Guerrilla Fashion: Black and White Print Love in Grand Haven, Michigan

THRIFT TRICK GUERRILLA FASHION: 
Black and White Print Love in Grand Haven, Michigan

I LOVE a good black and white print. It's one of my favorite fashion staples and I enjoy pairing it the most with nude, camel, orange, gold and blue--but it goes well with just about anything!

Therefore, while out and about at the Deelite in Grand Haven, Michigan this weekend for an Indie Music Fest, I had to ask these two lovely young ladies to pose for a picture to show off their snazzy dual prints: B&W Aztec and cats!

What is your favorite black and white print? Polka dots? Chevron? Stripes? Houndstooth? Or random designs? There are so many to choose from. Below I'm sharing from my new pinboard, "Black and White Love". Peruse from the other images I've created dedicated to black and white print love, and don't forget to follow me on Pinterest as well (links below)! Have an interesting photo of local "guerrilla" fashion, including your own outfits? Email me at ThriftTrick@gmail.com! 

BLACK AND  WHITE LOVE

The Ugly Skirt Challenge

THE UGLY SKIRT CHALLENGE

Last summer while in Mackinaw City in Michigan on vacation, I was second hand shopping with my mother. As we pored over the thrifted racks meticulously (a mother daughter tradition), I looked up to see mom heading towards me with something on a hanger. She held up the skirt shown in the pictures below.  "It looks like you," she said.  I took offense to this comparison initially, because it was one of the ugliest skirts I had ever seen. "Whoah, mother..." I replied. "That is honestly too hideous of a print for even ME to wear."  She shrugged and started to file it away again when I said, "Wait."  I took a second look at the ridiculous blue and white pattern. Its squiggles and triangles seemed like they would be at home on a button up worn by Tom Selleck as Magnum PI.

"Hand it over." I squinted my eyes and held up the Bombay china dish inspired design. Was this skirt made from a nautical themed bed sheet that once fitted over Candace Cameron's twin mattress? Did Natalie from "Facts of Life" wear this skirt on a first date? Was it possible that Clair Huxtable wore this as a cape? (She WAS after all, a superhero...but I doubt she would don anything so God-forsakenly hideous).

"I'm accepting this as a challenge," I stated indignantly. "It's so ugly that I have to have it." I paid $1.50 for the cobalt and cream abomination and tossed it into my shopping bag.

Once I returned from vacation, I hung the skirt in my closet for six months...until yesterday. Because of "blizzard-y" conditions here in Michigan at the present time, I wasn't really able to shoot outside yesterday, and the daylight hours began to slip away from me.  Therefore, I found myself shooting inside after dark, which is never the BEST idea. To make matters worse, my camera fell off my tri-pod and my 50 mm lens was damaged, destroying the auto-focus gears inside. 

Was this skirt cursed with the cranky spirit of Judith Light on "Who's The Boss?" 

I'm not sure. However, I DO know the skirt is somehow actually starting to grow on me, and when combined with some fun vintage jewelry, a vintage Samsonite tote and Micheal Kors heels...I actually began to appreciate the ridiculously loud print.

I think I JUST MIGHT wear it again. MAYBE. Do you think I'm crazy? If so...I hope it's crazy AWESOME crazy...like Rose. Yes...I'm speaking of Golden Girls. 

Thank you for reading the blog today. And THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND.

OUTFIT DETAILS: 100% Secondhand and thrifted. Kors heels were a consignment purchase.

Give the plaid to me.

Plaid button up purchased last week at Goodwill in Norton Shores, Michigan for $2.99

I’VE LITERALLY BEEN WAITING ALL SUMMER

...For plaid. I know, I know...you can do plaid all year round. But I'm not talking about light plaids, cool plaids, thin plaids with shorts...

I'm talking about heavy plaids...warm plaids...layered plaids...blazered plaids...plaids that smell of woodsmoke and keep you toasty on cool October mornings; plaids that take a few apple cider spills with no problem...plaids that layer with tweeds, boots, and knit caps.

IT'S HERE. FINALLY. PLAID SEASON.

Check out the Pinterest board I've made this morning in celebration. I can't wait to try some of these looks myself and I'm on the hunt for a few choice thrifted items; namely...some plaid pants! Happy pinning!

THRIFT TRICK ON PINTEREST: LOVE PLAID

Some of my favorite pins:

Check out the board to see more...and all of the image/link credits, of course!

THRIFT & INSPIRE: Stripes

STRIPES      STRIPES     STRIPES

Whenever I wear fashion glasses--or glasses of any kind--I always feel like I'm doing this ^^^^. (Checking for spots. It drives me nuts! I'm so OCD.)

Smudges and dust aside, I think it's time for an eye exam soon. Likely, a REAL prescription isn't too far ahead for me...sigh. A few years back I had a touch of astigmatism in my left eye, but my vision was still ALMOST 20/20. These days, it feels like there may have been a slight decline...bummer. (Blaming it on my computer screen).

    

I LOVE STRIPES!

They go with everything. Shown above is my dark purple corduroy blazer (thrfited), black velour pants, black boots, and striped tee from the Gap that was a clearance item and gift from my girlfriend years ago. Also, 99 cent thrifted vintage clip ons seen here: WOWIE ZOWIE THRIFT HAUL. I've worn it with so many outfits...and I honestly have yet to find a crazy print it WON'T go with. As you can see, most of the shots are simply from my iPhone, because I've been so utterly busy with projects lately. I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my SLR this weekend and I've got just the outfit in mind...

LET'S GET LOST ON PINTEREST, SHALL WE?

THRIFT TRICK {STRIPES} PINBOARD COLLECTION *Click here

Check out the board I've made, just for you, to peruse today...black and white stripes of all kinds, with all colors, and even a few home decor ideas that incorporate black and white stripes. Click to be inspired for ways to incorporate the stripes you already have in your closet into new styles! 

Stay tuned for some Instagram posts on my Facebook later as I find some stripes today on my lunchbreak! (I find them everywhere I go...). 

Have a great weekend!

Stripes and Polka

FUN FUN FUN! That's all I can say about this zany combo that I pulled together from my closet last night. Every inch of it, with the exception of the boots (which are clearance sale "Faded Glory") are vintage items that were thrifted. From the bangles to the high-waisted navy and white polka dot pleated skirt, the entire outfit cost is approximately $9. Add the cost of the boots for $15 and you have a total of $24.

I love taking risks like this. You may surprise yourself in what you can pull together--get a little brave and try it out! If you do a fun stripe/polka dot combo or pattern mixing (great tips in my blog Well Red and Mixing it up), I'd love to see it on the Thrift Trick Facebook Page!

Stay warm (if you live in Michigan where I do, it was pretty chilly today! 19 degrees while I was out snapping pics, and lots of snow!