Thrifted Style: Looking Chic for Under $30

You know what's better than a well-styled, put-together outfit? One that's also thrifted! I had a great haul from Value Village about a month ago now, and while it rarely happens, all of the items could be styled together all in one outfit!

As you know, I always look for items that stand out when I'm thrift shopping: a texture, a colour, a label...it could be anything. This Asos skirt ($8.99) caught my eye originally because of the volume - I always get excited when I see a full skirt or dress hidden amongst the aisles. Then I was even more overjoyed when I saw the lace trim along the bottom: how sweet! The top ($4.99) I found was far more basic that what I usually hunt for, but hey it's good to have some simpler pieces too. Here, I dressed it up by styling it with this white statement necklace from Nobis & Grey.

As for the purse ($4.99), the little bow on the front stuck out amongst the other bags (I have a lifelong obsession with bows, after all). Bags are a bit tougher to search for, since smaller bags and wallets are hung up and down the tops of many of the aisles. But if you've got some extra time, you might just find some treasures! Don't forget to check the pockets. You never know what surprises could be inside. I once found a clutch full of some brand new rose gold Aldo bracelets!

Last, I was over the moon when I found these simple single-strap high heels ($9.99). In fact, I found an identical pair in highlighter yellow too! And the kicker: both sets were in mint condition. I have been lusting over other bloggers' heels like these for quite some time, so to find them for such a deal was an absolute treat.

Have you been thrifting lately? What goodies have you found?

Top - Seduction (thrifted via Value Village) | Necklace - c/o Nobis & Grey | Skirt - Asos (thrifted via Value Village) | Purse - Gap (thrifted via Value Village) | Heels - Anne Michelle (thrifted via Value Village)

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

Eco Fashion Week: 81 Pound Challenge

My favourite part of Eco Fashion Week is always the Value Village runway shows. Their 81 Pound Challenge aims to bring awareness to the amount of clothing waste we make each year, and shows just what can be done with that waste through upcycling! Every year, the average person throws away 81 pounds of textiles. That's a massive amount! The really concerning part is that just a few years ago, it used to be called the 68 Pound Challenge, but new statistics have been released since then showing that number has continued to rise.

Evan Biddell, the winner of Project Runway Canada Season 1 was the designer tasked with creating an entire runway show from the 81 pounds of clothes this year. Take a look below to see his incredible eco-friendly creations! I've included photos from the Toronto Women's Fashion Week runway show from earlier this year, since Vancouver's showcase did not include a full runway show of Evan's collection. Instead, Eco Fashion Week displayed the 81 Pound Challenge in a unique setting at the Museum of Vancouver, which allowed guests to get up close and personal with each piece, to see how it was constructed! Isn't it inspiring to see what he was able to create with all those old garments?

While at Eco Fashion Week this year, I was very grateful to have the opportunity to share my eco-friendly thrifting hacks with ET Canada's host Erin Cebula, as part of their coverage of Eco Fashion Week in Vancouver. Click to watch the video below, and maybe you'll pick up a few tips for the next time you're thrifting at Value Village!

Again, I also wanted to show my Eco Fashion Week outfit, entired thrifted from my favourite thrift stores, Value Village and Salvation Army. All the details are below!

Coat - Zara $39.99 (via Salvation Army)

Jumpsuit - Zara $13.99 (via Salvation Army)

Blouse - Loft 82 $8.99 (via Value Village)

Heels - Call It Spring $12.99 (via Value Village)

              Purse - Aldo $12.99 (via Value Village)            

Total = $88.95

[ runway photos by Jonathan Hooper ]

Happy (Eco) Styling! xo

~ Britta

Cozy Neutrals

It seems crazy now, that just a couple of short weeks ago, it was still snowing in Vancouver. I think most Vancouverites have pretty much had it with the snow, but to be honest, there's a part of me that still revels in it. It's just so pretty as it falls, and I love how quiet the city gets with less cars and people out. I was also totally OK with the snowfall, because it gave me a chance to wear my new oh-so-cozy sweater from Kensie that I thrifted from Value Village a few weeks ago! It's not a colour or print I usually go for, but when I saw it, it definitely made me think of cozying up in front of a fire at a cabin in the woods. I love the size too: everyone should have at least one oversized sweater or cardigan in their wardrobe. It's such an easy piece to throw over a tank or t-shirt, and instantly you're looking effortlessly chic and cozy. Needless to say, I've been wearing it around the house a lot lately too!

What have you found at the thrift store lately? Share your finds in the comments below!

Cardigan - Kensie (thrifted via Value Village) | Hat - similar | Jeans - Urban Planet | Boots - Style & Co. (similar) | Purse - Aldo (thrifted via Value Village)

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

Find a Chic Suit on a Budget

Oh man, when I saw this BCBG MaxAzria suit in Salvation Army, it was love at first sight. Do you ever have that moment when you find a thrifted clothing item that looks amazing, and inside your head, you're freaking out thinking "What if it doesn't fit? This has to fit. This is literally so amazing I am going to MAKE IT WORK somehow, even if it doesn't fit!" And then you cross all your fingers and toes as you try it on, hoping it will just fit like a glove? Yeah all of that went through my mind when I found this suit. Thankfully, this was one of those times where the stars aligned and it actually did fit perfectly!

