What We Bought: Target Finds in Teal

Ah, the excitement of scouring the clearance racks on a "quick" trip to Target for toiletries. (We're loving the letter T today, apparently.)

We put back a couple of practically irresistible tops that were under $5 each, but as the man pointed out were neither on our list nor actually needed. Oooh it hurts to have someone acting as your shopping conscience whose finances are actually about to be intrinsically connected with your own.

We had no luck in the tights department (we still need more patterned ones, and a few more colors) but we did find some lovely, fairly supple leather gloves in a cranberry-pinkish color, with wee buttons like old kid gloves (Victorian detailing will sell us every time) for only $17.99, a matte satin belted trench coat in teal for $27.99 (listed online for $39.99! Our store also had purple (we amazed ourselves by resisting) and red, and perhaps one other color? And we also snagged a teal hangbag (it really was on the list!) for $10.98 on clearance. It's absolutely comically huge, but will no doubt fit the lunchbox cooler we also purchased, and even our work laptop, if need be. We would rather carry one huge bag than be that lady with way too many small bags. Here is our autumn collage for you :D

Autumn Target Buys by ThriftyStylist on Polyvore.com

The man was highly skeptical that we actually needed any of these items, but truly, a girl has to have a fine pair of gloves that she really doesn't want to lose (but that aren't too horribly expensive), and we've not got a handbag in teal (and for goodness sake, $11! It'd be a crime not to buy it). And the trench-- a fall coat is of course necessary, yes? And teal is so goooorgeous, darlings. And under $30! Impossible to pass up. Right?

The first thing we're planning to do is to replace the buttons with something vintage so it looks more distinctive and not so mass-produced (shudder. Our conscience/wallet dilemma again...)

When we want vintage buttons, we turn to Etsy. We'll either buy a set or perhaps several different buttons altogether... check out these lovelies we found (our favorites here have the actual listings):


Should we swap out the belt for something contrasting, too? Hmmm... Maybe a little bit of trim somewhere? Ideas...

Did you buy a new coat for fall? Do you own a really nice pair of gloves, or a bag in your second favorite color? (We had at least 3 purple handbags but nary a single teal!) If not, perhaps you should consider buying cheap this time around... and then putting your own spin on it. We find that coat buttons are hard to change well oneself, so we are entrusting ours to the lovely seamstress 'round the corner who repaired our down parka zipper so beautifully last year. (John's on Mt. Auburn in Watertown, if you're local!)

Happy Shopping!

The Return of Grunge

We're sure you haven't missed the destroyed jeans, stud detailing and plaid showing up everywhere in the magazines and blogs lately... it is evident that the 90s grunge look has returned, quite bit before the "traditional" 20-year mark for trends to come back into vogue; but, as we were firmly entrenched in the plaid religion last time around, we're certainly not displeased.

The interpretations showing up on the runways over the past year (for the upcoming seasons) are more grunge-inspired than literally scrubby: as Focus on Style puts, it, "[t]hink of the essence of a downtown rocker with a northwest casual vibe with an eye for off-handed irreverent style. It’s wholesome yet urban at the same time-- grunge but not grungy."

Start your grunge style off with an updated flannel shirt. No need to borrow your dad's or brother's like we did in 1992-- there are plenty of adorable, updated versions that are actually cut for women, like these cute little options with princess seam detailing and contrasting/reversible rolled sleeves, from Dollhouse.com, $18.99:




(Try to ignore the fact that the model looks to be about fourteen years old; when you're a bargain-hunter, you often have to venture into the geared-toward-juniors market, as we're sure you have experienced and noticed here... one problem, though, which Dollhouse acknowledges in the listing, is that things run tiny, so you often have to order up, and XL is often as high as it goes. Boo to excluding a good half of the population, designers!)

Or perhaps instead of seeking out a button-down, you would prefer to have your pop of plaid appear in a girly, sexy, updated manner, like these gorgeous tops and dresses (Via Polyvore (so right click the picture and open up the tab for your prices, brands and links!)

Thrifty Sexy Plaid by ThriftyStylist featuring Forever21

Next up on your list-- maybe only for the weekends, for those of us who can only get away with trouser jeans (or even only jeans on Fridays) at work-- will be a destroyed jean. You can of course DIY with your existing jeans and some sandpaper, or maybe if you're OK with your dryer getting a little dinged up, throw some rocks in there ;) -- but we found thrifty options for multiple body types.

