Thrifting Queen

30 Comments

• replied 9 years ago

  You look fabulous.  You are right.  That blouse is amazing.  So are your purse and shoes.  Well done.  

• Neel replied 9 years ago

  That's a fantastic observation Shannon! I wonder if I have the same *issue* ... Hmmm .... I too love wearing the items I love again and again. It surely isn't about craving for novelty ... May be just the perfect items. I would have to reiterate this at a later stage.

  I love this blouse on you as much as you do. With white .... It's just divine. YLF!

• donnat replied 9 years ago

  Looks terrific. I think when we buy better items the love lasts longer. They are usually made of higher quality materials and the design of say an EF dress or sweater is different and you wont see it on anyone else,

• Alassë replied 9 years ago

  That's a great observation, Shannon. I'll have to think about that in my own wardrobe.

• Janet replied 9 years ago

  Well, you do look fantastic in it! I think I'm starting to realize the same thing about my wardrobe, Shannon. I love having variety, I really do, but there is a reason why somethings are reached for all the time, and others not so much, even though I *like* them. The workhorses are on another level -- not only are they loved, but they are also usually versatile and require very little thought to style. I have plenty of things in my closet that I like, but they require thought and planning to wear. 

• Suz replied 9 years ago

  I love this blouse on you, too, Shannon. Just divine, and enjoy wearing it on this last lick of summer day! 

  I think my realization is something of the opposite, alas! I truly DO crave more variety than I used to have -- even if everything is the best ever. Not because I worry about what other people will think (nobody but my family sees me 3/4 of the time, after all). More because I just like a change! This could get very, very expensive....  ;)

• lyn67 replied 9 years ago

  OMG, now, that you have  put it out here, I  might have had exactly the same significant "aha" moment, for me. YLF of course, but I'm off to think about this deeper...It's quite shocking  for me to have this revelation:-).

• Rambling Ann replied 9 years ago

  Can you say what made the difference when you chose the blouse? Or did the love emerge after wearing it a few times? Was it a splurge? Is there something we can learn about this epiphany to guide finding more items like this?

• Golden replied 9 years ago

  Brilliant analysis!

• Angie replied 9 years ago

  SO fun to see you enjoy this gorgeous blouse. Great nod to Fall - YOUR way - and you know you had me with the white jeans. xo

• amiable replied 9 years ago

  Yep - I realized the same thing this summer - though in slow motion.  I noticed that when I got the perfect red jeans last fall, My other three pairs of red pants were purged.  When I got the perfect chambray shirt, I no longer needed the others.  Finally this fall, I was able to get rid of my four imperfect black sweaters, in order to make room for a perfect one that I hope to find....

  I, too, crave variety a lot less - rewearing outfits that I love once every two weeks or so makes me happy.  I never thought it would be so.  And it motivates me to keep my fall/winter wardrobe streamlined like my summer one became.

• MsMary replied 9 years ago

  Shannon, this outfit is just perfectly perfect!  You look stylish and happy -- and who could ask for anything more?

  And what a wise observation about your wardrobe!  I am realizing the same thing.  I've been living with only a portion of my wardrobe since I moved to the new house, and I've been happy as can be with a much more limited closet.  Who knew?  ;)

• Suz replied 9 years ago

  Reading these responses has been interesting....

  I realize that I was coming at it from a different angle from most who have replied. Most who are agreeing tended towards wardrobe maximalism in the past. And maybe even having quite a lot of duplicates or near duplicates. 

  I'm coming at it from the opposite end -- I didn't even have a basic wardrobe. 

  So maybe what I should say is that I enjoy having a moderate closet where all my basics are covered. I absolutely love to repeat items and entire outfits and do so a lot. I even did so a lot this past summer, when my wardrobe was the largest it has ever been. 

  I guess I've never had a wardrobe big enough to allow me NOT to repeat. And that remains true. And is okay with me. 

  Also, I edit out the stuff that I don't like wearing -- fast. 

  Hmmm. 

• Mo replied 9 years ago

  I agree with Amiable that having one _____ that's just right eliminates the need for 3 versions.  I'm aiming (slowly) to get there.  Of course, I want some variety.  One pair of jeans would not satisfy!  But one black tee?  Sure.  If it is great in every way - fit, fabric, style.  I'm good.  

• replied 9 years ago

  I'm with you Suz, and Shannon - in that I never have minded wearing my best and favourite outfits and pieces repeatedly. I don't see the same people every day anyways, so it bothers me even less than someone who works in an office , say.  I came to this realization about the time I joined YLF - ready to get rid of stuff I never wore and didn't like and to be content with less.  Like you Shannon, I crave new things, but only because I was so dissatisfied with what I had.  I was always striving for that happiness and sense of confidence that would come with just the right piece, which rarely happened.  Beyond that, shopping is rather uninteresting in my mind  - I mean how many pair of black pants and booties can one have?  :) 

• Marlene replied 9 years ago

  I think you are onto something here!  I've noticed with my own closet that once I find The Right One, the others tend to head for the out-pile since they are no longer worn.  Maybe its NOT variety I crave...rather The Right One.  And the others were simply holding spots until The Right One appeared.  

