No! You don’t have to pay the high prices at those mall stores that target the “in crowd”—or even go to the more affordable but still costly consignment/ secondhand shops like P____’s Closet, and other fancy “thrift” stores that charge more than necessary for cool, whimsical threads.
However, if you don’t, it will take longer, with more visits to cheap thrifts to find charming clothes hidden in the midst of all those dull duds…but it can be done! I’m proof of that.
Don’t forget the Goodwill Outlets! …where stuff is sold by the pound, not by the item. (Think cheap!)
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I love this outfit! I have to say, this is one of my best efforts, to date…just wore it last week.
Each piece of this fun ensemble was purchased at cheap thrifts. My price range is generally 25-cents to about $3. Yep, you heard right! Lol!
I’m drawn to romantic, eccentric, funky, colorful, fanciful, storybook, pirate/ gypsy/ poet/ hippie togs.
Vests add zest!! They are a splendid way to add pizzazz—color, texture, style—to an outfit, and an excellent way to layer! You can also Create a Lovely, Lacy, Shabby Chic Vest from Hand-Crocheted Doilies!
I buy my costume jewelry mostly at places like flea markets and rummage sales—sometimes thrifts, with the exception of this vintage brooch that I found at an antiques sale (Isn’t it wonderful!?).
In my experience, flea markets and rummages offer unusual, sometimes vintage, pieces at ridiculously low prices if you’re a good rummager. But, hey!, scavenging is the name of the game! When I can find festive clothes or accessories at a terrif price, well, it just feels good! And makes me proud of myself! Lol. 😀
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Don’t forget that you can transform a fairly standard article of clothing (…’Course nothing made in India ❤ is “standard!” 😀 ) into a bohemian “rag.” 😀
Even, literally! I like to tear things up to add character, particularly skirts. For instance, I rip shreds on the bottom of long skirts. Those with vertical stripes seem best for that application.
On this one (with its wonderful Indian ❤ print), I also wrapped a few of the tatters with colorful ribbon of a color in the print, and added strips of coordinating-colored cloth onto the tatters. They dance in the breeze! 🙂
This skirt can be worn alone or layered with other skirts.
You can also add ribbons all over a skirt.
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Ya know, I see a lot of examples of layering tops, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen layering of skirts. You could also sew skirts together to have them permanently layered, but keeping them separate and just wearing them together makes for more diversity.
And, as you collect clothes—styles and colors you’re passionate about—eventually, they all start to go together!
So, it makes it a lot of fun to mix up your pieces to make different outfits. 🙂
You can also attach one skirt on the bottom of another—or, even make a maxi using a pair of shorts and a full skirt !
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I look for, not only uncommon garb, but those made of comfortable, natural fabrics: Cotton, rayon, and silk are at the top of my list—especially for tops, because that is the garment that most closely fits your body. Usually, as I go through the racks, when I discover that a piece is polyester…YUK!…I just pass it up! I don’t even like the feel of it!…let alone how it doesn’t breathe and how it holds in the Florida heat!
Sometimes, if I REALLY like something, I’ll swallow my self-respect, as one who usually abhors poly and other suffocating man-made fabrics, and buy it anyway. But, it’s gotta really grab my fancy!
Now, I realize that rayon is a man-made fabric, but it’s really comfortable—and breathable. I recently discovered that even though it is an artificial textile material, it is actually composed of “regenerated and purified cellulose derived from plant sources,” according to Britanica.com. So, in a way, it’s natural, too. It was developed in the late 19th century as a substitute for silk. Rayon was the first man-made fiber. Interesting, huh!?
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If you’ve read many of my posts, you’ll know that I really adore stuff made in India! ❤ They’re really good at using cotton and rayon…and their colors! And their prints! And their beading! And their trims! Ahhh…it’s the stuff dreams are made of!! 😀 ❤
So, needless to say, I am constantly on the watch for clothes, accessories, and jewelry made in India! ❤
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Now, get out there, yourself, to your fave thrift and start putting together a wonderful bohemian outfit of your own!