PRETTY SAVAGE

This weekend, my friends and I are going to watch BLACKPINK’s virtual concert. I was initially going to dress in black and pink, but my friends suggested that we should wear a BLACKPINK inspired look, instead.

The K-Pop industry’s budget is insane, so the girls have the most striking costume changes for all of their performances. My personal favorites were their glittery stage outfits at Coachella and their Tomb Raider outfits in “Kill This Love.” I also love seeing them dress in their sponsored designer labels, especially Jennie. She always looks so posh and trendy in Chanel. Lisa is the other member who stands out with her badass streetwear, oversized fur jackets and ever-changing hair color.

I rummaged through my closet, pulling out anything flashy, edgy and K-Pop-ish, and this monochrome look is what I came up with. The miniskirt has a perky girly silhouette, so I balanced it out with a modern asymmetrical crop top.

To accessorize, I put on a choker, which seems to be just as popular in Korea, as it is in the US. If I could spice up this outfit, even more, I would wear a harness or garter. I’m really into all of the unique body straps that Asian pop stars wear, but I haven’t found any that I like yet. This belt is the only accessory I have that resembles that style, so this will do for now. I actually bought it from YesStyle, which is an online Asian store that sells Korean and Japanese-inspired clothes and accessories. For shoes, a pair of booties are always reliable for both comfort and height.

The weather has gotten significantly colder this week, so for my final touch, I layered on my shearling jacket. It’s the perfect excuse to channel my inner Lisa.

Overall, I’d say this look is 10% “pretty” and 90% “savage.” How you like that???

+ BLACKPINK Light Stick | BLACKPINK

+ Jacket | UNIF (Poshmark)

+ Crop Top | boohoo

+ Skirt | Soprano (Goodwill)

+ Belt | YesStyle

+ Booties | Steve Madden (Poshmark)

+ Choker | Forever 21

+ Lipstick | MAC’s Cyber

Photography | Adam Redfield

xx

Dana

SPARKLE + SHINE

It doesn’t feel like holiday season without some glitter. Black and gold are my favorite colors, so I naturally stuck with this color palette. The highlight of this look is definitely the pleated metallic skirt that I got from Goodwill. Since the skirt is high-waisted, I paired it with my Are You Am I crop top.

Unlike the skirt, which was only $6.99, the top was a major splurge. It’s actually one of the most expensive items I own. Even with a discount, it cost about $116. You probably think I’m insane for spending this much on a top, let alone a cropped one, but I had been eying it months before I bought it. I really appreciate its cut, construction, and hand-feel. The knock-offs I saw were missing that crisp square neckline and low-cut back. This top was made from a soft and cozy fiber, called modal, and the long sleeves make it more winter-friendly.

To reflect the sheen of my skirt, I kept my jewelry gold-toned. Ever since I followed Jenn Im on YouTube, she ingrained the idea in me that your metals should always match. For instance, if you choose gold earrings, then you should stay consistent with your necklace, bracelet and ring. After she demonstrated this, I couldn’t unsee it. Now I’m even anal about my purse straps. Aside from having a gold chain, I also thought that my faux fur pouch was fitting for the holidays. It just adds an oomph of class.

For extra warmth, I layered on my mom’s oversized peacoat. I wish I knew the story behind it because it has a Hong Kong address and telephone number printed on the label. Somehow, she thrifted this foreign-made coat that was tailored to petite women, like us. Not only was it well-made, but it still looks brand new. Everything down to the lining was beautifully sewn, and there are even hidden pockets on the inside.

To tie everything together, you can’t go wrong with a classic pair of black heels. They match with almost anything and can instantly elevate your style.

These days, I find it difficult to tell the worth and quality of most garments. This outfit is a prime example of how looks can be deceiving. The most lavish pieces were secondhand, while the simplest one had the highest price tag. Modern day fashion has become a guessing game, but that’s what makes it more fun.

+ Lipstick | MAC’s Hang Up

+ Necklace | Forever 21

+ Purse | Poshmark

+ Crop Top | Are You Am I

+ Skirt | Abound (Goodwill)

+ Coat | Lun Fong (hand-me-down)

+ Heels | Urban Outfitters

Photography | Adam Redfield

xx

Dana

FOR THE LOVE OF LEATHER

Everyone has that special item they've always dreamed of having one day. It could be anything from a Gucci bag to a pair of Jordans, or a Canon camera to a Tesla. Being in the fashion industry, there are MANY things that I want, but at the very top of my wishlist was a genuine leather jacket. Initially, I just wanted the perfect motorcycle jacket, regardless of the material, but after owning two pleather jackets, I wanted to try the real deal.

Disclaimer: I do have two genuine leather hand-me-downs from my mom, but they're coats. I wanted something casual that could go with more outfits. The coats are by Bebe and Frenchi, but naturally, my mom thrifted them both. It amazes me how they're still in mint condition after all these years. She owned them for over a decade, but who knows how long the previous owners had them for. In comparison to my pleather jackets, they aged much better.

The first one I had was a Silence + Noise bomber from Urban Outfitters (UO). It cost $128, which is quite expensive for faux leather. My friends, Ann and Angela, ended up splitting the price with me, for Christmas. When I wore it to high school for the first time, I felt a confusing mix of insecurity and fearlessness. It was such a statement, since no other girls were wearing leather at the time. It was a popular trend I saw on Tumblr and Lookbook, but not at my school. I received more compliments than I expected, and it quickly became one of my staple pieces. For the next five years, I wore it until it shred into pieces. 

The last one I got was a motorcycle jacket from YesStyle. Unlike the UO jacket, it was ridiculously affordable. I remember it being no more than $40 with shipping. Most leather jackets are fitted, but this one was thinner and looser. I liked how I could layer sweaters underneath it, but the silhouette was chunkier than I wanted. I didn’t wear it nearly as much as the UO one, but it was cheaper to keep than to ship back to Korea. Even with less wear, it still managed to peel at the collar.

After having two pleather jackets wear down, I asked the Internet if genuine leather has this same issue and it said “no.” Although genuine leather is easily scuffed, it doesn’t crack, as proven with my mom’s old coats. I don’t mind scratches, since they add more edginess and authenticity, but peeling will actually strip away the “leather” detail. It’s also irritating having to constantly clean up tiny black remnants. With all of this information, I convinced myself to invest in genuine leather, especially since I knew I'd wear it so much.

Before I decided to splurge on genuine leather, I already had an elaborate list of what I wanted in the jacket. Over the years, I browsed everywhere, including Asos, Zara, and Urban Outfitters, but I couldn't find any that met my standards. It frustrated me how contemporary leather jackets were mainly cropped and tight-fitted. This is the list of what I was actually looking for:

1. classic motorcycle collars

2. silver hardware

3. regular bottom length

4. regular sleeve length

5. room for a long-sleeved shirt or light sweater

6. no belt along the waist

In the genuine leather market, Acne Studios is the holy grail, but their prices are well over $1,000. The only garment I would ever spend this much on is probably my wedding dress. The next best option is AllSaints, which also has high quality and consistent branding. I've always admired their visual merchandising and dark and industrial style. Their leather jackets are mainly made from lambskin and are in the $500 range. This is about 1/3 of an Acne jacket, but is no doubt, still very expensive.

Leather jacket sizing is very unpredictable, since it heavily fluctuates, depending on the brand. Most tend to run small, but I didn't expect AllSaints to be this farfetched. I went to both their regular and outlet store to compare sizes, prices, and styles. I quickly realized that they're far from being size inclusive. Their jackets stop at size 10, which fit me like a small. I'm usually a size two, so it's insane that I had to upsize by four sizes. After trying on all of the motorcycle jackets they had, I chose the Dalby, which checked off every box on my list.

As I do before most of my purchases, I checked Poshmark to see if it had a better deal. There was only one person selling a size 10 Dalby jacket. It's listed at $450 on AllSaints, but I got this brand new one for $300.

After all these trials, you can say that I'm a tad bit leather crazy. I even have a tattoo of a girl in leather, so this more than just a trend to me. The leather jacket is a timeless design that I really value. This is the most I've spent on any clothing item, but at least it was still thrifted.

+ Lipstick | MAC’s Ruby Woo

+ Choker | Etsy

+ Bandana | Romwe

+ Leather Jacket | AllSaints (Poshmark)

+ T-Shirt | Romwe

+ Jeans | Abercrombie

+ Booties | Forever 21

Photography | Adam Redfield

xx

Dana

DANGEROUS WOMAN

As I was looking through my closet for Halloween ideas, I saw this babydoll dress that reminded me of Ariana Grande. I thrifted it at Goodwill, last year, but still haven’t had the chance to wear it. With this dress, I already completed half of my costume, so it was the perfect piece to build on.

There are certain elements that define Ariana’s signature style. Aside from babydoll dresses, chokers, over-the-knee boots, and sky-high ponytails are also her trademark. Her Dangerous Woman look resonates with me most, since it’s so dark and sultry. For my costume, I wanted to recreate that album cover.

The most iconic part of the cover was definitely her latex bunny mask. Wearing skintight fabric over my head sounded extremely uncomfortable, so I chose this lace one for more breathability. I thought the veil was more fitting for Halloween, and it could also be tucked back if needed. 

Although I do own over-the-knee boots, I opted for these booties, since they elongate my legs more. My over-the-knee boots are flat, whereas these platforms are 2.75” tall.

The choker was the most difficult item to find, since most of the faux diamond chokers I saw were really tacky. Ariana wore a chunky diamond necklace that I would imagine Marilyn Monroe or Audrey Hepburn wearing. I wanted to emulate that classic Hollywood glam, but anything similar was completely out of my budget. Instead, I thrifted this BaubleBar choker for $8 on Poshmark.

For the final touch, I tried my best to do her high ponytail, but it was such a struggle. Doing hair isn’t my forte, even with a simple ponytail, like this. I spent around 30 minutes retying my hair and it still drooped to a regular ass ponytail. My goal is to perfect her hairstyle by Halloween.

This was a fairly easy costume to put together, since most of the garments were things that the average American girl wears. Chokers, stockings and black boots are staple pieces that many of us have. Tying a ponytail is also priceless. If you decide to be Ariana for Halloween, then you’re probably already halfway there.

+ Lipstick | MAC’s Black Knight

+ Mask | Amazon

+ Choker | BaubleBar (Poshmark)

+ Dress | Goodwill

+ Stockings | Romwe

+ Booties | Steve Madden (Poshmark)

Photography | Adam Redfield

xx

Dana

THINK VERTICALLY

I have never owned a jumpsuit, since they never seem to fit me. I’m 5’2”, so most are too long, and I’m too lazy to tailor anything. I randomly found this in the dress section of Goodwill, and I really liked its muted minimal stripes. For a white secondhand garment, I was surprised by how spotless it was. I walked into the fitting room with very low expectations, since my experience with jumpsuits always ended the same. This time it was different, and the jumpsuit fit like a glove. 

Without shoes, the hem touched the ground, but it didn’t my swallow my feet. Everything about it was just so flattering. It has criss-cross straps that completely expose my back, and the high-waisted silhouette lifts and accentuates my butt. There are deep side pockets that can fit my phone, keys, and wallet. The vertical stripes even elongate my figure and make me look taller. The only thing I don’t like about this jumpsuit is how complicated it is to get in and out of it. If you know me, you know that I drink a A LOT of water and that I pee A LOT in result of that. It would be a bitch for me to wear this all day long, so I would only wear it to short outings.

+ Hoop Earrings | Claire’s

+ Jumpsuit | Forever 21 (Goodwill)

+ Heels | MRKT (hand-me-down)

Photography | Adam Redfield

xx

Dana

RIP

As I was deep cleaning my closet this New Years, I found an old pair of jeans from high school that I was going to sell. These were buried with other clothes I already listed on Poshmark. For years, they had been sitting in a suitcase, while I was in college. My cousin gave them to me for Christmas, but they were too loose and bulky for me back then. Over four years later, I rediscovered them to find that I have finally grown into them. 

These were my first pair of Cheap Mondays, so I was hit with a buttload of nostalgia. My first instinct was to stalk them on Instagram to catch up on what’s new. All I saw was a blank white page with the bio, “R.I.P. Cheap Monday 2004-2019.” Just as I was reminded of an old favorite, I learned that it will be discontinued within the same year.

Although the jeans didn’t fit, at first, this introduced me to a badass lifestyle brand. I was really infatuated by the company’s bold and edgy branding. Even its farewell is cheeky and is consistent with who they are. Just take a look at its last marketing video and what’s left of its website, to see what I mean. 

Cheap Monday is a Swedish company that actually began as a thrift store. It didn’t start selling jeans until March 10, 2004, which also happened to be my birthday. I had just turned 10, so Cheap Monday was completely out of my radar. H&M then purchased the label in 2008 and turned it into a wholesale business. Many reputable retailers, like Asos, Urban Outfitters, and Opening Ceremony, carried its denim. It initially focused on a niche of skinny jeans, but later expanded to other clothes and accessories. Over the years, wholesaling proved to be difficult and Cheap Monday’s sales exceedingly plummeted. This has forced the brand to close all of its stores and wholesale accounts by June.

I made my first and last real Cheap Monday purchase this week. I’ve owned four pairs of Cheap Mondays, but three had been thrifted. The skull logo is very hard to miss, even at overflowing thrift stores. The ones I’m wearing are mid-rise, medium washed, and straight-legged. I normally go for a skinny fit, so I always roll these up. Otherwise, they look really crinkly at the bottom. Unlike some of my other jeans, I never have to worry about readjusting these. It also has oversized pockets that can fit the largest of wallets and smartphones. 

For many years, Cheap Monday was my premium choice for denim. I rarely have luck shopping for jeans, so I have yet to find that holy grail brand. If you have suggestions for petite, skinny girls, like me, do list them below. Your girl likes her jeans skinny, stretchy, and high-waisted.

+ Lipstick | MAC’s Heroine

+ Earrings | Old Navy

+ Backpack | Wilson’s Leather (Poshmark)

+ Scarf | gift

+ T-Shirt | Mudd (Mervyn’s)

+ Jeans | Cheap Monday (Opening Ceremony)

+ Belt | YesStyle

+ Boots | Dr. Martens (Wasteland)

Photography | Adam Redfield

xx

Dana

LADY LAMB

Nothing is more difficult to thrift than a good quality jacket. Tops? I have so many that I’ve created a selling/donations pile. Bottoms? I’ve collected all sorts, from skirts to shorts to jeans. Dresses? I always end up lugging an armful to the fitting room. Shoes? Your girl is an average size 7, so that’s never an issue.

Outerwear is a tricky category because the ones I see at thrift stores are often too big or too heavy. I want to stay warm, but I don’t want to be weighed down. Most of my coats and jackets are actually hand-me-downs because I can’t bring myself to splurge on them. I rarely find anything in my budget that’s worthwhile, and thrifting has proven to be a challenge.

It took me months, if not a year, to find a jacket, like this. I was infatuated with shearling after seeing my favorite YouTuber, Jenn Im, feature it on her channel. Her jacket is from a Korean brand, called K-styleme, which has unfortunately been discontinued. I got this similar version, from Poshmark, which practically looks the same. They both have biker collars, silver hardware, and all-over white shearling.

