What Happens When the Classics aren’t Enough: Salvation Army for a Saved Shopper

Recently I was eating dinner with a friend of mine at a nice restaurant here in Nashville. I was wearing dark skinny jeans, black patent leather pumps (Payless, no joke…sometimes you can get lucky!), and an elaborate black blouse with puff sleeves and ruffles at the neck and down the front…sounds weird, but very cute (and very “in style!”) and also, very much from the Salvation Army. I collected complements on it all night, quietly smiling to myself knowing how much I paid for it and where it came from. So, as an extension from my previous entry: what happens when the Classics aren’t enough? What happens when you’re tired of rocking that amazing green, or shirtdresses paired with jeans, leggings, AND cowboy boots just don’t bring it? Easy: just go shopping. But what happens when your checking account (I would say savings, too…but let’s be honest—that’s been empty for quite a while with this economy) just doesn’t permit a quick run to the mall or even TJ Maxx?

This is when you rip a page from your high school lookbook. Thrift stores. You used them to find just the right vintage t-shirts with the lifeguard money you earned over the summer. They filled rainy summer afternoons with promise of a vintage lacoste polo (or perhaps, just mine). Nevertheless, especially in this economy, thrift stores are your friend. So here are the basics:

1. Location. To find the best thrift store go to the worst neighborhood. I’m not kidding. First of all—people with the best clothes give to those in the most need (not selling to some sort of clothing exchange), but also—the thrift stores in better neighborhoods are also the most visited by people just like you—therefore they are taking what you’re looking for.

2. Time. Going “thrifting” is a process. It will take time. Sometimes you will be victorious, but sometimes you won’t. Don’t get discouraged. If you only have a certain amount of time and you walk into a huge Goodwill—then prioritize. What do you really want? Is it a sequined top that you’ve been seeing in Vogue or Elle? Then walk down the aisles and only thumb through the sparkles. Also—a lot of thrift stores are color coordinated. There is no need to look at those colors that don’t look good on you. So just ignore. There is no point (if you need help knowing what those colors are—that’s what Curly Girl is for !).

3. Company. Please, go alone. Unless you are completely clueless, going alone is the best bet. Different people have different shopping temperaments and nothing is worse than when you are in a complete frenzy with someone who isn’t feeling it and there’s no food court for them to pass the time. You’re given the freedom to take as much or as little time as you’d like.

4. Quality. Make sure what you’re buying is worth it. I know it may be only $5—but, that’s still 2 beers—and a lot if you’re not even going to wear it. Make sure what you’re buying is quality material (try to stay away from 100% polyester or vinyl blends).

5. Spots. Yes, it’s a RL polo—but it’s got spots. Stains. No. It may be a nice brand, it may be well made, it may even be on sale ($1!), but still—NO. You will not be able to get it out. In fact, the reason why it’s probably there is because of that spot. Because someone has already tried to get it out and couldn’t. Move on, there will be more.

6. Trends. Because fashion is so cyclical, thrift stores are a great place to find pieces that you might not otherwise buy full price. Especially now that some of the 80’s trends are back in style—thrift stores are a great place to get some great deals. I am not advocating the 80’s trends in any way, merely just identifying that thrift stores have them.


I could go on and on...I am a big advocate for thrift stores. Just this week I bought a Brooks Brothers critter tie and a pair of Ferragamo flats--for less than $7. Patience is really the name of the game--sometimes you score and score big (I once found a $1200 Loro Piana barn coat for $5)--but other times you come out with nothing but hanger grease and dirty fingernails. For me, the scores make it worth it (the Loro Piana now is on heavy cycle in my fall wardrobe--and will be for years because it's such a classic). So, next time you have a free afternoon--travel Charlotte Ave. Start at Southern Thrift and take it all the way down to Salvation Army, because in this economy, these will save not only you, but your hard earned cash. Just make sure to wash your hands when you leave.


xoxo

Carrie

Classics for a Recession-Proof Wardrobe

So, I have a confession. I haven't actually bought any new clothes in months. And I mean it. Wait, I lie. Last month I went to Goodwill and found a sequined mini-dress (amazing, no lie) that I bought for about 7 bucks. It's sitting in my closet waiting for a "Bad decisions on Broadway" kind of night. Ok, so besides the Goodwill slip-up--I haven't bought anything. Nada. Not even a 10$ on clearance necessity. I just haven't had the money. But, looking at me, you'd have no idea (or I'd like to think you wouldn't). And the reason for this is simple: when I do go shopping I go for the Classics. Now when I say "Classics" I don't necessarily just mean trench coats, crisp white button-downs, and little black dresses. Classics are the go-to clothes that make you feel great. Right now I'm wearing a perfect example. I have on a black pencil skirt and a crew neck cashmere black bracelet length sweater, big pearls (fake), and pony-hair giraffe print pumps with wood heels. These are my classics--not necessarily your classics. I like the pencil skirt because anything that hits at the smallest part of my body (my waist) is my best friend. I like pearls because it gives the impression that I'm innocent (I'm not)--and the shoes I bought last fall at Ann Taylor for $19.99 and I have worn them so many times that I'd almost rather wear these than my running shoes (ok, that's a lie...but almost).

So what does this mean for you? What are your "Classics?" Look through your closet and pick out your favorite pieces. I bet all of them have something in common--whether they're all in the same color family, or all the same material--or maybe they're all the same type of clothes. Take these classics and own them. Wear them. Rock them. Love them. Use the Classics as a base for what you build your wardrobe around--merchandising them up when you can: with great shoes, cheap accessories, or funky scarves. No one will know that you've had them forever, or that they may be finding more gametime as you give your Credit Card(s) a break--they'll be too busy loving the green color with your red hair, or the way your shirt dresses seem to go with everything.


xoxo

Carrie

An Exciting New Chapter...

So...

Here goes. I have spent some serious time over the last 3 weeks (although it's been a 24 year journey) trying to figure out what I'm passionate about. And I mean what really gets my water boiling--not just interests or things that I may be good at: but passion. Hot, firey, can't live without it, passion. So, after many prayers and lots of listening to myself it hit me, like a lead brick. I love fashion. And not the label-whore, have lots of money to blow and look at what's hot in Vogue fashion, but the fashion that women (and men) wear every day. The cuts and styles that make my head turn when I see a woman in an outfit that fits them in every way. I love that. But what I love more is the smile on their face. That smile that says "I know I look hot, check me out, it's ok to stare." I love that smile. I like to wear that smile as often as I can. I want to use my "eye" to help both women and men put a spring in their step. I want to take someone who has just come out of a nasty divorce, or maybe even just gotten a new job--and they know they need a change. I want to take them and understand what they love about themselves and their bodies--and teach them how to dress their best. In every way. Every day.

So...Here is Curly Girl Styling. It's a project. Right now it's a blog. Tomorrow it will be a part-time, on the side, gig---and in the future it will be this wonderful amazing thing that will bring smiles to faces everywhere. Or at least this is my hope.

This blog is a start. I will spend some time every day making updates, trying to inform people--of all shapes and sizes--what is out there. What I'm seeing for the future. One day it may be links to websites I like (and not Gilt or Net-a-porter), and the next it may be articles on self-confidence and putting your best foot forward.

Wish me luck...

xoxo

Carrie