There's a highway called Jefferson Davis: Thrift Finds of the Week

I like to shop in my own closet because I am not one of those people who can buy an outfit for a specific event.  I would rather dig in my closet and find something fabulous to wear rather than to run off to the mall.  To me, it's a cop-out.  Therefore, my closet is filled with strange clothes that seemingly don't go with anything else.  Leather bustier from the early 90s?  Check.  Leopard print coat from 1977 that looks like a bathrobe?  Check.  Ballgown with the blue sequin bodice from 1965 that I wore to Walgreens?  Check.  (Confession:  I never went to prom so I wear ballgowns while I'm at home chilling.  I would rather balance my checkbook in sequins than to balance my checkbook in sweatpants).  So when I shop, I just buy what I like.  The thrill for me is to later create some magical ensemble.   There are some misses, but a lot of hits.  I never feel bad if I buy something ugly because I never spend more than $14 for it.

I went to a new thrift store off of Jefferson Davis Highway (I'm in Virginia; everything is Jefferson Davis this, KKK that, General Lee this, and so on) and started to hyperventilate when I walked through the doors:  It was as big as Wal Mart.  I'm no lover of Wal Mart but I can certainly appreciate a big box store.  But a thrift store that big?  I knew there would be some fun finds, and I was right.

 

This dress was $3.99.  Despite there being no tag on it, I knew it was from the late 1960s.  The length, the brocade pattern, the empire waist style, and the pale colors lend credence to my theory.  I even checked out similar styles in my fashion reference book.  It's a silk seafoam green and silver brocade, and quite heavy.  Not really sure where I'm going to where it, maybe the library.

 This is an off-white leather clutch only $1.99!  I'm not a big purse person, but I do collect clutches when I can.

I'm in love with off the shoulder shirts.  This was obviously 1/2 of a prom dress.  I'm going to belt the top and pair it with a slim white linen skirt to give that mid-50s wriggle dress look to it.  Probably add a nice collar necklace to draw attention to my beautiful shoulders.  Yes.  I've got beautiful shoulders.

 This skirt was a little more pricy at $6.90.  It's polyester but looks and feels like satin.  Polyester does deserve it's bad reputation; however, the 1980s polyester is a lot more light-weight and breathable compared to the 1970s and 1960s polyester.  But I could definitely pair it with a neon pink belt and a crisp white shirt. 

 I adore this scarf because I love any type of Indian motif (Peruvian in this case).  The bright colors will look great against white.  All the scarves were $2.90 a piece.