Thrifty Destroyed Skinny Jeans by ThriftyStylist featuring Hollister Co. jeans

Thrifty Destroyed Flare Jeans by ThriftyStylist featuring Hollister Co. jeans

The next item up is a pair of big black boots. Although we did take out our Doc Martens yesterday to wear with the jeans/dress combo, you don't have to be so literal and go combat or Doc... Some intricate stud detailing and fabulous lines will update and sexify that 13-year-old-you (or was that just us?) look-- and don't stop at boots if you don't want to; go for Mary Janes or fabulous booties, t-straps, sandals, whatever works for you and your fall climate! We're willing to bypass the $30 price point for a really nice pair of shoes so here are some fairly thrifty finds:

Thrifty Studded Shoes by ThriftyStylist on Polyvore.com

As far as accessories go... if you want to be authentic, get your handbag at your local Army Surplus store and wear a thick beige rubber band or two as bracelets ;) Otherwise, we think whatever you choose will work, since this is about updating the look, and personal style is always in fashion.

Happy grunging out!

Fall Footwear Trends We Love: Jeweled Flats

We're excited that jeweled flats are one of the hot shoes for fall, chiefly because we already own some-- purple satin, Rampage brand, with purple faceted crystals (sadly, shopping for new items is not an option for us right at the moment!)

We found some cute cheap versions on the interwebs, so here's a Polyvore set for your clicking pleasure:

Jeweled Flats by ThriftyStylist featuring Presence flats

Studs are definitely the embellishment of the moment, so if you prefer metal to glittery sequin-y sparkles, you're in luck!

To be honest, we're not really sure what we're going to pair these with. We tend to shy away from flats, being hella short, and we also concede that ballet flats and skinny jeans are the best combination, yet refuse to try to squeeze our Spanish hips into tapered pants... so... we seek suggestions from our readership! They will probably look cute with knee-length skirts and opaque or modestly patterned tights, we think (perhaps a loud print or lace pattern would compete too much with the embellishment), but we're not sure how to branch out of matching with a purple top... Of course, opposites are always perfect, so a yellow top like this gorgeous Anne Klein chiffon version (on sale for $29.70!) would be divine, except that we don't wear yellow. Maybe we should start.


Here's to your thoughts and new experiments!

Happy comfortable walking ;)

InStyle's Key Pieces for Fall: Bright Trench Coat

Today we're looking for bright trenches that aren't astronomically expensive, like the Versace and other high-end designer coats in InStyle's fall "five key pieces" feature. A stunning, saturated coat is a wonderful alternative to the staid and traditional beige or black- and we don't advocate staying away from color completely underneath as InStyle does; have a little fun! Why not?

We're willing to extend our $30 price limit a bit for certain key pieces like a great coat or pair of boots... possibly even up to $100, but all of these pieces are half of that, or less!

Our Polyvore set includes both brights and an incredible zebra option (animal print is classically awesome no matter the season or style, but it is hot right now), $29-$50 (click the pic for links to purchase):

Fall Trenches for <$50 by ThriftyStylist featuring Nine West

These are from some unexpected sources (Nine West at Wilson's leather? Home Shopping Network? Patagonia?) but they're all lovely and quite affordable.

If you prefer to score something that no one else will have, try a vintage piece from Etsy. All of these stunners are under $50 as well: thrifty and environmentally conscious (bottom right, orange, is only $8!!

(Since the Etsy mini won't publish, go to our public favorites for individual listings!)

Are you going to buy a new trench for fall? Would you consider vintage? What colors do you like best? (We're dying over the purple one, of course!)

Happy Friday and happy shopping!

Purple Handbags - All the Rage for Fall

We already own a gorgeous handmade, upcycled vintage leather purple handbag, which we've discussed a few times before! But that doesn't mean we're not thrilled about the preponderance of such for fall.

Inspired by SavvyMode, who found some beautiful-- but PRICEY!-- options for one of her readers in this post, we scoured the interwebs for options that are on-trend but won't make you (as we did) fall off your chair when you see the price!

Via Polyvore, brand-new versions from stores you probably already knew of (some on sale, some just cheap by nature)- click the pic for the Polyvore set with links to purchase:

Purple Handbags for Fall Under $50 by ThriftyStylist featuring Old Navy bags

And, from Etsy, options from the Vintage and Handmade categories (click here to go to our public favorites to get to the individual listings):

Do you have a purple bag? Are you looking for one? (Or another one??)
What is your cap for purse spending? Ours is $100. And that was the one time, only, and only because it was handmade of vintage leather (so sweet!).