To mix things up a bit and share some different styles, my friend, Vicki, is back today to model a few things that she has found at the thriftstore. She started shopping at the thriftstores many years ago and has found some great deals there, adding to her wardrobe at very little cost. She shared the brands she has found there and I too have found some good brands at the thriftstores. If you are willing to dig a little, treasures are there!
Vicki and I have been friends since we were 15 and she wrote this beautiful article about her weight journey through life and I just know that so many can relate to her words. So, I’m going to let Vicki share her thoughts:
While browsing the clearance rack at Macy’s I struck up a conversation with a fellow shopper. Imagine that! She commented how she was shopping for her mother-in-law and she wore a size “W” for WIDE! Yes, she said that! She was totally serious. She truly thought the W meant WIDE! Well, bless her heart! I almost slapped her. How could any woman in today’s society be so uninformed about women’s clothing sizes? Granted she appeared to have never experienced any sort of weight issue and I’m happy for her. Sort of! But what about the 100 million plus sized women who wear size 14-34? Yep, that’s the figure quoted in an article by Margaret Bogenrief, December 21, 2012, Business Insider.
During my 30’s and 40’s, I took care of everyone but me and neglected my mental and physical health, resulting in obesity and a very negative body image. I just could not bring myself to spend money on fashionable clothing while so overweight. Maybe subconsciously I felt I didn’t deserve to dress better, feeding into the self loathing overweight women fight everyday. I think it was more about being wasteful not wanting to invest in larger sized clothes because surely I would lose the weight just any day. Now in my late fifties, I have finally accepted myself, my body, and want to dress fashionably for my age and weight!
My life long friend, Rhoda, has always been very fashionable and trendy and I have learned a lot from her over the years. Specifically, Rhoda introduced me to shopping at thrift stores. Now, no matter my size, I can spend very little money on clothing but enjoy dressing in name brand quality pieces for a fraction of what they would cost at original retail price. About 75% of my clothes these days come from a thrift store. So as I lose weight and move into smaller clothing sizes, I’m confident I’m not being wasteful at all.
Accepting and loving myself while weighing over 200 pounds has been life changing. Consequently, I have begun to lose weight and feel so much better about my appearance as I dress for my size and age. For me, forgiving myself for the damage done was necessary for change. I encourage all women, no matter your age or size, to accept your bodies and work with where you are and what you have right now. Don’t put off enjoying life until…you lose 5 or 50 pounds!
Dress to enhance your hair and eye color. Determine your best features and showcase them. One of my dear friends is about my size and age and she has great legs! She looks fabulous in shorter dresses and skirts, while I hide my knocked knees! Know your best colors, experiment with accessories or a new hair cut and color. You’ll be surprised how a new shade of lipstick can brighten your smile and your face! Spring is a great time of year to try new pieces, new styles! You are worth any time or money you spend on yourself!
As for the “W”, it represents “Woman”! I’m not sure what that says about all those who wear sizes 0-12! Happy Spring, y’all!
How I Shop:
I shop by color first. If the color catches my eye and is one that I feel compliments my hair and eye color, then I consider the garment. So I’m scanning the sale rack at Belk and the color and print of a dress caught my eye. I have a pair of brown leather boots that might work with this so I grabbed it and brought it home. The dress has chocolate brown trim so I found some chocolate brown tights to wear with my brown boots. I wore the outfit to church and definitely got the “wow” reaction from several friends. My daughter-in-law was the most enthusiastic with her encouragement. Mother Mom breaks out!
While I’m still over 200 pounds, my feelings about myself have improved from the positive changes in my style. My confidence is boosted and I’m encouraged as I begin a new project of self improvement…weight loss!
I loved hearing from Vicki’s heart and I know many of you did too. So today, we are going to share how just adding a colorful top with a basic pair of black pants can enhance your closet and allow you to mix things up for some fun just by adding different colors. Black pants are also slenderizing. This is especially good for this time of year, with Spring here now.
All of these thriftstore fashion items were found for under $10. This cobalt blue tunic blouse came from the thriftstore and it is by Calvin Klein.
Adding simple jewelry dresses up a blouse.
Another find that Vicki scored thrifting is this aqua leather jacket by Dialogue. Definitely her color (and mine) adding a pretty colorful scarf is a great way to bring color up to the face and highlights the hair and eyes. Vicki said she has had this polkadot scarf for years and wears it with so many things.
Here it is again with a lime green blouse from Chico’s. So keep those scarves in mind to add punch to a spring outfit.
Another longer scarf with aqua, red and green really wakes up that lime green blouse.
So, get those spring colors out and wear them proudly right now. They will wake up your complexion and make you feel better. I love spring colors and adding jewelry and scarves to accessorizing.
Vicki is on a weight loss journey now and I can’t wait to see where she lands!
Do you look for clothes at the thriftstore?
Lookin’ great Vicki! I love all those colors on you! Thanks for sharing some great pointers Rhoda! Love your blog!
Someone said they would knock a person down to get the turquoise jacket. It is pretty, but I just want the dotted scarf!! What a great accessory!
