Rachal Rocks the Thrift Shop - The Spirited Thrifter

Way back when, on Tuesday when I was wearing my navy stripes, I had the pleasure of going thrifting with Rachal – a spunky young woman treating herself to an early birthday present of shopping with moi! That’s about all it took for me to know Rachal is a kindred spirit, but it got even better from there! Rachal is related to one of my favourite people, Cathy. When I first started thrifting, Cathy said, if you ever find Fly London shoes in the thrift store, buy them. Lo an behold the first thing we stumbled across…

Not Rachal's style and not my size, but I bought 'em because I'm a good listener, Cathy. — *Not Rachal’s style and not my size, but I bought ’em because I’m a good listener, Cathy.*

Like me, Rachal is an Occupational Therapist – we even saw some splints in the housewares section! (How could I neglect to take a photo?!) So that was awesome. As we shopped, I got to know her great sense of humour and learned that we share a love for ~~questionably ugly~~ interesting vintage pieces! Don’t worry, we didn’t get into any thrift fights! (Yet.) Rachal found plenty of great options! Here are some of the pieces she ended up editing out…

Rachal loves heart prints!! Should've guessed it - me too! But this one was a little too fuzzy and the shoulder hearts were a little too shoulder pads. — *Rachal loves heart prints!! Should’ve guessed it –* *me too! But this one was a little too fuzzy and the shoulder hearts were a little too shoulder pads.*

A good basic but didn't add any pizazz to Rachal's wardrobe. — *A good basic but didn’t add any pizzaz to Rachal’s wardrobe… oh and what’s that I spy? Awesome tattoos, another thing in common!*

Rachal loves plaid and couldn't resist trying on these fully plaid-fleece-lined LL Bean jeans with a 12 inch rise. I'm pretty sure these mom jeans would never fit any mom! — Rachal loves plaid and couldn’t resist trying on these fully plaid-fleece-lined LL Bean jeans with a 12 inch rise. Look at that tiny waist! Rachal should have bought them because I don’t think they’ll fit anyone else! And what do I spy? Fun socks! Love it!

Such a cool blazer but a bit tight across the shoulders. — *Such a cool blazer but a bit tight across the shoulders – Rachal works out… that would, er, be a **difference** between us.*

The print and long style of this top was great but in retrospect, it didn't fit Rachal's vintage preppy rocker vibe. No wonder she bid it adieu. — *The print and long style of this top was great but in retrospect, it didn’t fit Rachal’s **vintage preppy rocker vibe**. No wonder she bid it adieu.*

Now onto the pieces Rachal selected after a few hours of combing the racks!

Vintage sweater perfection!! If she didn't get this, I would have!! I LOVE it! In fact, this was the first piece Rachal wore, layered over a chambray with these pants! — *Vintage sweater perfection!! If she didn’t get this, I would have!! I LOVE it! In fact, this was the first piece Rachal wore IRL, layered over a chambray with these pants…*

Rachal loves collared shirts and was looking for layering pieces. She found several great options!

She loves the look of short sleeves over long sleeves and plans to wear this metallic knit over her chambray, basic white button up and maybe even over this vintage blouse... — *She loves the look of short sleeves over long sleeves and plans to wear this metallic knit over her chambray, basic white button up and maybe even over this vintage blouse…*

She also styled this awesome top – with detachable tie – with this great black blazer…

I call this a "basics +" - a basic piece with interesting details that make it special - like the texture, print and collar. — I call this a “basics +” – a basic piece with interesting details that make it special – like the texture, print and collar of this blazer. Rachal can wear this with all the other tops she scored!

Another basics + - beautiful colour, interesting tuxedo detailing along the buttons and ties! — *Another basics + – beautiful colour, tuxedo detailing along the buttons and ties! Would be awesome with that blazer!*

And it goes without saying, either of these button-up tops would work under the blazer or short sleeve knit! But I love this layered look that Rachal styled! Dark chambray and a J Crew leopard print top?!! That’s what we call a “THRIFT SCORE!”

