Thrifty: Red Pleated Dress

If you know me at all, you know that Goodwill is my favorite place to shop without exception. I love it so much that it's a borderline addiction hobby. While I do love to score a bargain, and I'm as into reduce-reuse-recyle as the next gal, there's something about finding a treasure in racks of mostly... not treasures... that gives me a rush. Among my historic hauls are a Gucci purse, a brand new Baby Bjorn, a velvet sway-back couch, sevvvvvveral velvet chairs (I can't stop), my children's entire wardrobe, and a vintage wooden poker table that almost made my husband stop hating how much I love Goodwill. My favorite finds are antique/vintage items- furniture, needlepoint artwork or pillows, and obviously, clothes... which brings me to the topic of this post. On any given day the odds are good I'm wearing something thrifted, so I want to take a moment to model as awkwardly as possible in an effort to showcase my favorite finds.

You may have a few questions. Did I go drag my bwff (best work friend forever) out of her office to take these pictures with my iphone camera in the atrium of our office building while cardiac patients walked by, super confused? You'll never know. What we do know is that I sacrificed what was bound to be a wildly successful modeling career to pursue instead Petroleum Engineering, so this will be a bit painful for all of us. Don't blame the photographer: she's great, and she did the best she could with the material given to her.

The Outfit

This lovely red dress is lightweight and comfortable, yet perfect for a day at the office. The pleating is my favorite feature, and the best part is that it came out of the dryer perfectly pressed. It even has a matching belt... and don't forget the tiny, adorable, difficult-AF-to-do-yourself buttons all the way down the back!

Vintage: I'm guessing this is a product of the 1980s. Same!

Total cost: $6

Sweat equity: Remove shoulder pads, give it a wash, and you're hot to trot!

Styling: I paired it with some modern heels in an effort to make it a bit less... matronly.

Toodles! TLO