fashion

Secondhand Thrift Haul: Summer Picks

As a Bostonian, I am extremely lucky to be near The Garment District- a department store notable for its wide selection of vintage products. For a thrift lover like me, it’s an absolute dream come true to visit the giant two-floor shop and browse for unique, vintage finds. According to The Garment District website, they pride themselves on being a “green business.” Not only are they doing a great thing by reselling wonderful vintage clothing, which helps prevent the buildup of clothes in landfills, they also send unusable clothes to “shoddy mills” so that they can be repurposed into other textiles.

Now, I don’t have tons of free money to throw around, so if I am going to buy clothes, it’s going to be something I keep for years and utilize as an essential clothing item. I’m really in love with everything I bought, and I’m looking forward to getting a good use out of everything! The only thing I didn’t actually buy myself was the pink top, as my roommate actually bought it at The Garment District with me, but then decided she didn’t like it.

“Grateful I’m Not Dead” T-Shirt | $16

Speaking of my roommate, it was actually her who spotted this Grateful Dead t-shirt for me on the tye dye rack. Erin, if you’re reading this, you have no idea how happy this made me! I absolutely adore the Grateful Dead, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a vintage t-shirt in such great condition. I also like that the shirt is an XL, because I definitely prefer to wear t-shirts that are a bit loose on me. Nathaniel is also super excited about the shirt, so I’ll definitely be sharing it with him.

Wide-Leg Jeans | $15 | Ann Taylor

I’ve wanted to buy bell-bottom jeans (or something similar) for a while now, so I was pretty excited to find the perfect pair in my size. Being a curvy girl, I prefer jeans that are high-waisted and flattering for my figure, and these jeans make me look absolutely fabulous. They also make my legs look ten miles long, particularly when paired with my favorite pair of wedges. I can always justify buying a good pair of vintage jeans, and for fifteen dollars, I’d be silly not to get them.

Shorts | $15 | Bugle Boy Company

I’ve never owned a pair of baggy shorts, and I have to say, I love them way more than my tight-fitting ones. Sure, they make my ass look like a blob, but they’re very comfortable and functional for the humid summertime ahead. Particularly since I’m going to Maine to visit my mom in about a week, I figured it would be convenient to buy a pair of durable, comfortable shorts to wear on hikes and kayaking adventures. As you can see, I have paired it with my new favorite Grateful Dead tye dye shirt, and I think it looks so groovy and cute.

Belt | $12 | Lucky Brand

I haven’t owned a belt since middle school, and it’s not often you find a Lucky Brand item for so cheap, so I figured this would also be a practical, reasonable purchase. For a while, I was pretty much only wearing yoga pants and pajama bottoms (that quarantine life,) but I decided this week it was probably high time I buy some real pants and a real belt to go with them.

Top | LOVESAM

Like I said, this was actually a top that Erin bought, but she decided she didn’t like it after she realized it had sleeves. I have to say, the sleeves are actually my favorite part. I think the cut and the material combined with the sleeves give this top a real 70s vibe, which matches the rest of the clothes I bought perfectly. I also think the color is beautiful, as I love wearing pinks and other soft, pastel colors throughout the spring and summer. I’m not sure how much Erin paid for the top, but I’m going to guess it was between $10-15. I also just peaked at the LOVESAM website, and it looks like everything in stock is between $150-200. Not a bad steal!

Dress | $20 | Modcloth

Lastly but certainly not least, I fell in love with this Modcloth brand dress in the contemporary dresses department. I adore anything quirky and floral, so of course I could immediately picture myself in this lovely little number. I also really like the color scheme of garish greens and yellows, because it reminds me of the Beach Boys Pet Sounds album. This will be another great outfit to bring to Maine next week, because the cotton material is light, airy, and perfect for traveling. Similarly to my flare jeans, this dress also looks really cute with the wedges.

Overall, I would say this was a successful, productive shopping trip. On top of that, I am happy to be supporting such a progressive, green company through my clothing purchases. If you are ever in the Boston area, I highly recommend visiting the Cambridge location of The Garment District!

Orenda raps Podcast

Tyson Buggs, a 19 year old from Easton, Ma. sits down with me to discuss his future as a designer, rapping, and all things fashion.

