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?
Jewell Massey says
One of the best articles so far. I am 68 now and have not always been confident about dressing for the occasion. My sister and I LOVE thrift stores… Two of my best finds were 1) a two-piece, silk jungle print outfit and 2) a red silk kimono top that I wore at judging in the MS WHEELCHAIR AMERICA PAGEANT two years ago in Houston, Texas. My FERRAGAMO shoes were NOT a bargain by any stretch of the imagination but were made possible by the kimono and black silk pants finds :). PS: YOU are beautiful — thanks to you both for the inspiring article.
Vicki says
Hello Jewell,
Sounds like you have the knack for treasure hunting! I agree on the fact that when we save so much money on an outfit or special piece as you did, we can feel more comfortable splurging now and then. Back in the day, I never ever splurged on a mani pedi, (time was also a factor back then), but now I do indulge occasionally! Thank you for posting and enjoy a springtime treasure hunt!
teresa says
I’m laughing be cause I have a couple of Ferragomos that I bout brand new at thrift store! One is a bronze and another black patent leather. One never knows what the hunt will bring!
Lisa E says
Thank you Vicki for sharing your heart. You are a beautiful woman and I love those fabulous, vibrant colors on you. I think as women we are entirely too hard on ourselves. I know I have some weight I’d like to lose that I seem to have found through menopause and it’s no easy task when temptation lurks every where. I wish you all the best on your weight loss journey and we will be right here cheering you on!
Vicki says
Hi Lisa,
Your comments are so encouraging to me! Thank you! After reading all of the kind posts today, I’m highly motivated to reach my immediate goal of 199! As for menopause, my weight did not dramatically change with menopause, but my waist size surely did. Good luck with your efforts as you seek to lose a few pounds and achieve healthier lifestyle. It’s a process! God bless you and thank you so much for posting!
Lisa E says
Thank you and your welcome, lol! We are all I this together! God bless!
Lisa E says
Oops, I meant we are all IN this together. Need an edit button, ha!
KATHYSUE says
First must say, Vicky is a beautiful lady and she is so right in shopping for color first. Love her coloring and her hair, she is a very pretty lady. Loved reading her story and I think it resonates with many, many women. Rhoda you are so wise and Vicky is so generous to do this for your readers. Thank you Vicky for being such a wonderful model and the turquoise and lime are definitely your colors.
Kathysue
Nancy Garner says
Vicki– I haven’t seen you in years, but as always, you look GREAT! Keep up the good work!
Dawn says
Lades –
Vicki, thank you so very much for sharing your story! It’s similar to my story. I’m 51 and I started to gained weight from one emotional relationship related mishap after another. All the while not truly noticing that I was slowing packing on the weight until my clothes started to get too tight or worse, I saw a full body picture of myself. Denial sets into body imagine issues which turns into self loathing, it’s a vicious cycle. All the while knowing that I deserved better than this but the change didn’t come until God help me to see my path to a healthier, happier person. And I’m glad to say that I’ve lost 15 lbs. in 10 weeks! And even though I still have 40+ more to go, the 15 lbs. is a VICTORY….so I’ll take it! It’s all a part of my new lifestyle change. Again, thanks for sharing! God Bless
The Style Sisters says
Love this post! It is all about loving who you are no matter your size. We have been blessed to have these bodies and we need to love them and take care of them no matter what they look like. Wearing fun clothes makes me feel happy inside….I too am over 50 and really enjoy colorful fashion. I do a Fashion Friday post every Friday and would love to have y’all come join in on the fun! Great fashion tips here!!
Hugs,
Karin
The Style Sisters says
oops my fingers added two periods to the above website address here is the link http://www.thestylesisters.blogspot.com
Linda says
This was a celebration post!
A gentle reminder to all us ladies to not be so hard on ourselves.
Beautiful!!
jonell Harrison says
Shopping thrift stores is a way.for me to use well what God provides.
I am in that 14-16 slot & find victory shopping in the correct size (petite) & focus on skin care, a good haircut. Pretty scarves & JACKETS.
Beth in the City says
I’m so glad you shared your story. I’m 44, I take care of others, and I struggle to take care of myself. My weight is creeping up and I’m debating the sense of buying clothes that I like NOW, although I love to shop thrift stores. I’m so glad you reminded me to buy clothes that fit well and flatter NOW. I am also thrilled that you are encouraging other women. We get so bogged down with the message of perfectionism and you are fighting that with truth and love and joy. And beauty! You look fabulous. Thanks Rhoda, great choice for today!
