Shop My Closet on ThredUP
As I shopped my own closet on Wednesday night for something sparkly and festive to wear for New Year’s Eve with friends, I realized that the spread of dresses, shoes, skirts, tops, accessories, and everything else before me was the realization of my 2012 resolution to only shop secondhand and ethically made fashion forever more. Designer and vintage treasures scored at favorite consignment shops in Boston, Austin & online, from Goodwills across the country & ShopGoodwill.com, and the trailers & Etsy shops of dear friends. It felt so amazing to look through an entire rack and see my morals and “vote with your dollars” mentality staring back at me from every piece, and I’m so thankful for my experiences writing Shoestring and co-founding The Swapaholics for the eye-opening education that led me here.
I hope that in 2015 I can inspire at least a few more people to be a bit more intentional and thoughtful about the way that we shop, and the snowball effect that each purchase can have in a very positive way. To kick things off, I wanted to share with you a chance to actually shop my own closet. I recently sent 3 HUGE BAGS of gently-worn and new-with-tags items to thredUP, one of many favorite online consignment shops that are the next best thing to swapping with friends, and will soon be reviving my “Instashop” @Stealfinder on Instagram, where you’ll be able to #PayWithPenny. (More on that soon!)
Check out all the things I’ve sold and listed on consignment with thredUP recently here, here, and here — or pick up one of these six personal favorites:
These floral Paige Denim jeans. I picked them up NWT from Twice and wore them twice, but sadly they were always just too big. Throw on a coral or hunter green cashmere sweater and it’s sure to brighten your winter day, or save them for spring with a grey tank and green army flack jacket.
This Charlie Jade maxi dress. I bought this from TJ Maxx before a Swapaholics trip to Hotlanta in 2011 and it was in heavy rotation during hot summer days. If you’re heading anywhere tropical this winter for a little getaway, this dress will be your BFF - it takes up barely any room, doesn’t wrinkle, and can go from beach to bistro with just a change of shoes and some jewelry!
This NWOT neon green recycled polyester dress from H&M’s Conscious Collection. I picked it up for my sister from the Goodwill Big Big Big Sale, but she thought it was too girlie. I just love the idea of this pop of color with black tights for winter. And it’s SO eco-friendly, three times over: recycled fabric, thrifted, consigned. You can make it four!
These NWT Levi’s neon snake print jeggings that I also scored (and adored) at the Goodwill Big Big Big Sale, but were sadly too tight for me. I’m a huge fan of animal prints for days when I need an extra boost of confidence. Something about the idea of a fierce creature makes me feel fierce, every single time.
I picked up this NWT Lost April dress for my Halloween costume as Dana Barrett from Ghostbusters (aka Zuul), but fell in love with the cut, color, and material for everyday - so Austin! Sadly, it didn’t fit me quite right, so on it goes. I would pair it with a leather jacket and booties.
OK, and one bonus pick to make it six: I love, love, love this silence + noise metallic sweater. The photo doesn’t do it justice, it’s like the perfect grey-green with gold threads woven throughout, just open-weave enough to make it modern but without needing a layer underneath. I picked it up to wear with a high-waisted black leather skirt, but it was just a little too cropped for me. Hopefully it works for you!
This post is not sponsored by thredUP, but if you want to sign up through this link on my referral then we each get $10 — you get $10 to spend when you join, and I get $10 when you spend it. And I always like free money for new clothes, especially for ethical style, don’t you? Happy New Year, indeed!