Budget Friendly Vintage Plaid for Any Occasion

On Trend Tuesday – Plaid Edition

My love affair with plaid started in the 90’s grunge phase which also coincided with my fondness of looking like an 80 year old grandpa (I thought it looked so stylish at the time, but sadly I was mistaken.).

Today’s plaid trend gives you the 90’s grunge edge with a much more figure flattering sillouette. Here are a few of my favorite vintage pieces on Etsy right now that are on trend and budget friendly!

Evening – This darling piece from fringebetty on Etsy would be perfect for a cocktail party or wedding. The one shoulder design is super flattering and the print is classic.

Work – TheRareStitchUK has the perfect skirt for work that incorporates two current trends – the midi skirt and plaid print. It would be perfect paired with a solid top, tights and chunky gold tone jewelry.

Day – FancyThatVintage’s camp shirt updates the grunge look while still giving your casual outfit an edge. The tailored top would be perfectly paired with skinny jeans or dark legings.

5 Easy Ways to Winterize Your Wardrobe

I was at a rummage sale over the weekend and found a great BCBG poly shirtdress for $8! I had to snag the deal, but with its bright color palette, I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to wear it till next summer. Luckily, I have a number of great staples in my closet that will allow me to carry this outfit throughout the seasons and below I give you the rundown on how to do the same.

1. Leather Jacket – I bought a fab 70′s leather jacket at a thrift store down in Miami. You can score your own at thrift stores, or mass retailers nationwide. They are so versatile, easy to layer, and give you the warmth you need  for cool fall and winter nights. This little number on Etsy from JackJettVintageis exactly like the one I own!
2. Wrap Sweater – You can pick one up at any local thrift store or mass retailer. I am loving this one on Etsy from dinalouisesf! They are so warm and cozy and take tank and short sleeved dresses from summer to winter in an instant.
3. Hat – Knit hats are a great and inexpensive way to stay warm and transition outfits. You can pick them up anywhere or make one yourself (there are tons of free tutorials online, like the one I have linked from Red Heart Yarn).
4. Tights/Leggings – My all time favorite closet staple. These HUE ones are my fav and have lasted me for several years (washing on cold and line drying). They are great to winterize summer dresses or skirts and can also be paired with winter wardrobe items as well.
5. Boots – I have a great pair of vintage cowboy boots that I got at a Thrift Store in Manhattan a few years back. Riding boots are also a great investment and perfect for taking summer outfits through the seasons. These lovelies on Etsy from Time Bomb Vintage  would be perfect to winterize any outfit!

Even though I can’t have 80 degree temps all year long (until I move to Hawaii), at least my summer dresses don’t need to be banished to under-bed storage thanks to these great winterizing closet staples!

What I liked best about the fragrance is that it lasted all day. I have tried countless perfume’s that start to fade as soon as I put them on, but this really stayed on all day. It also wasn’t overpowering. The perfume was just enough of a scent to have friends comment on how nice I smelled, but not to much that you feel like you can’t wear it if you are going on mass transit (my true test when choosing a perfume or lunch).

Ivanka Trump’s new scent will definitely be going with me everywhere this summer. A cute vintage bathing suit, some sunblock, and this super pretty pink bottle are all I need for a sexy summer day at the beach.

Market will be held at the Stone Pony from 10- 4

We love a fantastic market close to home, and are thrilled to be part of the first ever Asbury Park Record Swap and Punk Rock Flea Market. The market will start at 10AM for  the hardcore treasure hunters with a $10 cover at the door. General admission will be at 11AM and cost $3.  Be sure to join us at the Stone Pony at 913 Ocean Ave in Asbury Park, NJ. All 20% off store coupons will be honored and we will have a 50% off rack for some amazing deals on summer vintage finds!

RSVP

Here are the first several in the series, let me know what you think!

Episode 1 – Where to Shop Vintage

Episode 2 – Vintage Clothing Care

Episode 3 – Vintage Shoes

Episode 4 – Vintage Hats

Episode 5 – Vintage Bags

- Meg

We found out a few weeks ago that we are having a girl and were thrilled.  After seeing how fast my niece and friend’s children grew out of their clothes, I was determined to try and get as much as I could for baby from second-hand outlets.

I’ve loved buying gently used clothing since I was a kid.  As an adult, I’ve become much more aware of how buying from thrift and consignment stores can save money and the environment. If you do some digging, you can find great resources in your area that enable parents to buy gently used items while benefitting local charities, the earth, and your wallet.

• Garage Sales – Gsalr.com can help you plan out your route for all the sales you want to hit in one day. They aggregate data from Craigslist.com, so you can filter by location and description (ex. baby, toddler, Asbury Park, NJ)
• Thrift Stores – In addition to the super reasonably priced personally donated goods that are for sale at Goodwill, you can also find overstock from Target that they donate. I picked up brand newborn outfits from Carters with the original $10 tags for $2.50 each (Every week 2 different color tags are 50% off at Goodwill.) They have a large baby section with clothing and accessories for your little one.
• Be sure to check out The Thrift Shopper website to locate the thrift stores in your area. Their listings also have customer ratings so you can see if a store is worth the trip.

NWT Newborn Outfits Purchased at Goodwill for $2.50 Each!

• Consignment Stores – My favorite local store Squan Dry Goods in Manasquan, NJ has an entire store section dedicated to baby. You can find designer clothing for the little ones (think Lilly Pulitzer, Juicy Couture, etc.) for just dollars! To find a consignment store nearest you, ask around to other moms and do some old fashioned Google searching.
• Charity/Community Sales – This past weekend I went to a local Just 4 Kids Consignment. Local moms sold their clothing for $1 each and proceeds benefit a local charity. We picked up over 10 outfits, washcloths, sleepers, a baby carrier, and carseat winter cover for less than $20 (see pic below)!  Check the garage sale section of your local Craigslist or local newspaper (print or online) for similar sales. They are great because they have multiple vendors, so you can find so many things under one roof!

10 outfits, washcloths, sleepers, a baby carrier, and carseat winter cover for $20 at a local charity sale!

• Large-Scale Kids Consignment Sales – back in March, I hit up the Jersey Shore Kids Consignment Sale. I didn’t really know what I needed then, but I picked up a bunch of pregnancy journals and books as well as much needed summer maternity items. I got a fabulous polkadot 50’s inspired dress from Motherhood Maternity for only $4! My whole bill was under $20 for 5 outfits and a handful of books! I also found another local organization called the Jersey Kids Consignment Sale. Unfortunately, I found out about this one too late, but will definitely hit up their fall sale!
• To find similar sales in your area, ask around or do a google search for – kids consignment sales + your state. That’s how I found the two local ones near us, and I can’t wait to hit them for years to come.

According to the USDA (http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/calculatorintro.htm), the 2010 national average cost of clothing a child from birth to 1 was $1,288. By cutting the cost dramatically by shopping gently used outlets, you could save at least $1000 a year on clothing your child!

NWT Liz Lange for Target Dress found at Goodwill for $7!

I’ve found the best deals on new and gently used Maternity wear at Goodwill. My local stores in Bayville, Ocean, and Aberdeen, NJ have Motherhood Maternity tops and dresses from between $3-10/each and brand new Liz Lange for Target shorts, jeans, and tops starting at $3. The deals have helped me save a ton on my clothing budget! I’m going to wear the dress above for a friend’s baby’s birthday party this Saturday. It was on sale at Goodwill for $7 with Liz Lange for Target tags still attached for $28. My mom and I also saw the exact same dress at a Target near her priced at the original $28. Money saved – $21!

I’ve also done great at local Flea Markets and Rummage Sales. I picked up the super cute (gently worn) summer retro print polka dot Motherhood Maternity dress for only 4 dollars! Other must-sees for maternity steals are local consignment stores, garage sales, local kids consignment/charity sales.

