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Thrifted items K/R

Anonymous

Let me go on the record as saying the items I'm most unsure of are the v-neck pullovers with the very high necks. They remind me of sweaters I had in the 90's and I'm afraid they're dated, although they work well for my long neck. Please tell me they're trending again (but it's okay if they're not--I can return any of this stuff).

I went on this shopping trip with a list in hand, I need LONG tops (to cover me with low-waist jeans) A black button front has been on my list for a while, and I wanted better white jeans/pants. In fact many of these items are just upgrades of my basics that are not quite right.

#1 bigger size SLB/BF jeans. These were a dollar so I'm keeping them. I love the striped sweater. My other mariniere inspired T-shirt has an uncomfortably low neck. And it's tight. This one is slouchy, a real sweater and made of cotton and silk. K/R?

#2-3 I *almost* didn't try these pants on, but I'm so glad I did! They're ON, a blend of linen and cotton, fully lined with a cotton blend lining. And PPL too, I think? They look like they've never been worn. K/R?

#4-5 Same pants, this is a big, slouchy shirt made of Junlon, which is like Tencel. I love the drape, but is huge. I'd need to belt is or semi tuck to make it work. (pic 2 is a semi-tuck with my old white skinnies) What do you think? My other chambray shirt is tight across the shoulders (should have sized up) and is a little short. Oh, and I got the tan leather belt yesterday too, but it's not as cool as Marley's. K/R?

#6 white pants again (see? they go with everything!) Express black button front shirt NWT. Fits perfectly and when I realized I could wear this outfit to volunteer in, I popped on my Me Too leopard flats. Woot! Ahem. Sorry. K/R?

#7-8 this bag is a deep rich tan that isn't really showing up in the photos. It's Wilsons Leather Pelle Studio and is in perfect condition. This could replace Silver Satchel, whose zipper likes to pop open at the most inopportune time exposing the contents of my bag to passersby. It was $10. Too mumsy? I kind of like it, though it's no Kate Spade. K/R?

#9 Charcoal DKNY v-necked pullover. It's like a sweater, but with cut-and-sewn construction, made of cotton and viscose. I love the slouch, but is the neckline dated?

#10 Soft white v-neck pullover. Cotton rich, not see-though or clingy. I have a large hole in my wardrobe for white T-shirts, and this seems a notch nicer. It make this 32B feel like a "sweater girl", but don't let that influence you, lol! Again, dated v-neck?

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Shopping

25 replies

Latest reply was from geargirl

JR

Veteran

My goodness, girl, can you do no wrong? All these outfits are wonderful. Keep it all.

The purse doesn't sing to me, but knowing you, it will be transformed into something jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

I can't speak to V-necks being dated. The one in 10 does have a retro vibe to it, so why not embrace it with a frankly retro statement necklace? Big coloured pearls or something.

Anonymous

Thanks JR! I couldn't get any of my necklaces to work with white top, so I left it alone.

And just so everyone knows, I wasn't planning on changing the color of the bag. It seems current (the color anyway) DD and I refer to it as "blogger beige" because so many of our pins have gals sporting bags this color. It ties in with my skin tone too. I must have had Angie's post on my mind while I was shopping.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

#1: Keep! Looks very good on you.
#2-3: Keep, indeed! It is a very versatile and pretty pant.
#4-5: I prefer the shirt with skinnies, but it works fine semi-tucked.
#6: It is a little difficult to see the details, but it looks fine, so I'd vote keep if you love it.
#7-8: This is a pretty classic style, so if you love it, you should keep it. I think it's fab!
#9-10: I bought a very similar t-shirt at BR this Summer, so I guess it is not very dated. I think they both look fab on you!

If there is anything you should return at all, it would be the shirt in #4-5, in my humble opinion. I think you wear it very well, and oversized, unstructured seems to be back again, so maybe not!

Traci

Veteran

I LOVE the bag. Great color, great size. I like the drop of the handles...not too short.

You look so good in everything it's hard to find fault anywhere. If I absolutely had to be super discerning, I'd say give up the tunic in 4/5. I think you have other denim that fits better. I'm curious to see 10 with a necklace over the neckline. I like the bright white on you.

#'s 2 and 6 are just gorgeous!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE the striped knit top and the BF jeans are great!

