Leather Pant Revelation

So, I have not been keeping up with this near like I had envisioned. Since starting this journey in January, I have:

•  purged my closet
• set my eyes on the street-wear/ minimalist clothing vibes
• researched and fallen in love with clothing capsules (that I'm sure I will never be disciplined enough to conform to)
• incorporated long skirts into my wardrobe (sounds weird, but I didn't think it was possible)
• updated my shoes... like really updated!
• bought motto black leather pants

I'm sure there are other steps along the way that I am forgetting, but today is all about the Democracy black leather motto pants. When I first bought them, I was stepping outside of my comfort zone and wasn't sure I'd ever wear them. They are made better than the leather-like leggings I bought last winter. They fit more like jeans and have motto designs on them that I love. They fit tight and at first I felt like I had to pair them with tunics... very long tunics; however, the more I wear them, the more comfortable I am.

This week I scored a too short dress at Goodwill (that acted as a tunic for me). The price tag was still on it for $99.99 and I bought it for $5.99. Heck of a deal :) So I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone paired it with the black leather pants and really liked the way it turned out.

This idea made me realize I had two other too-short dresses that I bought at Goodwill for under $6.00 but have failed to wear and wanted to see how the pants looked with them...

I'm digging it.
So then the revelation came. When I bought the pants, I assumed I could only wear them with one tunic ...maybe two...  I randomly started throwing on tops to see how they looked. Could these pants actually be worn more often?  You be the judge, but I'm thinking, "yes".

In January, I started logging my daily outfits and made a Pinterest board for them. After a while, I started feeling silly and deleted the entire board. I wish I could reverse that rash decision. I lost so many outfits and really enjoyed visually seeing what was in my closet and how I mix and matched different pieces, made attempts at Pinterest looks ... so I'm starting it back up again :)

--Alyssa

Round 5: Thredup

...back to the drawing board.

I received another store credit from my used clothing and so guess what? Yep, I ordered more from thredup. I'm out of control! My payout (for my used clothing) was ridiculously low this time -- like made me question the entire process; however, some payout is better than no payout and so I was back to adding things to my shopping cart. I received a $50.00 credit and know that if you spend $75.00, you get free shipping; therefore, my goal was to spend as close to $75 as possible. Man, that was hard!

 Antonio Melani Pencil Skirt $5.49/ Orig. $75.00

I don't plan on wearing this often, but with the recent weight loss it was a basic piece I was missing. There were several lovely options, but the $5.00 price tag had me at "hello".

Adrianna Papell Cardigan $37.00/ Originally  $150.00

I have been coveting long cardigans ever since I returned the duster cardigan from Stitch Fix. I even asked for it back the next month and did not receive it. So, I have been hunting on Thred-up for awhile now. Although I am really wanting cream/ oatmeal-- grey is one of my favorite neutrals and I love the straight simple minimalist feel it gives.

BCBGMAXARIA Motto Jeans $30.00/ Orig. $160.00

I love the street wear vibe of these and have been dreaming of the day I would be able to walk around in a pair of motto pants! These fashion forward designs are expensive and I would have never forked over the original price so I was THRILLED to see these pop up on thredup. Honestly, they don't fit perfectly -- the waist is a little big, but I'm too stubborn and impatient to wait for the next pair.

Dexflex Wedges $9.99/ Orig. $30.00

What a dream come true! I love the neutral color block, the slight wedge, and the padding inside of the shoes feels like I am walking on a cloud. I have not heard of this brand before, but am so grateful to be aware of them now. I LOVE these shoes so much!

Round 4: Thredup

So, on my last post I promised how I would stop shopping at Thredup, but that was a joke. I had placed another pretty large order within 2 weeks of my last post. Here are the highlights!

 Bobi Long Sleeve T Shirt $7.99/ originally about $30.00

Being as tall as I am it is super hard to find long tees, this one is perfect for me and falls just below my hips :) Kept

 DKNY Jeans Sleeveless Blouse $11.99/ Originally $50

 I love the pattern and shark bite pattern. It fits really cute on and I was super pleased with it: Kept.

 Heritage 1981 Tank Top $5.49/ Originally $20.00

So not only is this tank super long; I love the back of it! Although it looks like I could have found this tank brand new for $20, I wasn't aware of the brand. The material is soft and flattering and I have a much needed tank I can wear this summer, or this school year with a blazer over it :)

H&M Sleeve Blouse  $11.99/ originally $50.00

I notice that I always seem to have atlease one H&M product in my shopping cart. I love their simple, modern designs. This one was a God-send. I struggle with finding tunics (that actually fit me as a tunic) and this one is perfect! 

James Perse Long Sleeve Top  $28.00/ Originally $90.00

Everything about this top is "me". I love the neutral colors, the color blocking, the soft material. Soooo perfect. I love it. 

Roots Jegging 29   $7.99 / Originally $30.00

I took a chance on these leggings and am so glad I did. They fit perfectly and I have been desperately in search of red pants.  They are a deeper red and not too flashy and can be paired with anything. LOVE them. Seriously: LOVE.

Rock & Republic Cardigan  $20.00/ Regularly $90.00

I had 2 cardigans in my shopping cart and couldn't decide which one I wanted and then this one popped up. I quickly added it to my cart and took out the other two.  I am always cold at work and am constantly throwing on my old, beat up Under Armour Jacket over my clothes. This option gives me something work appropriate to wear over my outfits to stay warm.

Sparkle & Fade Sleeveless Blouse  $10.00/ Reg. $36.00

This is one of those examples where the item shipped did not look like what I thought the picture was; however, I did not send it back. I expected a knit or soft material; whereas, it feels more like a chiffon, but I like the volume and it looks nice paired with skinny jeans and so I kept it.





Overall: I kept every item and am still having a hard time staying off the thredup.com website. Even though the payout is not significant-- I continue to send them my worn clothing to receive store credit, thus, suckering me back into purchasing again. I have thrown out 2/3 of my clothes and am filtering in more modern pieces that I love. 

--Alyssa

Round 3: ThredUp

I'm REALLY falling in love with Thredup. I promised myself I wouldn't get back on it (after my 2 purchases in less than a month), but then my birthday came around….

I could either purchase 1 or 2 items at the mall, or get a basketful at Thredup… tough choice. Especially when I've been beyond thrilled with the quality of the items they have sent me. 

So, I'm at it again. lol.

I cannot tell you what a Godsend it has been in this 2015 journey to modernize my wardrobe. 

Example: I bought I pair of DL1961 pants for WAAAY too much money, and since then have found 2 other pair of DL1961 pants for less than $30.00 in new condition. There is no way I could have afforded to transform my closet so quickly without Thredup. It also helped in my "purging" process. I have asked for a clean out bag twice with my purchases and filled them out and sent them back. Its a little easier to throw out my clothes knowing that I love this website and want in-store credit :) Although, I have only averaged about $50.00 for the clothes I send in and do think I would make more money with my old clothes on the local Buy, Sale, Trade Facebook Page if I had the patience-- honestly, they would have just gone to Goodwill so its always $50.00 more than I had.

On this order I focused mostly on versatile pieces. I ordered 3 basic long, comfy tees (2 Mossimo and 1 Ann Taylor in grey, black, and white), a pair of coach flats that I adore, Lululemon Athletica sleeveless tee that is so hip, James Perse grey maxi, a pink slouchy boyfriend tee by Haute Hippie, and what has turned out to be one of my all-time favorite purchases a Max Studio long slouchy grey tee.

Here are a few pics of my favorite items from this purchase: