Sometimes we make fashion something that it’s not.
We make it difficult. We make it about trends. We allow ourselves to be ruled by what someone else tells us looks good, and then fashion becomes stressful.
Lately, writing my Frugal Fashionista posts have been stressful. Not because I am overspending. No, my outfits still come in at around $15 total. ( But I am thinking I may invest in some more accessories, which may kick that up a few dollars.)
These posts have been stressful because I know my outfits aren’t on the cutting edge of this year’s fashion. Last week, I made the HUGE mistake of wandering through some of my favorite designer label retail stores.
And then I noticed it, the discontent. I wanted more! I wanted the newest trend. I wanted to show you just how great of an outfit I can put together if I spent $200 for an outfit. And then I stood back, and realized just how subtle the “gimmies” (give…me…) can enter my life. They steal the very contentment that was just there moments ago.
And so I gave thanks, for something very superficial. Finding gratitude through something as silly as a beautiful new necklace, that I bought with a Groupon deal, helped me put this trivial moment all in perspective. I don’t need a $200 outfit, because one simple elegant necklace, paired with a great purple wrap, can take my $1 yard sale skirt and shirt treasures to new fashion heights.
And in all honesty, does it really matter at all? From an eternal perspective? No, but fashion also brings out creativity, a God given gift, so it can still be fun and enjoyable.
I glanced back through posts from over a year ago, and realized that I do love wraps. It allows me to enjoy simple black yard sale finds, and dress them up in just seconds.
This outfit from my Building a Core Wardrobe post obviously shows a very similar look, but with a black t-shirt, another skirt, and totally different black boots (yes, I have more than one pair of black boots.) By taking such a basic look, and accenting it with a green wrap, it becomes a dressy outfit. Remember, I’ve often said that black core pieces are easily found second hand, and I love that this is just as cute paired with casual jeans.
This picture came from my very First Frugal Fashionista (sort of) post. You’ve seen it on my side bar button for too long, but did you notice the shirt? It’s the same $1 black, sleeveless yard sale shirt from my purple outfit at the top, and look how very different it looks with this wrap. So easy! So frugal! So simple!
I don’t want to make fashion difficult. It shouldn’t be stressful.
Remember, simple is often elegant.
$1 yard sale shirt, great necklace, hair pulled up in ten seconds…often, that’s all it takes.
Now just remind ourselves of that when fashion discontent settles deep.
I love this post! Thank you 🙂
I so can relate! I have to not wander into places that make me want to be just like everyone else. Just this last year I realized I did not like the same house decorations that are “in stlye”. I like the simple airy sit and stay a while kind of decorating. But when I look at the Pottery Barn catalog I think of all the things I do not have.
Do not change a thing about yourself! We love you just the way you are! And I think you and I may have a similar thinking when it comes to “things”. I think to myself sometimes…do I want to meet my maker and say yep I spent x amount of money on my hair, a necklace, fancy car, fill in the blank…when I knew that there were some of His children that needed food, clothes, shelter and I could have helped. Don’t get me wrong I spend on all that other stuff but I try to balance it out.
Thanks for the reminder. It came a perfect time. I have been with older female relatives that like to make me feel like something the cat spit up on the floor because I thrift shop.
Great post! I was thinking of all the household projects that need done to keep the house functioning, not even to make it “pretty” and getting kind of grumpy.
I adore that necklace!
I absolutely LOVE your blog but this is one of my favorite posts so far!!! It’s SOOO easy to get swept away in this crazy materialistic world. Thanks for reminding us how easy that is and that it’s possible to pull ourselves back 🙂
I love the looks you put together. They are very classic but still are in style and very age appropriate without looking fuddy-duddy. But I do agree sometimes thrift stores often do not have the latest trends.
One of my fav thrift store pieces is a black Kenneth Cole black trench coat. I spent $7 on it. It wasn’t brand new, but looks new. I get tons of compliments on it every time I wear it. I think it works because it is a classic. That’s my goal when I thrift shop – to find classic pieces that won’t be out of style in 1-2 years, but still make me look like a hot 42 year old Mom. Timeless beauty,
Plus, I just don’t have the cash to spend on trendy stuff even at thrift store prices. LOL.