I am going to be a complete downer with the white pants and I apologize :(. The leg width overwhelms you, Claire. And from the side they are huge. Do you feel like stream lining them with your savvy sewing skills? If not, I vote return. I agree that white bottoms go with everything and understand why you want them. I desperately want to help you make them fit!

I quite like the oversized shirt when the sleeves are scrunched like in #4, but when they are rolled like in #5, the fit goes haywire on the sleeves. I am pedantic and thanks for bearing with me.

The black button down is perfect!

Very nice bag!

The V-neck pullover is fab, but will need to be worn with more conviction to look hip. Experiment.

LOVE #10. I want that top!

Marley

Veteran

Hey Claire - nice loot! Someday I'm going to have to come to AZ and accompany you on one of your thrift-buying escapades! You find the greatest stuff! Here's my opinion on your latest treasures:
1 - Keep both - LOVE those jeans, sweater is really working with the stripes (you know those stripes will work with a lot of different patterns.)
2. I have poison eye for white slacks - but as far as the fit and length go, these look great on you - so, if you like them, I'd keep!
4. Love the shirt - you remind me of the outfit I tried the other day, only with a skirt. Belt looks nice too! In this outfit, you've got volume over over volume - something that my eye has a hard time adjusting to, but I know that it is a very edgy look (check out some of Aida's outfits - she wore it several times this summer.) I think this outfit is a keeper.
5. Love - wear it like this alot, ok?
6. Can't see the details of the blouse - but I remember those in Express - they are pretty nice quality and if it fits you like you say it does, I think its a good basic to hang onto. What is the collar like? Big? Small? Sometimes that will date a blouse - but like I said, I can't see it in the pic!
7 & 8 - the color is throwing me off. I know you said that it is much richer IRL than what shows in the pics - but if you're questioning the color, I'd work your magic dye skills on it. I think the shape is fine. Its got some nice structure to it, without looking too rigid or dressy.
9. - I can't see the details in order to really tell - but the silhouette looks good.
10. Love this - even if the neckline might be dated (I really don't know if it is or not!) - but if I were you, I wouldn't care. I'd wear this intentionally as a "sweater girl" look - play it up as though you are wearing it ON PURPOSE!
Thanks for posting!

MNsara

Veteran

Once again, your thrifting talent/success is AMAZING! I'm really liking #1 sweater on you and with those BFs Good for fall.

#2 - white pants look a little big to my eye, but I also think there's a place for baggy linen trousers. Just not sure what to wear on top to bring balance. . .the black Express shirt tucked with belt? Duh - that's pretty much what #6 is and I like it there! Angie recommended slimming down the legs a bit. If these weren't too much $$, I bet you'd really love having them in your summer capsule! You/ve had such great outfits with your white clams and white skirts, so white pants would seem to be a natural expansion.

#4 - I really like the chambray shirt on you - in the shoulders, the length, color. You could take princess darts in the front and back to slim it some -- if you think the fabric/quality is worth the work. You are SO clever with your own tailoring . . . !!

#7-8 - looks to be in great shape. This has lovely piecing on it that could lend itself to DIY colorblocking (cream, black, and keep some camel?)

#9 - hmmm, I see what your saying about the v-neck. Would you wear it as is, or with a scarf - cuz that would cover it up. I like the easy fit of it overall.

#10 - this neck is more dated looking to me and I'm not sure why, but Angie is thumbs up, so go for it!

Anonymous

Thanks Ingunn. Good to know there are some V-necks out there that look like these. The tunic is huge, I have to admit. If I showed it unrolled and untucked, the wind would carry me away!

Traci, thank you. I appreciate your wisdom. The tunic is so big that the cuffs cover my hands! Trying to rock it here, lol!

Angie! I have to say I'm very surprised (but thank you). I thought the striped pullover would be voted to short, the chambray tunic too overwhelming, but I really thought I'd get a thumbs up on the pants. Tell me, since I often have trouble filling out the top of the thighs in pants, what is the guideline? I thought wide legs were supposed to obscure the line of the leg inside more than fitted pants. They fit fine in the waist and hips. I have several pairs of jeans I will need your help with too, and some are already basted for narrowing.

Anonymous

Full disclosure on the "tunic": here are some pictures showing is un-scrunched and unbelted. It's a small, but it's huge on me. At first I thought it might be a man's, but the buttons do up the way the women's do.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

For your dainty frame Claire, I feel that wide linen pants would be more flattering if they fit like this:

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_sp.....OSwADY53sg

Of course Claire, this is just my opinion - and it's only an opinion - and I am the only one who feels this way about your white pants so far I think! Wider trousers are tricky on small framed ladies - and I speak from personal experience. The silhouette can overwhelm you big time and you have to find just the right cut so that they are still wide but not "wearing you". So yes, wide legs 100% obscure the line of the leg, but that doesn't mean that the fit is right *for you*. To my eye, you need a more streamlined wide leg - just like I did because I have a hard time filling them out too. I hope that makes sense.

Sorry to make you feel bad Claire. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't say it how I see it. And I will stress again that you should take my words for what they are worth to you. I am 100% fine with the fact that you love these pants as is because you have to wear them! We can all live in peace

JR

Veteran

You know, the tunic could have been mislabeled. Keep it if you are loving the slouchy vibe, otherwise return.

Anonymous

Oh, you're not making me feel bad at all Angie! On the contrary, your personal attention makes me feel very special. This is the kind of coaching I need. So the smaller frame refers to my size, not just my stature (I'm 5'7")? Truth be told the hubs raised an eyebrow last night when I was floating around taking pictures in all these voluminous things!
So if I find some wide legs that are just a little narrower, that might work. Got it!

JR, I'm now filling my return bag and that tunic is in it! Thanks.

jayne

Veteran

I love all these toppers....

I have a poison eye for the wide slacks so I will refrain from comment. Us pears are usually directed that way and I feel like an elephant in such so I am no goo djudge

the bag was nice...did you keep?

oh the pictures later show the denim as way too big... good thing you didn't keep

and I like the slacks Angie linked in, much more classic I think..is your style classic?

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I liked most eveything here quite a lot. I wonder if you might decide to dye that bag...
I don't love the wide white pants and I don't love the white short sleeved v-neck. The charcoal one with long sleeves seems to work with the high v but the white one with short sleeves just doesn't look flattering to my eye. Some really great things here!

Queen Mum

Veteran

the only thing I'm not crazy about is (are?) the wide leg pants. I don't mind the denim shirt, but I think you can do better.
The striped sweater will be great for tucking and for skirts.
Are you going to dye the bag? I'd love to see it a luscious color!

You are an amazing thrifter Claire. You make me feel guilty that I don't try to learn.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Chuckling at Mr. Clearly Claire :).

Claire you are not at all short, but you are very slight. That's what I mean by dainty frame. So you have to rein in that clothing volume in the right places sometimes. Extra wide pants is a good example. Heavens knows I've tried my fair share of overwhelming wide trousers and I'm not short either. It took me a while to find the right cut. Use the J.Crew example as a guideline. Go roomy, but make sure you fill out the pants a little in the right places too. Thanks for hearing me out

Lantana

Veteran

Hi Claire, I'm dropping by to say "Gidday" and thanks for your welcoming comment on my last post.
You are looking great!
I wish, wish, wish I had your thrifting resources, (what we call op shops, op as in opportunity.)
Re the white pants, they are too big across your abdomen and this prevents your top from sitting nicely.
Nice top - a touch of silk, whoo hoo!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Claire I love your posts and I love your writing but I am not quite awake yet to carefully read anything. I am so excited because I just thrifted a pair of white linen Mango pants yesterday - and I am already planning on chopping them up. Ok, I will calm down and read this thread more carefully.

Aha! Read it and will say that I had the same feeling of being overwhelmed by wide legs as Angie mentions. I love the blue and white top on you and think the bag is great actually. The bf jeans look good, your white shorts outfit looks great, and I don't think the white top looks dated. Sorry for disorganized reaction but that is how it struck me. Hope that helps and thanks for your great thrift and style inspiration!

Anonymous

Marley, thanks for the words. I went to the store looking for a wide tan belt after seeing your outfit. I think yours is MUCH cooler, and I might return this one, but I did try an outfit like yours. Poison eye for white pants? Does this include white jeans? I need to take a poll because you're not the only one!

