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Thrift
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This follows my passion towards finding great deals at thrift stores primarily Goodwill. I love finding treasure and the hunt for it. I do this since regular shopping is too much $ for my college/young adult self.

Located in the back I witnessed an extremely noticeable candy-apple red tutu reminiscing of new London designer Molly Goddard hanging on a door begging me to come see what was present. Discomfort was realized within my limbs over if I was permitted to visit potential Narnia, yet life is about knowing when to follow the rules and when to break them. My feet travel towards the backroom, and my face lit up as a $10 Christmas tree. Vintage galore was packed in tightly in the minuscule room with a top rack, bottom rack, and another rack positioned adjacent to the other two. The clothes had to come primarily from the 60s and 70s with punches of bold colors, delicate fabrics, and Goodwill plaids. Attention was drawn towards a pair of brown, plaid pants that could pass for Chanel's current show held in March, but this legend needs to save for school. This leads to the important subject of price consisting of the range going from $50-120, which I find to be reasonable for what the garments are with respect to their condition in relation to age.

My Two Loves: Shopping and Coffee (a true story)  (May 15, 2019)

An eternity of time has passed since my last post for Thrift, but new content is emerging through a new set of glasses. Attention is drawn towards a coffee shop I crept upon during an off day in my temporary time period at Memphis called Java Cabana. Java Cabana is located in the hipster, Urban Outfitters-obsessed area of Midtown near the neighborhood referred to as Cooper-Young. Walking into the dwelling, senses are invited to its aura of nostalgic eclecticism and delightful mishmash. There are even literal vines appearing as in Grimms' fairytales covering the entrance by the front door. The atmosphere is dark yet inviting in a lived-in coziness with upholstered furniture fashioned in 70s tones along with landscape artworks in a myriad of colors decorating the walls. LIke the spirit of Midtown, Java Cabana matches in its low-key, casually young demeanor with an example being the kitchen on full display. On one night I squeezed through a tiny hallway to the bathroom which was even tinier with it seeming to be I swear as 25" by 10." Yet, the humble qualities impressed me with a bam of inspiration rushing through my head. Dark, dim colors filled with jewel tones were my color story for my first visit when I simply wrote in my journal. Yet, how can this Keebler elf-like coffee shop be related to fashion. 

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Another key item pinned in a memory is a spaghetti-strap prom dress from the 50s composed of white lace. I noticed a fabric imperfection with a rip, but it should be ignored because it was too gorgeous. It was so gorgeous that I was compelled to try it on in the fashion of placing the hanger over my head which carried the dress. The possibility of me fitting into it is unrealistic anyway. Yet, if I was a normal, straight girl, it would be a contender for my first wedding of many. The night I went to the midget-sized bathroom was when the shop hosted an open-mic night typical for Thursdays. One of the singers actually spotted a dress from Java Cabana's closet looking as if a Victorian doll had a baby with a model waif and appeared comfortable in being completely herself. Cannot get more beautiful than that. For a business which emphasizes the past in how individuals wore clothing, the social values are well minded with encouraging equality for all sides and listening to others' viewpoints with complete respect. A business proudly standing by these beliefs gives hope to what the future contains. To add to the glory of decades past in the form of a fun note is a turn display filled with basically vintage VHS tapes. My eyes automatically jumped to Bring It On. Every garage sale is jealous. 

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YAS!
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Bright and Blue
(April 03, 2019)

Excitement is enthralling for to be back again writing for a column that celebrates reclaimed items. The post may not exactly describe an item that is thrifted but was thrown on a rack and was worn by someone else. And no, this was not a Black Friday moment; although, I would do that too. 

Begins such as this with the store home to all basic fashion lovers' dream being H&M. Yes, I am a hypocrite for shopping there, but it has some items worthy of purchase plus they attempt in going environmental which is hopeful in these trying times. The special time was made by getting into what I call a "shopper's craze" where I want to buy multiple items at once. The options within my grasp could be considered safer options with them being just neutral coats and shirt in traditionally posh styles. Yet, for some blessed reason my eye pinpointed at a sapphire, ankle-length coat slung on a rack with other has-beens. The observation happens, then intrigue, then the fitting room. I immediately wanted the dramatic blue but was concerned about cost because of that reasoning usually being present for an early 20s year old. Yet, it was too perfect and was a look. Here is where the thrift part of this post arrives in its wonky way. I go up to the sales associate at the counter to purchase. She was confused as to the coat not ringing up or it being half off of the original price.

The woman replied with it being marked up as that price because of it being labeled that way. Lucky for yours truly! Then, later I discovered from her the coat was brought back from a customer who bought it in Europe and was a year old. I love this story in the peculiarity and in how it makes what I have that much more sentimental. One irritating thing about the whole event was the lady saying the coat was wool. When in fact, I performed a Confessions of a Shopaholic maneuver and saw the imposter as only 25% wool and 75% polyester. Yet, this remark comes from a fake platinum blonde. Real things are not always what is best. I felt antsy about paying a bit for it, but regrets have left my mind and unconscious mind at that. A favorite feature besides the brilliant blue is the cinched-in waist aspect reminding me back of the New Look popularly made by Christian Dior. It offers an air of elegance yet making an impact that notes to people who should be staring of not 75% polyester and 25% wool but 100% confidence. 