By Abi Brown

Tyson was the first friend I made at Lasell University and the strides he has made as a person and artist has shocked myself and our community at Lasell. We got real about Hypebeast culture, other Lasell designers such as BUSHLAND, and who inspires him the most. Tyson Buggs is a name you are going to want to remember, so give our conversation a listen!

“Especially right now when times become tragic, fashion becomes drastic. In my mind with this whole pandemic were going to start seeing weirder pieces…”

Check out Tyson’s store here

Check out Tyson’s Soundcloud here

Simple and comfy spring and summer Outfit Ideas

By: Lauren Crupi

During quarantine, I have found myself discovering old and new favorites in my closet. I tend to thrift spring and summer items during the fall and winter months, which leaves me to rediscover certain pieces once the weather starts getting warmer. In this post, I will include 7 flirty and comfy outfits to show what I tend to wear during a week in the spring. I find these outfits perfect to recreate and transition into summer wear.

Black Tank and Denim Shorts

This simple outfit is one of my all time faves. I paired my staple black cami with a pair of mom shorts. Along with this outfit, I included my everyday Coach crossbody bag and black grommet belt. This is my favorite outfit to choose when I claim that I have nothing to wear. It’s easy to assemble and is super versatile. You can leave this look as it is or dress it up with an oversized blazer and some sporty sneakers.

Floral Babydoll Dress

A babydoll dress is an essential for your spring wardrobe. This fun and flirty dress is perfect for a date night or to lounge around in all day. Dresses like these are perfect for when you want to appear put together without sacrificing comfort. I paired my Coach bag along with the dress, as well as with my platform black Vans to keep it casual. For a date night, instead of my Vans, I would switch them out for some low heels and add a light cardigan sweater.

Graphic Tee and Ripped Jeans

This outfit is my most worn out of all listed. I have found that pairing an oversized tee with ripped jeans to be a cool and casual look. I paired my Rubber Soul Beatles shirt with some thrifted Levi jeans that I distressed at the knee. I put on a pair of orange aviators to further fit the vibe of the outfit. Whether it’s running errands or hanging with friends, this relaxed fit ensures a trendy and stylish look.

Overalls and a White Tee

Along with these other outfits, I needed to include these Thumper overalls that I thrifted last year. They are made of a woven cotton material that makes them comfortable and breathable. I have also replaced these overalls with denim ones for this look as well. I decided to pair a plain white tee underneath for a layered and put-together look. I would pair this outfit with my Vans and a mini backpack to attack adventures and errands all day.

Cardigan, Tee, and Shorts

For this outfit, I paired a floral baby tee with a coordinating cashmere cardigan. I paired them with my favorite denim mom shorts and a brown belt. I love this outfit for an everyday look. Depending on the weather the cardigan can stay or go, and the shorts can be changed out for jeans instead. Out of all these outfits, I feel that this one describes my style the most. I love incorporating vintage and modern pieces together for a timeless look.

Paisley Cami and Cords

This comfy and cute look has gotten me through most of quarantine. I paired this groovy paisley cami with some navy blue tie corduroy pants that I bought at Target a few months ago from the Wild Fable collection. Finding cute and comfortable lounge outfits is sometimes a struggle, so I was pleased when I recognized that these went well together. My slip-on Vans or Birkenstock sandals are my go to footwear for this casual look.

Denim Jacket, Tie Dye Tee, and Hot Pink Cords

On a day when I actually feel like “trying”, this is one of the outfits that results. These hot pink Lee cords are one of my favorite thrift finds. They are super fun and bold and perfect for spring and summer. I decided to pair them with my Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia tee and Rolling Stones denim button down shirt. I think this is a good outfit for attending fires and other excursions at night when the air cools a bit. I tend to pair this fit with my Nike Air Force’s and some fun crew socks.

Trends on a Budget: Building Looks Through Thrifting

Spring is here, which means it’s time for warmer weather, nature walks (from a social distance, of course,) and pastel-toned, floral outfits. Even though I’m not spending any money on things like clothes right now, I still love scrolling through online shops and seeing what trends are on the rise. I especially love browsing ThredUp, which is the world’s largest online thrift store, in order to put together potential outfits and search for rare fashion finds. Secondhand shopping is both extremely beneficial for the environment and cost effective for your wallet. Additionally, with the current health circumstances, online shopping is the perfect way to add to your wardrobe! Today I’m going to walk you through five potential spring outfits I pieced together using ThredUp, explain why they work, and let you in on how much you can save on clothes by thrift shopping. I’d also like to disclaim by saying I am not sponsored or paid by ThredUp: this is genuinely just an app and a service I love. I’m so excited to share it with all of you.

