Don't Sleep On Thrift Stores: Thrifting 101
When it comes to style, there has been a major resurgence of the thrifted vintage look among millennials.
With thrifting, you can save major bucks, find classic looks for any occasion, and support community and WOC vintage thrift store owners with brick-and-mortar businesses and online shops in the process. And while I love buying brand new clothes, there is something special about going thrift store shopping and finding something name brand, vintage, one of a kind, and fly for dirt ass cheap!
I always say, "It's not what you wear, it's how you wear it."
As an avid thrifter, I know a thing or two about navigating thrift stores, finding the best bang for my buck, and thinking of ways to put unique looks together. I decided to put my skills to the test by asking a friend of mine to join me in a thrift store challenge where we put together a complete outfit for $25 or less. I decided to add a twist to it by doing a bunch of different looks, ranging from a girls' night out to a flirty date night.
Read on for tips and tricks of how to navigate thrifting, and also for some style inspiration with different thrifted looks styled by yours truly.
Start Thrifting
Photo by: Dee Williams @hideexdee @famoustaine
Hit up your local neighborhood Salvation Army or Goodwill consignment stores. Likewise, you can look up your local brick and mortar thrift shops. On this particular thrift trip, my friend Friday and I took a trip to the Salvation Army to find some thrifted looks. Remember, you can always take this opportunity to find and support WOC-owned thrift stores.
Check out this popping list of some more online WOC owned vintage thrift stores!
- Golden Bird Boutique
- DivaXpress, LLC
- Just Bree
- Ms. Phay's Closet
- The Thrift, esq.
- The Thrift Guru
- The Thrift Jesus
Photo by: Dee Williams @hideexdee
Once you're there, you will really have to look through the racks to find good pieces, since most of the stores are usually very big. The good thing about these kind of stores is that most of the clothing is color-coded and categorized by male, female, and children's. They are also caterogized by pants, jackets, dresses, skirt, coats, etc. If you are looking for something in particular, you will have no problem knowing where to find it.
Find Opportunities To Save On Top Of Saving
Photo by: Dee Williams @hideexdee @famoustaine @fluidfridays
Another great thing about the Salvation Army, in particular, is that most store locations across the country will have a day where every item in the store is half off, with the usual exception of one colored tag. I usually plan to be at my local store early to make sure that I snag all of the good stuff at half the price. Chain stores like Goodwill also offer half-day sales, as well as other savings events periodically throughout the year. So constantly be on the lookout to get the most bang for your buck.
Get Creative With Your Outfit Choices
Photo by: Dee Williams @hideexdee @fluidfridays
Thrifting allows you to really bring out your own personal sense of style, since there are no rule or guide books when going to a thrift store. You won't have any mannequin styled to perfection, and you won't have anyone there to help you pick out the perfect designer outfits. Thrift store shopping truly allows you to express your creativity through your own personal sense of fashion. Also, going with your bestie is such a fun, and bonding experience as you both nay, or yasss looks together, and swear on what you know sis would love!
Look Out For Stains
Photo by: Dee Williams @hideexdee
Don't be like me, lose your mind, and forget to keep up with your personal belongings. Also make sure you check to see if there are any unremovable stains on something you pick out. Most thrift store sales are final. As a general rule, if you are still feeling iffy about community thrift store clothes, all you have to do is wash any piece you buy before you wear it.
Click through the gallery below to check out the challenge looks that me and the bestie came up!
Look 1: Coffee Shop Chic
Photo by: Dee Williams @hideexdee
Here, I look like I threw on a quick outfit to run to the coffee shop to get some writing done and meet up with a friend for a late lunch date later. I love the chicness of this olive v-line plunge top, the old school high-waist elastic banded jeans, and the super comfortable canary yellow oversized button-down and bag. Total cost of this look? $16
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Fontaine Felisha Foxworth is a writer and creative entrepreneur from Brooklyn New York. She is currently on the West Coast working on creating a TV Pilot called "Finding Fontaine", that details the nomadic journey of her life so far. Keep up with her shenanigans @famoustaine on IG.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage