spring looks i’m excited to thrift

Posted on April 2, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

The spring thaw is in full swing here, and holy crap, I forgot what a joyous time of year it is. Sure it’s muddy, slushy and ugly out there, but there’s also humidity in the air and puddles on the sidewalk, heck, I even opened my windows this weekend! All that good stuff aside, spring in Minnesota can be a horrible season to dress for, with 50-degree temperatures in the afternoon and snow flurries a few hours later. (Happened just yesterday, in fact.) To get inspired for the mercurial month or two that lies ahead, I rounded up a few key pieces I’m scoping out the thrifts for that will hopefully make the transition easier.

♥ Leather moto jacket: A tea bag once told me that intentions create your reality, and so right here, right now, I’d like to say that 2014 is the year I intend to thrift a perfectly fitting, cropped leather jacket, any color will do. C’mon manifest destiny, do your thing!

Photo sources: The Little Magpie / Maritsa / unknown / The Locals

♥ Belts + midis: High-waisted, belted midi skirts and dresses are a mainstay of mine year-round, but I still can’t wait to be able to wear them sans tights.

Photo sources: unknown / unknown / Inunomimi / Wonderland London

♥ Slouchy pants: I’m lazy about trying stuff on at the thrift, but I’m going to have to suck it up and face that fitting room if I ever want to find pants that’ll fit right or a jumpsuit that doesn’t give me camel toe.

Photo sources: unknown / Emma Dime / Stockholm Streetsyle

♥ Sweaters + midis: I’m sick to death of ALL my winter coats, which makes me favor skirt and sweater combos like the ones below, which will keep me warm, unencumbered from my heavy jackets. And yep, more below-the-knee length skirts.

Photo sources: Bethany Marie / Who What Wear / Fab Sugar

♥ Belted trench: The only trench-like coat I own is a yucky mauve color (not sure what I was thinking with that purchase), but I’d love just a plain ol’ tan one.

Photo sources: Glamour Mag UK / Gal Meets Glam / Blue Montana / Etsy

Other things I’m on the lookout for: old leather booties, brown leather flats (to replace the ones I wore out last year), vintage Twins gear, silver jewelry always, ’60s/’70s maxi dresses, denim vest (seeing as I misplaced my favorite one), more blouses for work and short-alls and cute bathing suits since summer’s coming!

Are there any particular pieces you’re hunting for this spring? I’d love to hear what you’re scouting out!

xoxo,

Meghan

8 rad winter outfits that are totally thriftable

Posted on December 6, 2012 by highplainsthrifter

Whenever I browse fashion lookbooks, I like to play the fun game of “could I thrift that?” More often than not, the answer is “heck yes!” Here are a handful of wintery (and work-appropriate outfits!) that’ve caught my eye recently. Each and every one could easily be replicated for a song by picking up pieces at the thrifts.

Hansel from Basel, FW12

Betina Lou, Fall 2012

Sally Scott, Autumn ’12

A.P.C., Fall 2012

Bows & Bandits Vintage, Winter 2012

Can you tell I’ve been loving separates lately? Do you hit the thrifts with specific outfits in mind? I find it’s a great way to keep from getting overwhelmed. Let me know what’s been on your thrift-store shopping list lately!

I hope you all have wonderful Thursdays!

xoxo,

Meghan

heads up: there’s a new savers in town

Posted on September 1, 2011 by highplainsthrifter

Exciting news friends!

There’s a brand new Savers store opening in Woodbury next week! And as someone who’s made some pretty big scores at Savers over the years, this news clearly makes my heart pit pat just a little bit faster. Another thing that’s got me jazzed about this store opening in particular? Savers has asked me to style up a little fashion show at their preview shopping party! (Such an honor, right? Especially considering I don’t and never will consider myself a stylist!) I’ve enlisted the help of my no. 1 business partner in crime and together, we’ll be dressing a dozen or so of their employees and a handful of kids that benefit from the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (this particular Savers nonprofit partner) in some fun, affordable looks for fall. And boy, are we excited.

I’m also delighted to be able to extend the invitation to the preview event out to all of you, dear hearts! The fun is happening on Tuesday, September 6th, from 6-8 p.m., at the metro area’s newest Savers, located at 8401 Tamarack Road in Woodbury. I would love to see all your beautiful faces there! You have to admit the opportunity to shop a thrift two days before it opens to the public is pretty cool. Plus, if you bring a gently used clothing item, you’ll be entered to win a $100 gift card they’re giving away that night. (Sidenote: If the sound of winning a Savers gift card sounds good to you, I advise to keep an eye on Mighty Swell’s Facebook page over the next day or two…they might have given me some extra somethin’ somethins’ to pass along to one of our lucky followers. I’m just sayin’!)

