Fashion Files | The Gift of Thrift | Central PA Senior Photographer

While Macklemore has done quite the stellar job of making thrift stores cool again, all it takes is a trip to the local mall or your Instagram feed to see that vintage inspired fashion continues to surround us daily.

I refuse to spend $200 to piece together an outfit that looks vintage, when I can actually buy vintage for far less.

I am totally digging the late 70s, early 80s floral patterns. They’re everywhere. Possibly your grandmother’s couch, or fancy curtains and accent pillows, stationery, nail art and my favorite, gorgeous textiles.

 

 

With a twenty dollar bill in hand, my mission began. I hit the jackpot with this handmade skirt, top, and accessories, which came to a whopping $19. The skirt was my foundation. I saw this thing clear across the room and made a bee line for it. Once it was in my possession, the accompanying items were easy to spot. With the bold reds, yellows and oranges, just about any color would match well. Local hot spots for such treasures are Community Aid, Salvation Army and Goodwill.

 

If the gift of thrift just isn’t in you, next step up is consignment. These shops sell department store clothing and accessories in new (often with the tags still on) or lightly-used condition. Over in Lemoyne at Wears Like New, I find tons of Forever 21, J Crew and American Eagle threads.

 

For as long as I can remember, vintage has always been ‘in’. There is always a past era that new generations want to explore and reinvent. So don’t look at your local thrift store as a place that houses other people’s old stuff, look at it as a treasure box that holds gems from the past, just waiting to come back out and play. And hey, not to mention, your super affordable purchases give back to the community to boot!