Thrifting Through Trends
- Elisha Marie G.
- Jul 30, 2018
- 3 min read
We’ve seen them everywhere this summer- the glorious round woven handbag. As the warm season began, so did my infatuation with this bag.
It loomed over my head during every thrift hunt.
I’d check the wicker basket section, peruse the purse wall, and desperately search every end-cap to see if a summer display centered around one. Nothing.
Halfway through the notoriously short Minnesota summer, I had finally spotted it. The most perfect woven handbag located deep in the back bottom shelf of Family Pathways thrift shop, hours from my home. I couldn’t believe it, the bag I’ve been hunting for in perfect condition, with the original tags still on and priced at the low amount of $18. I lifted the bag in my arms and hugged my new found treasure,
big dumb smile plastered on my plump, sweaty face.
Thrift shopping truly is like treasure hunting. That wonderful rush of satisfaction once finally finding the item you’ve been searching the thrift shop sea for, week after week, after week, after...
If my toddler doesn’t teach me patience, thrift shopping will!
And after all of that joy in finding the perfect bag, I DIDN’T EVEN GET IT!
Once I finally made it to the check-out line, the shopping cart was piled high with cotton and linen clothes, vintage children’s books, and random finds from the Hubs. My minimalist mindset I’ve been working hard on the past few years kicked in and both Husband and I had to make some necessary cuts. One of those cuts for me was the Instagram picture-perfect woven handbag.
It simply came down to the ultimate question: Do I already own something that will do the job?
The answer was easy: Yes, multiple somethings.
The cotton and linen clothes came home with me and the babes left with only 2 books. Husband ultimately wanted nothing- typical.
It is SO EASY to become distracted by trends. One point I’ll think I have too much in my closet and need to purge my clothes. Then, before I realize it, I’ll have a list of stuff I think I need to hunt for at a thrift store. One thing that has never let me down though--
if there is a trend I want to try and can’t with the things I already own, I find it secondhand!
Although I passed on the woven bag trend, a trend I'm glad I did try are mule shoes. I got lucky when I found a tan, leather pair for $13.49 at Savers thrift shop in early spring. These easy slide on/off shoes have been the absolute perfect addition to my spring and summer wardrobe. They have even went with me on my travels. I. love. these. shoes!
And honestly, I would never have bought these shoes if they were not on trend. I was actually hoping to find a pair of wedge clog sandals for the season. Life had other plans and reflecting on it, I am so happy with the way my wardrobe works with mules, I’m glad I have them instead of the clog sandals I was lusting after.
Finding my personal style is challenging. Sometimes, things I think will work don’t and things I don’t think are for me, actually become the thing I wear most. I thought I wanted a round woven bag, but I have loads of bags and didn’t really need it. I didn’t think the mule trend was my style and perhaps clogs would suit me better. Turns out, mule shoes rock and they’ve completely elevated my entire wardrobe. I will die old and happy in those shoes.
Trends can blindside you into thinking you need something you probably don’t. Yet, trying trends can also be fun! It can be done ethically and on a budget when thrifting. And, if you’re real lucky, some trends can even show you sides to your personal style you hadn’t realized before! ((Hello, high-rise mom jeans anyone?!?))
So, don't be afraid to try trends. Yet, don't be afraid to miss out on one every now and then either. Be critical and ask yourself:
"Do I already own something that can do the job?"
See you on the feed thrifters
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