7 Tips for Thrifting

I’ve been shopping resale my entire life. Not because it was ethical, but because it was affordable. I'm also a woman who loves a bit of a chase and there's something so satisfying about the thrill of the hunt. That search for that perfect gem, hidden among racks and racks of clothes.

This purple dress was one of those gems. The bright color, the ease of the material, the flattering wrap style - I knew this dress would be a warm weather staple. And even though it was too big and slightly see through, I saw the potential after a couple of quick fixes. Throw a belt on top and a slip dress underneath and this dress is ready to shine.

Now that I’ve committed to shopping ethically, resale stores - whether they are discount thrift stores or retro vintage shops - have become a staple in my shopping rotation. And since not everyone out there is a veteran thrifter, I’m sharing a few of my tips for a successful thrifting outing:

1. Ignore the sizes. Vintage clothing sizes are drastically different than modern sizes. Recently I found a white silk midi skirt that was labeled 3 sizes up from my usual size. When I tried it on, the fit was perfect. Sizing varies so much depending on the decade or the brand, it never hurts to try on an item with potential. Plus, if you find a great quality item, it's worth having it altered for a better fit.
2.  Explore the men’s section. I have found everything from my favorite vintage t-shirts to cozy, oversized sweaters in the men’s section. If you're petite, check out the children's section too. There are some great blazers in the boy's section for the small framed woman. Don't limit yourself to the obvious.
3. In a rush, stick to a color scheme. Oftentimes thrift store items are color coordinated. If you don’t have time to sift through every single item, think about the colors you wear most and stick to those.
4. Just because it’s affordable, doesn’t mean you need it. It’s easy to get caught up in the great prices and over do it. Keep your lifestyle and personal style in mind. Remember, quality over quantity. A helpful tip is to ask yourself, "If it was full price, would I still buy it?" If the answer is "no," you are probably buying it because of the low price, not because you actually need (or want) it.
5. Keep a list. It's helpful to have a list of pieces you are looking for to keep you on track and keep you from ending up with an overflowing closet of items that don't suit you. I keep a list of items I need hanging inside my closet. Whenever I am out shopping, I take the list so that I know what pieces to look for and can distinguish between what I need and those tempting impulse buys.
6. Be open. You have your list of items you are looking for, but don't be afraid to stray for some truly special pieces. With a little digging, you can find some unique finds that may not be on your list, but are too amazing to pass up. Just make sure they are items you will actually wear in your real life. You may find a beautiful pair of vintage stilettos, but if you never actually wear heels, they will just sit in your closet and take up space. When making any purchase, it's important to be realistic about your lifestyle.
7. Use the internet. There are tons of online resources available that allow you to shop from the comfort of your pjs. This is especially helpful when searching for something specific (like an evening gown). You can filter through the inventory by size, color, price, etc. Some of my favorite online resale shops are ThreadUp and Tradsey. And if you want to shop from your phone, check out apps like Poshmark and Depop.

Are you an expert thrifter? What are some tips that you find beneficial when shopping?

dress: vintage from lost and found vintage

belt: old

shoes: old zara

jacket: thrifted

bag: rent the runway

photos by Laila of Studio 11.11

Let’s Get Ethical: Quitting Fast Fashion

I've been thinking about this topic for a long time. Wondering when I would write it. How I would write it. If I could write it. 

Because once you put something on paper and put it out into the universe, you have a responsibility to own up to your words. And to be honest, I don’t know if I’m strong enough to own up to these words. Able to avoid temptation. Actually willing to commit.

But it’s time. I’m ready to commit. I have to commit.

I have a Confession: I am addicted to fast fashion. And today, I am quitting it.

So what is fast fashion? According to our friends at Investopedia, “Fast fashion refers to a phenomenon in the fashion industry whereby production processes are expedited in order to get new trends to the market as quickly and cheaply as possible.”

We live in a world of instant gratification - you can get a date by the swipe of a finger and a full meal in the amount of time it takes to pull around the drive thru. It’s no surprise the fashion industry is doing what it can to keep up. No more waiting for fashion to slowly trickle down from the runways to the manufacturers to the stores to your closet.

But what is the cost of this phenomenon?

In a future post, I’ll be sharing the extreme and horrifying cost this industry has on the environment and the workers creating the garments. But what effect does the fast fashion industry have on me - the average consumer? What does it mean to buy into the fast fashion lifestyle?

It means I can go to Target or H&M multiple times a week and constantly get new products; It means spending more money on lower quality items; It means filling my closet with quantity, not quality; It means extra pressure to keep up with the ever changing trends; It means frustration in my closet because it is literally overflowing with clothes, but having few pieces that I truly love, that fit, and are made well; It means I am constantly dissatisfied with my clothing options; It means I am being marketed at by stores all. the. time. for the next quick fix.

It means it's a vicious exhausting cycle.

It means I’m done. 

Personally, if I’m being honest, really honest, it also means I have an issue - ahem, an addiction - with over consumption and spending countless amounts of money on crap. Crap I don’t need (or really even want).

Like most, I have depended on the ease, the affordability, the excitement (even if temporary) of newness of fast fashion. So I’ve done one hell of a job avoiding coming to terms with my own guilt about the fast fashion industry. If ignorance is bliss, I have remained deliberately ignorant for a long time.

But those 20 dollar items add up. Fast. I tell myself I can’t afford quality garments, but when I look at the amount of money I spend on cheap clothes, I could have saved up to have an incredibly beautiful wardrobe of well-made, ethically sourced pieces that will last.

