Unique but, Unflattering? Pic.

Ledonna N.

Greetings and Happy Easter and Passover to everyone

I was wondering are you ever drawn to articles of clothing ,shoes or headgear that are unique but may be unflattering to someone else? My side business and joy is Thrifting for others and myself from clothing to furniture to books. I often pick up unique pieces and they always seem to find a loving home.

So how about you, any takers?

I will post one of my unique finds as soon as I can find someone to take a picture.

These are my unflattering Gauchos.

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9 years ago

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11 replies

Latest reply was from Ledonna N.

rachylou

Veteran

That's an interesting question! My glitter boots come to mind. It's not just the general funkiness. There's also a glam factor that's hard to swing in my neck of the woods. I wear hats (including bonnets), which are in general difficult if they're not the ubiquitous beanie or cap or fedora. There's my handwarmer muff. Oh and I wear big pouffy skirts from time to time.

9 years ago

Jeweled

Veteran

An interesting topic, Ladywone!

I love to shop clearance racks, looking for pieces with my colors and style details.

Often I find things that fit my criteria for color and style details - but they look weird or even dreadful on the hanger.

However, when I try them on, they often turn out to be "Wow!" on me (in a good way).

So I've learned not to judge how clothing looks on a hanger - I try them on to see how they work on me.

I think many of these treasures made it to the clearance rack because hangers don't do them justice.

Clearance racks are my version of your thrifting adventures.

9 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

Like Jeweled I love to shop clearance racks for the 'odd ducks' and at least try them on. Often I've found quite nice items on clearance racks that are just sized really inconsistently (I take the size on the tag with a huge grain of salt) so I can understand how online orders often end up returned and clearanced.

With thrifting I also do this, and have had some real favorites where I modified them in some way -- some plaid jeans I over-dyed navy (they were gray/turquoise), a fuzzy cross-body bag where I cut off some decorative bling to make it streamlined, a dress where I cut off bell sleeves, etc.

I could be really dangerous with a sewing machine to do basic modifications, and there is a workspace down the road where they rent sewing machines to use in their shop hmm....

On the question of unflattering to someone else? Yes sometimes. I was really fond of a pair of farmer's bib overalls in high-school -- I wore them with work boots and a henley.

Actually I have some favorite blue suede and patent oxfords I got at Ross. They actually had several pairs at one time, for quite a markdown but they languished on the shelves for several weeks. Maybe it was a style disconnect with many other shoppers? My gain.

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Isaac Mizrahi New York women's Sylvia Oxford

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9 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I'm way older than rabbit, but like her I wore cut-off farmer johns in high school. Actually, I still own them but haven't worn them in at least four or five decades. I know my mother found them unflattering and scandalous and probably others found them at least unflattering since they were bought in the men's department. If I saw a Girl Scout buddy again, I'd almost be tempted to wear them again (but maybe over tights).

9 years ago

tulle

Veteran

Thanks for asking, Ladyone! Jewelled and Rabbit have made great points about why items might appear on clearance or thrift shop racks in spite of being just perfect for someone. I'm a dedicated forager, and whether I'm hunting for berries & mushrooms in the woods, discounted designer pieces online, or antiques and unique clothes in thrift shops, I'm happiest scrounging; normal shopping often seems boring in comparison. I should think that anyone who's looked at Rabbit's drop-dead-chic posts would be sold on the potential in discount and second-hand clothing: her eye for a knockout piece, absolute sense of what works for her, and willingness to modify an item to best effect have given her a wardrobe worthy of envy. I'm more likely to modify a piece of second-hand furniture than clothing these days, but I still get a thrill when I find a beautifully finished jacket or a top made of exquisite fabric. Sometimes it need not be completely fashionable or flattering to make me happy, and more than once I have bought pieces almost as works of art or inspiration, and later passed them on to women who will wear them with flair. It's an inexpensive vice, but definitely addictive.

9 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

First of all I haven't officially said how nice it is to see you Ladywone! And yes, as you might guess, I am often attracted to the unusual and unusually unflattering. When I have a chance I will look for some examples.

9 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I have a weakness for thrifted things that are too big for me...maybe from wearing hand-me-downs for my growing up years. I also had quite a collection of rather quirky printed jean jackets that got purged last year. I loved them but never wore them.

9 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Rachylou- glitter boots and poofy skirts you had me at glitter boots.

Jeweled- I understand about the sales rack and no hanger appeal I know we speak about wadrobe orphans. I see this at the sales rack often I have come home with wadrobe winners as well as workhorses.

rabbit- I call this up-cycling I to modify the heck out of clothing I only wish I had your sewing skills. But I have a great tailor who I heart dearly.

DonnaF- made me giggle but, that is truth right in your statement

Tulle-it sounds as if you are an across the board equal opportunity percurer of needful things.

Shevia- than you for the offical welcome back and you have put together some killer to the 100* of outfits. Literally stopped me in my tracks.

Joy-I'm glad im not the only one. Lol, it makes me feel,good know that I can donate to charity shops to pass on gently used items to another person.

Everyone thank you for taking the time to share. I've include pictures of my culottes and they are my latest find. I'm so in love with them right now. Oh and I included an action shot.

9 years ago

Jeweled

Veteran

Your gauchos are so groovy on you, Ladywone! I like the head-to-toe way you've styled them. And that action shot of them - fun and super-hero awesome!

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Omg. Your gauchos are fabulous!!

I like what Shevia said. I too am attracted to the so-called ugly, the beau laid. But like Jeweled said, things look really different when you put them to work. The ostensibly good looking can be pretty awful and dumpy. Even downright creepy gross... I'm thinking about that show Big Rich Texas again. Some seriously ugky furniture and weird columns on the houses.

9 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I could not capture the fabulous that Are the Gauchos in the picture the look like a skirt when still. The more I look at some thing tat are un conventional the more I find beauty in them.

9 years ago

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