My jacket is by UNIF, which is an edgy streetwear label based in Los Angeles. It prides itself on scarcity and limited styles, and its outerwear sells from the mid to high $100 range. When I spotted this on Poshmark, it was already listed below $100, but I bargained it down to $60. The material was in mint condition, so the price was more than reasonable. Still, this is probably the most I’ve spent on a jacket because I’m the stingiest shopper, ever.

This fluffy piece has been with me since fall 2016, and it always keeps me warm and toasty in the winter. Whenever I wear it, I don’t even need to carry a bag because there are enough pockets for all of my essentials. It has two regular side pockets, two upper breast pockets, and a camouflaged bottom pocket that I failed to notice until last month. I like packing light, and this oversized jacket can hold my phone, wallet, keys, and lip balm. It allows me to be hands and hassle free, which I love.

+ Jacket | UNIF (Poshmark)

+ Crop Top | Forever 21

+ Leggings | Forever 21

+ Tote | Leonisa (MAGIC Trade Show)

+ Flats | Urban Outfitters

+ Earrings | Romwe

Photography | Adam Redfield

xx

Dana

HOWL

Up until freshman year of college, I had never watched anime. I may have seen mainstream shows, like Pokemon and Sailor Moon, but I was too little to retain anything that happened. When I shared this with my friend, Mo, he gave me a lot of shit and insisted that I watch a Hayao Miyazaki film. It was the start of Thanksgiving break and campus was secluded, aside from small clusters of international and out-of-state students. The rest of our friends had left and most restaurants were closed, so we ordered Chinese takeout and watched Princess Mononoke.

Miyazaki is known for developing strong female leads, and the protagonist, San, was nothing short of that. As a baby, her parents sacrificed her to wolves, and she grew up to lead the pack. These wolves immersed her into wildlife and raised her to be ruthless and independent. 

I knew I had to be this badass bitch for Halloween, one day, but recreating her look would be difficult. She’s not a character you’d see at Halloween stores, and I didn’t want to design my costume from scratch. Like all of my previous costumes, I wanted it to be an assortment of wearable, everyday clothes.

Being the extra me that I am, I’ve stowed away my faux fur hat for almost five years, for this costume. I’m always keen on stashing good finds for future use. This is when my Pinterest and planner come into play. I’m that person who will start brainstorming for next year, right after Halloween has ended. I purchased this hat while working at Zara, my sophomore year. A customer had returned it several seasons later, so I got a steep discount. It was the closest thing I could find to San’s cape, so I felt obligated to buy it.

For the rest of my look, I tried to thrift as much as I could. My first stop was Goodwill, where I found my dress and shoes. I didn’t own any tan, slouchy boots, like hers, but I wasn’t going to kill myself over a pair of shoes. The sheepskin moccasins were a rare and lucky find and only cost $2.99.

As expected, jewelry was impossible to thrift, so I resulted to ASOS and Romwe. I didn’t want literal duplicates of San’s jewelry, since I couldn’t see myself wearing them, again. Instead of shell earrings, I got white fuzzy hoops to match my fur hat. For the armbands, I could’ve used blue ribbon, but ASOS was conveniently selling a pack of 2 arm cuffs for $2.

The hardest items to look for were the top and necklace. I spent weeks online browsing for anything remotely similar. I substituted her ivory wolf fangs with a layered statement necklace. Its spearheads and moon crescent have the same warrior-like quality that I wanted.

The top was a challenging key term search because I didn’t know what to call it. Slit, side cut, side scoop, muscle tank, and sleeveless sweater were all of the variations I tried, to find the right match. It was none other than Pinterest, that recommended a comparable look, by Pull&Bear. The sweater was sold out on their website, but like most cases, Poshmark came in clutch. I found the exact same one and bargained it down to $5.

It was like a guessing game shopping from different places, but in the end, the pieces gelled really well, together. The essential part is that I love them all (minus the oversized arm cuffs) individually, and I can’t wait to blend them into my everyday wardrobe.

+ Faux Fur Hat | Zara

+ Statement Necklace | ASOS

+ Hoop Earrings | Romwe

+ Arm Cuffs | ASOS

+ Sweater | Pull&Bear (Poshmark)

+ Dress | Merona (Goodwill)

+ Moccasins | Minnetonka (Goodwill) 

Photography | Adam Redfield

xx

Dana

RISKY BUSINESS

I’m guilty of stealing my boyfriend’s clothes all the time, but this isn’t one of those occasions. I actually found this shirt in the men’s section of Goodwill. Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, I wanted to pay homage to the classic boyfriend shirt. The term, “boyfriend,” isn’t meant to be taken literally, though. The fashion industry has turned it into another adjective for “oversized.” I’ve always had a thing for oversized shirts and sweaters, since they’re so comfy and casual. Sometimes, they even turn out as decent dresses.

I’m sure you’re familiar with the iconic Risky Business scene, where Tom Cruise dances in nothing, but socks and a button-up. This 1983 movie really inspired women to wear oversized dress shirts. Many girls dress down in this disheveled look, for Halloween, but the boyfriend shirt has become a major street style trend, as well.