Sara, I wish I could tailor these trousers...and the shirt. The pants are fully lined thought and have a flat-felled seam on both sides of the leg so I'm sitting here trying to decide if they are worth taking to a tailor.

Jayne, yes my style is very classic. I think these pants are more California Casual, you know, walking along the beach with your sandals in your hand kinda style. When I think about the cost of tailoring, that makes me wonder if they are the best white pants for me (if money were not an object). Maybe better fitting white jeans would serve my needs more than these would. And I could wear them in winter too. I think I'm going to try the hand bag out. I really like the color though and would not dye it. It's a darker camel than it appears in the photo, and would go with so much of my closet without matching anything.

Texstyle. IKWYM about the V-necks. Whenever I need *attitude* to pull something off, I just return it. I don't think I can muster up the attitude; I get tired just thinking about it.

Kim (QM) don't feel guilty that you don't thrift. You have it all figured out; don't change a thing.

Angie, thanks for coming back to read that I don't feel bad. I'm not sure I love wide legged trousers enough to do what it takes to make them work. I might rather invest in white straight leg jeans that I feel are more my style anyway. I do like taking a risk now and then and I didn't lose anything with these because I can return them. Thanks for speaking up!

Penny, thanks for pointing out the problem. Now you're a sheila who can wear some good looking white pants! (I hope that isn't derogatory, just tryin' to talk Aussie to ya). Yes the top is 70% silk 30% cotton. I just read the care label: hand wash. Oh well.

Mona

Veteran

Claire, the striped top is my favourite of the lot. Also, Angie's comments on white pants are very enlightening. I am sad to see the chambray tunic go. I really liked it paired with white pants.

Parsley

Veteran

Great finds as usual, Claire!
I love the striped sweater, and I think the bag will be a great basic that will go with everything.

If anybody can wear wide-leg pants it's you, but I do think they could be a bit slimmer.
I love white pants in general, but I'll have to say that I prefer your skinnies on you.

I kind of liked the big tunic-shirt, at least when scrunched and belted, but I see you're returning it. Oh well, a smaller one would probably be better.

I'm not sure about the v-necks. The first one looks fine, but not exciting. The second one looks nice on you, although I'm not at all a fan of short sleeves in general.
But I defer to Angie's judgment on it.

The thing is, Claire, you look great in just about everything, so it must make it hard to choose! What a nice problem to have!

Jonesy

Veteran

Sounds like you are sorted, as Angie would say! I really like that black button down (what a great, classic item for you to incorporate into your dressier capsule!) and I think the white v-neck looks very fab, especially with that pencil skirt. It almost has a retro feel to it, which really works, IMHO.

Jem

Veteran

You are such an amazing thrifter! I LOVE your striped sweater. You look stunning in that first picture! I can see why you like those white pants. I thought they looked like they were big on you, though, although I see you say they are fitting your waist, etc. Your white sweater looks great with that last skirt, too, it looks amazing!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Claire, I'm late to the conversation here, but I want to say thank you for posting this because it's so valuable to me to see and overhear! It sounds as if you've figured out what to do already, but just so you know, I am in love with your $1 BF and I don't care how cheap he is!!

I also love your new striped top, AND your new black button down, and your new white top looks super useful, and hey, if you are a 32B, from this pipsqueak's point of view you ARE a sweater girl!!!

PS I liked the idea of the white trousers. I wish I could get wide legs to work for me, too. I tried it out last year...but they weren't PPL and I had to wear them with flats and of course I'm a few inches shorter than you, which makes it even harder...and, well, the pictures told the tale. Totally overwhelmed by them....so you are not alone.

geargirl

Hi Claire,
I too am late to the party. A quick comment on the charcoal v-neck.
I got a navy v-neck last year and wore it quite a bit. I was experimenting with a "menswear-ish" look, and wore it with trousers, heeled loafers and a scarf. A peacoat topper. It was fun. However, I live in San Francisco, so this is a 9 month look for me. Will you wear it much in AZ? If you have some holes in that "season" it will work. A charcoal sweater for you might be like white pants for me. We get about 2 weeks of summer here, and I have a very small summer capsule.
Thank you for posting this because it definitely helps develop an "eye" for fit as I looked at your pics, and then read the comments.