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Ask Painfully Hip: What the heck should I do with all these oversized men’s shirts?

April 30, 2008 – 11:06 am

Hi Amber and Eve,
My dad was cleaning out his wardrobe and found a dozen button up shirts he didn’t wear anymore. He gave them to me but I don’t know how I could wear them or alter them to make them wearable. They’re pretty large. Do you have any tips?
Thanks!
Ronnie

hi ronnie!
amber and eve passed your question along to me, (because i LOVE to sew!), so i’m going to see what i can do to help you out here. (ps. how lucky are you to get all those shirts?!?! i’m jealous!)

ok, so i’ll admit that i did a little bit of a google search on the topic before i sat down to tackle it, and i have to say that i wouldn’t wish those search results on anyone. one especially fantastic message board was plastered with sentences such as “sow the sides of the shirt smaller and cut off the collier.” (i’m not even sure what a collier is on a shirt…) and fantastic fashion advice such as: “pop the collar, belt it with a wide neon belt, and wear matching pointy toed pumps and black leggings.”
frankly, i’m hoping we can do better than that. i don’t mean to offend anyone and their personal style, but i feel like that look is just… really over-done.

amber had a really awesome idea of cutting out around the collar (collier?) and turning them into poofy halter dresses. since i always have to take things a step too far, my reaction was, “yeah! and what if you left a strip connected to the collar, to make it a t-back?!” you could do this with or without the sleeves.

the main thing you need to figure out is if the shoulders fit. this is the key to wearing any over-sized top without looking sloppy (or like you’re drowning!): well-fitting shoulders. one of my favorite thrift store finds was this over-size silk blouse, that, believe it or not, is marked as an “extra small” because it fits small through the shoulders. (please ignore the walking cast on the foot i’m trying to hide!) because of the fit through the shoulders, i’ve been able to pair it with all sorts of things without looking like i was playing “dress up.” (well… my boyfriend strongly disagrees with that last statement, but i’ve found that the best response to that is “you chose me!!”)

if the shoulders fit, unless you want to drastically change the look of the shirt, you don’t have to do much sewing. if they don’t… well then it might take a little more effort. if you have any experience sewing, you can take the sleeves off, re-size the shoulders and arm holes, and then re-attach the sleeves. you can re-size the shirt by using your favorite fitting top as a pattern (be sure to remember to factor in enough of a seam allowance!). if you don’t really have much sewing experience, you will probably want to get someone to help you with this (or email me and i can give you more detailed instructions).

if you detach the sleeves, sewing them back on can be a lot of fun - you can leave them big and puffy, or tighten them up. you can leave them long, or shorten them to any length - even cute little cap sleeves. right now i’m having a lot of fun leaving the cuffs on, shortening the length to around the elbow, and then buttoning the cuff to make a puff sleeve.

to change the actual shape of the shirt, you can do all sorts of things - you could add darts in the side or vertically, and give the shirt a more feminine shape. you could also take the sides in a bit. you could sew a channel around the waistline a run a ribbon through it to create a draw-string.

styling the shirt is going to be even more of a chance to get creative. you could always go with the popped-collar pointy-toed pump/matching belt look, but i’ve been having a lot of fun trying different things - belt it high with a skinny belt, and then wear something loose and feminine underneath for spring - short bloomers or lacy vintage tap pants, tall white stockings and broken-in over-the-knee boots (or vintage woven flats?). i want to find a mini crinoline and create a very full (short!) skirt look. tighten it around your waist with a belt and roll the sleeves up so you don’t lose yourself in all that fabric! you could leave it loose and full and button a snug-fitting vintage vest over the top, or even try the corset-over-shirt look. one of the advantages to leaving the shirts loose is that you can then pair them up with very feminine pieces and not feel too baby-dollish.

Got a question? Ask Painfully Hip!

By diana | Also posted in diy, painfully clever (DIY) | Comments (9)

Ask Painfully Hip: Practically Plus-sized and Perpetually Perplexed

April 21, 2008 – 10:41 pm

Hi, Amber and Eve.

