Friday Finery & Frivolities; BTV Thrifty Fashionista Update

This week felt like a marathon! I started the week off with a nasty head cold and some organic outfit inspiration. I wore two floral inspired looks one subtle and one bold and then struggled with a case of fashion déjà vu. I’m so glad it’s almost the weekend!

Spring has finally found it’s way to Burlington and the sunshine has brought the city back to life! Carolyn of Fig Dreams Clothing & Design who made these shorts and styled these looks stopped by the shop last night and she was wearing one of her amazing outfits (as usual).

She’s wearing: thrifted romper, vintage hat, heart shaped sunnies from Downtown Threads, amazing DIY necklace, assorted glass rings, vintage Adidas, and a thrifted tee. 

Carolyn always has the best accessories

I can’t wait to copy Carolyn’s open romper look! I love how fearless her style is. I think one of the reasons everything always looks so good on Carolyn is becuase she carries herself with such confidence.

Carolyn is an expert thrifter and had some great tips on how to make the most out of this time of year. With three colleges in Burlington (including my Alma mater Champlain College) and two other colleges only minutes from the heart of downtown this time of year is always hectic. Most apartments in Burlington go from June 1 to May 31st, making these next few weeks prime time for thrifting, consigning, upcycling and yard saleing.

If you’re in the Burlington area here are some of the best places to score some sweet swag on the cheap in the next few weeks!

May 18-19, The Clothes Exchange: With all proceeds benefiting a local charity this is one swap you wont want to miss. Last year the Clothes Exchange raised $70,000 for the King Street Youth center! Want to beat the crowd and get first dibs? Buy your tickets for the shop first event here (I’ll be there!)

May 25, Spring Move Out Project (SMOP): Carolyn has had some amazing finds at this event in the past and this year they’ve expanded! From 11am to 3pm on May 25th Loomis St. and Bradley St. in Burlington will become one large free yard sale. It’s free to drop stuff off and to take stuff away. Bring items to drop off, come to shop or do both. Just don’t miss it!

Sat & Sun (April – Mid October) Charlotte Flea Market: Only 10 miles south of Burlington this outdoor flea market boosts upwards of 40 dealers with everything from new and vintage clothing to antiques it’s the perfect way to spend a sunny weekend morning.

Goodwill (Williston & South Burlington): I’ve already dropped off two huge garbage bags full of clothes and the donations are coming in faster than ever as everyone tries to slim down their closets before moving. Shop often as they are always procesing clothes and their stock changes daily.

ReSource VT: Formerly Recycle North this amazing organization is entering its busiest time of the year. Looking to decorate your apartment on the cheap? They’ve got everything; shabby chic dishes, curios and vintage furniture all on the cheap! Make sure you bring your game face if you plan on going in the next few weeks, it’s going to be packed with people and with new donations!

Consignment more your thing? These places all accept consignment and offer a whole lot more…

Battery Street Jeans: Looking for vintage Levi’s, funky accessories, and gently used gems? BSJ has em in spades. Just make sure you call first as their hours tend to… fluctuate…

Dirt Chic: This newer consignment shop always has great bags and hats, and don’t miss their epic sale rack out front it’s always freshly stocked with great deals.

Downtown Threads: If you follow Wore Out then you know that Downtown Threads is my first stop when I’m looking for anything. They’ve got amazing vintage, the hottest sunglasses, friendliest staff… don’t get me started. Just go and see for yourself!

For the most up to date tag, yard, porch, and garage sale listings head on over to craigslist or hop on your neighborhood’s front porch forum.

Are you planning on hitting up any of the event listed above? What are your thrifting tips? Did I miss something? What would you add to the list?

LBD Co-Lab Look #5 Red Cowgirl Boots and a Fedora

I love this outfit, it was the one I was the least certain on when Carolyn and I laid out the outfits, but seeing it now I love how all the elements came together!

Fedora: Charlotte Ruse, LBD, Belt: Old Navy,

Skirt: Vintage (via BTV CLothing Swap), Tights: Gifted, Boots: Gifted

This outfit really pushed me out of my comfort zone and I am so thankful! Normally I wouldn’t consider mixing patterns so freely but I trusted Carolyn and I wasn’t disappointed. I love how the pattern of the tights and the skirt are complementary in a clashing way.

The belt is a little big for me so we  pinned it it the back. The stripes and woven detailing on the front tie in the fedora and add a lighter, more summery feel to this LBD remix look.Transitioning the look from spring to summer is a snap! 

Again we turned the LBD into a LBT and the outcome in my opinion was a triumph! I would wear this outfit again in a heart beat and plan on it!

A huge thank you to Carolyn of Fig Dreams Clothing & Designs for helping me see not only my LBD but my whole wardrobe in new ways. Having Carolyn’s input was like being able to see how your friend would wear your clothes without having to give any of them up.

This remixing project helped me try new trends and pushed me out of my comfort zone (both good things in my opinion). I think that I will definitely open myself up to new trends, styles, and ideas more because of this project. It was great to be able to see my wardrobe and my style through Carolyn’s eyes. Even if it was only for a short period of time it provided me a lot of perspective.

Have you ever done a remixing challenge? What was your favorite LBD remix look? How would you have remixed an LBD?