Seriously, though, I really enjoyed this post and all the comments. I have shopped at thrift stores a few times. I have a nice linen shirt from Harold’s that I got from Goodwill. All of this enthusiasm makes me want to go on a thrift store hunt soon.
Hi Kim,
The scarf has been such a fun accessory for me because it matches coral, lime, aqua, and black so I can wear it with a colorful top and my “uniform” black pants. I got so tickled when a young man, like 20 something commented on my cool scarf. I think I spent about $10 on it at Ross many years ago. Thanks for posting and enjoy your treasure hunt!
I love your fashion posts, and this weeks is so great for many of us plus size ladies out there. I was just at the thrift store tonight after work, found a Talbots top for spring, a Chico’s 3/4 sleeve top, and a brand new pair of pants with the tags! It is so easy to let fashion slide if you put on some weight, but pulling together some key pieces and accent with some great jewelry, just makes you feel so nice! Nice post!
When will people understand that everybody was not created to be thin? Just because you’re not a size 6 doesn’t mean you can’t be stylish and look beautiful. Some of us won’t ever be thin…our bodies just weren’t made that way.
Love this! Thank you so much for sharing your style. I am 52 and about 40 pounds overweight. I shop at the thrift stores because we have little income for clothing so I can have a variety for little cost. The other day I found 6 tops for spring for under $20. I have already worn the printed blouse and silk jacket to church and the cute pink button front t-shirt embellished with a little ruffle to tea with a friend. I also tried on a Dana Buchman blouse, but it was too small around the middle. I need to lose some of that 40 pounds!! 😉
That aqua jacket is just beautiful on you, Vicki. And I love the dress with the brown leather boots. Gorgeous and very in style. You’re right, that having stylish clothes while losing weight is a huge confidence boost, and buying at thrift stores often scores not only excellent prices but trendy styles. In the past year and a half I’ve lost a lot of weight and wish I’d had the advice to wear the styles and colours I loved while doing it. Thank you for this post, and for sharing your story and your style.
As I have aged I have come to realize that what society/magazines/Hollywood says is beautiful is not necessarily how I see beauty. I don’t look at size at all. I see the sparkle in someone’s eyes, the glowing complexion, the way someone carries herself and yes the kindness that radiates from within. Be true to yourself ladies. You are all beautiful no matter your size. Vicki you are lovely and I thank you for an excellent blog.
Rhoda,
Congratulations on the magazine gig (Too fun!)
I think Vicki looked just lovely in the outfits she shared with us and I loved reading what she had to say, and she gave some great tips!
I love it when you showcase Vicki in your fashion blogs. She just radiates beauty from within.
I have a mommy tummy from carrying four children. When I get discouraged about it, I try to remind myself that being a fashion model is not my goal in life. Being a happy, healthy, well adjusted woman is.
Vicki, I am still in my 40’s. I hope that I am as lovely as you when I am older, no matter what I weigh!
Love, love, love your courageousness and perseverance! Also love that you decided to go for it and live life to it’s fullest right now. You look beautiful in all your outfits! I’m 56 and I have been shopping thrift stores for years, long before it became popular. I used to tell my children that I was shopping “green”! To me it’s a form of therapy… you can go in and spend $25 and come out with such great finds. Now that’s my kind of retail therapy! I can’t even go in the regular stores anymore. Besides, it’s so much fun putting together outfits that no one else is going to have! At Goodwill, I only look at the color barbs that are 50% off, that’s my quick way of going through the store, if not, holy cow I would be there all day! I also like hitting other thrift stores, some of them have everything in the store is one price each day with the lowest being fifty cents up to a buck seventy-five! You have to dig, but it’s so rewarding when you find that treasured piece!!! Keep up the good work!
Vicki, what an inspiration you are! I was going to suggest that you start a blog but I believe I saw that you had posted the link in one of your responses above. I do hope you will share your ‘living life to the fullest’ ideas and of course your fashion ideas. These you’ve shared today with us are beautiful! Love the Aqua jacket, definitely your color. You are beautiful inside and out. I’m 59 years old and my sister introduced me to thrift store shopping a few years ago. I love it! It’s an adventure because you never know what you’ll find.
Thank you Rhoda for sharing Vicki with us!
I think Vicki is a very pretty woman and looks wonderful in all her outfits. I gained weight as I entered menopause, and lost it after joining Weight Watchers . I learned new eating habits and exercise and live a new lifestyle, and have kept the weight off for 12 years. I buy most of my clothes from charity thrift stores. I find the best brands there such as L. Bean, Chico, J. Crew, Karen Scott etc. I could not afford most of these brands new. Last weekend I even found a pair of Jack Rogers leopard sandles. Most of these clothes are in perfect condition, some still with tags on. I even found a beautiful pink designer dress and matching coat for the Mother of the Bride dress I wore for my daughter’s wedding. I’ve also bought wonderful shirts for my husband and great baby clothes for my Grandson’s first year. It’s such a money saver, and the money all goes to charity. Rhoda, I always enjoy your blog so much. Your light really shows through on your blog, and your friend Vicki seems to be a shining star as well!