I’ll be back tomorrow with a round up of Labor Day weekend sales—there are so many good deals to be had it’s nuts!
I hope you all have wonderful evenings…

xo,

Meghan

mint

Posted on December 28, 2010 by highplainsthrifter

Hey all!

This afternoon, my pal Mary tipped me off that a shoot by Serah Star, featuring a sweet piece of vintage borrowed from yours truly, was online. The entire spread is so lovely, you must check it out.

The piece of lingerie I lent is sooooooo super pretty! It’s the perfect shade of mint green and it’s in fantastic shape, considering that it’s probably around 60 years old.

{Click to enlarge!}

Photography, Serah Star
Fashion Styling & Creative Direction, Hollie Mae Schultz
Hair & Makeup, Kate Erickson
Styling Assistant, AJ Lund
Model, Lindsey, Ignite Models

Thanks so much to Hollie Mae and AJ for paying me a visit and finding some pretty things to play with. Local stylists, take note: Rae and I and all our vintage are here for you!

I’m off to enjoy some pasta & red wine. Nighty night!

xo,

Meghan

flats, heels or sneaks?

Posted on November 1, 2010 by highplainsthrifter

Morning lovelies!

Marilyn Monroe once said, “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.”

What are your go-to, takin’-case-of-business shoes?

Oxfords?

Wedges?

Keds?

Boots?

Flats?

Heels?

Me? I’m split between heels and cowboy boots.

Sources…
Oxfords: The Streethearts
Wedges: Stockholm Street Style
Ked’s: UK Vogue
Lace-up boots: Another Day to Dress Up
Flats: Elle’s Street Chic Blog
Heels: Trop Rouge

I hope you all have wonderfully productive Mondays!

xo,

Meghan

mighty swell vendor profile: geisha pearl vintage

Posted on September 21, 2010 by highplainsthrifter

Hi there!

Before Mighty Swell pops up, I’m introducing our lovely vendors here on the blog. Today, it’s my pleasure to present Geisha Pearl Vintage, a shop and blog of the same name, created and curated the lovely Kitty Cotten.

kitty cotten geisha pearl vintage

Kitty’s got a gifted eye for finding on-trend garments with a sophisticated, lady-like bent. Effortlessly mixing vintage pieces with designer investments is her particular forte, as evidenced by her enviable collection of outfit posts found here and on her must-read blog. I couldn’t be more excited about having her on board as one of our vendors, and intend on picking her brain for styling tips until she asks me to stop. Anyway, I hope you enjoy learning more about her and about what she’ll be selling next weekend.

Me: What’s the story behind your shop’s name?

Kitty: I have been obsessed with the elegance of geishas since I was younger. They are beautifully posed and flawless on the outside, but what takes place to get them that way is determination, grace and sense of worth. So, where does the pearl come in? I feel that vintage shopping is like looking through many, many oysters to find the perfect piece or in this case pearl. Vintage shopping is not only something that takes great persistence, but a keen eye to spot that can’t-live-without-it garment.

Me: Your style is really eclectic. How would you describe it?

Kitty: I see my closet and bookshelf filled with everything from polished cardigans to sky-high, furry leopard wedges. Mix together a heap of Olivia Palermo and the Olsens with a dash of Carrie Bradshaw and I think you would wind up with…well, me.

Me: Tell me about some of your favorite pieces you’ll be selling at the sale.

Kitty: I have two polka dot dresses that are to die for! One is black and white long sleeve mini and the other is a short tank dress in soft brown with large white polka dots. The brown one also has the most amazing wide belt in the same fabric! I really love them both. They would both go with anything—a pair of flat oxfords and a satchel for day or you could glam either of them up at night with faux garter tights, chunky heeled pumps and a beautiful statement necklace.

Besides all of the lovely dresses that will be available, I have racks of vintage blazers, blouses, jackets, sweater and lots of pretty accessories!

Come browse Geisha Pearl’s beautiful vintage finds on October 2 & 3 and go home with a treasure all your own. Find all the details on our fancy new website and RSVP on Facebook here.