I am ridiculously in love with your blog and read it to get inspiration almost every day. Unfortunately, it’s basically impossible for me to find thrifted clothing that fits me. I’m not obese or even officially plus-sized (yet) but I am big and curvy: a size 12 with a thick waist, broad shoulders, wide hips, and giant boobs. Most of the vintage clothing I find is sized for teeny tiny waifish girls and even if I find something that I can squeeze into, it’s never, ever flattering.

Skinny jeans don’t work, unless I’m wearing shirt that’s long enough to hide my thighs and hips. Trapeze dresses, shirts, and coats make me look like a circus tent because of my boobs. I can’t wear anything fitted with buttons up the front because they gap. A very slender silhouette doesn’t hide my bumps.

So I try to make my style my own with shoes, bags, and other accessories, but if you had any advice about clothing that a girl my size could pull off, I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks,
Stacy

Amber,

My body is kind of on the “thick” side, and I’m very anxious about wearing sleeveless or shorts. Do you have any suggestions or tips of stylish spring/summer wear?

thanks.
xx,
EM

Well ladies, I do tend to have ideas about these things so thanks for asking! There are plenty of ways to to flatter your loverly curves. Here are some spring/summer tips along with some universally flattering examples from our sponsors (click photos for more info and don’t forget the PAINFULLYHIP discount code!)…

No waistline to speak of? Fake it.
Sometimes even scrawny girls are lacking in the hourglass arena, so if your curves seem to be limited to the convex variety, fake a waistline. High-waisted pants are probably not the best way to go about it, unless you happen to have a flattish tummy - otherwise they end up looking like mom jeans. (EDIT: A reader has disavowed this highly-sanctioned myth, saying that what shall heretofore be referred to as the “Mom Jean Effect” is actually dependant on the cut of the jean and that most high-waisted jeans are actually quite flattering on her 12-13 sized frame. Thanks so much, Suzanne!)

Here are some pieces that should do the trick:

High-waisted A-line skirts - If you still want to take part in the high-waisted trend, A-line skirts flow out from the body and emphasize the smallest part of your waist without over-accentuating your belly.

Cardigans - with a nonchalant button or 2 done up at the waist

Cropped vests - adorable layered over scoopneck tanks and tees. Leave it open if your impressive boobs don’t allow for full closure.

Structured jackets with waist details and 2 button blazers - just make sure your jackets are really fitted in the shoulders or they’ll end up adding girth. There are lots of short-sleeved jackets for warmer weather these days!

Belts - obvious! Keep some wide black ribbon on hand for a quick and pretty alternative to wear with dresses.

Empire waists - obviously obvious. They simultaneously enhance the bustline and accentuate the smallest part of your torso.

Don’t be afraid to flash that epidermis.
Sorry, EM, but its been proven (by some reeeeally bored scientists) that the human eye always tends to linger on the skin. And its not your luminous skin you’re trying to hide, is it? So show off your sweet freckles, lovely clavicle, voluminous cleavage or shapely legs and no one will even begin to take notice of last night’s beer binge bloat. Some flattering ways to show skin are:

Deep V and sweetheart necklines - they elongate the neck and show just enough cleavage for you to feel sexy without worrying about support bra sightings. Also, showing a bit of cleavage will break up the mammary “real estate” and actually minimize to the eye (probably one of the reasons that wearing a clingy crewneck sweater over a torpedo bra was considered a tad risque in the 50’s).

Halter necklines with wide straps - supportive, flattering and sultry, they showcase your covetable cleavage and minimize broad shoulders

Cap and Flutter sleeves - the closest thing to sleeveless with a comfortable and feminine slimming effect

Cut-outs and sheer fabrics - of the tasteful variety. I’m not talking heart-shaped cutouts all down the sides of your tapered acid washed jeans or a black chiffon tunic that shows your bra, c’mon now. A touch of sheer lace here and there won’t kill you.

Bermuda shorts and gauchos - when hitting at the knee will cover any smidge of cellulite and accentuate the slimmest part of your leg. Try em with calf-shaping wedges or heels if you’re not convinced.

