Fool’s Gold with The Thrifty Six

It’s time for August’s monthly collab with The Thrifty Six, where five other bloggers and I showcase how we style our secondhand items! This month’s theme was chosen by Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style and is ‘Fool’s Gold’. Of course, with a theme like that, I had to create an ultra-glam outfit. I think I would wear something like this to fall New York Fashion Week—you know, if I was cool enough to go.

As seems to always be the case, I kind of struggled with this month’s theme. I don’t have many gold pieces in my closet to begin with, let alone pieces that are secondhand. Since I spent a few weeks in Las Vegas a while back, my mom and I did a lot of thrifting, thinking we must find something gold and fabulous in a Vegas consignment shop, right? While I did find a beautifully ruched gold cocktail dress from the same store I bought my prom dress, I couldn’t justify the $70 price tag, nor did I have a place to wear such a fancy piece. I decided to skip out and make something in my closet work instead.

I knew I wanted to style this gold-threaded mock-neck blouse, which was part of a top-cardigan duo that my aunt handed down to me a few months ago. It’s obviously too hot for the cardigan still, but I love wearing mock-neck tops year-round. Initially, the outfit I envisioned in my head was this secondhand top tucked into high-waisted dark-wash jeans with my favorite shoes I’ve ever owned—faux Valentino Rockstuds (the real version retails for upwards of $1,000, whereas my DSW knockoffs were $42). However, the only high-waisted denim I have is a cropped-flared style, and that pant hem just wasn’t working with these shoes.

I saw these brown pleather shorts on the floor of my closet and thought, “Hm, that could be an interesting combo…” I tried the two on together and stared at myself a long time in the mirror, trying to decide if the gold top clashed with the light brown shorts. I played around with gold and burgundy accessories, asked for a second opinion from my dad, and ultimately convinced myself that the top and shorts were a cool combo. Am I fully convinced? I’m honestly not sure.

I felt like a million bucks in this outfit, especially after adding maroon lipstick and gold clip-on earrings, but seeing the pictures puts me back on the fence. Something about the top and shorts seems ever-so-slightly unflattering? I do think the top is too big, and if it were tight-fitting instead of loose, this outfit would be golden (see what I did there?). However, the awkward bunching of the top around the waist of the shorts prevents this outfit from being a 10.

But the shoes… come on. How cool are these shoes?!! I don’t get many opportunities to wear these bad-boys, but whenever I do, they take an outfit at least three ratings higher. It’s kind of like when you find out a semi-attractive dude has an accent and he’s instantly 10 times hotter. That’s how these shoes make me feel about outfits.

I’d like to think I would wear this outfit out to a nice dinner on a cooler summer evening (these pleather shorts were way too hot for the 95-degree weather experienced while taking these photos). However, I have recently felt a little sheepish about being overdressed. I’ve never had a problem with that before—I wear skirts and dresses to class when others wear sweatpants—but I guess I feel weird about being overdressed compared to my company. Is it strange to go out with your family or meet up with friends and look way fancier than them? Does it make them feel bad? I don’t know. These are things I have been pondering lately.

Anyway, now onto my gal pals’ ‘fool’s gold’ outfits. Check out what secondhand pieces they styled at the links below!

Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge:
“I had forgotten about this amazing gold satin blouse with little leopards all over it that I had found on my last thrifting adventure. So this was the winner for a Fool’s Gold theme! I paired it with a recently thrifted faux leather mini skirt in burgundy (with silver zipper and buckles…I wish they were gold!). I also had a thrifted gold sequined clutch, but I couldn’t decide between 3 different bags so I photographed the outfit with all 3. Stop by my blog and tell me which one is best! I loaded up on gold accessories – all fake costume gold… just like fool’s gold!”

Emma of Style Splash:
“I was really stuck for something gold that’s preloved – which surprised me given how much I buy secondhand. But then I remembered this sequin dress that I bought on eBay a couple of years ago. I wore it for another Thrifty Six theme last year, along with the same earrings and shoes… that’s being really thrifty I guess!”

Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style:
“This is my birthday month. The 31st. So I actually wanted a theme with my zodiac sign, Virgo. But no matter how I searched, I couldn’t find a connection anywhere for my zodiac sign and a pre-loved outfit. I could have done a photo of a dress and dustpan and dustpan in hand, because everywhere it says that the virgin is very tidy, and that’s true, but I didn’t like that very much. And then I got to gold, and then to fool’s gold. Gold, because I love clothes with gold, gold boots, gold buttons, gold thread, etc. And fool’s gold because I bought this dress a long time ago and I don’t know how to style it. So the dress kinda fools me.”

Lucy of Lucy Bertoldi:
“What could be better for a Leo girl than styling up some gold?! Right in my element with this shiny tube top layered under a lamé jacket- paired with cutest teeny purse! Can never pass up gold finds on my thrill of the thrift hunts!”

Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade:
“All that glitters is not gold… sometimes worthless things sparkle – but true quality has brilliance! In life and in fashion, the difference is clear! This dress is pure silk, rich and magnificent… It’s enough, it needs no more; no synthetic spangle, no vulgar bling.
Less is more, a triumph for the understated! So… do you know shit from Shinola? – Can you tell Pyrite from Aurum? Know it at a glance and know you have style!”

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As always, thanks for stopping by the blog today. I always love getting comments from you, so let me know what you think about this neutral outfit down below. I hope you have a great start to your week!

-Grace

Gold Mock-Neck Top: Hand-me-down | Brown Pleather Shorts: Express, $15, last worn here | Snakeskin Heels: DSW, $42, last worn here | Maroon Tortoise Sunglasses: Loft, gift, last worn here | Maroon Circle Purse: Nordstrom Rack, $50, last worn here