Summer has arrived and I've officially rotated everything in my closet from cold-weather clothing to warm. Some things always stay on the racks no matter what time of year it is, and I wanted to share those with you as my year-round essentials when thrifting.
Men's Button Up
One essential that stays year-round is men's button-up dress shirts. I tend to wear these the same way Gen Z wear band t-shirts-default grab. I love the light feel of them, they go great with shorts and work for early morning walks or late evening strolls. I usually have a camisole underneath so if the weather warms up, I can wrap it around my waist or have it unbuttoned and wear it like a cardigan. Either way, they have a lot of functions in all types of weather, especially for those of us living in the PNW. I strongly believe that it wasn't just the grunge era that brought these button-up flannels to us as our staple Seattle uniform. It is simply a practical piece of clothing when living somewhere that experiences three seasons in one day. I'm forever looking for these when thrifting, specifically the cut & shape of it, the material (is it soft & breathable), the brand, the print, etc. All of these combined are factors that make me know what to look for in menswear at thrift stores.
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Cowboy Boots
Another piece of clothing that will stay in my closet year-round are cowboy boots in essential colors like tan and black. I can confidently say they are the only boot that won't overheat your feet so they can be worn in just about any temp (for the most part). They go with everything and are making a HUGE comeback right now. For me, they never left, but when trends go mainstream because a particular musician or influencer are now jumping on the bandwagon, it becomes even more in demand. Now you see them everywhere. The only thing that makes me nervous about "trends" is people get sick of them and move on. I don't want to feel like my beloved boots will ever go out of style because people have now stamped them in their minds as part of a particular era of that generation and will eventually hate it (like I did with low-rise). To me, they are just as essential as sneakers and will forever be in rotation. I'm always looking out for cowboys' when I'm thrifting, I'm particularly looking for red, or white boots to add to my collection.
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Gingham Anything
You know, it's funny because Gingham really is a year-round pattern if you think about it. In the summer we think "picnic" and when worn in the winter it's full on "Christmas". It all depends on the article of clothing it's on. I will always love the quirky checkered fabric, especially in classic red. Buffalo plaid, which is gingham's cousin pattern, is also one I tend to gravitate to when thrifting. Whether it's a dress, a shirt, pants, or even a tablecloth, I will buzz over to it if it catches my eye like a moth to a candle. Also, I'm a big fan of gingham in different colorways such as shades of tan or green. Basically, if it's poking out of a rack, I will have to check it out no matter what.
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Babydoll Dresses
It could be because they particularly look good on my shape and size...I'm 5'7 and have long legs, but the shape of a babydoll dress has always flattered me (IMO). I love they can be layered in varying ways and always look cute. I wear t-shirts underneath in the summer and long-sleeved turtlenecks & leggings in the autumn/winter. It's a silhouette I don't think ever goes out of style, and is classic, and flirty. This is why, every time I upcycle a dress that's too long and big on me- I always opt for cutting it babydoll style and adding trim. It's very "Twee" of me, but I can't deny I like what I like and what has continued to make me feel good every time I wear it. Dresses are the number one section I head to when thrifting, I don't want to potentially miss one that someone else could grab the moment I step foot into the store. I b-line to dresses and spend a lot of time searching through every size because they're often not organized correctly. This is very important because I've found some of my favorite pieces in the x-small or xxl sections. Just sift through them all if you are a dress lover like I am. Be sure to wear your anti-chafe bloomers underneath in the hotter summer days, you'll be glad you did!
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Detachable Pieces
Random layering pieces like detachable collars, or unique items that can be layered like this mesh puff-sleeved overlay tulle top or even a lace shirt that can be layered under dresses, are essentials for me. Weird and quirky pieces stay in full year-round mode in my closet because of their versatility to be worn with some many outfits in so many ways. When an outfit is dull I know I can depend on one of these and instantly make the outfit exciting. Same goes for harnesses and skirt hikes. Finding these while thrifting can be a bit of a challenge, but keep your eyes peeled in the jewelry, belts, and accessories for these interesting layering pieces you would usually not think to look for and elevate your outfits. Sometimes the sleepwear section has some gems in it too, so think sheer, c-thru, lacey, or anything else that can be worn over a bra or with a dress.
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That's it! I hope that helps you make a list of things to think about when thrifting and what to look out for on your next thrifty adventure. These are all my go-to staples and I promise if you live anywhere even remotely like the PNW that has bipolar weather from day to day, you will find yourself grabbing for these pieces time and time again.
xoxo
Seanna
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