Everyone should have at least one good suit in their wardrobe, and a few pieces of workwear, but it can get really expensive really fast. A good suit or the perfect pair of nice dress pants can run you quite a lot. I'm not one to splurge on stuff like that, so every once in a while, I'll scour my local Value Village or Salvation Army looking for good finds. This whole suit ended up costing me only $24.99!! I've found some great thrifted dress pants and blazers over the years too, from brands like Banana Republic and Judith & Charles. Most items were $8 and under, with some of the more expensive items being only as high as $30.

My biggest piece of advice when thrifting suits, blazers and dress pants: if you're not sure, just try it on! Grab a bunch of different sizes and brands. Sizes fluctuate between brands, so you might be surprised what fits. And don't get hung up on the length, you can always get that tailored if you really need to.

You never know what you'll find. The only way to find the gems like this is to start thrifting!

Suit - BCBG MaxAzria (thrifted via Salvation Army) | Purse - Richmond Night Market | Heels - Aldo (thrifted via Salvation Army)

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

Eco Fashion Week: Thrift Style Challenge

I've really grown very fond of Eco Fashion Week over the last few years. At first, I wasn't sure if it was the right place for me - I mean, this blog isn't about greening our planet, it's a fashion blog, and I never considered myself as eco-conscious as maybe I should be... But after I attended my first season a few years ago, I realized that there are so many ways to help the planet that aren't all hippy and hemp - if you know what I mean.

My absolute favourite show at Eco Fashion Week is the Thrift Style Challenge, presented by Value Village. That's where I really saw for the first time that thrifting isn't just fun (because I definitely already knew that!) but it's a way of decreasing our consumption of textiles. The more we thrift shop and buy others' used clothes, the less demand we are putting on the clothing industry! And that means less of a footprint we're leaving behind. Sounds pretty great, right?

The 3 stylists this year, Jason Pillay, Nadia Albano, and Nathalie Rees did a fabulous job of showcasing how thrifted clothes can look just as chic as new clothes - an important stigma that I think needs to be broken! There are still lots of people out there who think thrifted clothes is all grandpa sweaters and out-of-date styles (none of you though, since you see all kinds of amazing thrifted finds here on Vancouver Vogue!).

Keep reading below to see the 3 Thrift Style collections, as well as the eco-friendly and locally made design I rocked at Eco Fashion Week from designer Theresa Chen!

Nadia Albano:

What a chic collection! Very feminine, somewhat ethereal, and so perfect for Spring! I loved how Nadia showed the uniqueness of Value Village finds (that grecian dress!), while also showcasing how wearable they can be. I always hope that these Thrift Chic challenges inspire everyday people to thrift shop, and I think this definitely hit the mark!

 

[ photos by Peter Jensen Photography ]

Nathalie Rees:

I think it is just amazing how Nathalie was able re-create what looks like a perfectly curated Spring collection for a mainstream store! And guess what, it's all thrifted! Everything looks straight off a store rack, which I think is great. This collection slayed any preconceptions that thrifted clothes are old and frumpy, that's for sure! 

[ photos by Peter Jensen Photography ]

Jason Pillay

For anyone who thinks that Value Village is just full of old 80's clothes (perfect for your tight and bright parties, no less), this collection may not dispel those assumptions. BUT... I must say that Jason did a fabulous job of rocking those 80's trends in a way that was definitely worthy of a runway. Not bad for an all-thrifted collection, hey? Jason even managed to incorporate some very on-trend pieces, like the wide-leg pants.

[ photos by Peter Jensen Photography ]

Now of course, because this is Eco Fashion Week we're talking about, an eco-friendly outfit is a must! Wonderful local designer Theresa Chen offered to outfit Vicki of Style By Fire and I for the evening, and I couldn't have been more thrilled. I have been a huge fan of Theresa's designs, ever since I covered her collection at Vancouver Fashion Week about 12 seasons ago! I chose a piece that is on the more avant-garde side, and I must say, I was a little sheepish about the -ahem- hemline at first, but Theresa and Vicki gave me the courage to rock the hell out of it. I ended up absolutely loving it! And doesn't Vicki's red dress look amazing too? She looks fantastic in the colour and the cut, and would you believe it - it's all one piece with no zipper! Comfy.

[ photo by Gianluca Cescon ]

Dress - Theresa Chen | Necklace - Nobis & Grey | Earrings - c/o Nobis & Grey | Shoes - thrifted via Value Village

Well that's it for the Thrift Style Challenge! Next, I'll show you my favourites from the awe-inspiring 81 Pound Challenge, presented by Value Village. And let me tell you, much like the Thrift Style Challenge, it did not disappoint!

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta