// #thriftstylethursday // An Unexpected Match

Let's all close our eyes and imagine that it is NOT snowing (yet again), that winter is NOT fighting tooth and nail to hold on to what is clearly a losing battle...well, maybe it's not SO clear seeing as it IS snowing, New Jersey IS under a state of emergency, my son IS home from school on a snow day, and I am NOT taking outdoor photos...yet again. Meh. MEH. Ok, mini rant over. Moving on.

I'm pretty excited about this week's Thrift Style Thursday theme "Unexpected Match" brought to us by our very own Martyna of Spoolish! I planned to have something picked out ahead of time. I planned to take photos and have everything all set to post first thing...but life happens and EVERYBODY gets sick and I'm lucky that I'm posting this at all. Cause I've got a pile of dishes, several of laundry, and just as many donation piles laying around. Sheesh, what a complainer I am today! Moving on FOR REAL.

Sometimes, a little pressure is just what you need to push you in the right direction. Sometimes planning is just way overrated. Today's pieces are the perfect example:

Yes, pieces. This is a two-piece dress + top that I picked up months ago from my local thrift store. It was new with tags and priced at $12, but of course I didn't pay $12, I paid $6 on 50% days. The color isn't unexpected, nor the fabric, but the size is at 16W and how easy it is to fix! I expected to take it apart and remake it into something completely different, but not this time.

I started out by putting on the dress. Next I grabbed an extra long elastic belt and a favorite necklace (both thrifted). I wrapped the belt around my waist twice and then put on my necklace. Really, that's all! I adjusted the gathering at the waist a bit, but otherwise, it really was as simple as that! (See last Friday's Quick 'Fix' for another example of this easy fix for an oversized dress.)

I love how this looks...so my style! And seeing as we're pretending that it is NOT snowing and winter HAS given up, why not style it for summer! My sandals were bought on clearance at Target a few years back.

Next up was the top. I simply removed the shoulder pads. That's it. I know, crazy how sometimes doing the least is really all it takes.

I tied up the sides of the top (there are side slits to allow this) and put on my refashioned distressed denim, kept the same sandals, and then threw on a stack of thrifted bracelets and cuffs. The top has its own built-in jewelry, so I didn't feel anything else was needed.

And with the sides untied, it has a fun hemline to give it added interest. I love the oversized look, but my only question is, do I keep the beaded fringe on the front or remove it and use it for something else...say a necklace in a similar form? I'm tempted because then both the top and the new necklace would be much more versatile.  Opinions please! I'd also consider taking off the sleeves at some point, which would then require taking in the sides under the arm just a bit, but I'll hold off on that until I wear it this way a few times.

Here's the before and after of the MAJOR transformations ;).

Now it's time to go check out all of the other Unexpected Matches that the Thrift Style Thursday ladies put together! I've seen some lovely dresses so far, and can't wait to check them all out!!! And don't forget to show these ladies some love with your words of encouragement and praise :).

Wanna join the fun? Come check us out at Thrift Style Thursday and message us if you're up for the week to week posts! If you'd like to join in a much more casual way, just tag your Instagram photos with #thriftstylethursday and we'll all be able to check them out! Next week's theme is Thrift Haul: share and style your favorite (or most recent) thrift scores!
Peace, Andrea