Secondhand Festival Style at SXSW 2014

By Melissa Massello, March 18, 2014

Confession: For someone who spends as much time around and in front of cameras as I do, it’s a little absurd how much I’ve historically hated having my picture taken. Like, as in loathe and squirm and generally strategize every possible way get out of it.

Which is why I’ve hardly ever posted “what I wore” features here on Shoestring, showcasing all my thrift store hauls & swap finds, and that seems sad in retrospect. But, for some reason, since moving to Austin, I’ve actually started embracing it — who knows, maybe it’s all the sunshine and friendly, supportive Southerners, getting back to my Biloxi-born roots — and apparently it shows, because Modcloth chose a photo of me (taken by my friend Pamela, in a moment of pure goofiness among girlfriends) to lead their SXSW street style coverage. Yes, I’m blushing. Like crazy. What a way to come out of my cocoon. Proudly wearing head-to-toe swapped, Goodwill & vintage clothing & accessories, natch.

Anyway, now that the band-aid has been ripped off, here are snaps of my 3 favorite outfits from the 10-day festival. They’ve been in heavy rotation, and probably will be for a few more weeks, because they keep up with this ever-changing weather like a boss — 35 degrees and rainy one day, 80 degrees and sunny the next. Hello, Texas!

WHAT I WORE: SHOPPING ON SOUTH CONGRESS

Funny enough, this was one of my last days out & about during SXSW, but one of my favorites. My friend Pamela and I met up for coffee & opening day at the new TOMS store & coffee shop (more on that later today), and then hit all the thrift & vintage stores on South Congress. After a few hours trying on vintage rock tees & other super finds in Feathers, Prototype & New Bohemia, we headed out to take a few snaps in front of one of my favorite Austin murals. If you can’t tell, Pamela was making me crack up uncontrollably. There’s something I find just so inherently comical about posing.

Vintage Southwestern knit cardigan ($1.75, Goodwill Boston outlet / similar, ModCloth & Milkteeths Vintage), ruffled chambray prairie dress from H&M ($6.99, Austin Goodwill / $17.50, eBay), Assets by Sara Blakeley black tights ($16, Spanx.com), vintage booties ($42, Feathers Vintage / similar, Zappos / Lulu’s).

WHAT I WORE: TO FOX7 & BUGABOO PARTY AT MALVERDE

Oh, how fun it was to be back in front of the camera — sharing my top tips for festival style on a budget! Austin Goodwill and My Fox Austin challenged me to find a week’s worth of outfits for guys & girls for under $150 in the downtown Austin Goodwill stores. I’m still waiting on the video from FOX to go up online, so more on that soon, but suffice to say I killed it. Even I was surprised at how much great stuff I found!

After the segment taped, I met up with my friend Marisa from milk + honey spa for a day party at Malverde & acoustic set from my new favorite local Austin band, Frances Cone, hosted by Bugaboo. It was great to meet Cesar from Sidecar and geek out about the sharing economy for a hot minute, too.

Anthropologie jean jacket (swapped / similar, Twice), Old Navy heart print sundress ($6.99, Austin Goodwill / $7.99, eBay), vintage Brazilian woven leather bucket bag ($4.99, Goodwill Boston / similar, Etsy), Old Navy velvet skimmer flats ($6.99, Austin Goodwill / $20, eBay).

WHAT I WORE: TO THE #SXSTYLE MEETUP

One of my favorite parts of every recent SXSW has been hang time with my friend Indiana, the literal queen of Austin fashion, at her annual Texas Style Council Conference & meeting other local lifestyle bloggers. This year’s meetup at the Intercontinental, hosted by Indiana and Camille Styles, was so laid back and amazing, affording us the opportunity to not only meet about a dozen new bloggers but share advice & talk shop (like who makes the best content management systems) while chugging coffee on a glorious balcony overlooking Congress. Oh, and outfit photos. Like my jazz hands?

Forever 21 quilted faux leather varsity jacket ($21, Buffalo Exchange / $42, eBay), sheer leopard print blouse (swapped / similar, Swapdom), H&M black jersey bodycon mini dress (swapped / $16, eBay), Nine West leopard print tights ($15.99, Macy’s), vintage booties ($42, Feathers Vintage / similar, Zappos / Lulu’s).

What are your favorite fashionable things to wear to conferences and festivals, on a budget? Love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave links to your blog posts in the comments below.