I’m pretty sure I was born with a rare gene. I inherited it from my mom. It’s a thrifting gene.
On her wedding day, my mom wore a beautiful antique French lace dress that she had found at a consignment shop. The faded photos reveal twinkling eyes, an irrepressible half-moon smile, and a lovely vintage frock. Her slender figure swathed in delicate ivory netlike fabric is a sight to behold.
Growing up, my mom managed to decorate our home with vintage flourishes that further cultivated my appreciation of all things vintage. Quirky odds and ends complemented her traditional design aesthetic.
Our home was always a warm and inviting place, carefully ornamented, just as my mother’s fashion aesthetic was a clear map for what would become my own sense of style: modest, feminine, and always, always practical.
From my father I inherited a love of suit jackets. I found an old family photo; my father is seated, the oldest of four, for a family portrait in a spiffy corduroy jacket. There he is with a wide grin and a trim, camel-colored jacket in a sea of formal suits in dark hues.
I like to spend as much time in a fitted blazer as possible. And in pants. I love a pair of cuffed, wide-leg trousers or cropped slim pants. While all my friends were wearing denim in college, I was drawn to a pair of classic black slacks.
My mom loved a beautiful circle skirt, glamorous high heels, and fine, tailored clothing.
Today, I look to local consignment shops for the same looks that inspired my mother. I find it interesting that I have an uncontrollable and insatiable appetite for lace. Hmm. A coincidence? I think not. I don’t care what color or what shape, if it’s lace, I’ll take it. Wrap it up to go!
One of the best places to shop for vintage dresses or for modern blazers and outerwear is Fashions Anew in Oak Park (183 S. Oak Park Avenue). You’ll find oversized boyfriend blazers and long, breezy skirts, ’70s silk blouses and vintage party dresses, and gads of pants and jeans (and I don’t just mean the Gap – one of my fave pair of jeans are my 7 for all mankind and Citizens for Humanity/Barney’s Coop denims.
Honestly, where else can you find an uber hip pair of jeans for $25 or less? I’m in fashion heaven at this boutique.
From chic party dresses and designer blouses to modern clutches and cashmere cardigans, stylish pieces can be found on every rack. They get new garments in every week, every day. Just do a little digging through the racks like a motivated style anthropologist, and you’ll surely unearth a treasure!
Look for the colored tags that are marked each week for a discount of 50% or 25%.
For store hours or more info, visit www.fashionsanewinc.com
