Tag: thrifting

My Fave Thrifty YouTubers!

In which I share some of my favorite YouTubers who love to thrift as much as I do.

Hello everyone!

I don’t know about you, but I love YouTube. I mean LOVE. I think I may watch YouTube more than actual television, and that includes streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, all those good things (which I still love!). I watch YouTube videos to learn things like new recipes, to work out, and I often watch daily vlogs and have them on in the background as I work. But for the purposes of this post, I thought I would share some of my favorite thrifty YouTubers! Whether they focus mainly on thrifting content, or sometimes feature it in their vlogs, anything like that.

Kristin Johns

I’ve been a longtime follower and subscriber of Kristin’s. Let me tell you, she has the cutest style and lifestyle videos! Her vlogs are the type that I stop what I’m doing and focus on watching the video, that’s how much I love them. Kristin doesn’t focus solely on thrifting content, but she often features her thrifting adventures in her vlogs, and she always picks up the cutest things. She especially has an eye for thrifted home decor and cooking supplies, so if that sounds like something you’d be interested in, I would definitely check her out! Click HERE to access her YouTube channel, and HERE for her Instagram!

TheNotoriousKIA

Kia is the absolute coolest! She is a content creator based out of New York City, and if you love vlogs focused in NYC, she’s an awesome vlogger to watch. She has lookbooks, tutorials, “thrift with me” videos, and closet videos galore! And her content is all so high quality and truly a delight to watch. I discovered her channel recently and I’ve been obsessed ever since. I’ve also learned a lot from some of her tutorials, her “How To: Clean & Disinfect Your Thrift Store Clothing” video I found particularly helpful! Click HERE to access her YouTube channel, and HERE for her Instagram!

Taylor Made Style

Taylor is one of those influencers whose closet I wish I could raid. She often posts “Thrift with me” videos, which you can probably already tell are some of my favorite kinds of videos to watch. She’s done a lot of traveling recently too, and I’ve really enjoyed watching her Cincinnati, Boston, and Cleveland vlogs. She has an eye for trendier pieces especially, and I always find her outfits really inspiring. Click HERE to access her YouTube, and HERE for her Instagram!

by Chloe Wen

I recently discovered Chloe’s channel, bevause she did a really fun collab with Taylor from Taylor Made Style! I love her style, but what I love about her channel is she doesn’t solely focus on thrifting videos. She also makes videos about beauty, lifestyle, food, and other fun things. So, if you like a little variety in your content, she would be a fun creator to follow! Click HERE to access her YouTube, and HERE for her Instagram!

Wear I Live

Jenny, the gal behind Wear I Live, is a super chill and laid back YouTuber who posts mostly about thrifted and sustainable fashion, but also lifestyle as well! She makes thrift haul and flip videos, lifestyle vlogs, and other cool videos like her most recent “8 Small Routines to Stay Grounded & Present.” She is also based in NYC, but is a Colorado native and filmed quite a few of her recent vlogs there during quarantine, which I thought was so fun and different since I’ve never visited Colorado before (tho I really want to!). Click HERE to access her YouTube, and HERE for her Instagram!

That Curly Top

Jazmine, or “thatcurlytop,” is the absolute sweetest! Her content focuses mainly on sustainability and lifestyle, but I find the clothing she wears to be really inspiring and mostly thrifted! I discovered her through her episode with The Pre-Loved Podcast, and I so enjoyed hearing her thrifting journey there. She also only recently kickstarted her YouTube again, and I’ve found that each video is such a delight! Click HERE to access her YouTube, and HERE for her Instagram!

//

Thank you guys so much for joining me today, I hope I helped you discover one of your new favorite YouTubers! Who are some of your favorite thrifty and sustainable YouTubers? Leave your suggestions down in the comments, or head on over to my Insta @thegingerintrovert to start the conversation there! I would love to hear from you 🙂

Until next time!

Advertisement

In Defense of Vintage Swimwear…

All the reasons to love vintage and thrifted swimsuits!

Hello everyone!

