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2014-01-14

Gotta Keep 'em Seperated

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I'm pretty sure this thrift store find started out its life as a mother-of-the-bride ensemble... I hope the lady who wore it first enjoyed it thoroughly and danced her butt off to the YMCA. I shall attempt to do it justice, though I always screw up and do the C backwards on the dancefloor...

Honestly, when I first saw this two-piece at the thrift store, I skipped over it because it's not my usual thing... It's good quality and made in Canada but it's not something extraordinary and it is a few sizes too big. But that fringe drew me back and before I knew it, it had made its way into my cart. I'm having a fringe moment darhhhling...

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Pants? Joe Fresh Shoes? Guess, thrifted (great pair here) Necklace? Vintage

What brought this thrift find away from being too mother-of-the-bride was separating the two pieces. Because matchy-matchy is ok... but usually it's really not. 
I know black skinny jeans are the lazy option to put with this top, it's just that when it works, it works. In this case, they are the perfect backdrop to show off that fringe. I scrunched the sleeves of the shirt up because it's an easy way to make a too big top look more proportionate. I'll probably throw a new hem in there someday to shorten the sleeves officially but no one should hold their breath for that business.
After I took these pictures, I immediately wore this all day. I love how the fringe looked streaming out underneath my leather bomber. 

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Sweater? Zara, very similar here Boots? Max Mara (hand-me down/gift)

I mostly bought the outfit because I knew I would get a lot of wear out of the shirt. But once I tried the skirt on and saw how cool the hem was, I knew the skirt would also get day passes out of my closet. Not a giant fan of an elasticized waist but I can handle it in this case...

I've mentioned it many times but when I first really got into thrifting again (I've always thrifted, I just increased my commitment to the relationship when I started the blog), I saw potential in everything on the racks. I think that is a good way to start thrifting perhaps; to open your mind and to imagine how something could look with a belt, a hem, a tweak or a good pair of high heels. But I have a lot (a lot) of clothes now, so I need to be much pickier about what I take home for myself. I am glad however, that this little pair came home with me. My closet needed that fringe...




22 comments :

Secondhand Stella said...

Love it as a top!!!

Emily said...

AWESOME POSSUM
You know when I thrift, i dont think 'does this have potential in today's world? I think, if I was a smoking tall blonde like Yen, would this have potential?

Sometimes I delusionally take things home - then hand them to you - BUT I have to leave a lot behind with the fear that i will look like a 10 year old in gramma's closet.

I do find some pretty sweet-ass kids clothes tho so I cant complain toooooo much ;)

Hannah Nelson said...

That is unbelievably amazing. Love how you styled both pieces!!!

xo
http://myrunawaystyle.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Woah, wish, woahhhhhh. You are genius lady! Both pieces are to die for, separately if course. You da best Yen.

Unknown said...

You are brilliant!
I absolutely love both looks...I was a little uncertain of how you could rick the skirt, but of course you would figure it out brilliantly!
Now I need to go search out some fringe....

Anonymous said...

Wow, Jen, I can't believe how gorgeous that is in separate pieces! There's something decidedly western glam about it. Wish you could be my personal dresser with this unwieldy frame of mine!

Sparrow Lyn said...

Of course you need some fringe in your life ! who doesn't ! Love the way you styled the top - it look uber cool with the black pants. I have the same problem - buying things for my shop and ending up with them in my closet......hope to visit your shop one day ! from another fringe addict !
https://www.etsy.com/shop/sparrowlyn

Jenn said...

Ha! That's the trick with thrifting isn't it? Seeing the potential in everything but knowing when it will actually be worn more than one time with that one thing in your closet that magically makes everything updated (like black skinnies). You look fantastic, and I definitely think that it was a good buy!

Anonymous said...

with your imagination and tailoring skills I can envision it as a Downton abby gown!

Andi said...

Love it! I especially like how sad you look in the first picture - "look, this is drab!" I'm a terrible thrifter, so I stopped trying, but I love seeing the cool things you find!

Danielle Wallace said...

Seriously? Shut. Up. That top is just amazing. I've really gotta start looking more into the ugly ducklings when I'm thrifting, and I've gotta work on my sewing skils! Both

Linda said...

I love this. Your skills are EVERYTHING.

Second Breakfast said...

Really great stuff! I see dresses like this all the time at my local thrift store and pass them over thinking they're too frumpy. You have proven me wrong! I will never look at a matching long sleeved-top/maxi skirt combo the same way again. Thank you.

DressUpNotDown said...

Well now I have a mission to find a MOB dress ensemble. :o)

www.dressupnotdown.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Such unique amazing pieces! And yeah definitely separated look so much better, love the fringes and the elegance bohemian vibe the exude!

Cee. ♥
Code Overdressed

Sara said...

Your haircut looks great!

Monica said...

Both look super cool!

maria said...

I love that top! I can't believe it was from such a drab outfit!
I wish I had such luck and such great eye while thrift shopping!
I have a feeling though that thrifting here in Holland isn't as good as in Canada. People are way too 'zuinig' (you're a dutchie, you know what I mean, right?) with their clothes!

Unknown said...

You have such vision. I'd look at that in a thrift store and think "nope." And here you go styling each piece to perfection. I love how you styled the top and skirt separately. (Do Canadians spell separately as seperately? Bunch of weirdos with your extra u's in things like colours) <3

Naomi said...

This is great inspiration to look deeper at the thrift store!

xoxo, The Occasional Indulgence

Unknown said...

This is so true! That is always one of my tips when people ask for thrift tips - look at the two pieces as well - you can always separate them, or one of the piece might be worth the money! I am loving that top especially, I love it with skinny jeans - so classy!

xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/

Loren said...

Are you kidding me?!
You totally rocked this look! I want the top so bad!! You're very talented :)