Painfully Hip’s Major Hip Replacement clothing swap in Chicago was so fun, it was painful. Painful to see all the amazing clothes that people were letting rot in their closets…
I loved the way the swap worked out. We set it up with a bartering system so it felt a bit like shopping but without the guilt, and with an easy, mingly cocktail party atmosphere. The fact that you were sorta being held responsible for the quality of your wares totally upped the ante on the selection. Another cool thing that happened was that in an effort to make a “deal,” the girls were encouraging each other to try new things by specially choosing pieces from their stashes for one another that they thought might be a good fit.
In fact, I am so stoked on my new, free wardrobe that I decided to show off my favorite pieces with a really fun shoot by my friend (and talented fashion photog for hire), Nick Avey. Everything is from the swap except the accessories, which were all thrifted.
This pearl-encrusted dress, in perfect condition, was in the unwanted leftover grabfest pile at the end of the evening because everyone thought it looked a bit too “Jersey.” So I staved off the “nouveau riche” vibe with some black accessories and flat oxfords. Now it’s sorta got a Little Orphan Annie feel, which, come to think of it, is quintessentially nouveau riche. Ah well.
In spite of the sour mug, I do love this outfit. The tea-length boucle pencil skirt was scored off of one of my favorite Chicago bloggers, Whimsical Nerd, who traded it for my green floral cotton skirt which on me was frumpsville but on her almost 6 ft frame it magically turned into an adorable high-wasted mini skirt. I hope I see her wearing it on wardrobe remix, she’ll totally be a thrift star that day.
No idea what I’m doing in that photo, but this is probably my favorite single piece from the swap. My friend Andrea brought it because it didn’t fit her, so she didn’t even ask for anything in return! It’s in beautiful vintage condition and fits perfectly! I love this dress so much I would trade my own grandma for it. It has these profoundly deep and sculptural pleated pockets which satisfy me to no end. God, I think I have a pocket fetish.
By the way, I’m thinking about setting up a Painfully Hip Major Hip Replacement Clothing Swap tour. Which cities are most in need? Please vote in the comments, and we just might see you in your city (but only if you wish on a rainbow)!
people were giving those dresses away?! They’re darling! Can you please bring your clothes swap to LA? But just to my house… no one else’s. ;]
Oh my god! At first I was like “eh, I’m not sure if I would find anything cool at something like that.” Um. OPINION CHANGED.
The Annie dress is my fav, you look great.
If you are ever back in Van that would be sweet.
NYC! NYC!
Though it might take some convincing for my mom to allow me to participate, seeing as she’s still under the impression that everyone on the internet is a sex predeator [sic] or serial killer -_-. Though, if it made me go through my closet, she might change her mind…
Awesome stuff! I went to my first clothing swap a few weeks ago and it was so much fun. I love the dress especially!
you’re so pretty!
You look so great! The middle red dress was mine too, and I am stupidly happy the dress and skirt have such a nice and stylish new owner. It is such a fuzzy feeling. You wear them so well!
Hip Replacement Tour Stop – Toronto, Canada!
I know that there are clothing swaps for women here, but there needs to be some for the better dressed men in our city! The bit about guilt free shopping sounds so delectable. Perhaps you can help me…
Portland OR or Seattle WA- northwest hippie grunge chicks really do know how to be painfully hip (and caffeinated)!!!
I cant believe someone would part with those clothes!!
You did good.. Real real good!
That last dress is possibly the most versatile, everywhere appropriate dress ever… And I absolutely love how you styled the red skirt. It makes me want to try tea-length (even though I swore I never would).
Harrisburg, PA, please!!!! I would absolutely die if you guys came to town!
The middle shot is my favorite, love the red skirt with the strapless top!
Beautiful photos of my baby girl..and oh, yes, the clothes are cute, too. But I’m not biased or anything….
sacramento. come on. come on. you know you have to!
New Orleans, LA please. . . . .