Slipping on a boyfriend shirt alludes to ease and carelessness. It gives you that “just rolled out of bed” appeal, and specifically his, for that matter. As the online newsletter, Racked, explained, it’s about “clothing that was left on the floor” and “a reminder of a private space in public." The idea is borderline risqué, but enough to remain publicly “appropriate.” 

As Valentine’s Day creeps up, there’s no problem with wearing your heart on your sleeve. After dressing up for date night, borrowing a simple shirt the next day is a refreshing option.

+ Lipstick | MAC’s Paramount 

+ Glasses | Borough Market (London)

+ Necklace | Forever 21

+ Earrings | Old Navy

+ Button-Up | GAP (Goodwill)

+ T-Shirt | Mudd

+ Jeggings | DL 1961 (Buffalo Exchange)

+ Socks | Forever 21

+ Shoes | Forever 21

Photography | Adam Redfield

xx

Dana

FIT FOR A FANCY FEAST

Holiday season is finally here, so I put together a thrifted, high-end look that’s fit for a Christmas or New Years party. This is a formal, yet minimal outfit. People tend to think of red, green, and shimmering sparkles for the Holidays, but you can never go wrong with a classic black and white combo.

For this look, I paired an off-the-shoulder crop top with an A-line midi skirt. Together, they reveal a little bit of skin, while still remaining classy. The flowy, high-waisted skirt balances the short and tight fit of my blouse. I found this skirt at Salvation Army with the original tag attached. It’s designed by Ellen Tracy and was selling for $378, but I got it for $5.99. I can’t imagine spending that much on an outfit, let alone on one item of clothing.

The same thing goes for jewelry. I can care less about authentic gold and diamond, and will opt for custom jewelry, any day. Since my look is on the dressier side, I accessorized it with dainty jewelry. I really wanted Are You Am I’s Clasp Choker, but $139 is still not ideal. Thanks to Etsy, I found a similar version for $13.50. I kept my other accessories just as simple and piled on more black.

The highlight of this look is definitely the Tadashi Shoji crop top. I bought this top at Goodwill in high school, and it was one of the first few designer pieces I thrifted. Its draping and ruching has a fancy appeal, but the garment is effortlessly wearable. The tulle material is stretchy and breathable, and within one zip, everything stays in place. I never have to worry about adjusting my sleeves, as I do with most off-the-shoulder tops.

These silhouettes and proportions give off an old-fashioned vibe, and make me feel very elegant. Sometimes, the key to making a statement is by wearing no color at all. Why blend in with the Christmas decorations, when you can stand out? 

+ Choker | Etsy

+ Ring | Old Navy

+ Clutch | Clemente (hand-me-down)

+ Crop Top | Tadashi Shoji (Goodwill)

+ Skirt | Ellen Tracy (Salvation Army)

+ Heels | Urban Outfitters

Photography | Adam Redfield

xx

Dana

SHINING, SHIMMERING SPLENDID

The last time I was a Disney Princess, I was probably seven. Now, I tend to choose zombies and villains over princesses. Looking back at the past two Halloweens, I was Wednesday Addams and The Corpse Bride. Pretty and pure isn’t my likely go-to, but, this year, I wanted to coordinate a costume from items I already owned. 

I had mint green harem pants and a green gem choker, so Princess Jasmine, it was. I got my harem pants, years ago, from a flea market in Vietnam. They’re very loose and lightweight, so I mainly used them as pajama bottoms. The choker is from Forever 21, but I received it as a Christmas gift. Based on these two pieces, I began to build my costume.

When shopping for Halloween costumes, I try to purchase clothes that I’d wear again. The main thing I was missing from my ensemble was a green crop top. As most of you know, I rarely wear color, and my closet is dominated by neutrals. Looking for a wearable green top was a struggle, so I ended up thrifting a sports bra. My favorite part about the bra is the back cutout and the way it exposes my back tattoo. It only cost $9, and activewear always comes in handy.

For the accessories, I didn’t want it to look like cheap, Halloween props, so I opted for delicate, minimal pieces. In the movie, Princess Jasmine wore a teal, jeweled headband and gold chunky statement jewelry. I knew that I’d never wear a teal headband again, so I searched for a gold hair chain with turquoise accents, instead. I found mine for $7 on Poshmark, but there’re many other variations on Etsy. For an extra touch, I added a gold body chain to my outfit. This was another $7 Poshmark find, but other styles are sold on Etsy, as well.

There’re so many interpretations you can create from Princess Jasmine’s look, but as long as you have a blue or green clothing set, people should get the point. The key is color coordination. Just make sure that your garments are cool tones and your bling bling is gold.

+ Headpiece | Wet Seal (Poshmark)

+ Choker | Forever 21

+ Body Chain | Poshmark

+ Sports Bra | Jo+Jax (Poshmark)

+ Harem Pants | Vietnam

Photography | Adam Redfield

xx

Dana

SWEAT IT OUT

LOOK ONE

LOOK TWO

Yeah, I know that thrifting sportswear may sound gross. The thought of someone else profusely sweating in it might come to mind. That didn’t stop me from giving it a chance, though. I mean, think about all of those (including me) who frequently lounge and run errands in sportswear, instead of exercising in them. Maybe this is why I can actually find decent, secondhand "workout clothes."

