Thrifted Neutrals: Shop Your Closet
Today, I am sharing an all thrifted outfit (minus the shoes) that I shopped from my closet with pieces thrifted from 2 years ago to last December. I have learned a few tricks that I try to remember when I am thrifting, so I do not buy too much and so that I actually know I will wear those items.
Tip #1: make sure that you like the fit! This cropped sweater is a little too cropped with low-waisted pants, but works perfectly with these high-waisted jeans. My son thought I needed a bigger sweater, but I told him I would not be raising my arms up high during the day, so I was okay.
Tip #2: Feel the material: unless the item is new with tags, most of what you buy will have been washed a few times, so you should have an idea if it pills or if it feels soft or itchy. As I put this outfit on, I realized which of my sweaters I reach for more: I have a couple of sweaters from Target that I haven’t worn much because they stretch out and pill.
I bought this moto jacket for $3. The details on it make it interesting and it is probably the one I reach for the most in my closet. So tip #3 is to buy items that add interest to your wardrobe.
Tip #4 is one that everyone should know by now: buy pieces that can be worn with a variety of items in your closet. The sweater can be worn over a dress, it can be worn with some of my skirts and with any of my high waisted pants.
I have noticed that I haven’t shopped retail in about 3 months: I know that I don’t need any clothes so if I want to browse and shop a little, I choose to buy second hand. I have been very successful, so I try not to go too often! January has been a no shopping January as I am resetting my budget to start fresh in February. And while I like my bright clothes too, I really do love a neutral outfit like this!
A bientôt!
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19 Comments
jodie
Great tips. If the shirt feels too short, you can always put a cami on under it to fill in the gap when you do raise your arms. I always like doing that for just in case.
Love the interest of the tan jacket…that’s a good one,
OXOX
Jodie
mimifce
I tried that but didn’t like how it looked, but I have enough pants and skirts that are high waisted enough for me to be comfortable. That jacket is such a nice one!
Allie Mackin
Ah yes you an can over spend when thrifting if you are not careful. I have done this, it is easy to do b/c you always think ah its so cheap, but it adds up.
You really got some great pieces love the stripe sweater and agee I so do not do cropped tops with lower waist bottoms. And $3 for that moto jackat, that is insane, what a great find!
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
mimifce
Exactly! The thrift store I frequent has great clothes and great deals so right now I just don’t stop by at all so I won’t be tempted till my March 1 date =)
Marsha Banks
I was going to say to wear a cami or tee under the sweater if you wanted to wear it with something less high waisted, but Jodie beat me to it! I love how creative you are in your photos! Love the one of you peaking through the bushes. I think the tip about checking the fabric for pilling is a good one. I hate pills and will not buy a sweater if even one review mentions pills! It immediately ruins the item for me. Good luck on your No Buy January. I’m contemplating a no buy February, but it never goes well!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/try-it-again-tuesday-3/
mimifce
I tried a tank under the sweater with other jeans, but I didn’t like the look so I will stick with higher waisted things. I have several skirts that the sweater really works well and I need to try it over a dress too! So far, I haven’t shopped since mid December: it’s been easy: I just don’t go to the thrift store! I hadn’t bought retail anything since at least October I think, so I think the habit is mostly broken there.
Nancy
Good ones, especially think about on what other clothes you can wear something. I tend to buy something that doesn’t fit with anything i already have….. great jacket Mireille!
mimifce
Thank you, Nancy!
Laura Bambrick
I love thrifting and completely agree with your tips! I just passed on a sweater today because of the piling. I knew it would just keep happening. I like to look for high quality materials-especially if I score on cashmere!
mimifce
Yes! I need to get better at reading clothes labels/tags!
Kathrine Eldridge
I need to get thrifting again. Love this look and thanks for the inspiration!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
mimifce
Thanks Kathrine! I am looking forward to getting back to it in the spring.
Jill
These are great tips! I never seem to have luck thrifting but I also don’t have a lot of patience to spend time looking through all of the racks. My daughter loves it though, and always comes back with amazing finds. Love this neutral outfit! That jacket is such a great layering piece!
Jill – Doused in Pink
mimifce
I usually look for cooler that catch my eye or a a pattern and then see if it might fit!
Cat
I only know one second-hand shop in town and that’s the charity shop. I don’t like to go there because it’s so small and crowded, it kicks my claustrophobia into overdrive.
The tip on making sure you like the fit is so important. Being well-endowed, I prefer my tops to be really long and I have learned not to let people talk me into getting shorter ones. I got three tops on sale once and everyone loved them, but while I liked the look of the shirts, I hated wearing them so, so much.
Cat
https://catswire.blogspot.com/
mimifce
I definitely do not enjoy the smaller shops where everything is crowded! I have learned also that some things I think look great on others do not always look great on me, or even if they look fine on me, but I am not comfortable in them, I won’t wear them.
Sue from Women Living Well After 50
I love the colours in your top, Mireille. I wear bright colours these days but also like to mix it up with more neutrals. You look lovely. #WeekendTrafficJamReboot.
mimifce
Yes, I really like having the variety of brights and then having neutral tops too to fit my mood.
Grace
Love this outfit! And I’m so impressed that it’s nearly entirely thrifted. I tend to thrift the same types of things (mainly dresses) so it would be very hard for me to put together an entirely thrifted outfit. I always love seeing other people do it!
Miles of smiles,
Grace
graceperwear.com