If you still really hate your legs try (1) layering a maxi dress for your warm weather wallows, (2) sheer tights are an option this season, or (3) getting over it - they’re what you’ve got so love em and don’t let them hinder your thirst for fashion - plus it’s amazing what a little bit of self-tanner will do.

Shop vintage and learn to sew.
I’m having a hard time believing that you can’t find anything in thrift stores that fits you! I always find the cutest stuff neglected in the plus size section! Try taking a supportive but honest friend with you who will encourage you to be more adventurous and always try things on! If you still can’t seem to find anything flattering in your size, try eBay or vintage sites that sort by size. Make sure you go to a seamstress to get proper measurements (or learn how to do it on your own) before buying online. 50’s silhouettes are always flattering (hello, hourglass era!), but when in doubt buy larger than you think and learn to alter the bodice and sleeves to fit and/or flatter. Its really not as tough as you think and always worth it in the end if you find something that you really love.

Or look for all the cute vintage-inspired pieces that have been popping up in boutiques lately which tend to be more flattering and well-fit than actual vintage clothes. You may have to spend a little more, but it may be worth the time saved.

Above all, own it.
No matter how much advice I spew, none of it will do any good if you’re not confident in your own skin. You can pull absolutely anything off if you feel like rockin it (mind-bending outfits have been rocked which were historically known to be entirely un-rockable - CASE IN POINT), but until you reach that point, try to play up your favorite attributes. You’re more beautiful than you think - the flaws that you believe are constantly glaring out at the world like a large goiter are most likely only visible to you. Be unrepentant. Be happy to be you. Wear your personality and creativity with the confidence that you know exactly who you are and what you love, and eventually your peacock swagger will appear, along with the realization that you really are precisely as hot as you feel.

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By amber | Also posted in painfully helpful | Comments (12)

seven easy pieces in three short installments, part III

April 16, 2008 – 7:54 am

first things first, i owe everyone a huge apology for leaving this last (promised) installment hanging for so long… i had surgery last week (rather intrusive and painful, but not life threatening, so it’s unnecessary to turn your “poor diana” meters above a 6 at this point.) and no matter how prepared you think you are, you’re just not.

so…here it finally is though. the last installment. and i’ve finally posted my own “style concept” like i promised i would back when dinosaurs and grandparents ruled the earth, so if you’re interested you can read it. and if you’ve written one of your own that you’d like to share, please let me/everyone here know! i’d love to see what’s inspiring the rest of the planet right now…in my quest to create the ultimate closet-of-compatibility, i’ve pulled together these vintage patterns from my embarrassingly large stash for inspiration. they seem to merge all the lanes i’ve been exploring throughout this process - simplicity, distinct style and individually interesting pieces which also compliment each other when worn together. i feel like they also hold some of that “timelessness” i was pondering before, without crossing the line into shudder-territory. (please ignore the stains/tears/teeth marks on the patterns… they’re old, they came from thrift stores and they’ve been loved. and in some cases, tasted.)

how many places could you wear any of these pieces this summer and instantly be the most perfectly-dressed girl on the block? everywhere.

sleeveless? not sleeveless? maxi? mid-length? over pants? with a belt? without? over blouses? by itself? in my next wardrobe reincarnation, my closet will be filled only with variations of this dress.

buttonless jackets, jumpsuits and cute little skirts. um, these would be the first three of my seven pieces…

sigh… if someone else hadn’t already taken a bite out of this pattern, i probably would have , just out of pure adoration. it’s the compatibility of these pieces with each other that really attract me to them right now. the jackets and blouses work with the skirts, the pants and the jumpsuits, but it isn’t done in an overly cutesy, too matching sort of way.

ok, so now back to you… what do you think? i’m craving feedback on this subject, since i’ve been obsessing over it for quite some time now. please share your thoughts! (and happy planning!)
xo

By diana | Also posted in fashion, painfully helpful | Comments (10)

Ask Painfully Hip: Spring Tips for a Tomboy

April 4, 2008 – 8:31 pm

Hi Amber,

My clothes were stolen from the dryer today when I was doing my laundry. It was almost everything I own and almost all of my good things that I wore out to lunches and dinners over the weekend. I have to go shopping this weekend to replace my dresses and jeans and sweaters, since it is still quite cold in England.

