Thrift Store Favorites..What Are Yours?

Here are a few favorite items from my recent thrifting expedition.



Beautifully detailed lined lace top...this came home with me!



Goes with everything straw bag...also came home with me!

Love the white piping and pockets...unfortunately, it was not my size

Vintage linen and cotton midi...looked fabulous on, but Dry Clean Only...so I passed.

...and a few other thrifted finds from a previous trip.



Note the cutouts, tucks, embroidery and covered buttons...definitely a summer staple!



Fabulous embroidered skirt with beaded and sequined accents

What are your favorite thrift store finds?  Please take a minute to share and leave a comment.  I'd love to hear from you!   

Thrifted Embellished Cardigan

I picked up this gorgeous embellished cardigan at a local thrift store.  The detailed pattern is made of silver metallic thread with beautiful beaded accents.  Note the great buttons!  This is one of the outfits I styled for a model portfolio shoot.

Styling by Lisa Byrd Thomas, photo by Al Wasserberger, model - Deandra Boyd 

Faux Fur Vest with Russian-style Skirt

I call this photo series "Tales of the Old Country."  The outfit is a little bit Russian folkloric and a little bit Pirates of the Carribean.  Whatever you want to call it...IT'S FUN!

           

The key piece here is the magnificent gored skirt with alternating panels of black crushed velvet and a wildly colorful print. I've added a vintage lace Victorian-style blouse from the 1960's and a textured, black faux fur vest. It's all topped off with a brown leather belt and some fabulous black boots. (Accessories were kept minimal to draw attention to the wonderful detail in the outfit.) And the best part is...everything was thrifted...except for the boots!

Photos by Dorothy McCuskey, PBD Studios.

White Collar Trend with Vintage 1940's suit

I posted this photo back in July, but I didn't give you any details. And it is a perfect example of a current trend....crisp WHITE  COLLARS.  My inspiration was an editorial in some magazine featuring a very similar Dior suit.  No high priced suit here.  This is a thrifted vintage 1940's version with padded shoulders and white button accents.  I love the high collar white blouse worn with the trim fitting jacket and longer skirt.   It's a great classy "school marm" look. 

Accessories include long leather gloves and a pearl bracelet (both thrifted), herringbone tights, and black bowed pumps with white piping.  I love the location and the model's pensive expression.  Makes you wonder about "the rest of the story."  Photo by Dirk Olsen.  Note:  The suit is for sale at my etsy boutique.

Winter White

Ramping up for the long cold winter...in white!

Winter white is such a nice break from the drab grays and blacks usually associated with the season.  Here I have paired a winter white turtleneck (thrifted) with a denim military vest and ruffled floral skirt (thrifted).  Suede and shearling trimmed boots and white down jacket winterize the look.  Styling by Lisa Byrd Thomas.  Photos by Dirk Olsen.

Hippie Style Fashion Photos (Part 3)

Here is the final outfit from my recent "hippie style" photo shoot.  It's a bit hippie, bohemian, celtic, and gypsy all rolled into one.  I fell in love with this dress when I saw it; I knew it would be perfect for the shoot.



The details



Lots of detail on this gorgeous dress...velvet bodice, cuffs and skirt panels along with tons of embroidery.   Notice the fabulous floral design on the leather and silver belt.  Accessorized with bronze and beaded necklaces and  brass, copper, and leather cuffs and bangles.  Tan suede mukluks top off the look.  Best of all, everything was thrifted, except the boots.     

Brocade and Denim

As a stylist, I enjoy mixing denim with more formal pieces.  This lovely violet brocade jacket really dresses up the tailored denim trousers (both thrifted!).  The detail on the lace blouse is amazing.  Cream and gray pearls, a topaz rhinestone necklace, drop earrings, and patent pumps are a great compliment to the look.  I love how the rusted metal chair contrasts with the formality of the outfit.     

Thrifted Sequins

Sequined garments are hot again this fall.  Whether you choose to go with a little or a lot, sequins add a touch of glamour to any outfit...especially casual looks.  Here are two examples of how to integrate sequined items into your wardrobe for a trendy, up-to-date (and affordable) look.

 

The fabulous black embroidered and sequined bolero was thrifted from my favorite Goodwill.  A magnificent find if I do say so myself!  I have paired it with a gray lace embellished tunic, skinny jeans, open toe booties, and a vintage belt.

The off-white cropped military jacket was $2 at a liquidation store and the stunning blue-gray sequined crocheted top was thrifted.  Paired with skinny jeans, multicolor flats, and a silver and abalone cuff.  Photos by Dominic Van Horn.