Side note: I didn’t include links to any of these items, because they are all thrifted goods (meaning there’s only one of everything) and most of these items will be sold within days. If you see something you really like on ThredUp, you better throw it in your cart ASAP before it gets sold!

Look 1: Country + Boho

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Of all the digital outfits I’ve put together on ThredUp, this is definitely one of my favorites. I absolutely adore floral prints, and this sweet v-neck dress is absolutely gorgeous and so vintage! One of my favorite things about spring is having the ability to layer up or layer down outfits, which is why I decided to pair this dress with a jacket. It’s not quite warm enough for flip flops and sandals, so I paired the outfit with some brown booties instead. This outfit because is modern and fresh, but also has an old-fashioned charm, particularly in the shape of the dress and the print.

Dress: ~~$60~~ $21.99

Ankle Boots: ~~$189~~ $48.99

Denim Jacket: ~~$119~~ $28.99

Shoulder Bag: ~~$398~~ $91.99

Savings: $574

Look 2: Springy + Fresh

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This outfit could be ideal for a warmer spring day, as the hem is a little bit shorter and the sandals are open-toed. I absolutely love the mixing of prints, especially when there’s color involved, and that’s exactly what this dress celebrates to me. It’s very put-together and dressy, but also casual enough for everyday wear. In my opinion, these colors would also look great on every skin tone, particularly that mustard yellow jacket. If you check out the Pantone Spring/Summer 2020 NYFW colors, you’ll see that several of them appear in this outfit as well.

Dress: ~~$60~~ $18.99

Jacket: ~~$35~~ $16.99

Wedges: ~~$89~~ $20.99

Wallet: ~~$45~~ $17.99

Savings: $154

Look 3: Classy + Casual

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Okay, I know fedoras aren’t exactly the most celebrated fashion staple, but I think this one looks absolutely adorable when paired with a striped short and some classic corduroys. Horizontal stripes are a great way to make your figure appear slimmer, if that’s something you’re looking for in a garment, and the classic red flats offer a cute pop of color. This outfit is also extremely affordable- you can buy all four of these items for under $60. Just another reason to consider the benefits of thrifting and what it can do for your wallet!

Pullover Sweater: ~~$36~~ $11.99

Cords: ~~$70~~ $7.99

Flats: ~~$48~~ $22.99

Fedora: ~~$24~~ $13.99

Savings: $121

Look 4: Cute + Formal

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Hopefully, none of us are going out to any parties or events in the midst of a global pandemic, but nonetheless, this is generally just a gorgeous formal outfit that can be easily dressed up or down. First of all, I’m absolutely in love with those heels. I strongly feel that nude pumps or wedges can pair nicely with any outfit or color. The wide belt, similarly to horizontal stripes, can also mimic a slimming illusion in the waste area. I think the print is lovely, the outfit is cohesive, and the asymmetrical shape really adds a sense of interest and uniqueness.

Dress: ~~$24~~ $16.99

Wedges: ~~$119~~ $43.99

Belt: ~~$36~~ $10.99

Shoulder Bag: ~~$60~~ $29.99

Savings: $137

Look 5: Punky + Funky

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Lastly but certainly not least, I wanted to put together something a bit edgier and youthful. I really like the way a graphic tee pairs with shorts, and this style of shorts is actually very on-trend right now. Bermuda shorts are also really trendy, so you could alternatively pair a graphic tee with a pair of those as well! Because the top and the leather shorts already have so much going on, I decided to keep the rest of the look simple and just pair it with a simple gold bracelet. It looks effortless and chic, while still giving off some edgy high-fashion energy. I would totally wear this outfit, hands down.

T Shirt: ~~$13~~ $10.99

Leather Shorts: ~~$895~~ $106.99

Heels: ~~$398~~ $68.99

Bracelet: ~~$25~~ $11.99

Savings: $1,132

I hope you found this article interesting and informative! I’m not a professional stylist or a fashion guru of any sort, but like I said, I’m really interested in clothing and following trends throughout the year. If you’re looking for new, cheap, sustainable additions to your wardrobe, I highly recommend checking out ThredUp. I promise you won’t be disappointed! Stay safe, everybody.

