Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee

Dress: Jenny Price. Thrifted from The Red Cross

Cardigan: Cocolatte

Shoes: Chie Mihara

 

As you know I’ve been doing a massive clean out of my overstuffed wardrobe, and I’ve been trying (and mostly failing) at putting myself on a strict no-clothes-shopping diet. During which I’ve bought a two skirts, a blouse and two dresses. This is one of them.

One of my appointments this week cancelled, and since I had an hour on the meter anyway I dropped into the not-so-new Red Cross store at 316 Brunswick Street.

I never seem to have that much luck at thrifting. I envy the people (and let me tell you, there’s a LOT of them in Melbourne) who can waltz into a Vinnies or a Savers and leave with some amazing ensemble made up of pieces that I’d never look twice at. Me? I can’t do it. Sizes are usually way to small, prices inflated, and styles, er, dubious to say the least.

Which is why it’s usually safe for me to be on a spending ban, and still “browse” in charity shops.

Apparently not the Red Cross on Brunswick Street though.

I don’t know whether it’s just that some charitable fatshionista had recently had a clean-out of her own, or whether the staff handpick the very best and most wearable items out of the other stores for the hip Fitzroy crowd, but the store was packed to the gills with great retro dresses – and a lot of them were in larger sizes!

I was being good, going “Oh! that’s nice” and “Cool print” but not taking anything off the racks. Then I saw this sunny yellow and blue number. It was filthy, and looked to be too small so I figured there’d be no harm in trying it on. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! It fit perfectly, and because it was so grotty they had it priced at $20.

I left it soaking in a bucket of Napisan, washed it twice, and teamed it with a navy cardigan and my favourite sweater guard:

Sweater Guard: Jackie D’s Retro Boutique

The whole ensemble, coupled with my brand-new-old vintage cats-eye glasses, which I picked up from Donna’s Dress Shop (SO many thankyous to Sally from Kansas City who took us here!) made me feel quite vintagey and chic.

22 thoughts on “Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee

  1. oooooh, clever girl!
    I don’t mean to tempt you or anything, but there are 2 SUPER cute skirts on the manque website – the geo skirt and the envelope skirt. I had a good ogle.

  2. What a bargasm! I have tried the op shopping gig but everything makes me look like a homeless person circa 1982.

    I have been lusting over those Chie Mihara t-bars since I began reading your blog but I just can’t quite deal with the price.

    They set off your outfit beautifully though! x

  3. There must be something in the air – I usually don’t have any luck thrifting either, but this weekend was a total exception. Usually, I can’t find anything in my size at all. Yesterday I found all sorts of great things, including a vintage wool coat that actually fits! Three cheers for good thrifting karma 😉
    The dress matches your sweater guard perfectly. It was meant to be!

  4. Those glasses are AMAZING! My mum had a pair when she was younger and I loved her in them. However, if I got a pair I would really really look like her – and I’m not sure I want that!

    Also the dress – what a fabulous find! I wish I could find lovely stuff like that in my thrift stores! I’ll have to keep looking!

  5. I love it!! I get giddy when I find something I love and in my size at an op shop. It’s a thrill.
    I found a pair of vintage mary jane kitten heels and two tops yesterday at the Salvos. I don’t know if I should stalk stores weekly to find those great treasures or comb over them every few months or so. What a conundrum.
    Forget world peace or fighting in the sudan…..this is my big dilemma.
    🙂

  6. This is a perfect example of the treasures you can find if you’re willing to look past initial appearances and instead look at the possibility of potential! Good job, Lilli! This dress looks gorgeous with the blue cardi and that sweater guard which is so awesome!

  7. Love, Love, Love, Love. I generally have alot of luck at op shops….but, please gte sick of this outfit soon and sell it to me!

  8. So fabuloussssss! I came across your post just by chance.. I was so thrilled to see the sweater guard you bought from my shop being worn with the perfect outfit! Bravo ? You look fantastic. Keep up the thrifting, you obviously have a great eye. – jackie

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