Preppy Layers with The Thrifty Six

Time for another Thrifty Six collaboration! This month’s theme was coats/outerwear… so you may be thinking, “Grace, you’re not even wearing a coat.” This is true. I cheated a little this month because I realized I don’t own any secondhand outerwear, and since I don’t really need another coat, either, I decided to skip a trip to the thrift store. Instead, I am styling this gorgeous brown blazer! It’s thick and relatively warm like a coat, so I figured, eh, close enough.

I love how this outfit came together. Obviously, I started by pulling this blazer out of my closet, which is now looking very empty since I sent the majority of my wardrobe home with my parents last week. I really like the big buttons on the jacket and think the feminine cut of it is super flattering. I thought the color palette of this plaid skirt would pair perfectly with the chocolatey brown shade of the blazer, but I wasn’t sure if the wooly material and the tweed would be too much together. To my surprise, they weren’t! It’s quite often that I think of an outfit in my head that does not look good once I try it on, but it’s a much rarer occasion for the opposite to happen.

I wasn’t sure what top to layer under the blazer, so I decided to throw on a simple black camisole with a subtle lace detail around the neckline. Usually I would only wear this top as extra coverage underneath something low-cut, but I figured I just wouldn’t take off the blazer—it’s the highlight of the outfit, after all.

I felt like I was going for a glam, over-accessorized look, but now seeing the photos, I’m realizing that the accessories turned out to be quite subtle. I added my rose gold Grace necklace, rose gold dangly clip-on earrings, a maroon headband to match my maroon circle purse, bold lipstick, and a brooch on my lapel—it’s a giant bedazzled safety pin that came with the 21^st birthday sash my friend got me last year. I’m excited for it to be brooch season once again! I have been acquiring quite the collection of beautiful pins, and I love wearing them on sweaters/blazers/hats this time of year.

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the boots with this look—are they the wrong vibe?—but I think the color is so unassuming that the boots aren’t even noticeable. I’m not even sure what shoes would work better with this outfit. Maybe some heels, but that seems like overdoing it a bit. Either way, I absolutely love the preppy, Blair Waldorf-vibes of this look. It must be something about this blazer because I also wore it in my Blair Waldorf-inspired blog post! And, of course, the headband screams Blair.

I know most people probably prefer to wear something uber comfy on Thanksgiving, but I think this outfit would be really cute if you like dressing up like I do. I love the colors, plus, since this skirt is too big in the waist, there is room to grow after eating all that pumpkin pie… mm-hmmm. I understand the need for stretchy items on the most important eating day of the year, but the too-big skirt covered by the blazer feels like a chic way to camouflage that food baby.

Now onto some *true* thrifted coats! Check out my blogger friends’ posts below for some secondhand inspiration.

Lucy of Lucy Bertoldi:

“What could be better for me than styling a darling vintage coat that belonged to my mom? The cut is impeccable, as is the luxurious fabric. That’s not why I love it though. Maybe it’s just my imagination but I’m feeling my mom’s scent swirling around me every time I wear it.”

Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style:

“When Jane mentioned she had chosen coats as our November’s theme I thought, gosh I have to shop for a preloved coat. I do have jackets and blazers, but no coats. I already ordered a leopard print one on a secondhand site, but wasn’t really pleased with it. And then it hit me!! I have a Viktor & Rolf for H&M trench coat in my closet! How could I forget about that one. Well, probably because I never wear it. It’s a bit too snug and so heavy. But it’s a gorgeous coat!”

Emma of Style Splash:

“I love to buy outerwear preloved because it’s such good value for money. The weather has been unseasonably mild for the time of year, which means I can wear this fabulous orange faux suede fringed jacket that I found on eBay. I’ve layered it over a black outfit for maximum impact but I’m already thinking of other ways to wear it!”

Jane of Preloved Vintage Handmade:

“Winter coats I’ve known and loved… In my mind, I flick fondly through my winter coat ‘back-catalogue’… cashmere, tweed, Marino wool, faux fur, such beautiful colours, shiny buttons and sometimes matching scarves or hats. Through the years they’ve kept me warm, made me happy and enhanced my fashion statement! All now worn out, sold, lost, out-grown or given to charity… always making space for more… like this dream in cream, the latest addition to my collection… Oooooooh I do love a winter coat!”

Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge:

“I found this plush leopard coat a few years ago at my local thrift store and it is one of my favorite, coziest coats that I own. I love wrapping up in it on cold days. I feel kind of like a movie star when I throw it on over jeans.”

. . . . .

What do you think of my outfit? Do you already have your Thanksgiving look planned? Hopefully I’ll be forgiven for cheating the theme this month… but it hasn’t really been cold enough for coats yet anyway! Denver has been having such a warm fall—it’s 71 as I write this. Anyway, thanks for stopping by the blog today, and I hope you have a great start to your week.

Miles of smiles,
Grace

Black Camisole: JCPenney, $6, last worn here | Brown Blazer: Thrifted, $9, last worn here | Plaid Skirt: JCPenney, $25, last worn here | Beige Booties: Sam Edelman via DSW, $70, last worn here | Maroon Circle Purse: Nordstrom Rack, $50, last worn here | Headband: Francesca’s