Renee says
I was just thinking it would be nice if someone “like me” gave fashion tips….thanks Rhoda for asking your friend Vicki to be a guest today! I needed the encouragement. For the last 5 years I have struggled with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and weight gain….for someone whose max weight was never over 120 lbs…except when pregnant…it has been very discouraging. I never realized how much my body image affected me because I never had to deal with weight. All of that has changed. But recently…maybe because it’s Spring… I’ve decided I have to work on my wardrobe. I do shop thrift stores because, like you, I hate to waste money with my ever-changing weight. It’s nice to see we dress the similar, Vicki and use scarfs to brighten our look with pretty colors around our face. Thank you. And thanks to you, too, Rhoda… Love
Vicki says
Hey Renee,
I’m so sorry to hear about your thyroid issue. I recently began medication for the same. I have been encouraged by all the online info and books offering healthy advice for thyroid problems. It can be discouraging but wearing something you feel good it will help your mindset! Give it a try and take heart!
Wendy Cooley says
What a wonderful post!! This is so very inspirational! I will definitely do some thrift shopping! Vicki landed some awesome pieces. LOVE the aqua jacket.
Tammy says
Vicki, you are beautiful and inspiring and have awesome taste! In friends as well as clothes! :o)
I have been heavy from the get-go; literally, the first thing Mama wrote in my baby book was that the nurses all said I was the biggest eater in the nursery. So, yea. I’ve always been fat! And what made it worse growing up is that my family on both sides are almost all petite. Sigh.
But at 51 I’ve made my peace with it, and have gotten really in to accessories like scarves lately. They kind of make me feel sassy and want to branch out a little more in my clothes.
At this point, my biggest concern, aside from my weight, is that people will think I am trying to look too cute and dressing too young. I mean, we all want to look nice, but I don’t want to come off as trying to look like I’m trying to pass for 20 again, you know?
Thank you both for these posts..it is so encouraging. I am 185 now and this has me thinking I might try for 150, one more time. Bless you both!
Mary says
Tammy, I don’t know if you will see this, but when you try to lose weight again, please look into doing low-carb. It really works! I’ve lost 45 pounds on it, and have maintained for 6 months now. I know I can never go back to eating the way I used to, but that’s ok, I can deal with that. Please look into it, ok! Good luck, ladies, we can lose weight at our age!
Karla Neese says
I grew up with parents who were Salvation Army ministers so I grew up in thrift stores, literally, and have always loved the treasure hunt! My almost 20-year-old daughter has kept on the tradition and she is truly an amazing thrifter. When we need clothes, the first place both of go is the thrift stores. Such lovely things to find! Thanks for this wonderful post. I have gained quite a bit of weight in the past year as a side affect of some anti-anxiety medication I’m on. But I am finally realizing that I am truly happy for the first time in years so it’s worth the extra pounds. I love the outfits you’ve shown and can’t wait to find my own versions of some of the lovelies.
Ronda Kaufman says
I go to church with Vicki and she is just as lovely in person as she is in the blog. She always looks wonderful and has the best smile of anyone I know..
Vicki says
Why thank you, Rhonda! Your sweet comments are a blessing to me! See you soon and thanks for posting!
Paula says
Dear Vicki
You are very pretty !! all the colorful outfits are adorable on you, for I myself love colors and prints!!
I feel no matter what size a person is they should feel confident enough to wear whatever makes them feel good !! Set little goals for yourself because you are worth it !!
Take Care of You!
Paula-IN
Melanie says
Great post!
KimberlyJ says
Very nice blog. I hate to say this BUT…I’d knock a woman down to get that turquoise jacket.
Just sayin’!
Segreto secrets says
This was such a pleasure to read! You are both beautiful and oh so stylish!!
xo. Leslie
Segreto Finishes
Fay says
Loved this article. She needs to write a weight loss blog!
Vicki says
Hello Fay and thank you for your encouraging comments. I am writing about my weight loss efforts at my blog mothermomsmusings.blogspot.com. I’ve been so blessed, yet overwhelmed by all of the positive comments and they have definitely motivated me to strive harder at losing weight and writing about it. I hope you’ll drop by and say hello. Thanks for posting!
MimiG says
Vicki,
You’re so pretty! Whatever your weight issues are, you project a powerful, attractive woman. I shop at thrift stores, consignment stores, Belk, anywhere I can get a great piece at a bargain.
Rhoda, keep up the fashion blogging, whether it be your finds or Vicki’s. As spring is finally around the corner, we can use some lighter, funky clothes..