Nearly everything I’m wearing was from Goodwill, and all items were in great condition. After years of exercising in them, this still holds true. With sportswear, I always make sure to inspect the garments carefully. I never purchase anything smelly, stained, or worn out. It’s very transparent if something has been heavily used. For instance, the smell of B.O. or the discoloration of underarm sweat stains are easy giveaways.

When I first began thrift shopping I was surprised to find such a plethora of sportswear. At this point I have collected several Nike, Reebok, and Adidas gear. The best part is that I roughly spend $5 on each item, which I doubt, can even get me a pair of socks at Nike. Sportswear can get really expensive if you’re shopping for quality construction that won’t wear and tear when working out. I can’t imagine how much all of my sportswear would cost if I bought them brand new, but I’m content with keeping it that way.

+ Sunglasses | Forever 21

+ Jacket | Nike (Buffalo Exchange)

+ Sports Bra | Nike

+ Racerback | Adidas (Goodwill)

+ Shorts | Nike (Goodwill)

-

+ Pullover | Adidas (Goodwill)

+ Crop Top | Reebok (Goodwill)

+ Leggings | Forever 21

+ Sneakers | Nike (Tiffany Run)

Photography | Adam Redfield

xx

Dana

BAD + BOUGIE

You can still be bad and bougie if you can’t afford For Love and Lemons or Agent Provocateur lingerie. Lingerie is probably the last thing most women would consider thrifting, but great quality, condition, and labels do exist at thrift stores. I’ve thrifted all sorts of intimates, from bras and nightgowns to robes and slippers. The only thing I never thrift is underwear and for obvious reasons. Although I can’t expect what to find while thrifting, depending on what I’m looking for, I use these three resources to hunt for lingerie.

There will always be better quality and designers at consignment stores, since all merchandise is inspected and pre-selected. Buffalo Exchange is where I normally find nightgowns from trendy brands, like Free People and Urban Outfitters. I bought my Free People nightgown at Buffalo during Halloween, since it typically blends lingerie into the costume section. There’s always a plethora of kinky finds, like fishnets, corsets, and garters, throughout this season.

If I’m shopping for bras, then I use the app, Poshmark, since bras are rarely sold in thrift stores, let alone ones that fit perfectly. Similar to eBay, clothing categories can be narrowed down to specifics, like size, color, and condition. Another convenient feature is being able to trade items, instead of purchasing them. This is actually how I got my black aerie bandeau. I swapped it with a lipstick that I never wore. With bras being so expensive these days, online thrifting is another way to find cute and affordable bras.

When it comes to regular thrift stores, like Goodwill and Salvation Army, it all results to luck. The chance of discovering spotless, high-end lingerie is much slimmer, but it isn’t impossible. After all, I snagged my Christian Dior robe for about $10 at Goodwill. Dior has stopped producing lingerie for years, so I was surprised to find this vintage piece in mint condition. Without thrift shopping there’s no way I could own valuable gems, like this.

Lingerie is definitely a luxury that many girls want, but can’t afford. It’s funny how something so thin and fragile can cost so much money. This is why thrift shopping is a great alternative for purchasing lingerie. It makes sense to invest in regular everyday clothes, rather than garments that rarely anyone sees, but thrifting has eliminated this dilemma for me. I never have to compensate one for the other. I can still shop for both, while saving an immense amount of money.

+ Choker | Forever 21

+ Robe | Dior (Goodwill)

+ Bralette | aerie (Poshmark)

+ Undies | Forever 21

+ Slippers | Donna Salyers' Fabulous Furs (hand-me-down)

+ Nightgown | Free People (Buffalo Exchange)

Photography | Adam Redfield

xx

Dana

STUD SPANGLED LEATHER

Black, studs, and leather; these are just a few of my favorite things. My style may change from day-to-day, but the one thing that remains the same is my love for black. Since this is an all-black look, I wanted to play with as many different textures as possible. This outfit includes all sorts of materials, like mesh, velvet, and leather.

I went all out and decided to wear some of the unusual things that have been buried in my closet. Most people don’t know or understand this side of me, but I’ve always been a sucker for dark and edgy styles. A few fashion icons that really inspire me are Rihanna, Rooney Mara, and Eugenie Grey (Feral Creature). I look up to each of these ladies for different reasons, but one thing they all have in common is that they are total badasses. These women don’t give a flying fuck about what other people think. They wear whatever the hell they want, despite how raunchy the look may be.

Rihanna is known for her eclectic hairstyles and outfits, and she’s one of those rare people who, I’m sure, can make a trash bag look good. For those of you who don’t know Rooney Mara or Eugenie Grey, Mara was the lead in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Grey is a fashion and lifestyle blogger. Both share my habit of hoarding a monochrome wardrobe, but Mara is famous for her red carpet gowns and Grey is known for her lingerie and street style.