Do you have any tips for a tomboyish girl this spring?

Thanks, Morgyn

That is some tough luck. Petty thieves should be strung up by their sticky fingers. I’d be happy to help out a laddish lady in need, even if soon after this letter was written her lost wardrobe was recovered. PHEW! I’ll answer it anyway with my favorite boy-inspired looks for spring. Most of the time I like to dress girly but I notice that tomboyishness is my tendency when I really want to be comfy. Here are my top hip tips (click photos for sources).

Cigarette pants and jeans. Alter some old broken in thrift store jeans (colored or acid washed denim is what i’ve been looking for) into sexy tapered cigarette pants and capris (maybe roll them up a little) to wear with boyishly nonchalant oversized plaid shirts, comfy v-neck tees, crisp white button-downs, blazers, vintage floral tunics, chuck taylors, chunky boots or sandals.

Shrunken blazers and oversized cardigans. For chilly evenings and breezy days play with proportions and get thee to the boys’/petites section of your thrift store for tiny fitted blazers. The trick is to make sure they fit real good in the shoulders or they’ll look dumpy/butch. Then find an oversized cardigan with slightly fitted sleeves. Wear either with the sleeves scrunched up over girly dresses, tanks, and band tees with high-waisted short shorts, mini skirts or cigarette pants.

Masculine hats and accessories. I know it’s tempting to soak up as many precious rays as possible at the beginning of spring. (Believe. I’m a sun-worshipping California native who lived in the pacific northwest for 7 years!) but make sure you protect your youthful non-cancerous skin from the sun, everyone’s secret adulterous lover. Wear an old man hat, newsboy cap, fedora, or bowler (Brat Pack style) with practically everything. Seriously, it’s bitchin’ time: sunscreen disintegrates into nothing, even after only a couple hours and you know you’ll forget to reapply. Just wear a hat. Some grampa suspenders, fitted vest or a stripey tie couldn’t hurt either and are always good for a dash of schoolboy charm.

Thanks, Morgyn!

Hey hipsters, keep the questions comin!

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By amber | Also posted in Street Style, diy, fashion, men's fashion, painfully helpful, seasons change, thrift stars, trend alert | Comments (12)

seven easy pieces in three short installments, part II

March 27, 2008 – 9:22 pm

hi everyone! here’s installment number two about updating and reducing your wardrobe… hope you’re all having a great week!
xo!
-d.

along with the personal style upheavals spring brings, i feel like the “environmental awareness” trend has been gaining more and more intensity.
(this is amazing and wonderful and really really awesome.)
more people are thrifting, re-fashioning, re-cycling, buying vintage, second hand, (or hand made) off of ebay, etsy, and all the other small-business-ish sites out there, and otherwise just reducing their fashion intake.

interestingly enough, it was in the ’80’s that donna karan introduced her “seven essential (or easy) pieces,” which consisted of a collection of seven garments - a bodysuit, a coat, a jacket, blouse, skirt, pants and something a little fancier for the evening - that, when owned as whole, would pretty much cover every basic clothing need.
the pieces were created to work together and could be mixed and matched to take you from day to evening. the collection itself was designed for simplicity and ease in stylish dressing for the modern woman (as donna karan viewed her.)
(i find this particularly amusing since the ’80’s are not really remembered for their minimalist and environmentally conscious approach at anything…)

donna karan recently re-introduced this concept with her icons collection. (you can also read more about it here.)

these aren’t necessarily the seven pieces i would create my wardrobe with, (and not really in the price bracket i shop in), but i’m in love with this concept. it’s something i’ve been playing around with in my head for a while, and cleaning out my closet has made me start thinking about it more seriously. how nice would it be to be able to open up my closet door and know that almost everything i own is something that not only looks good on, but also works well with the rest of the things i own? how much stress would be eliminated if my clothing options complimented each other, rather than being a clashing pile of ill-fitting prints and patterns purchased in a fit of “oooh! pretty!” rather than “what exactly will i wear this with?” in order for this to work though, it means adding pieces to your wardrobe that fit with what already resides there, and not just blindly buying anything that sparkles. it takes a bit more thought and planning and less impulse, but i don’t think those are bad things to practice, by any means. i’ve found that most impulse buys have lead to unnecessary credit card bills and a pile of things i realistically won’t ever wear, but feel too guilty about purchasing to donate to goodwill.