• tulle replied 9 years ago

  I've noticed that you gravitate to graphic black and white (or in this case black and pale) patterns, from the boldest possible to the most delicate tracery--and I think that's so smart, because they do wonderful things for you.  This top looks like a dream to wear, and it has a very feminine prettiness within  a very modern, minimal shape.  Nice outfit, great bag!

  I, too, find myself craving quality, and willing to search for it these days.

• fern replied 9 years ago

  Yes - great epiphany for a beautiful blouse.
  But you also have found everything you need for this outfit, which works beautifully.
  While I have found some perfect pieces that I really want to wear, I still struggle to find partners for them. More strategic outfit planning. Were you thinking about what the blush blouse needed to go with it, or did you have these other pieces?

• Peri replied 9 years ago

  You are singing my song! I am a happy outfit repeater when I love the item/outfit. I never felt the need to be different all the time. But I do/am still feeling the need to up that happiness factor and not settle for things that don't have it. My closet is improving but still holds quite a bit of blah!

• catgirl replied 9 years ago

  YES!  The big question for me is how to identify in advance those kinds of items so you don't get stuck with a closet full of almosts.  Love the blouse on you!

• Aida replied 9 years ago

  Love the outfit, and I would each and every time I saw it. That blouse is always a stunner on you (totally wish I'd pulled the trigger on it!).

  Your epiphany is, like... epiphanizing for me too. I don't desire a minimal wardrobe by any means, but over the past two months I have been slowly headed to this realization myself (just hadn't actually gotten there yet). I think you've just saved me a LOT of hand-wringing time Shannon, thank you for sharing this with us. Now I've got a more concrete concept to mull over, and that should really help me with my now far more limited wardrobe budget.

• Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

  This blouse is stunning on you. The outfit is fantastic!

  Your epiphany makes a lot of sense. I have been groping toward a similar revelation. My thoughts have been more like: Why don't I just get rid of those tops that I never reach for? What would happen if I emptied my drawers of all but the ones I actually wear often, not just the ones I think I might wear or those I think I ought to wear? How many would that leave me? (Answer: Enough!)
  I'm not where you are, yet. Yesterday I re-wore an outfit that felt fab and got a lot of positive response here on the forum, and I felt I was just falling back on it, and it didn't feel as fab as it felt before. I changed the shoes and jewelry just to have something different about it. Maybe I subconsciously felt I had on the second-string version of the outfit? I don't know. I sense I do crave variety. I don't know why, though.

• Caro in Oz replied 9 years ago

  YLF I love the blouse :)
  I had a similar realisation. I'd come to a point were I seemed to be constantly shopping for something; until I realised the only things I was looking for were replacements for things that weren't just right.
  To ag's point I don't think you can know in advance 100%. of the time but by analysing the things that don't work you stop making some of the same mistakes.

• Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

  I'm working toward a "Goldilocks" wardrobe.  Not too big.  Not too small.  Just right!  Currently, I still have too many "7" items in my wardrobe and too many placeholders.  That said, I actually have a working wardrobe now --- with more than just matched outfits. 

  I have noticed that I'm far pickier, and often leave a mall without a thing -- liking what I'm wearing far better.

  This top has been amazing for you -- modern and interesting, with just a touch of that retro flair.

• Mo replied 9 years ago

  Dropping back in to say this reminded me that months ago I said I'd rather have 10 awesome outfits a season, and repeat them, than 40 mix and match versions.  Must get back to working on this!!

• Joy replied 9 years ago

  Your musings make perfect sense. You know that I love that blouse. You could wear it every day and seeing it would still be a treat.

• Jaime replied 9 years ago

  Agree with everyone that you have clarified things beautifully, while looking fantastic I might add!

• CocoLion replied 9 years ago

  This is one of your best looks Shannon.  And I'm taking notes on your simplicity journey.  What a keen observation, that being happier with what you have means you can have less of it!

• unfrumped replied 9 years ago

  It seems like it should be so obvious, right? But not always so.
  I have been trying to ask, about an item, " But do I want something better( " better" encompassing all meanings, not more expensive). So the pair if pants-- if I had them , will I be thinking three a better pair out there? Or do I feel great in them? ( oh, dear, pants may not be the best example)..
  The more refined the wardrobe, the easier it is to know what to add or not, because you've got more benchmarks and fewer benchwarmers.

• sparlingo replied 9 years ago

  I love your revelation.

  I was just trying to assess my own compulsion toward shopping and wonder if the same may be true of me. Thanks for getting me to dig deep and soul search at 10 pm :).

  Also, that blouse is beautiful. You look wonderful!