With July shortly coming to a close, this is my monthly review of some recent thrift store finds and other secondhand purchases as well as a few OOTDs that were shared on Instagram but not featured in a blog post.
It turns out that I didn’t do much thrift store shopping this month, although there was one particularly successful day when I went looking for the trousers I needed for my outfit in yesterday’s Inspired By: Magnificent 8 Collaboration post. I didn’t buy anything on Poshmark this month but I did find a couple of items at a resale store which I’m sharing as well. And like last month, I didn’t post any OOTDs photos this month so today’s post will be a little shorter than normal. I’ll start off by talking about the outfit that I’m wearing in the photos above and below.
Among the other items I found while looking for that pair of trousers were these olive “Pixie” chinos with patch front pockets. If I hadn’t found a suitable pair of brown pants for yesterday’s post, these were a runner-up option. Not needed as a substitute, they get their own time to shine. The multi-strand chain necklace was a thrift store find from several months ago. The striped top and my flat sandals (the black version of the ones in Summer Sandal Options When Flip-flops And Flatform Slides Aren’t Your Thing) were retail purchases. And then, there’s my new-to-me black blazer.
As I’d hinted at in yesterday’s post, I think I made a great find with this jacket. Besides being the exact silhouette I was looking for as well as fitting me to a tee, it has some great quality details like being fully lined and top-stitching around all of the edges and pockets. The fabric has a very subtle feel of ultrasuede and when I bought it, I’d been intrigued with the “Marks & Spencer” label knowing that is a UK-based store. Oh, and it was 99 cents. Even though I have other black blazers, I know a good deal when I see one so I bought it.
After closer scrutiny of the label later when I got home, I discovered that it is identified as a “petite fit” which probably explains why it fits me so well. While I don’t quite meet the criteria of overall petiteness, I typically find a better fit with petite-sized jackets, skirts, and dresses than with regular sizes. Surprisingly, the jacket is washable although I don’t think that it has been nor does it appear to have even been worn much. There are no snags or pulls, no rubbed or worn spots, and an extra button is still attached to the content/care information label.
Many UK bloggers talk about their Marks & Spencer purchases but I’d never come across one of their garments in real life. I was curious to find out more information about the blazer. The brand label at the collar says “St Michael from MARKS & SPENCER” so that was what I typed into Google. According to what I’ve found out, the St Michael label was discontinued by M&S in 2000 so it would appear that my jacket is a vintage find and one that is in exceptionally good condition. If any British or Canadian bloggers (from one of the codes, I think the jacket was made in Canada) can offer more information, I’d greatly appreciate it.
Moving onto other recent secondhand finds, most of my purchases this month were for me and not for reselling on Poshmark. The exception to that are the two jackets in the photos below. The tweed jacket on the left is by GAP and the corduroy one on the right is by J Jill. Both would be great for Fall.
I kind of made out like a bandit considering the purchases I made for myself. The cardigan on the left below is by Athleta and was bought at a resell store and was the Maeve knit skirt in the middle. Come Fall, I’ve got plans to wear that skirt with the mustard jacket I shared in Thrift Store Finds & OOTDs: May 2021. By way of one of the Goodwill stores in my area is the multi-layered tulle skirt on the right. It has a lining that I might remove and then I would wear it as an under-skirt. Still deciding on that.
Next up are two other pairs of brown trousers I found that I couldn’t pass up. Both were a little too snug to wear for yesterday’s post but with my Fitness Journey underway, I’ll be wearing them in no time. The pair on the left has a subtle tone-on-tone pin-stripe and one of the threads of the plaid in the pair on the right is metallic (and the pattern is matched up across and at the side seams). Both of these will work well with the menswear vibe I’m digging for Fall.
I hadn’t thought that I would like the pajama pants look but these last two purchases have got me quite intrigued. The striped pair on the left is actually men’s pajama bottoms that I found on amongst the women’s pants at a thrift store. I’m on the fence about keeping or selling the pair on the right because the pattern isn’t well matched visually across. As I noted in 21 in ’21: Love, Hate, And Desire, unmatched patterns is one of those things that I hate.
That nearly puts a wrap on July. Since there are 5 Saturdays this month, I’ve got another of my A Woman I Know posts coming out as my link-up post this weekend. And besides that, have you made any exceptional finds while secondhand shopping? What thrift store finds or preloved treasures have you found recently? Which trends/aesthetics are you currently keen on?
Be well and let’s stay in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.
Outfit photos: MMPerez
12 Comments
That blazer fits you so well! You’ve had a lot of great finds lately!
I was pleasantly surprised at how well the blazer fit me. One of the reasons for my great finds is that there are quite a number of secondhand/thrift stores in my area.
I am loving your look. Looking gorgeous and love your hair. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Mariann.
That blazer was a great find! I need petite blazers or coats too, I’m just too short for most jackets, haha! I find I can’t buy them online, I really need to try them on in store or I end up disappointed. Kimonos are the exception, as they are one size fits all, but all my other jackets or toppers I have had to try on first!
Hope you are having a nice weekend 🙂
Away From Blue Blog
Mica, I struggle with getting a good fit with blazers as well. Most of the time the cut is too wide across the shoulders and too narrow at the hips. And of course, too long for my short torso.
What a great Marks & Spencer find! They tend to make very good quality basics, which shows through in the fact that it’s a vintage find. I must say I’m totally coveting that tulle skirt!!!! I need it lol!
Hugs
Suzy xx
Suzy, tulle is one of those things that I’m always looking for. Hard to find in the wild.
You had a great July second hand haul! I especially like the skirt and the red and black striped trousers.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Michelle, it was a good haul which made the shopping all the more satisfying.
Wow, you found some really cool pieces, Rena! I am loving the loose fitting trousers and the tulle skirt and the animal print skirt. All of it really! Haha. For your M&S blazer, have you looked up the RN number and stuff like that? That should tell you the exact year the garment was made (or very close to it). This article is pretty helpful for dating vintage items…http://freshpickvintage.blogspot.com/2009/10/dating-vintage-using-rn-numbers.html
Thanks for sharing and linking with me!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Shelbee, secondhand shopping in July was certainly fruitful for me. And thank you for the info on dating vintage clothing; I’ll check on that.