Reviewing Trends in 2020

I’ve never been much of a trendsetter myself, but I do love social commentary and analyzing the culture around me. Especially since I’ve been engaging in several of these trends myself, I wanted to summarize my thoughts on them (and maybe even predict which ones I think will die out by summertime). Let’s get into it!

Snakeskin Nails

I feel like every season, a new nail art technique or pattern papers my entire Instagram feed. Right now, snakeskin nails are taking center stage, particularly in neutral or brown-toned shades. I do appreciate the creativity of this nail pattern, there are drawbacks. 1) I could never see myself doing this, and 2) I feel like this trend will die out by spring. The warmer months are usually all about pastels and bright-toned colors, these brown-toned nails are much better suited for fall and winter.

Clean Skincare

Image result for glossier — Photo: Business Insider

This is one of my favorite trends of the past six months, and that’s because I’ve jumped on the bandwagon myself. It’s a common trend among Millennials (and younger generations) to choose cruelty-free, vegan products over more traditional, “mature” brands, such as MAC and Clinique. Personally, I’m so proud to be a part of this clean, health-conscious, cruelty-free wave. In 2020, you’ll notice everyone – influencers, friends, and everyone in between – sporting their favorite clean makeup brands. Some of the most popular brands at the moment include Juice Beauty, Glossier, and one of my personal favorites, Burt’s Bees.

CBD Everything

Image result for cbd — Photo: Leafly.com

If you’ve noticed a sudden surge in CBD products amongst young people, you’re not alone. Obviously, CBD and THC have been around forever, but there has been an undeniable shift in popularity since US laws have begun to see these products in a more lax, forgiving light. Some of the most popular CBD products you’ll see on the market are tinctures, oils, lotions, and even tasty snacks, and they’re usually marketed to offer relaxation and tranquility. I’m personally a huge fan of CBD products, and several of my close friends are as well. Of course, always remember to make sure CBD is a safe, healthy alternative for you before diving into it!

E-Girl Blush

Personally, I am absolutely OBSESSED with the new E-Girl trends sweeping the world. I was first inspired by hip hop artist Doja Cat, and then, once my queen Jenna Marbles started wearing tons of pink blush, I decided to try it as well. Packing on tons of blush has quickly become a staple in Japanese fashion and E-Girl culture. I love the youthful flush it gives the face. Honestly, I hope this trend doesn’t fade out any time soon, because I think it’s adorable and it looks stunning on all different skin tones.

Warm Reds

Image result for red hair trend — Photo: Good Housekeeping

Similarly to the rosy blush theme, warm-toned reds overall are very in right now (particularly for hair color). Warm-toned hair ranges from strawberry blonde to her dark, moodier sister, red velvet, and it’s been sweeping the red carpet thus far. I love warm-toned anything, and I think this trend in particular is absolutely gorgeous. Particularly on darker skin tones, reds and maroons are an absolutely gorgeous pairing. Warm hair combined with a warm blush? It’s a match made in heaven, folks.

Blue Makeup

Image result for stickybab.y — Photo: stickybab.y on Instagram

On the opposite end of the spectrum, blue makeup has been popping up quite a bit on my social media as well. Blue can be a tricky color to wear, especially for folks who already have blue eyes. One of my personal favorite makeup icons at the moment is Havana (@stickybab.y), who draws her blue inspiration from the animated film Coraline. I personally think this trend is so fresh, so electric, and so perfect for spring. Needless to say, you may see me sporting some blue eyeliner in 2020.

Tons of highlight

Image result for face highlight — Photo: Elle.com

Lastly (but certainly not least), packing on tons of highlight has been a huge makeup trend in 2019 and 2020. In general, I feel like shimmery, glittery makeup is really on-point right now. If you watch Vogue’s YouTube channel, you probably remember Grimes doing her makeup and literally packing loose glitter into her hairline (imagine trying to get that out in the shower!). Anyway, I think that the glowing highlighter trend is definitely here to stay, especially since so many brands are incorporating highlighter palettes into their 2020 collections. It’s a stunning pop of color, and it adds so much dimension to the face.

Source: https://www.whowhatwear.com/beauty-trends-2020/slide25