I think we all know by now that I’m pretty shameless when it comes to thrifting. There isn’t much I won’t thrift, minus like… used underwear. Of course. But otherwise, it’s all pretty much fair game. A good example of this is my love for thrifting vintage swimwear. However I’m sure you can imagine, in the past when I’ve shared with others that the swimsuit I’m wearing is thrifted, I’ve occasionally gotten looks of disdain or thinly veiled disgust. And I understand the possible distaste someone may have for the practice. However, I thought I would share with you guys the reasons why I love shopping vintage swimwear.

Reason number one for loving vintage swimwear: the patterns are out of this world.

And they’re so unlike the ones you see for sale online or at Target. A good example of this is the swimsuit pictured above! I thrifted this one piece from a sweet seller on Depop, @venusinvintage for my fellow Depop lovers. It’s a swimsuit from the 1990s, and is is super comfortable since I’m pretty sure it’s made out of cotton. The cut is also super flattering, and even has a big open back, with a clip in the middle for extra support. But back to the pattern. I adore this blue, purple, and green swirly floral pattern, which is so of it’s time. I hate to say it like this, but… They just don’t make pattens like this anymore! This was such a fun one to style, as it’s pictured above.

Number 2: It’s often a more affordable price for a sustainable and well made garment.

I know I can’t be the only gal out there who feels slightly scandalized every time she shops online for new swimwear. I mean really, a $100+ swimsuit is just way out of my price range, no matter how sustainable the business itself is or how cute the swimsuit would look on me. For me personally, I would rather spend a quarter (or less!) of that price for a vintage swimsuit on an app like Depop or Etsy, which is just as sustainable an option and is just as cute. And, that way I’m supporting an individual person, like many of the sellers on the Depop app are! I feel like if I’m going to use my dollar to support anyone, I like it to be individuals, not corporations.

Reason 3: Much better support.

This point sort of relates to the last, in a way. For larger chested ladies, swimsuits with a proper amount of support can get to be pretty pricey. And, in my experience they hardly ever look as cute as others that don’t offer the same support. I’ve found that vintage swimsuits offer much better support, as long as you know what to look for and have the patience. Of course, there are plenty of vintage suits out there that are so cute but are out of the question for girls like myself who need some more support, but then there are swimsuits like the one pictured above! I got this from a seller called @megalicious96 on Depop, and it has to be one of the most well-fitting and flattering suits I’ve had in a long time. There is built in support and padding that doesn’t cut into my chest, and the cut of the neckline is so flattering. It even has an open, strappy back! So comfortable, and still so cute all the while.

Reason 4: It’s a one-of-a-kind piece.

When you shop vintage, I’ve always been a fan of how unique each piece is. Every vintage piece is most likely one of a kind, or there are very few of them out there, and are therefore super special. I find that vintage swimwear is no different! When I’ve worn a vintage swimsuit on the beach (when it was safe!), I don’t look like a carbon copy of the other girls. I hope this doesn’t sound elitist, but I like owning unique and special pieces. Ones that will hopefully stay in my closet forever!

//

Those are 3 of my reasons why I love vintage swimwear so much. If you’re a fellow thrift lover like me but have never liked thrifting swimwear, I hope maybe I helped to convince you otherwise! Because after all, swimsuits wash, and we do too! I will say that real quick, before I sign off. If you’re shopping for vintage swimwear, ALWAYS wash before you wear. I would say that this should always be a rule of thumb for thrifters and vintage lovers, but especially when you’re dealing with swimwear. Also, another tip would be to pay extra attention to the elastic in the suit itself. If the elastic is worn out or rotting, it’s not worth it. No matter how adorable the piece is.

Are you guys fellow vintage swimwear lovers? Drop a comment below telling us why, or start the conversation over on my Instagram @thegingerintrovert. I would love to hear from you! Also, if you liked the looks above, head on over to my IGTV tab on my page! I featured these looks in a Staycation Lookbook, and i wouold love for you to watch! Here’s the video below:

Until next time,

A fun little summer outfit… feat. cowboy boots!

A fun late summer outfit, with some precious pieces included.

Hello everyone!