so with all of this in mind, these are the questions i’ve been pondering:
• what exactly would i choose, if i were creating my own “seven easy pieces?”
• would this collection be seasonal, or would i have an entirely separate set of pieces for spring/summer and fall/winter?
• would i limit myself to seven, or would i increase that number a bit? ten easy pieces? even more?
• what sort of trends (personal or commercial) would i follow in creating this collection of pieces, or would i try to maintain a sense of “timelessness?” is that even possible?
i have worn some of my favorite things for years, but i think that’s more of a personal preference than an actual stylistic “timelessness.” i could be completely wrong here, but when i hear the term “timeless,” elastic-waist slacks and shapeless jumpers come to mind, which i feel achieve their title by never really being a fashionable choice to begin with, and therefore eliminate the danger of being given the opportunity to fall from grace.
please share your thoughts on this with me! i want to hear how you answer these questions.

By diana | Also posted in painfully helpful | Comments (13)

seven easy pieces in three short installments

March 24, 2008 – 3:20 pm

disclaimer: when i started this post, i had no idea it would get so out of hand. but it did. and since i don’t want to scare anyone off, i’ve broken it down into three more easily digestible sections about the joys of re-thinking and reducing your wardrobe. my next series will be called “summing your point up in one concise entry - attn: diana.”
xo-
d.

i know for a fact i’m not the only one out there who starts itching to change something when the seasons start to shift. in certain cities, fashion week - both spring and fall - are more noted than the corresponding seasonal change. people use spring and fall to sort out and re-evaluate not just wardrobe choices, but many different of aspects of their lives. welcoming in a new season is almost like having a mini new year - i make resolutions, reflect on what it is i have accomplished, and what i hope to accomplish over the next few months, and i use all the shuffling - both the mental and the physical - as an excuse to re-evaluate my closet and discard the things that aren’t really working for me any more.
i say that i am not the only one who does this, because i have been seeing this theme spring up on many other blogs and websites i frequently lurk on.

i just preformed the equivalent of a wardrobe root canal, and it feels amazing. three garbage bags were hauled to the thrift shop up the street, (not to mention the four crates full of clothes i will soon be listing on ebay…) and getting dressed has suddenly become EASIER. tricia royal wrote a series of how-to articles (that are way better than i could ever hope to do, so please read them if you feel inspired to jump on the spring cleaning bandwagon), on downsizing and de-cluttering your wardrobe, over at bits and bobbins. she guides you through the process in a way that makes the task feel less intimidating and more like fun, and talks about why having less in your closet will actually make you feel like you have more options. among other things, you will know that everything in your closet does the following:
• works together
• looks good on you, and
• fits into the category of who you want to present yourself as.

tricia gives a list of questions to ask yourself regarding each garment in your closet, before you make the decision to keep it. reading this list got me thinking how it’s crucial to have a strong idea pre-wardrobe-overhaul of how you want your finished project (yourself!) to look after you sort. (in a way, it’s like building a house. you need to know if the finished building will be a sprawling ranch house or a three story victorian before you buy your materials and start hammering things together.)

the beautiful gala also gives her wonderfully helpful thoughts on this topic in her article “things to do before the seasons change”. she suggests writing a style concept, which is sort of a style outline for yourself. she gives a super amazing example here, and i highly recommend reading it, because there’s really no other way for me to express how fun and easy she makes this somewhat daunting project sound.
(and yes, i am working on one of my own, which i will most likely post on my blog if this sort of thing interests you.)

By diana | Also posted in painfully helpful | Comments (9)

Ask Painfully Hip: an alternative to these so-called “thrift” stores?

February 4, 2008 – 7:16 pm

Hello Eve, Hello Amber!!!