I have had similar experiences. Several people in my husband’s family have made comments to me, and given me several unsavory looks when I have been tickled pink over a really great deal I got at a thrift store, and in the past, it has sometimes made me feel inadequate.
But then God starting to show me that fashion is just stuff, it doesn’t matter in Eternity! And now I’m more frugal than ever. I now look at each purchase I make, and realize the more I can do with less, but still get quality, the more that I can do for His Kingdom!
I think you are doing a fabulous job inspiring women to do much more with much less, and I so don’t want you to stop!
Thank you for sharing from your heart!
Yeah! Beautifully said! Thanks! ~C
So true. My daughter and I will sometimes take a walk through more expensive stores and feel the discontent. Then we go and try to find similiar items or sew them at a fraction of the cost. Sometimes finding something, even a book we’ve been looking for at a thrift store or yard sale will solve the problem which I feel sometimes is just plain boredom.
I have been frugal with my persoanl clothes buying for all of my life. Being in my mid 40’s now, and with teenage daughters, I’m starting to feel a little frumpy. I mentioned something to my daughter about how I look and she blew the wind right out of my sails when she said it was because I never buy the ltest fashions, I always buy clearance or second hand. I like how I shope, I love getting the best possible price for things. I wish I had a more forward thinking when it comes to fashion. Now if what my daughter said wasn’t bad enough, my husband tells me I buy too many articles of black clothing. I need a makeover, but not one from the family.
Alot of what I see when I look at your fashion is a tall,blonde with good looks! Anything would look great on you.
How do you find great deals like necklaces on groupon? Still haven’t figured that site out.
You always look AWESOME! I believe it’s all about confidence and taking time to attend to the little things that make all the difference. A few extra min to give yourself a great blowout, groomed nails, clean shoes, a cute purse and the best accessory of all, a warm, inviting smile.
BTW – i love your blog! I read it daily!
Lynn
You are beautiful …and your values and choices are even more beautiful!
“While we look not at the things which are seen …for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are unseen are eternal!” I’m going to pray that God will help you find some of this years “fashion trends” in those re-sale stores/yard sales… Just think of how good you are going to look in heaven without all that covetousness or poor stewardship going up in smoke!
It’s funny that you feel that way. I read your Fashionista posts and think Wow I have no excuse for spending the day looking like a wreck in old, stained, baggy sweats. Take any of your black boots and kick me in the butt to make me take a little effort in how I look even if I am not going anywhere.
This came at a great time. I just went through my box of summer clothes and am horrified at how many I have – even if they were bought at Goodwill for $3.99 each. I’ve vowed to go all summer without buying anything new. I’ll check back with you in the fall and let you know how I did. Wish me luck please.
Your fashion articles are my favorite because I love your honesty & no one else I read expresses herself in fashion as you do. I like how you present outfits & remind me to accessorize. As for my fashion pledge for this year, I’m only going to buy items that fit me great rather than settle for a good deal item that just looks so-so.
Great post! Have had to pray over my discontent with our spring break after seeing all the posts on FB of the places my friends have gone this week. So, I’ve stayed off FB this week and I’ve prayed more about my attitude. Thanks for some great words of wisdom.
What first got me reading your blog was your frugal fashionista posts and your terrific sense of style. I meet women all the time who buy every latest thing at every posh store at the mall and still end up looking like unmade beds, because they lack an innate sense of Style. Style and fashion are two different things, and you’ve got style to spare. How’s that for something to be grateful for?
Love all the comments here about priorities and using our resources for the good of others. Spring catalogs are arriving in the mail right now, and those comments really help shake my perspective back into focus.
(I accidentally posted this on the cookie post where it makes no sense, sorry!)
Great honesty, thanks. I live in the middle of nowhere and almost never get into anywhere that is “fashionable” – but I can totally relate the the discontent that is caused by seeing something all around us.
We lived north of Chicago while my husband was in grad school and the car dealers I drove by every day were Jaguar, BMW, Mercedes, etc. I’ve never cared much past having a car that runs well, BUT seeing those kinds of cars all around me started to make me discontent with the Mazda I drove.