If you follow me over on Instagram (and if you don’t already, click here! Let’s be friends!) you’ll know I’ve been talking a lot about dressing for the transitional period that is late August and early September. It’s still hot out? But… It could also be considered early fall? And for a while, these seasonal in-betweens used to stymie me. How does one keep one foot in summer, and the other in fall? But this year, after some pondering and some research, I’ve reached a conclusion that a fair amount of others on Instagram have come to as well: western themed style!

Western themed colors, prints, and cowboy boots have taken over the media I’ve consumed, my favorite being Taylor Made Style’s new video on YouTube. But for me and my wardrobe, this has translated into a renewed love for my cowboy boots. These teal colored boots have a story behind them, and so do most of the pieces in the outfit below! I’ll walk you through each piece, and I hope you enjoy this outfit as much as I do. I like to call it: my yee-haw limoncello ‘fit.

Now, let’s start with the star of the show: the cowboy boots! I adore these, with their hand-tooled embroudery and the white piping lining the tops and sides of the boots. I have had these since I was about 14 (almost 10 years ago!!), and I got them in Wyoming while I was on a month-long cross country trip with my family. In this trip, we planned to drive from our home on Pennsylvania to California, and back, and making as many scenic stops along the way. We saw the Badlands, the Grand Canyon, Yellow Stone, Route 66, and so many more! And the only souvenir I knew I wanted from the whole trip was a pair of cowboy boots. I saved up for months beforehand. And finally about 2 weeks into our trip, when we parked our RV in a campground near Yellow Stone, a store with all cowboy boots was right within walking distance. I picked these boots out, and they’ve held a place of prominence in my closet ever since!

The second and another new favorite is this prairie cropped blouse! I recently got this piece on Depop from a very sweet seller, @pdarm on the app if you’re a fellow Depop user like myself. In talking to the seller after buying this blouse, I found out that this top had actually belonged to her grandmother! It is a beautiful piece, and I feel quite honored to be able to give it a new life.

And lastly, I can’t forget the hair scarf! This was a piece I inherited from my grandmother after she passed away 2 years ago. She left me quite a collection of vintage scarves, and I’ve gotten so much use out of them this summer. She also had plenty of autumn colored scarves, so you’ll be seeing me wearing them well into the fall-time, too. I’m thinking of maybe even using them as a layering piece, tied like a tube top over a turtleneck and tucked into red high waisted pants. Can you tell I’m pumped for fall?

Thank you for reading my little remembrances here in this post! What are some of your most prized and special pieces in your closets? I would love to hear your stories, either down below in the comments or over on my Instagram @thegingerintrovert! I would love to chat 🙂

Until next time!

Tips for your first time thrifting!

Want to try thrifting but feel overwhelmed, and don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered!

Hello everyone!

About two years ago, during the end of my Junior year of college, I took a Word, Web, and Design capstone course for my creative writing minor. It was possibly one of the most useful classes I took during my entire college career, and I learned so many useful skills then that I still to this day apply to this blog! One of the projects we had to do was create a blog about one specific topic and write three informative blog posts that were in theme. So, of course, my choice of topic was thrifting! The blog was actually The Ginger Thrift, which later became the namesake my vintage shop @thegingerthrift on Instagram, and the blog itself fell to the wayside. But, the three posts I wrote had some pretty useful information in them, so I thought I would re-release these posts here on TGI! With a little bit more info added to them, of course!

//

When I mention thrifting in conversation to a friend, a lot of the time they voice their interest in the idea of thrifting, but also express to me how intimidated they are by it. I completely understand. Not everyone gets excited when they walk into a messy, unorganized Goodwill. But lucky for you, there are ways to make your first time thrifting easier.

Open sign on shop front door.
Photo by Mike Petrucci on Unsplash

Take a friend.

At least for your first time out thrifting, take someone who is an experienced thrifter, and knows what’s up. And anyway… Shopping is always a task that is made better by companionship. While I typically do thrift alone, someone who both knows your style and the thrift shop well will know what sections to take you to first, and will also know which ones to avoid. That way, if you’re a jeans-and-a-tee girl typically, and you’re tempted by a bright floral dress, sometimes you need a friend there to say to you, “Girl, you’re never gonna wear that.”

