Mother’s Guide to FallThrifting
Fall fashion is my favorite. This is the time of year when my witchy vibe starts calling for me and getting dressed becomes fun again instead of being entirely about how to survive the heat.
Give me black lace, dark florals, oversized jackets, boots, leather, velvet, chunky jewelry and anything that feels a little moody and unexpected. Fall is when I want to layer, mix textures and get a little weird with my clothes.
But here is my issue with fall trends: I love them. I just do not want to buy an entirely new wardrobe every September.
Enter the thrift store.
Fashion repeats itself constantly. That suede jacket everyone suddenly wants? Someone wore it in 1997 (when I graduated from high school). Oversized blazers, plaid, animal print, leather, lace, chunky knits, big belts? None of this is new. Which means there is a very good chance someone already donated it.
MOTHER SAYS: IGNORE THE SIZE TAG
If you are plus size, thrifting can be frustrating. The plus section is usually tiny and sizing is completely unhinged. So I shop everywhere. Women’s. Men’s. Jackets. Dresses. Accessories. Sometimes pajamas.
Do not get hung up on what something was supposed to be. An oversized men’s blazer can be fantastic. A vintage nightgown can become a lace layering piece. A scarf can become a belt.
Look at the clothes, not the number sewn into them.
WHAT I’M HUNTING FOR THIS FALL
I go into a thrift store with a mental hit list: Suede. Leather. Oversized blazers. Plaid. Argyle. Chunky knits. Long skirts. Wide leg trousers. Leopard. Lace. Vintage bags. Statement jewelry. Great belts.
And COATS. Always look at the coats. One fabulous vintage coat can turn jeans and a T shirt into a whole situation.
I also look for texture before labels. Wool, suede, leather, velvet, corduroy, lace, denim and satin can instantly make an outfit feel more interesting and expensive.
DO NOT SKIP THE WEIRD STUFF
The jewelry counter is one of my first stops. Big earrings. Brooches. Bangles. Chains. Scarves. Belts. Strange little bags. This is where you can try a trend without becoming the trend.
Want leopard? Try the belt. Want western? Find a great buckle. Want maximalism? Stack the bracelets and add the brooch. Sometimes the weird little thing you almost put back is exactly what makes the outfit.
MAKE IT YOURS
We are going for vintage, not accidentally looking like we never left 1994. Mix old with new. Vintage blazer + wide leg jeans. Old band tee + satin skirt. Vintage lace + denim. Menswear jacket + something feminine. And change things. Replace ugly buttons. Roll the sleeves. Add a belt. Hem it. Cut out shoulder pads if they are doing something criminal.
The thrift store gave you the raw material. You decide what it becomes.
AND PLEASE, STOP DRESSING TO LOOK SMALLER
Somewhere along the way, plus size women were taught that clothes should hide our bodies. Mother says no. Layer because it looks interesting. Wear the oversized coat. Put on the giant earrings. Tuck in the shirt. Try the wide leg pants.
Your clothes do not need to make you look smaller. They need to make you look fantastic. There is a difference.
MOTHER SAYS
By our 40s, we should be done asking whether we are “allowed” to wear something. Style is not about wearing every trend. It is knowing yourself well enough to recognize the ones that feel like you.
So try the weird jacket.
Look in the men’s section.
Buy the leopard coat.
Wear the giant earrings.
Mix things that technically are not supposed to go together. Fashion should still be fun. And if someone wore it twenty years ago? Even better.
You just found it before everyone else did again.
