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Thursday, August 20, 2009

Secondhand Raspberry

When I visit the thrift store, the first place I head is the dress section. I almost always find something interesting there. Again, it’s mostly the dead old ladies’ castoffs that attract me.

Last Saturday, I picked up this sheer, tulip-sleeved, “secretary,” dress at the St Vincent de Paul. The belt was missing, but I have an ample collection of my own. (I imagine the belt looked like the one on this very similar, but shortened, version of the dress sold at Nasty Gal Vintage.)

Dress, Bill Berman (thrifted). Slip, thrifted. Shoes, Nine West. Bag, Apt 9. Earrings, self-made (I copied Erin). Necklace, thrifted.


A sheer dress requires a slip. Fortunately, the dead old ladies send plenty of those to the thrift store, too.


Not only is the dress raspberry-colored, but the fabric is printed with little “seeds,” too.

I thrifted all of these dresses:

Not all of the thrifted dresses are still in my wardrobe, but I’ve worn the pink sundress, the khaki (now dyed dark blue) shirtdress, and the white 70’s dress to death.

23 comments:

  1. My God, you must have the thrifting gods by your side all the time. All of these dresses are to die for and you are workin' this latest one like it's your JOB.

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  2. LOVE the dead old lady dresses. And this color is beautiful! Makes me want some raspberry sorbet...

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  3. Oh what a STUNNING dress. Sometimes I think you are just here to make me jealous girl!~ ;P

    XOXO

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  4. I love those earrings! Impressive array of thrifted dresses.

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  5. That rasberry dress is the diggity bomb!

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  6. I just thrifted a dress with that same pattern this week! Except it has a pleated top and an a-line skirt. Crazy! Anyways, love how you styled it!

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  7. Since I wore a dress nearly identical to that in high school (c. 1985), I'm going to say that maybe this one was not from a dead old lady! :-P

    It looks great on you - fab colour with your hair.

    I always hit the dress department, skirts, blazers and shoes in thrift stores.

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  8. Anonymous11:43 AM

    The drapey detailing on that dress is fantastic - shoulders and hem, both.

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  9. That is a truly fantastic dress. Stuff like this is the major reason I wish I were a smaller size: the old ladies' castoffs just don't fit me anymore.

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  10. This was a great find - I love the slip underneath...
    The color looks suits you!

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  11. You've found some awesome dresses. You really know how to accessorize them well. They all look fantastic.

    Where I live, the thrift stores have NOTHING good (believe me, I've tried repeatedly). Oh, and they smell really, really bad. I don't know how the employees (mostly volunteers) can stand it day after day.

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  12. this outfit is lovely! i love the raspberry paired with gold jewelry.

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  13. I'm always afraid to even try on the "dead old lady" dresses for fear of looking like a huge frump, but you've inspired me to try them on more often!

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  14. How do you go about picking belts? I always like them when you wear them, but when I get to the store and think I'm adventurous, I end up leaving empty handed. The few times I have paired a belt with an outfit that doesn't normally call for it (no loops), I end up adjusting it throughout the day as it seems to slowly start falling down.

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  15. Beth - I buy almost all my belts to fit my waist. I don't wear them on my hips, so I pass on the larger belts.

    When worn at the waist, they don't usually move around much. Sometimes I wear them higher, on my ribcage, and then I do have to make some adjustments. Since I drink a lot of water, I have plenty of opportunities in the restroom to put the belt back in place.

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  16. OMG, gorgeous! I love that dress, I cant wait to start thrifting in New Jersey. Oh, I tried on those glasses when I was in Girl Props...they did absolutely nothing for me, but they look fab on you!

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  17. You are a very elegant and original woman. Their looks are surprising. the blog is a show!!! Congratulations. Visit mine, I will be very honest!!! Kisses for you

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  18. sometimes I wonder where my clothes will go when I....you know, leave the Earth. Great to know they might find a new host. But don't worry; I have a few "good" years left...

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  19. I can't believe you are blonde. I used to be on wardrobe remix all of the time and I wrote to you and you were one of my favorites. Today, I was on someones brand new blog and your name was on their blog. I knew you were familiar by site and then I figured it out. Amazing what a different hair style and color does.

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  20. What are your favorite thrift stores in Cincinnati?

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  21. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that dress. Can I just say LOVE one more time? ...and then can I steal that dress please? :)

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  22. Londyn - you can totally borrow it!

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  23. your dress reminds me of a watermelon! ;) and you seem to have such good luck thrifting dresses, all the ones i find are long and flower-y. :(

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