Don’t allow yourself to feel overwhelmed.

Although I don’t recommend it for your first time out, sometimes your only local thrift shop may be a big Goodwill or Salvation Army. But if you can, go to a smaller place first if possible. Church thrift shops and sales are always small and manageable, and most of the ones I have been to are pretty well organized. My favorite part? These smaller shops almost always have funky pieces that some eighty-year-old grandmother had in her closet or attic forever before she decided to donate it to her church. However, be responsible. Leave the plus sized and children’s clothing for those who really need them.

Know what you like & take your time.

Know what you like and what you’re looking for, and stick to those sections. If a pattern in the sweater section pops out at you, explore that section for a while and find other things that intrigue you. If the knick-knacks are looking especially eclectic and interesting, concentrate on those. You are not married to any one section, of course. But you’re also not obligated to root though every section in the shop. Take your time, don’t overwhelm yourself.

Don’t feel obligated to look at every single piece.

My favorite trick for navigating a thrift shop is just skimming the racks and finding textures, patterns, or colors that stick out to me and looking at those. Don’t dedicate yourself to flipping through every piece of clothing on the rack. It’s exhausting and just not worth it if you wouldn’t even try on half the clothes you’re looking at.

On the other hand, leave the shopping list at home.

Leave yourself open and free for exploration. It’s so easy to forget that trying new things is fun. Don’t make your first thrifting session into a shopping trip. In other words, don’t make thrifting an errand to run. This is another reason why taking a friend is important – it’ll instantly make a possibly overwhelming situation way more fun!

Don’t expect an Instagram worthy haul your first time out.

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, you’re probably not going to come home with a giant haul. Instead, trust your gut. Focus on trying to find one or two pieces you really love and can see yourself wearing. Because if you don’t like something, you don’t like something. Don’t buy a dress or a sweater just because it’s vintage or it’s a name brand, just because it’s your first time out. No matter what, if you don’t like it, you won’t wear it. Lastly, remember possibly the most important rule of thrifting: be patient.  A good thrift haul takes time. Dedicate an afternoon to the thrift shop, not just an hour in-and-out.

//

I hope you’ve found some of these tips helpful! But overall, I have one more note to add… Out of all these points to consider in your first time thrifting, what is the most important thing of all? Have fun!

Do you have any additional tips or tricks to add? Leave them in the comments below, or come on over to my Instagram @thegingerintrovert to start the conversation! I would love to chat 🙂

Until next time!

"Love Liz"

A Summer Classic: Gingham & Levi’s

A classic summertime outfit, and one of my favorite online vintage shops!

Hello everyone!

Nothing seems more summery to me then gingham! It makes me think of long afternoons in a park, sitting on a red gingham picnic blanket reading a good book and a sandwich. It’s one of my favorite patterns, no matter the color. Especially since around this time in July I’m already thinking about the end of summer into the early fall, and what clothes and colors can be worn in this transitional period. Gingham of all kinds seems to fit the bill quite nicely, in my humble opinion!

This shirt is a thrift find from Goodwill that I’ve had for years now, and it’s still one of my very favorite shirts for the summer and early fall. It’s so classic with the red gingham and the small embroidered white flowers. The fact that it buttons down the back means that I can also cinch it in by tying it at the bottom, like I’ve done here, or leaving it be for a more relaxed look.

Now, let’s talk about these jeans. I got them from one of my favorite vintage stores on Instagram, called Saguaro Shoppe (@saguaroshoppe on Instagram). I had never owned a vintage pair of Levi’s jeans before these ones, since vintage sellers don’t typically stock my waist and hip size in Levi’s. However, when Saguaro Shoppe listed these, I found it hard to pass them up since it’s always been on my thrifting “bucket list” to get myself a pair. They were an investment, but now that I’ve been wearing them almost daily, it seems to have been a worthy one! I can’t recommend the shop enough, I’ve gotten many pieces from them and the seller is always super friendly and willing to answer any questions you may have. I can’t recommend them enough 🙂

The shop owner, Britt, has even kindly offered for my readers to use 10% off your purchase over at Saguaro Shoppe! Check out her Instagram to see all the vintage goodies, and if there’s one you would like to buy tell her in your DM message you read this blog post for 10% off your purchase! I hope you’re able to find a piece you love ❤

Want to see more from me? Head on over to my Instagram @thegingerintrovert and we can connect. I would love to hear from you!