Man…..how about Marrakech? Aw, I know you are all going to say no even though I swear we have nothing vintage. Listen, I did buy these groovy 70s platform Moroccan shoes made out of vintage caftan on Wednesday. They are not my size but I thought I would just put them on my desk to make me happy.
Austin Awwwwstin AUSTINNNN,TX
we have so many painfully hip things to share!
bump the annie dress <3
come to Lexington KY!!! We have some amazing thrift store you could check out while your here
UM. New York City!!! please please? I am DYING to do one of these! Not to mention the awesome thrifting that you could do while here…
Please come to Seattle! pleeeease! (or LA this summer?!)
tallahassee or tampa florida please!!
it’s such a lovely idea. i have wayyyyy to many clothes that Ive only worn once. it’s so fun to switch it up (& much more affordable!)
xoxo lauren
Um, um.. One in Philadelphia is a must please it would be sooo lovely! I have begun cleaning out my closet a couple of months back and I have several bags sitting in a corner in my room! Include Philly in this tour!
SAN FRANCISCO!
Norfolk, Virginia, please pretty please. I’ll wish on rainbows, dandelions, shooting stars, AND eyelashes.
Columbus, Ohio! We really are much more stylish than it would seem!
Come to Ft. Worth, TX!! Pleeeease!
ooh now that someone else mentioned it though, I wouldn’t mind a trip to Austin for a good swap. Everyone would get some good finds there.
Columbus, OH! There are legions of ladies who would be ON that!! Also, we have hot, hot thrifting, good local music scene, and lots of sweet boutiques popping up all over the place! Plus, my man has a large place with a bunch of mid-century antiques to set this thing up at… just sayin… !
Seattle!
the other night at lipstick you mentioned bringing the swap to sacramento.
utilitarian art bazaars we have, WE NEED YOU TO BRING THE SWAP.
don’t be teasin’, girl.
and you look absolutely beautiful, as always.
I love everything that you got!
Your shoes in the second picture are AMAZING! Just like the entire outfit!
The top dress is like Annie meets Breakfast At Tiffany’s- and that last one is AMAZING. I too have a pocket fetish. Well done with the grey hat too. Let’s swap in Sacramento!! See you Saturday.
RICHMOND, VA!!!
or we can come down to norfolk! either way!
<3
NEW ORLEANS! The big easy! Laid back, southern, jazzy, eclectic- what city could be cooler?
OMG I love that black dress!!! So cute!
arghhhh i live in ASIA!!!!
All that cute stuff, you’re so lucky! I live in DC and nothing like that happens… Come to the East Coast, we have cherry blossoms and museums!
NYC NYC NYC!
it would be so much so much fun!
there are so many chic ladies here with clothes to trade
because shopping is too damn expensive!
-R
New Orleans! New Orleans!
I love love love all your outfits! GORGEOUS!!!!
Boston! I think I’m the only one who said it, but come to Boston!
I also think I have a pocket fetish…
Vancouver!
Baltimore or DC!!
London England possibly?
Another DC/ Baltimore vote
PHOENIX, AZ.
We don’t have H&M, okay?!! We need it more than you trendsetters (I’m looking at you, Boston, LA, New York, and San Francisco).
Oh, and DC? You have Annie Creamcheese. We have Savers and Goodwill. Not quite the same.
But, if we have a Painfully Hip Tour come through, we can change all that. We do quite a fabulous job with what we’ve got.
pittsburgh pittsburgh pittsburgh! pleeeeeez!
btw those dresses fit you perfectly! what a successful swap! =]
pittsburgh pittsburgh pittsburgh! pleeeez!
btw, those dresses fit you so well! what a successful clothing swap!
NYC NYC NYC! Actually, Jersey City, NJ if you wanna freeload off of your adoring high school fangirls (ahaha, probably not) but NYC NYC NYC!
umm…dublin…ireland…please?!