Thrift with Me: Three Feminine, Fall Outfits!
Hello friends! I hope you all enjoyed my first thrifting blog I put out last week! I've been wanting to create a more sustainable closet for a while now, and thought I'd bring you along for the ride! Today, I'm in search of something I've been in dire need of...dresses and skirts! I know you've all seen that ONE dress I've worn a bazillion times...yeah, that's not going to cut it! Currently, that's the ONLY dress I have, and this mama needs to feel a bit more feminine these days! To be fair, I did have two other dresses from Target, and you know what?? THEY SHRUNK. Not cool, cotton blends...Well, moving on, today is all about thrifting for nursing-friendly, feminine, FALL fashion!! I'm headed to my neighborhood Goodwill, and am hoping to leave with at least three outfits that I can pair with current accessories from my closet! Disclaimer: I'm a simple gal, and NOT a fashionista. Finding these items and putting them together took an entire day, two thrift stores, a consignment shop, and a lot of luck! Stick around, and let's see what I found!
Outfit#1: Banana Republic button down dress●$7.25
This Banana Republic dress was a steal! I love that the buttons down the front make it nursing friendly, and it's tan color makes it versatile for Fall. The material is thin enough to layer with a cardigan to easily transition from Spring into Fall! It's 97% cotton, and the 3% spandex gives it such a comfortable stretch and fit! PS. I encourage any postpartum mamas going shopping to give yourselves grace as you learn what new sizes may fit your postpartum body! This dress was a size 8 petite "stretch," and I'm used to being a 4! Once I let go of my pre-baby body expectations, I had a way easier time finding items that fit my body!
*I decided to pair this Banana Republic dress with an aztec printed cardigan from Lucky Bliss, booties from Aeorosoles, and a Dooney & Bourke leather backpack that I thrifted years ago for a steal!
Outfit #2: MSK polka dot dress●$6.78
What a lovely surprise this dress was! It is 100% polyester and has beautiful pearl-like buttons down the front. It's a thin material that can be easily layered depending on the weather! I love the “bit-of-fun” the polka dots add to what would otherwise be just another "black dress." I love how comfortably it fits to my body…it's neither skintight or loose. I can't wait to eventually pair this with a nice Fall hat!
*I shopped my closet and styled this dress with a grey sweater from Loft, booties from Sam Edelman/aka hand-me-down from my mom, and a beautiful vintage purse I inherited from my lovely Grandma!
Outfit #3: J.CREW wool sweater●$18.50 & Lilly Pulitzer button down skirt●$16.50
This outfit was painful to pay for at my local consignment store. Maybe I'm being hard on myself, but I did not expect to spend this much after our two previous incredible deals. Learn from my mistakes! Consignment stores tend to price items higher because the people who bring them in to sell get a small percentage. I love how the skirt is 100% cotton with its button detail down the front "for show," and a functioning zipper down the back. At first, I was skeptical of a navy skirt, but then I learned it could be paired with any color top that you would wear with jeans! That high versatility is just what this non-fashionista needs! The 100% Merino wool top is super soft, thin, and not rigid...not to mention the beautiful Fall pastel color! I love the 3/4 sleeves for a cooler option and higher neckline for some extra carefree modesty!
*Aside from your choice of jewelry, I felt all this outfit needed was booties from Franco Sarto/ aka hand-me-down from my Aunt Sue, and possibly a scarf (from Gap)/hat on a chillier day…totally your choice!
So, how do you think I did?? To be honest, the process of looking for clothes was not as easy as I thought it would be post-baby compared to my college days…but mid-dressing room, while nursing my 6 month old on the floor, I reminded myself of how much more this body has accomplished, and that deserved applause, NOT shame!! I'd love to do a post on loving our postpartum bodies! If that's something you'd be interested in, let me know in the comments way down below. I hope these feminine FALL outfits inspired you! Which outfit was your favorite, and why? How would you have styled it? Help a sister out, and let me know in the comments way down below! Happy feminine FALL thrifting!
Cool, Calm, and Collectedly Yours,