Until next time!

Summer in Seersucker

Staying cool as a cucumber (or a peach) in this gingham seersucker outfit!

Hello everyone!

Lately, I have been obsessed with all things breezy and comfortable. However, even if I am a somewhat sweaty mess, I still want to be looking good in the summer heat. So, when it comes to keeping cool, I try to stick to lighter materials.

Enter these lovely gingham seersucker pants! They are the sweetest peach color that reminds me of all things summer… Think peaches and cream, sorbet, watermelon, the fluttering of your clothes as you walk along the oceanside.

Okay, okay, maybe I’m being a little dramatic, but these pants are a dreamy thrifted find. I got them at a Goodwill last year, and I remember that they caught my eye because of the peach gingham, but they also caught my attention because of their seersucker texture. The added fact that they had pockets? I was sold.

Even though I typically don’t wear colored pants, the seersucker texture helps to distract from any belly that might stick out in a solid color high-waisted pant. Another thing I like about these are the fact that they seem to hit on the perfect place and highlight the smallest part of my waist, especially when I wear it with this white quarter-zip crop top.

This was another adorable vintage find on the Depop app! And to be completely honest with you? I actually wore the crop top backwards! The zipper was technically supposed to go in the back, and I had to cut the tag out of the collar near the zipper. But overall, I feel like the top is much more flattering on me when it’s worn like this. And, it adds an interesting element to the outfit overall, I think. I got this particular piece from @isabelleikpeme on Depop, and I would highly recommend her shop if you use the app, too! The top came really quickly after I ordered it, and Isabelle was a super sweet seller.

The final part of the outfit are the accessories! I usually go pretty light with my jewelry, so I only wore a pair of vintage gold half-hoops. The best part? I got these earrings for free! A while back, I was driving in my boyfriend’s neighborhood and a house had a bunch of things out for free, enough for a yard sale. So I picked through, and found a small basket filled with jewelry. So I picked up these, along with a bunch of other pairs to add to my collection! Vintage earrings are always my go-to when it comes to accessorizing, and my collection has become quite extensive. So, keep an eye out for a future post all about my vintage earring collection!

And finally, if you’re curious about my blue eye makeup as well, I wrote all about it in my recent Glossier Skywash Review! I wear this eye makeup look nearly every day, and I tell you all about my secret weapon to making the Skywash eyeshadow last there.

What have you been wearing so far this summer? Let me know all about your favorite summertime pieces below in the comments, or come connect with me on Instagram @thegingerintrovert! I am almost at 400 followers over there, so please be sure to go on and follow me over there to see my daily posts and Insta stories, where I post all about what I get up to every day! I am also posting an IGTV a week as well, and this week I am posting a new Picnic Chat where I talk all about my tips for thrift shopping on Depop to stay safe during the Pandemic. You won’t want to miss it!

Until next time!

The Ginger Thrift!

Hello everyone!

I am defying my Monday/Friday schedule to make a quick and exciting announcement! Today, I am making my first unassigned post on my new blog The Ginger Thrift!

This new venture is something that I have always been curious about doing. I’ve always been passionate about thrifting, and I’ve always wanted to write about it, but I’ve never felt like it fit well in The Ginger introvert. A project for a web writing and design class I am taking right now was the kick in the pants I needed to start The Ginger Thrift!

This new blog is entirely dedicated to all-things-thrifting, but it won’t take away from TGI! As you can tell with the title, I wanted to tie The Ginger Thrift to TGI as much as possible and make them go hand-in-hand. So, I have “Thrift” linked above in the main menu, which will take you to the new blog. I’m planning on making a post there every Wednesday!

So, if you love thrifting as much as I do, please head on over and give my baby blog a read! Let me know what you think, and if you have any requests for the blog please let me know! This project is still in the works, so any recommendations are much appreciated 🙂

XOXO

signature