Thrift Store Racks (Photo courtesy of Put This On)
New Year’s Eve is less than a week away. Whether or not you have or had the foresight to make your trip back “home” to your respective families a thrift shop party wear hunt, now is your chance. In consideration of this likely one-time wear scenario, raid these second hand stores for something over the top that will not break your already over-leveraged holiday shopping budget. Extend your stay for an extra day or two, take the subway, bus, commuter rail, Amtrak, rent a Zipcar or hitch a ride to the nearest thrift store outside Manhattan and Williamsburg to find that lightly used piece.
Photo courtesy of Lady Pearls Vintage Boutique
If you feel that you are taking more than giving, kill two “turkeys” with one stone. Donate clothes and wares that have not seen the light of day while you shop for your gilded and patterned garb under the fluorescent store lights. Sequins dresses are opulent, context specific and an homage to the massive disco ball drop and champagne bubbles. Bright plaid and velvet dinner jackets are also just as ostentatious and eye-catching. If the plaid is nowhere to be found, be open to paisley and velvet trimmed blazers. Complete the festive look with a bowtie, as a nod to the black tuxedo jacket.
Photo courtesy of Vintrowear
A few days during a slow week ought to be enough time to scout for that outfit to get you and your fellow revelers in the mood to ring in the new year. Here are a few tips to mentally and physically prepare yourself for the thrift store adventure. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes. During the hunt, it is important to re-train yours eyes to hone-in on shimmering and confusing patterns amidst the sea of wire hangers and claustrophobic aisles. Maintain an open mind, don’t be quickly discouraged and you may proudly walk out with an affordable and sustainably procured ensemble that you can strut and party in “like it’s 1999″.
Cover image: Put This On blog
