Thrifted for $3.72

I bought three sewing patterns for a quarter each. The first is this 1970s dress pattern. I thought the cut of the dress was nice; I liked the shorter dress and thought it would be cute without the lace (the lace just brings it to a girly level that’s just too much for me).

I got this 1980s dress pattern that looks very simple. I like easy-to-sew garments because I’m more likely to actually try to sew them.

And I got this coat pattern from the early 2000s. I got it specifically for the middle coat (as I do not like the oversized collar on the other two coats). I had a specific mission to try to find a very simple straight jacket, and I thought that with a couple of adjustments, I could make this pattern work for me.

I also got three cds for 99 cents each. I bought Oasis’ What’s the Story Morning Glory?, Poe’s Hello and Duran Duran’s Greatest.

Fur Trimmed Winter Coat

I’ll often shop to avoid the summer heat, and I did so recently when the temperatures got to uncomfortable heights. I went to a thrift store that has booth areas for different vendors; the vendors all sell different stuff and set their own prices. It’s always an interesting mix of things. Some are carefully curated items. Others are handmade. And then you have some that you know they’re just cleaning out their garage.

I planned on buying nothing because I didn’t need anything. I got about halfway through the store and was pleased with myself…nothing caught my eye. Yes, there were some interesting items, but nothing I couldn’t live without.

Then I came upon a clothing rack with about twenty jackets and coats on it, and I immediately knew these were quality items. These items didn’t feel piecemealed from thrift stores—they felt like they all belonged to one woman with expensive taste. Many items were nice but not my style. Then I saw this vintage tan coat with white fur trim that I had to try on.

The large pockets, the stitching detail on the pockets, the hood, and the tie belt feels very 1970s to me. Although I’m often wary of anything in the brown family, (because the wrong shades make me look sickly), this tan was very neutral and flattering. It doesn’t say what it’s made of, but I’m guessing wool (whether 100% or a blend)—it’s a very warm and heavy coat. I have very little knowledge of fur, but I’m guessing it’s rabbit.

And the back has a lovely pleating detail.

It’s a Youthcraft coat.

And it was union made in the U.S.A. It’s just so well made. [Sigh of appreciation.]

I admired the coat in the mirror and then took it off and put it back on the rack. I certainly didn’t need another coat—I already had a wine-colored wool coat and gray wool cape that I loved. So I was on the fence on getting this tan coat. However, as I walked around the rest of the store, every so often I’d think, “Did anyone take my coat?” That’s when I realized that I was going to buy this coat. I already owned it in my mind.

I bought the coat for $25. It’s in very good condition—no stains or holes. It does need a little mending where the lining is torn about three inches at the waistline, and both arms need a little stitching on the outside of the coat. But these are very minor things. I want to wear my new coat…but it will be some months before it’s cold enough to do so.

Thrifted for $26.98

I got this awesome tennis top for $7.99. It has one pocket (for an extra tennis ball for serving). I love the simple geometric design on the front. I also got a pair of jeans for $4.

I got this Banana Republic navy blazer for $6.99. I used to have a blazer similar to this one—except it was black and a much cheaper version of it. I wore it until I had to throw it away since it was looking pretty ratty. So I was pleased to finally have a replacement for it.

And I got this leather skirt for $5. I would never buy a leather skirt new because they’re so expensive, but I couldn’t resist it at such a low price. And I like the stitching detail on it as well.

I love this mug. I like the simple design, the white glaze on the rough clay—so pretty. This was 50 cents.

And this cute Japanese animal mug was also 50 cents.

I got this white bowl for $1.

Finally, I got four cds for $1. Some blast from the past music.

Four More Sewing Patterns

I got more sewing patterns for $0.25 cents each. First is this hooded top and pants that I really like (in particular, B version with the little buttons on the legs—so cute). I’m guessing it’s from the 1970s.

Next, I got this coat pattern from 1977. It’s a classic silhouette, and looks like it wouldn’t be too difficult to make…

I thought I’d pick up this top pattern from 1986, just because I feel like I lack top patterns.

And finally, I bought this dress pattern from 1992. I really like this simple dress.

Wine Winter Coat

Over the weekend I went thrift shopping and I felt certain I wouldn’t find anything…but (inevitably) I did. I found a lovely wine-colored winter coat by Jill Jr. It’s 75% wool and 25% nylon—so it should be quite warm (which is good since I currently lack a thick winter coat). I love the classic silhouette of this coat; the price tag said it was from the 1960s, but regardless of age, this coat is in really great condition.