*Just a little Pinspiration for you, Rachal!*

Rachel was wondering how to style a simple shirt without layering additional pieces and the answer to that is: accessories. Add a belt, scarf, statement necklace, pendant or big earrings to style your shirt! We talked about the Rule of Three – have 3 noticeable elements to your outfit to make it feel complete. Layers look best in 3’s! Eye-catching colourful or printed bottoms can help fulfill the Rule of 3 – and though we didn’t find a ton of bottoms, Rachal did find cobalt pants!

with a vintage cardi coat that I wanted. — *Pictured here with a vintage cardi coat ~~that I wanted~~.*

This pin reminded me of the sweater - tee, open chambray and that vintage sweater - SWEET! — *This pin reminded me of the sweater – tee, open chambray and that vintage sweater – SWEET!*

And my favourite piece for last - this long mustard/hot pink/cobalt print top! — *And my favourite piece for last – this long mustard/hot pink/cobalt print top! Roll the sleeves, add a necklace (and bracelet if you’re aiming for 3!) and away you go!*

Rachal can always belt it too - with her "new" leather cobalt belt perfection! — *Rachal can always belt it too – with her “new” leather cobalt belt perfection!*

Speaking of belts, we talked about my fave belts, Flatter:Me belts – a wardrobe must for a girl like Rachal with an itty-bitty waist! The Flatter:Me belt makes any pair of pants fit without adding bulk AND they are great for adding a stylish element to your outfit! AND they are #shoplocal and ethically manufactured. Rachal, you need one (or six if we’re really going to be samsies). That cobalt belt and any of the Flatter:Me belts would be the perfect way to style up Rachal’s shirt dresses…

I envision both of these dresses with a bold contrasting belt... maybe some black opaque tights, a blazer, or a knotted chambray or a sweater over top or... the possibilities are endless but here's a little Pinspiration... — I envision both of these dresses with a bold contrasting belt… maybe some black opaque tights, a blazer, or a knotted chambray or a sweater over top or… the possibilities are endless but here’s a little Pinspiration…

Camel Blazer with Print Shirtdress | www.shealennon.com: — *I could go on! Remember, it’s the interpretation not an exact copy that you’re looking for when pinspired!*

In the end, Rachel scored 16 versatile unique pieces at an average cost per piece of $7.41 or $12.41 including my fee. Unfortunately, there were no sales or discount cards to be had at this early date in 2016 – 30% off makes the spoils even sweeter! Nonetheless, B.T. (Before Thrifting), I would have thought $12.50 for any item of clothing was an amazing deal, let alone vintage pieces or brand names like J Crew and Liz Claiborne (I think that was the black blazer!). Besides, I’ve found myself a vintage sweater/blouse thrifting companion and that is priceless! And hey, Rachal, maybe one day you’ll want to be featured as a Thrifty Therapist?!!

I had so much fun with you Rachal! Happy Birthday and let me know any time you want to have a retro sweater party! — *Happy Birthday Rachal! I had so much fun shopping with you and actually shared a thrifting *first* (believe it or not) – we shut the thrift shop down!*

8 Comments

Suzanne Dennis 7 years ago

great shopping trip – you got some AWESOME pieces
(i LOL’d at the ‘this is where she’s NOT like me’ comment
#youcrackmeup
Suzanne Dennis 7 years ago

The Spirited Thrifter: UPDATE: i stopped into Plato’s Closet – Strathcona, AB last nite – RIDICULOUS prices, (good), and LOTS of stock, especially younger hipper styles and more smaller sizes than my size, but still was very impressed. they also have some mens stuff – again – mostly for younger guys
def worth checking out the next time you’re in my neck of the woods>>>let me know if you come over this way and we’ll go for a post thrift ‘coffee’ 😉
Cathy Pattison 7 years ago

This is amazing!! Rachal’s mom and grandmother have always been very fashion forward and an inspiration for me. Can’t wait to see what Rachal bought.
Plato's Closet - Strathcona, AB 7 years ago

Thanks so much for coming by the store! and Thank you for the kind words! We have only been open for 1 month so it is always great to see when people are excited about our store, and thrilled when people spread the word! Thanks!!
The Spirited Thrifter 7 years ago

For sure – can’t wait to go! You can bet I’ll blog all about it when I do and throw in a Yelp review to boot! (though, er, I’m *slightly* out of the targeted age group!)
The Spirited Thrifter 7 years ago

Rachal is awesome! We think you should have a Retro Sweater party for your favourite OTs (and anyone else!)! 😀
Suzanne Dennis 7 years ago

sweaters, scarves and shoes have no age group!
Pingback: Edmonton blog roundup: Jan. 12, 2016 – Seen and Heard in Edmonton

Related Posts

Are Prints Still in Style in 2020?

Closet Cleanse Decision Tree

Lessons Learned from a Social Media Break

8 Comments