Whole thrifted outfit for evening event

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Well, I was invited to a Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (swing) concert this weekend because of a business affiliation-- and because I like the band and have their CDs, I decided to brave the mix-n-mingle business aspect of the event to go.

But it occurred to me sometime last week that I had nothng appropriately professional yet fancy to wear to it.

So I ended up thrifting a little black dresss-- rather simple 60s Audrey Hepburn type dress, and a short silk jacket (tags still on it) and took my previously thrifted 1940s black and lucite bag... (Because, hey, what better time to break out the vintage pocketbook than a night of swing!) So not too shabby for an evening out!

They gave us CDs there at the party, so I got to actually meet the band and have the CD autographed-- rather unexpected.

Just made me laugh a little to think I got to attend something like that in an entirely thrifted outfit. And it turned out I was more dressed up than anyone else there except the band!

[ChrisMiss]

Sounds like a great evening.  Doesn't sound like you were too overdressed, just simply elegant.

[Sprocket]

That's so cool!  What a great band too...'I love You & Me & The Bottle Makes 3' and 'Beggars Blues' =)

-Will

[alexandra]

Did you see where Angelina Jolie wore a 26 dollar second-hand dress to an award ceremony (not thrifted, but from a vintages store).  However... her shoes cost a couple of hundred bucks...not to mention jewelry and other accessories...

Thriftily,
Alexandra
www.livingwithoutmoney.blogspot.com

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

I think I did hear that!- nice that Angelina is on-board with the second-hand clothing. :-) (Hm, I wonder how Billy Bob Thornton had felt about vintage dresses... I know he claims to have a phobia about antique furniture!)

My shoes weren't thrifted, but weren't hundreds of bucks either (probably about $20, discount!). Ah yes, glamour on the cheap...

It was an inexpensive evening for me. Parking cost the same amount as my entire outfit. ($15!)

[Other People s Junk]

What fun!  It sounds like your outfit was very chic.  And it's too funny that parking was the same price as your outfit!   

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

I had a second, so I wanted to include a pic of my thrifted outfit from this event. Hopefully this will post properly

There are a few more pics on my web site, as well as the story of the CD signing part of the event--- which was pretty funny itself-- one of the musicians seemed to believe he was on clean-up detail in addition to playing:

http://web.mac.com/thriftshopromantic/iWeb/The_Thrift_Shop_Romantic/Thrifted_Threads.html

[alexandra]

TSR -- Always a good read!!!

Almost every event I attend these days, is one where my entire outfit is thrifted. Hmm... the last wedding: a long velour ensemble (sheath and jacket) in a rich ruby red color -  - $1.99, with a pair of Harve Benard pumps ($3.99)... the purse was a gift, and the pantyhose/underwear bought new.  The last baby shower was an American Eagle summer dress ($2.99), Agnier spectator flats ($2.50) and a 9West purse ($3.99), and I carried a long a cashmere/silk sweater ($1.99).

Who says you can't be stylish on a second hand budget?

Thriftily,
Alexandra
www.livingwithoutmoney.blogspot.com

[Magpie18]

  Is it my imagination or do some of the thrift stores have a better selection of fancy evening purses than the boutiques or the department stores?

& the condition of the evening bags seemed better than the everyday purses... I don't know if it is because they were under the counterglass or because women just use these bags a few times a year...

[Cookie]

Cute dress!  Looks like it would be perfect for any occasion.  I don't think you were overdressed at all.  In any case, I've heard it's always better to be overdressed than underdressed.  Then when some lame-brain says, "What are you all dressed up for?" you can say that you just came from a cocktail party or you have a late date after the event you're attending.  Of course, "Because I'm a girl" is always a great answer, too!   You put together a fabulous outfit for which you get many, many, many thrifting points.  (Too bad you can't redeem them like Skee-Ball tickets.)

[Other People s Junk]

You put together a fabulous outfit for which you get many, many, many thrifting points.  (Too bad you can't redeem them like Skee-Ball tickets.)

   That would be TOO funny if a person COULD redeem their "thrifting points"!!   

TSR- Your outfit looked great!  Simply elegant.

[SecondhandSophisticate]

TSR, I LOVE your outfit. It is indeed sooooooooooooo Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffany's, dahling! I bet you looked like a princess. That bag is to DIE for! 

Ciao, bellas!
SeSo

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Oh, gosh, everybody-- thanks!

I think Magpie's got a point about the fancy purses, and even dressy dresses, at thrift stores. The sheer quantity of Little Black Dresses there to choose from was amazing. It was finding the right style and size that was more challenging than anything else. There were a lot of very fancy prom/bridesmaid dresses around, too, that were actually beautifully streamlined and tasteful, and well made, too... No fluffy wedding cake or dated look to them.

So it's HIGHLY recommended, if you have enough time to pursue it for a fancier event, to go thrift first to see what you can find.