Welcome to the second installment from the Thrifty Six blogger collective! This month it fell to me to set the theme, and wanting to keep it season-appropriate I chose check patterns. Collectively known as “heritage prints”, tartan, plaid, houndstooth and Prince of Wales check are always popular during Autumn and Winter. I’ve found some amazing bargains in charity shops and on eBay over the years, and the best thing is these classic patterns never date. If you’re still unsure about buying second hand clothes maybe the Thrifty Six can inspire you to check out preloved fashion!
This dress from Oasis is my latest preloved fashion buy. I found it in a charity shop for just under £5. Of course we can’t try things on right now so I had to take a gamble on it. Luckily it fits, although it’s snug with a thin sweater underneath. Blue and brown is a very on trend colour combination for this season, although that isn’t why I bought this dress. I could see myself wearing it lots over the colder months over a sweater and tights. Autumn/Winter is the only time of year I wear short skirts and dresses – my pasty white legs need tights!
Knowing that I could mix and match blue and brown accessories, tights and sweater means that I’m not limited to wearing the dress in only one way. For example, I can switch to a brown sweater and navy tights and boots. Not that there’s anything wrong with wearing exactly the same outfit over and over, it’s just good to have options.
There is nothing new in this outfit; my boots are about twelve years old and although they are well worn they’re still in reasonably good condition. They’re not very comfortable though (less so than when I bought them due to my feet) so I don’t wear them often these days. I have no excuse for not using the gorgeous Temperley London bag though. It’s been stored in the wardrobe and I just forget to use it. I treated myself to it after having Isobel – what you might call a push present to myself.
We took these photos down by the canal after lunch in the local pub. We very rarely go out so it was nice to have a meal out and take some photos in a different location. Using the back garden is ok every once in a while but I want to find some more interesting backdrops. I get blogger envy when I see all those fabulous murals!
It was a chilly day so I put on my French Connection military coat. I love military style coats and jackets for Autumn/Winter – that’s another trend that comes back every year. I actually featured this coat and Temperley London messenger bag in one of my earliest blog posts (here) almost nine years ago…now there’s proof that buying quality is a good investment!
SHOP THE LOOK
Oasis dress (charity shop) | Mango sweater | Jones boots (old) | French Connection coat (old) | Temperley London bag (old)
“When Emma announced the checkered theme for this month, I used it as an excuse to go thrift shopping. I definitely have plaid and checked preloved items in my wardrobe, but I don’t venture out much these days so it was the perfect excuse. Luckily, I found this adorable black and white gingham dress (NWT) and these camouflage joggers (NWT) during that trip. I had no intention of wearing them together until I saw them lying in my cart next to each other. It was a match made in print mixing heaven! I added this preloved velvet off the shoulder sweatshirt because the dress is sleeveless and it’s getting cold around here. My furry clutch is also preloved (Poshmark). And the tie in my hair is the belt from the dress. We headed off to the park to capture some of the beautiful fall foliage in my photos.”
“This vintage plaid dress has been hanging quietly for too long. I mean just look at her personality- I just had to take her out for a spin! She’s also super versatile, in that I love styling her up as a coat too! Everything about this (except the reversible Gucci belt) has either been thrifted or bought ages ago (some even decades!).”
“If I were home right now, I would’ve had plenty of thrifted plaid/check/houndstooth pieces to choose from. But unfortunately, I’m away at college with only 17% of my wardrobe (gasp!), which meant I had to get creative for this month’s collaboration. I made a quick stop by a local thrift store and was largely unsuccessful, so I decided to try out a thrifted man’s flannel instead for the sake of this blog post. I decided it would be fun to turn it into a lil’ style challenge to see if I could make a huge male shirt flattering… How did I do??”
“When I heard that the theme for this month’s collaboration would be check, I thought: ‘Oh boy, have to search for something checked online!’ But instead I searched my closet and there came out my old checked tweed skirt. The funny story about the skirt is that I had bought this one years and years ago in the shop where I used to work. I gave it away at one point and discovered it two years ago on the preloved online shop. And bought it again! Just love the tweed and Chanel-esque feel. Especially with all the pearls!”
The traditional to the avant-guard…The Thrifty Six are showcasing Heritage prints this month and here I bring you Royal Stuart Tartan – Highland Heritage in its purest form! It can be traditional or somewhat avant-garde. I go both ways, buttoned-up Victoriana to raw Punk Rock; reminiscent of Vivienne Westwood back in the anarchic 1970’s…
I bought the skirt and waistcoat separately (on eBay), they’re from two different brands but the fabric is identical in every way so they make a perfect suit. They’re both vintage and the waistcoat has a very interesting brand label. It says…“Susan Barry – the clothes that men admire” I’m really not kidding – HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED!!!!
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Emma, I love everything about this outfit! The blue and browns are so good together. I have always loved that color combination! You know I love my tights for fall with tall boots. And your coat is so gorgeous. I do love military inspired elements, too. And your handbag! So gorgeous! I would wear this whole outfit in a heartbeat. So cute! Such a great theme you chose for us this month, too!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Emma, this outfit is amazing. I absolutely love that dress and the shirt styled underneath it really makes all the colors pop in the best way possible. The coat over it was just the icing on an already perfect cake. That coat stole my heart. I do love pre-owned items and although I don’t go into thrift shops locally, there aren’t’ that many, there are multiple online buy and sells that I check periodically and purchase from. Great post!
bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca
I am so loving this outfit on you! The dress is beautiful and love how you paired it with the brown knee high boots! Fabulous looks on the other ladies as well!
Ellibelle’s Corner
It’s a very nice dress! I love the colors together aan cd the design of the dress makes me think of the 70s. Groovy. What a fun theme to work with. And you havn’t even changed in 8 years!
Emma thanks for choosing the theme!! And what a great find this adorable dress! Love that you paired it with this shade of tights- so perfect!! Adorbs xx
I love this vintage style. The military coat is a nice add on. You rock this look!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
I love the length of your jacket: it will be so nice and warm in the fall especially with a dress like that one. Love the brown and blue color combination: I will need to remember this one!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I loved this theme, Emma! And I really like your dress – what a steal. The blue and brown is a fun and unexpected combo, and I really liked that your look stood out against the rest of ours in terms of color. It’ll surely make a great dress throughout the fall and winter!
Miles of smiles,
Grace
gracefulrags.com