LBD Co-Lab Look #4 One Thing is Not Like the Other

Cropped Moto Jacket: TJ Maxx, LBD, Belt: The Possibilities Shop,

Skirt: Handmade Vintage (via Downtown Threads), Tights: Gifted

Moccasins: Minnetonka (via The Kittery Trading Post)

This outfit put me a bit outside my comfort zone. Normally I wouldn’t have thought to use a LBD as a top because of it’s length, but Carolyn assured me it would work and  I really liked how it turned out. I doubt many people would realize it was a dress.

The cropped cut of the jacket and the thin belt draw the eye in at my waist adding shape to my silhouette. Usually I wouldn’t have paired this look with moccasins but Carolyn insisted that they gave the outfit the Burlingtonian vibe it was missing and I went with it. I ended up kind of liking the unexpected vibe the moccasin gave the outfit.

I think that I’m going to start layer more dresses under skirts and vise versa. Using them as layering pieces gives you so many more remixing options. I love how this dress looked as a top (an LBT). I can definitely see myself wearing this outfit again but I would probably change up the shoes, swapping the mocs out for a pair of bright pumps or booties.

Do you layer skirts and dresses a lot? What do you think of the mocs with this outfit? What shoes would you stly this outfit with? 

LBD Co-Lab Look #3 Doris Day Safari

Faux Fur Pilbox Hat: Etsy, Vintage Raincoat: Etsy,

Tee: H&M (via BTV Clothing Swap), LBD, Tights: Bali, Hanes, & Playtex,

Shoes: Steve Madden (via TJ Maxx)

The lining of this raincoat turns the outfit into a safari of animal prints and furs

I am so glad the I trusted Carolyn’s instincts and judgment and went with this outfit. I love how all the wonderful pieces come together in such an unexpected way. This hat and raincoat were both amazing finds on etsy and I’m so excited to finally share them with you.

I love the ruffle on the front of this raincoat and the sweet leopard print lining takes it to a whole other level. It reminds me of something that Doris Day (one of my fashion icons) would have worn in “Pillow Talk“, (one of my favorite movies)! Carolyn convinced me that the zebra and leopard would work together and she was so right. One of the best parts of this co-lab was being able to see my wardrobe in a whole new way. Carolyn’s insights showed me how versatile my clothes can be.

This time I wore the LDB as a skirt and I’m really pleased with how it turned out. The empire waist gave the skirt a much fuller appearance once we added the zebra top. The fullness in the skirt kept the vintage vibe from the coat and peep toe pumps going. This is another outfit the lends it self well to remixing. It could be styled with or without tights, with a different top, a chic updo, or a different pair of pumps; the options are endless!

Do you like the LDB as a LBS (little black skirt)? What would you have worm with this coat?

LDB Co-Lab Look #2 Going to Boot Camp

If you’ve been following Wore Out for any period of time then you know these Jeffrey Campbell booties, I’ve lusted over them here and here…

Distressed Denim Shirt: Miley Cyrus for Wal-Mart,

Braid Belt: T.J Maxx, LBD, Tights: Hanes, Bali, & Playtex Outlet,

 Booties: Jeffrey Campbell Boot Camp Footnotes Online

Can we take a moment to talk about these shoes. I’ve lusted after them for months… I first posted about them in Friday Finery & Frivolities and since then the hunt has been on. Finally I found them and at more than $120 off! It was fashion destiny. They were my first Jeffrey Campbell’s and they wont be my last, I love them.

Even though Carolyn pulled this outfit together it’s exactly my style. I love how she was able to pick up my taste after spending some time in my room and my closet. I absolutely love how this outfit turned out. I would wear it with or without tights and it would look so cute layered with a leather jacket or trench coat.

It’s a much more casual look than the yesterday’s post and I’m loving how the military feel of booties is working with the classic vibe of the LBD. So far I am loving this remixed outfit.

Which look do you like better? Would you wear booties with your LBD? 

1 Little Black Dress, 5 Looks – A Stylistic Co-Lab w/ Carolyn of Fig Dreams

D and I are off on a week long vacation *insert happy dance here* to DC, Philly, and NYC for some quality one on one R&R (rest and relaxation).  We have a huge list of places where we want to eat, shop, and visit. I promise to take lots of pictures!

Before D and I jetted off I got to spend the day with Carolyn of Fig Dreams Clothing & Designs. I met Carolyn through a mutual friend and I’ve envied her style ever since; she’s got an eye for vintage treasures and one of a kind design pieces. I asked Carolyn to help me create five completely different looks by remixing one little black dress (LBD). She graciously accepted and we got to spend an afternoon playing dress up, swapping thrifting stories, and styling the one piece of clothing in every women’s closet, the little black dress.

Little Black Dress – Look 1 “Color Blocking Cool”

Scarf: Forever 21, Jacket: Vintage Jeffrey Allen (via Downtown Threads)

LDB: Gap, Tights: The Sox Market, Peep Toes: Target

Remember how I said I like to ease into new trends, well this is me testing out the color blocking waters. As soon as Carolyn say these shoes she couldn’t wait to use them. I was wearing these blue tights under ripped jeans while Carolyn and I were pulling together these outfits. We decided that it would be fun to mix the neon green of the scarf with the bright blue tights.

Have you experimented with color blocking yet? Are you an early adopter when it comes to trends or do you ease into them like me?