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girl! can you breathe with that waist?
Dior's New Look
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Living Coral (January 23, 2018)
Fairly late to speaking about this news with the color Pantone chose for 2019 being living coral. The main consensus for this decision is full support with it being about time, hunny. The color I have seen spread across Instagram like if Netflix sold free subscriptions for a year on Black Friday. Everyone seems to be interested in this tone of a pink-toned orange which makes complete sense. It is a delightful color that brings joy, can go with many colors considering it verging slightly neutral, and picking this reasoning from my teacher with it being flattering on many skin tones. This color was imprinted in my head in order to buy something with it, so I found an item online. 
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For my quest in finding an item that is not tagged to Goodwill, I looked at the wonderful site ASOS Marketplace which I mentioned one of my posts for my home page. One of the great aspects is getting to buy those trendy retro items that is featured on social media and by musicians for way cheaper than stores that charge way higher. In giving a good summary of what happened, I bought a pair of high-waisted pants in this coral color for $23 from a store in London. That also includes shipping and handling btw. I didn't intend to pick this color because my style has been more prone to accepting cooler colors, yet seeing these pants helped me to realize a new dynamic plus they would provide an interesting contrast. The dynamic includes adding some romanticism to that I love into my wardrobe without it being overkill. I like to refer to it as witchiness meeting with an urban socialite. It could be considered like a socialite undercover hoping to poison her boss to get his job. 

I am excited with this color and the pants in changing my look a bit. They can be paired with black, navy, and camel. They also slightly remind of a pretentious Chanel resort show set in the south of France from 2012 with sorbet colors galore and Sade on the soundtrack. Delightful! Blanche Deveraux would wear these pants which makes them that much better. If you do not know this iconic lady, then watch Golden Girls. You're welcome. Don't be afraid of the color. A little can be quite useful. To pick up on Maeve Wiley, she used a variation of the color slightly for hair with her dressing like the Sex Pistols and looked bomb. The color can even be used in makeup since it is such a natural color, but yet it can make an impact. Embrace the rosey, optimistic hue. It truly can be a color for all. 

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from punk
to emo
to romantic
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The exact store is called The Vintage Scene. It is a shop based in London selling a lot of 90s' vintage for vastly cheap. Full of flannel and slip dresses in making you be an angsty teenager again! Leaving links.

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https://marketplace.asos.com/boutique/the-vintage-scene

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https://marketplace.asos.com/?dp=1&WT.ac=Mktp_Title_Home

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Instagram: @thevintagescene

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www.thevintagescene.co.uk/

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Obsessed with these and had to include
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Italians Do It Better
(December 27, 2018)
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I was delayed for Christmas. My apologies. Christmas has a lot of bad connotations for me, but let's move away from those. One Christmas a few years ago in me receiving vintage Vogue magazines from Ebay by my mother. Thank you, Mom. One of them recalled to the current decade of obsession, the 90s. This copy was of March 1997. I will let you be warned now in how this is my prime opportunity to spill complete fashion history all on your faces. The cover showcased the prime supermodels of the day with Amber Valletta, Kristen McMenamy, Karen Elson, and the diva herself Naomi Campbell. They are paired off as ducks in a flock with Italian-looking men. The superhumans are wearing floral Dolce & Gabbana slipdresses while the men are wearing code black. They seem to be dancing at a local spot in town, and the women are leaning on the men for support. I find it funny how Naomi is the only one to seem independent. It just seems she can't get out of her strong, "I don't need your help" kind of attitude. Good for her!
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Dancing till the world ends-Britney Spears

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In following the editorial, it follows the title featured on the front of the magazine with "dance marathon." The models can be easily categorized as experiencing agony since being on the dance floor for hours. This is obviously exaggerated, but the models' talent should be noted. There is greatness in how the models are showing emotion through face and body language. This is tough, but my favorite is when Kristen is laying defeated on the floor next to Karen Elson who is sitting in the opposite direction. Both models are looking out, and the portrayal of desperation is seen vividly. This is a ridiculous concept from the magazine, but these are the type of beauties who could carry it because of their superpowers.
The advertisements are ridiculous in ways but majorly from the time period in its aesthetics. From the super-close up shots to moody, orange lighting to the stark minimalism to the uber-beloved grunge, the 90s are alive and well. The ads like the magazine, Vogue Italia, itself manifests compelling reality but also allows to dream. Another component of appreciation comes from the time period being filled with all sorts of angst, rage, and surprise when people did not what would happen next. No fuss, no muss, and I do love to see Milla Jovovich looking like a complete, gorgeous mess in tacky turquoise. The androgynous Calvin Klein and sleek Tom Ford for Gucci campaigns are other great additions. 
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everything great about Vogue Italia in being moody and depressing

left to right: melodramatic Gucci, Nazareno Gabrielli (whoever that is), and gorgeous Milla imitating bad prom

Editorials are alive and well throughout this edition that showcase creativity and storytelling speaking through fashion. The range goes from Russian royalty from the 1800s, high class gender-bending, 1940s glamour in Berlin, and a black-and-white dedication to Joni Mitchell. The Russian story featuring photography by Paolo Reversi to me is insane how the finish of the photos were executed in an extremely aged, sepia appearance with hints of gold. The photos by Ellen von Unwerth really do show the age of the magazine in young models with full on grunge makeup doing random acts that make no sense. It sounds like posts from young influencers today. One editorial shows Natalie Portman as a teenager with full on bangs decked out in Dolce and Gabbana. Portrayed as an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, she seems as in a wonderland phase full of brocade, leopard, and embellishment. It is nice yet peculiar to see her in this light from the grown-up, established glamour of her nowadays. 

left to right: Nadja Auermann playing Marlene Dietrich, how in the world did the photos come up like that, and Natalie Portman being adorable

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subdued Ellen von Unwerth photography

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The styling enthuses my spirit since it consists of the greats with Anna Dello Russo and Brana Wolf, legends in the industry, who do not use all the tools in the box but use the ones that matter in making an impact for an image. Magazines like these inspire me with strengthening my interest in fashion and wanting to create great content. Hope you enjoy the images!
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The shirt I bought is definitely not Chanel. It was $3 thank you very much! Yet, I saw some semblances in the color of the light blue chambray and the fake pearls attached near the shoulders. It still achieves the same simplicity with having me feel as a feather on a pen. This old-fashioned show before mentioned focused on portraying subtle application on a basic silhouette which the shirt imitates. The shirt is also versatile enough in being used for all seasons. You may be questioning the use in winter, but the pearls look like magical pieces of snow.  Plus, for looking like denim, it isn't. The fabric is probably a cheap version of rayon, but I don't care. For carrying off a sense of style, some attributes should be kept hidden. A magician never reveals all the secrets. 
denim and pearls (December 07, 2018)
This was still covering that same Goodwill trip I took on a weekend back home in Jonesboro, AR. It was a good day in trying on lots of clothes taking my time with a guy later telling me how nice it was I put clothes back. That is the pleasure of having worked in retail. This item I thought was cute in it reminding me of a Chanel fashion show long ago when I was a wee 10th grader. The show is ancient; however, it offered a clean, crisp approach to Chanel's already classic aesthetic. One of the looks showed a young Cara Delevingne in a strapless, trapeze denim dress with pearls at the top and a red pocket square. In sounding like Ina Garten, how fabulous is that!
The great thing is it still looks current. Come on! How many Instagram pictures do you see which feature denim or runway shows that have denim. It is referred to as a classic, and some hate may come from the fake denim. However, it is a known fact that denim is not the most comfortable, yet the shirt feels like silk. My white trash self does not know perfectly how that feels, but it feels perfectly enough. In this example, try to go for clothes that have little special touches that you personally feel uncomfortable in wearing. Speaking of trashy styles, denim and pearls may not sound so appealing at first, but you are not completely certain without proof. The most important thing is to try it on because if I hadn't done that, I probably would not have bought it. 
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tryin' to be trendy
I liked her b4 everyone else!
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little black jacket (November 8, 2018)
One day when I decided to go home at Jonesboro, Arkansas, which people wouldn't think has any clothing that would carry any fashionable merit since everyone thinks we are barefoot all of the time. Yet, in thrift stores I believe anything is possible even around home because pleasant surprises when least expected.
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In shopping in the women's section which is considered forbidden territory for men, I was coming across jackets. One of them forced heart palpitations because of it being a navy band jacket. I desperately pleaded and tried to counsel with it for the fit to be right, yet it was just too tight for wear. It would look ridiculous even for me;) Then, came the other jacket I picked up. The black tweed one which goes back to the Chanel style. This is separate, but in any type of clothing store always try the clothes before buying because the future is unknown of how it will fit or even look. I tried on the jacket (moment of truth) and immediately loved it. Instantly I saw myself wearing it all of the time. Yes, it is not the most masculine item pushing forth ideas of testosterone and aggression, but can be incorporated into my wardrobe to not be so traditionally ladylike. 
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To those men who are like me and want to wear slightly fem clothing and not look like a drag queen (even though they are fabulous), strive for athletic vibes. Athleticism has always possessed masculine connotation and is still the direction people are traveling. Other ways are including traditional types of menswear such as trousers, loafers, and dress shirts. If in this case with using the Chanel-style black jacket, wear black trousers with a white dress shirt to make you look like a spoiled Parisian relying on the family money.
Even though this jacket looks Chanel, it definitely is not. I do not have the funds for that lush life. The jacket is from Emma James, which was a Liz Claiborne label that ended in 2007. The price was $5 which is more than a fair deal considering I would want to wear this jacket for multiple times throughout the next few years. I may not wear it as much around my home area, but when I reside at a more metropolitan environment, I'll be sure to bring out the tweed.
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I admire you @TinaLoves
The Little Black Jacket Exhibition from forever ago, LOL!
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