Double Minted

Thrifting the Trends

Thrifty Finds: Printed Spring Maxi Dresses

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Spring has officially arrived, and that means it’s also the season for spring dresses. We’ve had our eyes on maxi dress trends lately, and we both found a few gems at our local thrift stores.

 
Going to the thrift store with a specific item in mind doesn’t always work, but sometimes you get lucky. More often, though, it’s persistence that pays off. We’ve even been known to check the same rack more than once. Something that didn’t catch your eye on the first pass might end up calling your name on a second look.
 
The warm weather this weekend had us out enjoying the sunshine, flowers, and sea breeze at Sutro Heights Park in our “new” favorite dresses.
 
Devon’s Blue Floral Maxi
Forever 21 Heritage 1981 – $7.99 from Goodwill
 
 
Britt’s Black & White Maxi
A Tribute to Marimekko by H&M – $7.99 from Goodwill
 
 
Devon’s Exotic Print Maxi
Forever 21 – $7.99 from Goodwill
 
 
Britt’s Watercolor Print Maxi
90’s vintage (because that’s a thing now) – $3.99 from Goodwill
 
 

Special Occasions: Going Green for St. Patrick’s Day

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We both love any kind of special event that involves dressing up: holidays, parties, and especially costumed events!

St. Patrick’s Day can be a tricky holiday, because most people don’t have a ton of green in their wardrobe. Let’s face it, green – especially the indisputably bright kind that lets you avoid pinches – is kind of a hard color to wear.

That’s why we opted to go thrifting for this post: to avoid spending a lot on what might be wear-once-a-year items. Lucky for us, most of the thrift stores in our area are on top of current events and had a whole rack of green clothing set aside. But that didn’t stop us from diving into the rest of the racks in search of anything from hunter to chartreuse.

Work looks:
Chances are St. Patrick’s Day will fall on a work day, so we put together some outfits that are festive and have a pop of green, but still look professional.

Brittany’s look: Green H&M top – $5.49 from Goodwill
(Pencil skirt also a Goodwill find, I-N-C pumps from Macy’s, jewelry borrowed from Mom)
 
 
Devon’s look: Green scarf – $2.49 from Goodwill
(Black Banana Republic dress – gift, black Hush Puppy pumps from Ross)


Party Looks:
Whether it’s a casual backyard gathering or a out-all-night kind of event, bright green can be a fun accent.

Brittany’s look: Green shift dress – $7.99 from Goodwill, mint green skinny belt – $1.99 from Goodwill
(BCBGirl shoes from a Macy’s One-Day Sale, statement necklace from Banana Republic – gift)


Devon’s look: Green H&M top – $3.49 from Goodwill
(Black maxi skirt – hand-me-down from Mom, platform sandals from TJ Maxx, DIY necklace)
 
 
green silk tank top
 
 
 
Casual Looks: 
Outfits that will keep you from getting pinched, wherever the day brings you.
 
Brittany’s look: Aiming for sweet and preppy in a green cable-knit sweater she already owned.
(striped skirt from ModCloth – gift, $15 booties from discount shoe store in Hong Kong)
 
 
 
Devon’s look: Ruffled green Forever 21 blouse – $4.49 from Goodwill
(Skinny black jeans from Ross, black Mossimo pumps from Goodwill)
 

Thrifty Finds: On-Trend without the Spend

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You don’t have to go to the mall or go online and spend a lot to get cute, trendy dresses.

Below are some of our favorite thrift store finds, compared in price and style with their full-priced equivalents currently for sale.

The key to getting this right is not going into a thrift store looking for something specific, but going in with your mind open to current trends. Browse Pinterest, flip through some fashion mags, then grab a $20 and go!

 
Polka Dots
Devon’s Dress: $7.99 at Goodwill
Full-price Equivalent: Betsey Johnson for $118
 
 
60’s Vintage Glam
Brittany’s Dress: $25 at Buffalo Exchange
Full-price Equivalent: Adrianna Papell for $180
 
 

 

Bold Prints
Devon’s Dress: $14.99 at Goodwill
Full-price Equivalent: Vera Wang for $130
 
 
Bright Colors
Brittany’s Dress: $8 at Goodwill
Full-price Equivalent: Saks Fifth Avenue BLACK for $50