A couple of months ago I was web surfing, and I stumbled upon your blog. I truly enjoy it, and it never fails to inspire me to come up with new ideas for my personal wardrobe. I am familiar with MANY thrift shops in my city. The only problem is, I live in the East Village/Lower East Side of Manhattan in NYC. My area, which was once a thrift store paradise, is now becoming trendier by the minute, and along with that, ridiculously expensive. Many of these stores have been around since before the 80’s, and are still standing, but they are no longer the same. These so-called “thrift stores” of 2008 are burning a hole in my wallet. Although I wasn’t alive in the 80’s (I’m fifteen years old!), my mother was, and she herself is a thrift store fiend. Since I have to earn most of my money on my own (which is not much), I can’t afford to purchase clothes that are pricey. I have also noticed that you have price listings for the clothes you are wearing in your pictures. Never in the past two years in Manhattan have I seen a pair of shoes as cute as your electric blue pumps selling for four dollars. I want to know where I can purchase interesting clothes in NYC for reasonable prices. What should I do?

Thank You darlings,
please write back!!

Your Truly,
Cassia.

Wow, what a pickle Cassia! I feel for you. One advantage in living in a small town is that the thrift store pickings are much less, well, picked through. Here are a few suggestions.

Get a friend with a car.

wardrobe remix

Organize a big naked lady party!

It isn’t as dirty as it sounds

Raid your parents’ closet. More than likely your mom has decided that her acid-washed mini skirt would look better on you. And maybe your dad will let you borrow his fedora.

Learn to sew! Reinvent the stuff you already have or use some cheap vintage fabrics to make a sundress!.

Almost forgot about Garage Sales! Check the listings in your local paper for garage sales around your neighborhood. Some of my favorite and most cheap finds were at garage sales. Especially watch for awesome costume jewelry and accessories. I found an awesome vintage flight bag and an amazing nautical necklace for 25 cents each!

Thanks for your email and happy thrifting, Cassia!

More Painfully Hip thrifting advice:

Ask Painfully Hip: How do you make great finds at the thrift store?
or
How to be a thrift star!

Pulling it Off 101: 4 steps to maximizing your wardrobe and completely rocking your own unique personal style

By amber | Also posted in diy, fashion | Comments (6)

Ask Painfully Hip: I need a sweet leather bag that’s as roomy as my summer tote

January 28, 2008 – 11:07 pm

Parmida, my friend in Vancouver, sent me this question along with a plethora of links to gorgeous floral and print totes.

So my darling, here is my dilemma: I love totes because they have so much space, but I want a big nice black leather purse to serve the same purposes. I now work and live in a shmucky area of town, so I can’t carry around my totes like I used to. But most oversized purses are quite ugly to me. I like simplicity, classic looks. Can you suggest anything?

When I read this question, I immediately thought of the adorable Irene Adler and her stunning collection of large leather vintage satchels.

I was lucky enough to find a similar bag in burgundy mock-crock designed for laptops for $30 at Winners (aka the Canadian version of TJMaxx), but I’ve also seen a few at thrift stores here and there including one with the tags still on which said Balenciaga, but I’m going to stick to my guns and pretend I was right about my assumption of it’s falsity. I would also do a search on eBay for “vintage satchels.” Try to find one that includes a shoulder strap just in case you’re totally high-maintenance and require the use of both hands, for whatever reason.

But if you’re not as lucky as I am lately (I’ve been bowing down to the gods of karma and begging them to keep that other shoe from dropping), there are some pretty boss new versions to be had online. I’m including leather-like goods as well for the sake of wallet-weakness (and the karma gods).

Lauren’s big brown bag $33 with 15% painfullyhip discount code

Geo retro doctor bag: $61 with 15% painfullyhip discount code YUM.

embossed snakeprint satchel $20

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By amber | Also posted in fashion, shoes & accessories, shopping, trend alert | Comments (8)

Ask Painfully Hip: How do you make great finds at the thrift store? or How to be a thrift star!

January 17, 2008 – 3:43 pm

Hi Eve and Amber!

I just recently discovered your website and I thoroughly enjoy the photos you post of fantastically stylish, but very unique-looking women. I am making it my goal this year to seriously explore, research, stomp around the city, do whatever I can to source out cool thrift stores. So here comes my frank question. These women look so amazing and seem to find great items in thrift/vintage shops. I, of course, will not overlook the fact that what they exude of their character in their ensemble contributes to how interesting it looks. But here’s the thing that is just tugging at my mind: where are they finding these cool pieces? I know that by clicking on each photo, they cite where they have acquired each piece, but I still find myself feeling just….boggled…by where I need to go to find something as interesting as what these girls wear. I live in Vancouver and I do see SOME, not as many people as I like to be honest, wearing vintage in an interesting way, but perhaps I am not dedicating enough time or patience to digging through the racks? Are there any stores, or tips, you could suggest? Thanks for your time and have a great day!

Cheers,
Nadia

Thanks Nadia!
I know. My mind is boggled daily at the genius of our thrift stars. First off though, you should keep in mind that quite a few of our most featured ladies are professional thrifters! They make it their job to find amazing pieces to resell on eBay so they spend much more time than most of us filling their closets (and ours) with glorious, glorious vintage. So don’t get too down on yourself! That being said, here are a few tips to help you in the time you do spend with your nose in the mothball-scented racks.

1. Head for the hills!
Skip the thrift stores that are right in the middle of the city. Those are all picked through. You’re getting what’s left over when all the hip kids that live there (and work in the thrift store) have made off with all the good stuff. Go to the ‘burbs where senile old ladies are pricing the vintage lacoste shirts at 50 cents.

2. Be there first! Have a score-gasm.
Most thrift stores have certain days when they put out their “new” inventory. Ask the clerks and find out when that is. Get there early that day and you won’t believe the treasures! Perhaps an almost new pair of Irregular Choice shoes worth $80 (seen it!)? A skinny vintage leather bomber? A Pucci scarf…? You never know!

3. Context, context, context…
I cannot overstate the importance of this. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the hideousness that overwhelms the racks. Muumuus, terrycloth jumpsuits, christmas sweaters, stretched out bicycle shorts… So in your hurry to sift through it all, you might nonchalantly skip over your new favorite piece. Try to make a day for yourself when no one is waiting for you when you can take your time and just try on everything. Get to know what looks good on your body, what would fit with your current wardrobe, what makes you feel happy! Think of how the piece would look with your favorite pair of jeans or new moccasins. Some ridiculously 80’s looking sweater might look completely hip with your edgy haircut and designer ankle boots. If it tickles you, TRY IT ON! Don’t be too quick to toss it aside because you don’t think you can pull it off. Challenge yourself!

…Also, don’t stay stuck in the women’s section! If you’re petite, check out the kids section for a shrunken blazer or a little dress you can wear as a top! Or head over to the men’s section where you can find oversized cardigans or some nicely cut trousers. Think about ways you can alter things as well. Maybe that dress is frumpy as is, but hem off a few inches? A sophisticated mini dress.

4. Play dress-up.
This is the fun part. Get all your new shit home, pour yourself a glass of wine and spend a day ransacking your closet! Maybe invite a good (open-minded and positive) friend over for a second opinion, but remember you’re trying to challenge yourself. Try your new finds on in different combinations and with different hairstyles. Try layering them under and over things you already have. Try different colors of tights, different kinds of shoes and accessories. Go crazy, loosen up. You’re in your own house, there’s nothing to worry about. Get used to seeing yourself in a new light (repeat to yourself, “I’m a thrift STAR!”) and maybe soon you’ll have the confidence to wear some of your crazy concoctions out of the house!

5. Post on Wardrobe Remix.
I know I’m shooting myself in the foot with this one, having to look through the overload every week, but seriously! One of the rules of wardrobe remix is that the outfit must be something you actually wore. So do it! Swallow your self-doubt and rock your new finds! The cool thing about wardrobe remix is that the more creative you are, the more good feedback you tend to get. And the more good feedback you get, the more confident you’ll feel.