Fashion isn’t too much of a problem/focus here in rural Kansas, but especially when I want/need something, it IS hard to WAIT to find it at a thrift store! (Also, most of the recent trends I’ve seen are on teens and definitely don’t tempt me!)
Love this post. Once again, you made me feel I’m not alone. I too have those feelings of discontent and the gimmies. Your solution of the necklace was perfect. I am always on the lookout for an accessory. Sometimes, a hat, scarf or necklace (or all 3) are just what you need to turn an outfit from frumpy or blah to fun and fantastic! (and like the other posters–I’m envious of your beauty–inside and out!)
Thanks Jen!
Larissa
I love this post! Your fashionista posts are among my favorites. One of the reasons (there are so many) I enjoy your blog so much is because you keep it real. For most of us reading your blog, spending $200.00 on an outfit is not reality. You provide so much inspiration, in so many areas, to me each an everyday. Thank you!
This post hit home for me. I find that I love variety and so I even over-shop when it comes to thrifting. I am trying to re-evaluate my “need” to have new (new to me) things and instead being content with what I have.
I read your posts daily as I feel there is so much here I can relate to. All of the comments also make me feel encouraged. Thanks for a great blog.
I got on your blog tonight to get some recipes, and got sidetracked reading this post. I love it. I had my first goodwill shopping experience today. As I was writing an upcoming blog post about some tips for shopping at secondhand/consignment shops, I had an awakening moment. It’s ok to shop secondhand, and it gets creative juices flowing. Thank you for all the great ideas and tips on building an inexpensive but classy wardrobe. I am slowly making the transition from buying my clothes all new and name brand to being content with secondhand clothes. Thank you so much for the encouragement.
I think you can find in style clothes @ thrift stores, I shop my Goodwill like a nordstrom. Check out mspinkfabulous on youtube. However, I have noticed some in style pieces on your blog! I think we forget the treasures we have because we always want that next big thing. I ‘m like that and I have plenty of fashionable colorful clothes, but I always want something else. So now I’m making lists and being more focused.
Have you ever noticed “What is Old is New Again?”. I went shopping my closet and jewelry boxes (yes, plural) and found many items that are in fashion now that I used to wear…many of them were from Thrift Stores to begin with. 🙂 I did recently pick up some new to me jewelry and clothing items at a thrift store and have gotten many complements on them. Gotta love when people think you spent a fortune on a necklace that cost you $1.00 and a jacket that cost you $3.99. 😉
Love the necklace. I am short and all the new jewelry seems to over power me. Any suggestions?
Terri, you can shorten the necklace up by taking out some links or just hooking it into a more forward link. There is no reason why you can’t still wear those necklaces..it is all about proportion and making it work for you!
Oh my sweet friend. I love your honesty and your encouragement. You are not alone in your occasional battles with discontentment. That dirty thief sneaks up on me sometimes too.
I find that the older I get, the more quickly I recognize it and turn to The One who can give me relief. But the battle never ends.
And I loved seeing your beautiful face in your worship video today.
Miss you!
K
“I don’t want to make fashion difficult. It shouldn’t be stressful.”
Amen and amen!
Love the idea to add accessories, which can make any outfit look and feel new! (plus way more fun to shop for them!)
I can SO identify with this post! I have come to a point in my life where I wear what I LIKE no matter what is in style! I love to be fun and comfortable, my two staples. 🙂 And I can’t spend a lot EVER. Just not me. And I LOVE your necklace 🙂
Kristi
Classics never go out of fashion. A person can have all the money in the world and still not know how to shop. When I see a woman with her own style that’s where I feel the admiration kick in.
Thank you so much for this post! I am constantly at war with myself about finding clothes that make me feel good! I want to be trendy enough that I feel good in what I’m wearing, but I don’t LIKE a lot of the new trends. This makes it so I’m constantly going back and forth. Lately, I’ve been trying to step out of my comfort zone a little, but I often find myself wishing I just had someone else to dress me. The moral here, is that this post really spoke to me right now. Thank you for helping me feel like I can dress well and make myself happy without spending a fortune or following all of the latest trends!