We love roadtrips… We often drive from St. Louis (in the middle of the USA) to the east coast (Washington, DC, or the Jersey Shore) or to the Rocky Mountains (Denver or Breckenridge) in a day. About 1,000 miles, one-way. 🙂
For our trip over there in September, I was pushing to fly into Edinburgh and rent a car, then drive to about seven different locations, ending in London. Hubby talked me out of that idea after he pointed out how long it would take to drive those roads. I was calculating the journey in “American time.” So we’re flying into Glasgow and will have a car for a day to go to Fort William, then we’ll drop the car in Edinburgh. From there we’re taking the train to London, where we won’t have a car. I can’t imagine driving in London. When we were there in May, our friend drove us from Hampstead Heath back to Notting Hill and I was totally freaked out the whole trip! hahaha
Should clarify – those 1,000-mile trips are in one day. 😉
Stefanie,
Gotta say. 1000 miles in one day is beyond my comprehension. When we drive 800 miles to Florida in one day, I think I should get a Driving Medal. You and Mike must have amazing travel stamina! But then you get to see more of the country so that’s good!
Rebecca,
I love seeing my readers interact with each other. How fun!
And it’s interesting to read what you wrote about travel and roads and how ten miles in one place is not at all like ten miles in another places. All the things a person doesn’t really think about unless someone explains the differences.
Driving Route 66 sounds like a blast. I bet you have a thousand memories to go with all those miles!
Stefanie,
A Chicos dress for $4.50? I am jealous! That is one of the great joys of thrift shopping is finding those amazing, unexpected bargains that just pop up.
And it sounds like you have truly found your magic outfit maker. As you said, cardigans are doubly great because they’re not just attractive but they are also warm. A win win!
I’ve never even heard of a Primark store so I Googled it. If I found the right store it looks like they DO have online ordering. Or maybe there are two Primark stores.
I’m glad you found three sweaters in your colors there. Whenever you wear one of them, you can remember London and your travels there.