6. Don’t have time for all that? Spend a little more money and shop online or in boutiques.
If you have too little time and a bit extra money to spend, eBay, online vintage shops and boutiques are a good alternative. They have stylish people doing all the digging and legwork for you. Some stores even have great stylists who will put the clothes into context with current trends on a hip model for you. Here’s a good list of online shops to get you started…

Liebemarlene Vintage
Thriftwares
The Olive Shoppe
Sally Jane Vintage
Vintage Revolver
PastModern Vintage
La Meow Vintage
Tin Roof Vintage
Mill Street Vintage
California Vintage Connect
Indie Cult Vintage
Vintage Amour
Get a discount with coupon code PAINFULLYHIP at:
PenelopePups Vintage
ModCloth Vintage

If you know of any more awesome thrift stores or tips and tricks, please leave em in the comments. Rock!

By amber | Also posted in shopping, thrift stars | Comments (20)

Pulling it Off 101: 4 steps to maximizing your wardrobe and completely rocking your own unique personal style

December 28, 2007 – 9:31 pm

Do you have an over-flowing closet, but nothing to wear? End up wearing the same boring things over and over? Or maybe you get really confused and have no focus when you go shopping. Think you know what you like, but fear you can’t pull it off? Well then sweetie, you need to keep reading…

1. Figure out what you love.
Take out the top pieces in your closet that you love, not neccessarily things that you wear all the time. I’m talking about your most special, going-out pieces. Like the overtly impractical cocktail dress that you spent too much on because you had to have it. The over-sized peacock pendant that you shouldn’t wear dancing cause it hits you in the face when you pogo, but sometimes you can’t resist anyway. Your favorite uncomfortable shoes, your grandma’s silk Pucci scarf from the 60s and that hat you sometimes wear even on good hair days. Whatever it is, if your heart goes pitter-pat when you put it on, pull it out. But be selective and forget about trends. Try to lean more toward things you’ve had and loved for a while, not just your newest and trendiest acquisitions.

2. Take a look at your favorite go-to staple pieces.
Pull out your perfectly worn out indigo skinnies. Your Audrey-est little black dress. Your comfy leather shoes, slouchy grey cardigan, colorful vintage sneakers, well-tailored black jacket and very versatile pair of flats. Choose the things you wear the most, while thinking mostly of their aesthetic value; how good you think they look on you, not how comfortable they are. You’re trying to figure out your personal style, not what to wear whilst hungover on your couch watching the 3rd season of Arrested Development.

3. Assess your tendencies.
Ponder your choices and think of a few words that describe your aesthetic. According to my picks, I tend to gravitate more toward 60’s styling and feminine details combined with edgier, more casual pieces. Next time you go shopping, think about these 20 pieces and try to choose things that enhance them and round out a strong aesthetic. But don’t be too strict for too long. Always allow room for your style to evolve. Choose your trends carefully and don’t let them rule your style.

4. Confidence, confidence, confidence…
Do you really want to live the rest of your life worrying about what people think? Those rare pieces that give you more confidence are few and far between. I hate it when people say, “I’d love to wear that, but I’d never be able to pull it off.” Pshaw, my friends, pshaw. With the right amount of confidence, you could pull off zebra-striped overalls, even if you’re not M.I.A. Once you’ve figured out what you truly love, the only thing left to do is rock it! When in doubt (god forbid) sneer, strut or just grin and no one will ever doubt your rockin style choices ever again. And who gives a poop if they do, they call it personal style for a reason.

In conclusion, I think we could all make a new year’s resolution to be more like wee Stella here:

We’re going to be deep in the redwoods for the remainder of this amazing year, but we’ll be back with a whole new layout with translation capabilities for all my international readers (Singapore, reprezent!) Thanks so much to you all for this amazing year (although Painfully Hip is only 9 months old!), I couldn’t be happier doing what I do and getting all your awesome feedback. I’ve virtually met so many amazing bloggers and readers and shop owners over the months and I just want to thank you all again for visiting me every day.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! LET’S ROCK IT!!

By amber | Also posted in Street Style, fashion | Comments (16)

Category Archives: ask painfully hip

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Pulling it Off 101: 4 steps to maximizing your wardrobe and completely rocking your own unique personal style

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