I wanted to channel these ladies’ daring sense of style, so I pulled together a goth-inspired look. This shoot was all about going out of my comfort zone and expressing another layer that people never see. This is obviously not an average everyday look that I would leave the house in, but the fearlessness it takes to rock something like this is what I want to remember. My goal is to apply these women’s attitude to my daily routine when getting dressed every morning. It’s easy to talk yourself down and to worry about being too flashy, too overdressed, or too risqué, but everyone has the right to decorate their body as they wish.

+ Lipstick | MAC's Cyber

+ Choker | Forever 21

+ Bra | Haight-Ashbury St

+ Vest | Lilith (Goodwill)

+ Leggings | Walmart

+ Booties | Forever 21

Photography | Roberto Salmon

xx

Dana

LAZY DAY

Now that it’s getting colder, it’s time to layer up. For my trip to New York I did a sweater-on-sweater look, and wore an oversized cardigan over my sweater dress. I usually pair sweater dresses with tights, but since it’s chillier on the East Coast, I opted for jeggings. Sweater weather also calls for soft and cozy textures, so this Abercrombie & Fitch cardigan is one of my fall staple pieces. I wanted to go for an effortless and comfortable look because New York always involves a lot of walking. What I love about this outfit is that it’s casual enough to wear out, but comfortable enough to sleep and lounge in. Every item, aside from the sneakers and beanie, were thrifted. I found the A&F cardigan at Goodwill, for less than $10, and the Urban Outfitters sweater dress at Philly Aids Thrift, for about $5. Now that the winter holidays are coming up, I’m hoping to thrift for more sweaters, especially ugly Christmas ones. 

+ Lipstick | MAC’s Paramount

+ Beanie | Zara Kids

+ Sweater Dress | Silence + Noise (Philly Aids Thrift)

+ Cardigan | Abercrombie & Fitch (Goodwill)

+ Jeggings | DL1961 (Buffalo Exchange)

+ Sneakers | Nike

Photography | Anand Patel + Dana Nguyen

xx

Dana

GOBBLE UP

In preparation for Thanksgiving, we all want to have as much space in our pants to fit the highly anticipated food baby. It’s that time of year where it’s socially acceptable to stuff your belly with whatever and however much food you want. There’s no need to compensate comfort for style, so here are four different looks you can choose from, for a long day of eating and drinking. They’re all so comfy that you can literally wear them in a food coma. 

ONE

One can never go wrong with a chunky knit sweater or sweater dress for Thanksgiving. This is probably the comfiest you could get. Oversized sweaters are usually flowy, so you could eat as much as you want and still have plenty of breathing room. I layered my sweater dress with tights and over-the-knee socks to stay warm and cozy. This is a nice, effortless look for a more casual get-together, like Friendsgiving.

+ Sweater Dress | Free People (Philly Aids Thrift)

+ Tights | Forever 21

+ Socks | Forever 21

+ Booties | Jessica Simpson (Philly Aids Thrift)

TWO

Dresses are always good go-to’s for special occasions. They require such little effort, while making you look more formal. Slipping on a dress takes less than one minute, and it’s also so comfortable to sit in. Dresses with interesting prints, like this tie-dye one, can create an optical illusion, and show no signs of bloating. For an extra touch of fall, I added some dangly leaf earrings to the outfit.

+ Earrings | Claire’s

+ Necklace | Forever 21

+ Ring Set | Old Navy

+ Ring Band | Laney Flea Market

+ Midi Dress | Rabbit (Philly Aids Thrift)

+ Flats | GAP Outlet

THREE

If you decide to wear pants for Thanksgiving, then I suggest anything stretchy, like leggings. The thought of wearing jeans just sounds so painful and uncomfortable. I for one, get extremely bloated after a big meal, so any bottom buttons usually come undone, anyways. For this outfit I wore all black underneath, since it’s such a slimming color. I gave it a more fall vibe by wearing a leaf-printed scarf. This is also another good option for a casual Thanksgiving dinner.

+ Hoop Earrings | Claire’s

+ Statement Ring | Forever 21

+ Ring Band | Laney Flea Market

+ Scarf | hand-me-down

+ Tank | American Rag (Macy’s)

+ Leggings | Forever 21

+ Cardigan | Forever 21

+ Booties | Jessica Simpson (Philly Aids Thrift)

FOUR

If you’re like me, and normally hate wearing color, you can still wear all black errytang and make it “fall-friendly.” For this look I’m wearing a floral printed midi-dress. Even though floral is typically associated with spring, I feel like muted florals and leaf prints are perfect for fall. This is the most formal look out of them all, so it could be a good option if you’re having Thanksgiving at your significant other’s house. 

+ Lipstick | MAC’s Paramount

+ Statement Ring | Old Navy

+ Ring Set | Old Navy

+ Ring Band | Laney Flea Market

+ Hoop Earrings | Claire’s

+ Midi Dress | Harold’s (Goodwill)

+ Flats | GAP Outlet

Please let me know which look was your favorite in the comment box below! I expect you all to eat your asses off this Thursday, and I truly hope you skip those skinny jeans. Believe me, your stomach will thank you. 