I love that the collar can be opened or buttoned all the way up, and I love that the skirt portion flairs out. Although I’m not incredibly partial to the cuffs (they’re okay) and I wish the color of the coat wasn’t so mottled, the overall design is so interesting. Even the back had thought put into it; there are pleats that go down the skirt portion and the waist ties that are attached with buttons can be removed—which I think is so great.

And I couldn’t get a better coat for the $48 I spent on this one. I know I can’t get a new coat at a department store made of quality materials with good design for this price. And quite frankly, I lucked out that this coat fits me pretty perfectly. I can’t tell you how hard it is to find a good fitted coat that actually fits me. So I’m extremely satisfied with this purchase. Although now that spring has finally hit, I won’t be able to wear this coat for a good six months. [Sigh.]

Altered: Navy Coat

When I got this navy coat at an estate sale months ago, I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep it. I bought it (along with everything else), mostly on a whim. I think I tried this coat on and thought it fit well enough to get, even though I wasn’t necessarily happy with the entirety of its design. But for 50 cents, I wasn’t going to be super picky. As it was summer, I didn’t have an immediate need for it so it just sat in a corner for a while.

Once the weather started to cool down, I was more motivated to take a look at this coat again. I decided I liked the general shape of the coat, but disliked certain design details that I felt dated it. As is, the coat looked like it’s from the early 1980s. I didn’t like the stitching detail on the collar and the cuffs. In fact, I didn’t like the cuffs at all; I just wanted a straight sleeve, which meant I needed to sew fabric to the ends of the sleeves.

I didn’t want to try and match the navy color of the coat because I thought it was bound to be off, so I decided using a different color would be best. And while I thought a cream color would make an excellent color combination with the navy, I decided to go with black because it’s more practical. I can easily see a cream sleeve brushing against a wet dirty car and getting dark smudges all over it (and no doubt that would happen if I were to wear it). [Sigh.]

I removed the stitching on the collar and removed the cuff part of the sleeves. I just attached the black fabric to the ends of the sleeves in a way that made sense to me. It wasn’t very difficult and took an afternoon to do. Overall I’m pretty satisfied with the result; it’s a small change but I think it makes a large difference.

Flashback to the 1980s (and 1990s) Estate Sale: Jackets

So I bought more clothes than I’ll ever need at this estate sale. I just couldn’t stop myself. I sort of restrained myself on Saturday when clothing was $1 a piece, but when it became 50 cents the next day, I kind of went overboard. I thought, “When else am I ever going to get clothes this cheap?” If I can wear it as-is great, but I could also tear it up and use the material. At worst, I’ll donate the items I don’t want to a local thrift shop.

It took quite a bit of effort to try anything on. I dragged my pile of clothing to an available mirror in the store and tried them on. It doesn’t sound like much work, but the room was pretty warm and some of the clothes were a bit grimy. I basically felt gross so I wanted to try on as few items as possible. I really only tried on jackets since they were easy slip in and out of; I didn’t bother trying on the skirts and blouses because I think they would be easier to alter or tear up for material.

Here are the nine coats and jackets and I got for under $10.

Short black wool jacket. (Top photo) This is my favorite jacket. The fit is pretty good (perhaps a smidge large, but still fairly good). I love the simple collar and the short length that I think would work well with skirts.

Reversible tan and black coat with a tie; mid-shin length. (Left) It’s a lightweight coat that would be good for spring and fall. I like the simplicity of it; it’s unfortunately a bit large on me.

Tan mid-shin length coat. (Right) Although I like the collar and sleeves, I wish it came in at the waist (I could probably add a waist tie). And it’s annoying that the sleeves are a bit short of me.

Blue mid-shin length coat. (Left) The stitching detail at the collar and wrists feels rather dated, but I do like the overall shape of the jacket.

Blue jacket (part of a suit with a skirt); made of polyester, acrylic and wool. (Right) I initially thought the pocket detail was rather interesting. The jacket feels a bit big and the skirt is a bit small.

Tan jacket; made of wool and polyester. (Left) I don’t really wear a lot of browns, but I do like the coloring of this jacket; it’s a good neutral.

Camel jacket; 100% camel hair. (Right) I generally avoid this color, and the jacket is unfortunately large on me, but I love the way the material feels—it’s so soft.

Gray button down jacket; 100% wool. (Left) This is also a suit that has a matching skirt that’s too small. The jacket isn’t as fitted as I would like, but I like the style of it; it feels very 1940’s to me.

Gray jacket; made of wool, acrylic, rayon and nylon. (Right) Good neutral color. I like the cut of this jacket.