As a fashion blogger, I am regularly indulging this culture of consumerism and over consumption and overwhelmed by the pressure to keep up with the newest trends and “it” item. But as a stylist, I am always encouraging my clients to rid themselves of clutter and pieces that no longer suit their lives, and to buy less. To be mindful of their purchases. To support quality over quantity.

It’s time I start taking my own advice.

So what does this mean?

For starters,  I am going to stop turning to stores like H&M, TJ Maxx, and my favorite, Zara, for a quick fix. I’m done with “quick fixes.” The fastest way to support the ethical fashion movement is to slow down and shop less. To stop treating clothing like it's disposable. And when you do shop, to be aware of what you are buying.

So, I’m not just quitting fast fashion, I’m also going to start supporting ethically made garments. I want to know where my clothes come from and become a more conscientious and mindful shopper. I want to do better with my own personal consumption.

To me, ethical fashion is about reshaping our attitudes towards clothing and shopping. About valuing what we currently have and ridding this internal voice that is telling us (sometimes screaming at us) that we need more, more, more. It's learning to stop the impulse buying and start thoughtfully making purchases based on what I actually need (and yes, sometimes really want). It’s about acknowledging where a garment comes from and how it's made and how long I plan to wear it before I buy it. It's time to stop treating our clothing as disposable.

It means walking away from fast fashion and supporting slow fashion.

I’m not going to lie, committing to slow fashion is scary to me. Can I continue both without it? Can I keep up with the other bloggers? Will I be judged? Will people fear I am judging them? Will my readers become disengaged?

I don’t know.

But this is a personal choice I am pursuing. I don’t want others to feel judged. I recognize the importance of convenience and low-costs items for many shoppers. So, while many of you will continue your shopping habits, I’m hoping to bring awareness and share other options.

But I’m looking forward to the challenge and hope you all will gain some insight and knowledge as I explore this process. I’m looking forward to supporting artists and makers and creators. To supporting companies who support their workers. To supporting those who are buying and creating eco-friendly, sustainable garments.

Finally, I look forward to showing that slow fashion can compete in the fast pace world of the fast fashion industry in terms of style. Because this is, after all, a style blog.

I'm ready to slow down and embrace the slow fashion movement.

I’m ready to commit.

***I’ll be sharing more information on this topic (from personal experiences to resources), but if you are interested in learning more now, check out the documentary, The True Cost (also currently on Netflix). It's a game changer.***

Winter Heat Wave

I know the East Coast is still recovering from winter storm Jonas, but here in Detroit, it's been in the 40s, the sun's been shining, and there hasn't been a flake of snow all week (knock on wood!).

So instead of my usual winter hibernating, I've been enjoying strolls along the Detroit Riverwalk and wearing heels instead of snow boots.

But seeing how it's only February, I'm sure there is many a snow day in our forecast, but in the meantime, I'll be taking advantage of these warmer days - and a temporary break from shapeless outerwear - by wearing light jackets and scarves instead of the usual tent-sized sleeping bag coats.

jacket: zara (similar)

boots: sam edelman

scarf: gap (similar)

bag: tj maxx (similar)

sunglasses: peacock room detroit

Two Thousand Fifteen Recap

Hope everyone has a happy, safe, and stylish New Year!

Z Lot Alley

Here are more photos from my day around the city with the Grand Rapids boutique, Lee & Birch and photographer, Leigh Ann Cobb!

Check out more photos from our day of fun here.

Outfit details via Lee & Birch:

Dex Long Sweater Cardi

Bella Dahl Coral Hipster Shirt

AG Jeans Beau Boyfriend Jeans

Hobo Bag

Nakamol Necklace

Post Labor Day White

Labor Day has come and gone, but my white outfits remain. I think we can all agree that the "no white after labor day rule" is one that is meant to be broken. To help you break the rules and still be dressed appropriately for the cooler weather, here are a few things to keep in mind when wearing white after labor day:

1. Material matters.
Avoid distinctly summery fabrics like linen in favor of thicker, more cold weather appropriate materials like wool and cashmere.
2. Accessorize appropriately.
Trade in your open toe sandals for booties. Swap out your silk and sheer scarves for ones of more substantial weight.
3. Go for off white.
Still wary of wearing white? Choose off white instead. It's less stark and more wearable, but will give you the same effect as pure white.

My outfit here is a very summery look with the sheer tank and sandals (it was in the 90s this week), but come fall I'll be switching them out and pairing my white denim with an oversized sweater and boots. How will you be wearing white this fall?

top: tj maxx (similar here)

pants: topshop

bag: h&m (similar here)

sandals: dv by dolce vita

ring: stella and dot veda split ring

earrings: silpada

bangle: rent the runway unlimited

sunglasses: ray-ban

Styled Boho Shoot

A few weeks ago, I showed you guys a little preview of the styled shoot I did with Meghan of Meliabelle Photography and Baily of B's Makeup Artistry. Today, I’m sharing a couple more looks we put together for that photo shoot. We wanted to include a couple bohemian looks, so I chose a white lace dress (layered over a nude slip) and my Cynthia Vincent custom dress (if you’re a newer follower, check out this post to learn how I got a custom dress from Cynthia Vincent - swoon).

Working with Meghan rocks for a lot of obvious reasons (she’s super cool and takes AH-MAZING photographs) but also because she’s like “Eff the po-po, let’s light up some smoke bombs.”

Because there's no better accessory than some possibly illegal smoke bombs.

And in case you missed it, check out this behind the scenes video of Meghan and this shoot.

white dress: pitaya (similar here)

nude slip: target (similar here)

flower crown: amazon

black dress: c/o cynthia vincent

necklace: stella and dot pegasus necklace