Photography | Roberto Salmon

xx

Dana

PUT ON YOUR BIG GIRL PANTS

You know that feeling when you see a killer garment that you can’t picture yourself wearing? Well thanks to thrift shopping, I slowly overcame that fear and now take way more fashion risks than I would have if I only shopped fast fashion or department stores. When shopping retail chains, I’m always more cautious with my spending and never want to splurge on any over-the-top garments. These tend to be out of my budget and then I get buyer’s remorse once they wind up lying in my closet for most of the year.

The perk of discovering one-of-a-kind items at thrift stores is that they are normally dirt cheap. I found these J. Marco bellbottoms at Goodwill for about $10, and knew that I couldn’t pass them up. I’ve never seen anything like them, and they are great conversation starters for special occasions. The hemline is so wide that I have to wear four-inch heels to keep myself from tripping, but I ain’t even mad. These pants have so much volume from all of the intricate pleating. It literally feels like I’m wearing a slinky with every step that I take.

Don’t be afraid to try new and daring looks. Fuck the rules, fuck the seasons and fuck the trends. Thrift shopping has helped me eliminate all of the "fashion rules." Ever since I started shopping secondhand, I don’t always shop for practical clothes anymore. Sometimes I come across garments, like these, that are so rare, they basically become a collector’s item to me. I think that’s the art of shopping at thrift, consignment and antique stores. There’s always a plethora of interesting finds, so you can discover unique, vintage and designer garments at incredible prices. It won’t hurt your bank account, and you’ll be one of the few, if not the only person, to own such garments.

+ Lipstick | MAC's Black Knight

+ Sunglasses | Forever 21

+ Hoop Earrings | Forever 21

+ Choker | Forever 21

+ Crop Top | Boohoo

+ Trousers | J. Marco (Goodwill)

+ Booties | Forever 21

Photography | Roberto Salmon

xx

Dana

PLEATS, PLEASE

Within the four years I lived in Philly, Buffalo Exchange and Philly Aids Thrift were the only two stores that I would thrift shop at. It’s sad how in a bustling city, the only true thrift store I knew of was Philly Aids. Other than that, I would occasionally thrift shop at Phila Flea Markets. Every other option was a consignment store, that preselected and overpriced top name brands and trends. For this look, the sheer cover-up is one of the many items that I bought from Philly Aids. What I love about this store is not only its cheap prices and frequent sales, but also the fact that my money is going toward a good cause. A portion of its proceeds is donated to local organizations that help fight against HIV/AIDS. Because it takes in every donation, shopping there takes more digging and sorting to go through, but, for me, that process is always my favorite part.

+ Necklace | hand-crafted

+ Glasses | Borough Market

+ Dress | Stylenanda (dumpster dived)

+ Cover-Up | Urban Outfitters (Philly Aids Thrift)

+ Skirt | Goodwill

+ Shoes | Forever 21 (hand-me-down)

Photography | LB Photograhy

xx

Dana

BACK TO BASICS

Everyone’s got to love a basic white tee. Sometimes you’re feeling lazy, but you still want to look decent, so that’s what they’re there for. I truly think that thrift stores are the best places to shop for basics, like tank tops and t-shirts. There’s no point in spending over $5 for something so simple. My favorite is when I find a basic with unique details, like this Very J t-shirt that I got from Buffalo Exchange. The neckline and seams are lined with black leather, which gives it an edgy touch.

Other summer basics that I have been relying on are my reflective sunglasses, black high-wasted shorts and Birkenstocks. What I love about each of these items is how comfortable they are and how they easily match with anything. Basically everything I’m wearing was thrifted, aside from my necklace. With thrift shopping, you’ll never know what you’ll find, but basics are the number one things that any thrift store will have. Purchasing basics secondhand and investing more money on special, brand new pieces will definitely be worth your while.

+ Lipstick | MAC’s Rebel

+ Sunglasses | Buffalo Exchange

+ Necklace | Forever 21

+ T-shirt | Very J (Buffalo Exchange)

+ Shorts | Ci Sono (Goodwill)

+ Sandals | Birkenstock (Poshmark)

+ Satchel | Laney Flea Market

Photography | LB Photography

xx

Dana

BLACK + TAN

I carry a little piece of my mom with me everywhere I go. There isn’t a day where I’m not wearing at least one of her clothing items. My mom was the one who got me into thrift shopping, and, like me, most of the clothes that she owned was secondhand. Growing up, I would always browse through her closet and borrow her clothes. Once I reached high school, we were practically the same size, so it gave me an even greater excuse to do so. After she passed away, I inherited a lot of her clothes and accessories. The tribal printed vest I’m wearing is one of the many garments that I inherited from her. When I was little, I used to always give my mom shit for wearing too much black and brown. These are ironically two of my favorite colors to wear now, and I hate anything that’s too bold or bright.

This month I also got another tattoo that pays homage to her. I got a dainty tattoo of my mom’s signature on my finger. Whether it’s through art or fashion, I’m constantly finding new ways to keep her memory alive.

+ Lipstick | MAC’s Paramount

+ Necklace | New Look

+ Vest | hand-me-down

+ Dress | Stylenanda (dumpster dived)

+ Shoes | Forever 21 (hand-me-down)

Photography | LB Photography

xx

Dana