1. Individuality. Thrift stores normally only stock one of a kind items unless its a donation from the local Target or Walmart. I have a bad habit of letting people know where I get something from if they ask. I so want to be one of those people who say, "Oh this?!? I cannot remember where I got this from. " But I am seriously reconsidering this after incidents of people buying the same items from retail stores and wearing them at the same event and us looking like twins. And I really cannot stand when someone buys the same item and DOESN'T ACKNOWLEDGE that they bought the item because they saw it on you first. Give credit where credit is due, people. Thrifting solves that problem for me.
2. Men love it. Tell a man you shop at thrift stores and they will think that they have hit the lottery. They are able to view you as the penny pinching, Mother Theresa, future baby mama that you are. But I caution you to give full disclosure, I don't only shop at thrift stores so my man should be prepared for that occasional extravagant purchase for a quality handbag or killer shoes that comes along with that $4 find.
3. You get to use your imagination. Thrifting helps you think outside the box and visualize what a shortened hemline or a layering piece can add to an outfit. Adding different buttons or even dying items will give an item a totally different vibe and reinforce the new-to-you feel!
4. Affordability. Got a trend that you want to try and don't want to pay an arm and a leg? Got a special occasion coming up and need a formal dress? Go thrifting, dahlings! Thrift stores aren't all old lady castoffs, stores carry up to date trends and after five options as well. And lots of stores have specials where you can get an additional discount on color coded tags.
5. You're supporting a non-profit organization. Nuff said.
Naomi Campbell and Kerry Washington are gracing the covers of Harper's Bazaar and h magazine, respectively.
Noami is fierce and fearless in this "Wild Things" spread by photographer Jean Paul Goude.
My girl crush, Kerry Washington discusses her new film, Life is Hot in Cracktown and showcases her intelligence along with her beauty in the feature here.
pant by Balenciaga, vest by Rick Owens,boots by Brian Atwood
top by L’wren Scott, shoes by Christian Louboutin, gloves by Chanel
Body suite by AU79, boots by Chloe, Vintage Necklace by V Vintage Boutique
Some hues bring out the best in everyone, regardless of skin tone or hair color.
Flattering Color: Eggplant
"Some colors work for all skin tones and hair colors, because they fall into the middle of the color spectrum, meaning they're not too warm or too cool," says Leatrice Eiseman, author of The Color Answer Book (Capital Books, $20, amazon.com) and director of the Pantone Color Institute, the international authority on color. Case in point: eggplant (Pantone 19-2311 TC). Eiseman calls the tone "the perfect purple" because it is extremely versatile, almost like a black, a dark brown, or a navy.
Designer Bill Blass once said, "When in doubt, wear red." And he was right. Not only does red stop traffic but it may also make you a winner. In a study conducted at the University of Durham, in England, researchers found that athletes in combative sporting competitions who wore red were more apt to win than contestants wearing other colors. Pantone 19-1664 TC flatters everyone because it "resides in the center of the color spectrum, in between a cool cherry red and a warm, orangey tomato red," says New York City makeup artist Sonia Kashuk.
Colors on opposite sides of the color wheel enhance each other, which is why strawberries look so good packaged in green containers, Eiseman says. It's not surprising that this teal-Pantone 19-4227 TC, the color-wheel opposite of pink-plays up a healthy flush in the skin. Plus, it's more versatile than a bright, summery turquoise, so you can wear it well into the fall with black, brown, and other neutrals.
Sorry, Pretty in Pink fans, but Molly Ringwald did not look all that great in her bubble-gum pink prom dress. She should have opted for a more sophisticated shade, somewhere between a light pink and a peach, which looks more like a neutral than a pastel. The subtle color (Pantone 15-1515 TC) highlights the natural flush of one's face, says Kashuk, giving anyone who wears it a glow. No wonder Kashuk recommends a similar shade of lipstick to all her clients.
My picks:
Lela Rose flower detail blouse $261 (on sale!); Tribecca Collection delux twist hobo bag $98
I for one am loving Solange Knowles' new cropped cut, I think that it goes well with the edgy look that she embraces. This definitely showcases her individuality and accentuates her face (especially those eyes!) It honestly makes me want to take the plunge. When I first went fully natural my hair was short but not the close cut boy look that I've liked on so many others.
Tie neck blouses bring sweet and ladylike to the forefront and can be layered underneath blazers or simply paired with a pencil skirt to add that touch of elegance without being matronly.