Gently worn Motherhood Maternity dress found at Flea Market for $4

To stay as eco-conscious as possible, go for the gently worn items to fill your maternity wardrobe. If you come across the NWT items and purchase, you are still helping out the environment by saving them from a life in a landfill and saving money in the meantime.

Top 5 tips for eco chic maternity wear

1. Wash all clothes before wearing  – I wash everything before use. Most go in the washing machine, but for delicate fabrics, I was them by hand in the sink and line dry with woolite.
2. Stay season appropriate – While you may start shopping early for maternity wear, make sure you are cognizant of what season it will be in the later months of your pregnancy. I found out I was pregnant in January when there were tons of maternity sweaters everywhere, but it didn’t make sense for me to buy them since the bulk of my pregnancy would be in the Spring/Summer.
3. Double duty wardrobe – Long flowy tops, open drapey sweaters, yoga pants, maxi dresses and anything empire waist are garments that you might currently have in your closet that you can do double duty with during your pregnancy.
4. Patience – some thrift and consignment stores have specific maternity sections (using the term loosely as this could be 1/10^th of a rack), but in addition to checking out the specific maternity section, take your time looking through the other clothing sections. I’ve found great tops and dresses hidden in with the ‘normal’ clothing. So a little extra time searching can equal lots of extra money left in your wallet and a cute new maternity wardrobe!
5. Good measure – Knowing your measurements and/or carrying measuring tape on your shopping excursions will definitely prove worth your while. I found out that even though I would normally be a ‘large’ in non-maternity garb, I was fitting into ‘small’, ‘medium’, and ‘large’ maternity clothes. They vary greatly in size by designer. If you don’t know your measurements, definitely spend the extra 5 minutes and try on the pieces in a fitting room. It will help you from spending on items that don’t fit and also on passing up on something that size wise you think wouldn’t fit, but actually looks fantastic on you!

I hope these tips help you find a budget and earth-friendly maternity wardrobe that has you looking eco-chic through all 9 months! Let me know if you have any other eco/budget friendly tips for mamas-to-be!

Vintage Neon 80s and Green 70s Bathing Suits

With summer unofficially here, it’s time to suck it up (and in) and find a flattering vintage suit for your figure. Retro suits have so many reasons to love them. In addition to saving valuable resources and landfill space, vintage bathing garments are made of high quality materials and allow you to pay homage to the past while looking absolutely fabulous (Added bonus – no one at the pool will have the same suit! So this year, there will be no comparing yourself to that little 14 year old size 0 by the snack stand that has the same suit as you on.).

Newer ‘vintage’ bathing suits are the easiest to find and are in the best shape because they aren’t that old. You can find early 90s and 80s suits at your local thrift or vintage store for a decent price ($15-$50) that look practically new. With neon all the rage, it is hard sometimes to tell the difference. Make sure that the garment was made in the USA and has tags that look older (a website URL or cheaply printed tag is a dead giveaway that it’s something newer than early 90s).

My sweet spot is for 60s and 70s suits. They are harder to find than the 80s suits and the price is reflective (starting at $35+). Still all in all, you can find a great deal on a 60s suit that will hold up for seasons to come.

Anything 50s or older is hardest to come by and the highest priced (starting at 100+). There are some darling 20s suits out there, but unless you have at least a few thousand to play around with, a reproduction might be your best bet if that is your favorite style.

Vintage Floral 60s / 70s Bathing Suits

Best Places to Score Sweet Vintage Bathing Suits (I’ve added links to my favorite sites to find amazing deals)

• Flea Markets / Rummage Sales
• Thrift Stores
• Estate Sales / Garage Sales / Yard Sales
• Vintage Stores
• Etsy.com
• Ebay.com
• Craigslist.com
• Grandma’s Closet – I have some of my most coveted jewelry and clothes from my Nana’s closet. Definitely ask older relatives if they have any vintage suits that they don’t wear anymore. It’s the most economical choice and how cool to tell all your friends that your Nana wore it back in the 60s!

So scour your favorite vintage spot, pick up a killer suit, and let your inner bombshell out! You’ll be happy you did!