Sweater Slippers

My latest adventure has been hunting down old wool sweaters and remaking them into new things. I like to think of it as saving the environment one ugly sweater at a time.

The process requires felting the wool (washing in hot water in the washer) so that it becomes a very dense material. I have to add that it usually isn't difficult to find wool sweaters, especially felted wool, in the thrift stores. What I wasn't expecting was how hard it would be to find sweaters of any kind let alone those with a mostly animal fibre content. I searched all my favourite stores and came up with 3 sweaters and a sweater vest.

The picture above features the second pair of slippers I made today of one of the sweaters and the burgundy sweater vest. They are really fun to make and the first pair are currently residing on my feet and I must say that felted wool is very cozy and toasty.

Jeans

Most people I know dread shopping for new jeans. I used to be one of them. When you walk into a store there are rows and rows of jeans that all look mostly the same until you start really looking at them. After a long search you find one that appeals to you find the size that you think will fit and go try them on only to be disappointed that they don't look or feel quite right. The whole process begins again... The worst part of this whole experience is finding out one pair of jeans is $100 or more.

Because I now buy jeans for Re-Jeans as well as for myself my process is a bit easier. I pick out jeans that will look cute as a bag then buy them. Once home I try on the ones that look to be my size and keep them if I like them the rest become bags.
I know this won't work for most people but I am willing to help others find jeans in thrift shops, and yes the experience of finding that perfect fit and style is still difficult but you have the comfort of only needing to pay $5 or $10 for designer jeans.

Not Quite My Style...

I bought a sweater a few days ago that is not quite my style. I generally don't wear animal prints. Since the sweater was only a few dollars and really quite pretty I decided to buy it anyway.

It isn't my usual style but it is really cute!

This is one of the aspects of thrift shopping that I love. I can try new things and go outside my comfort zone a little and if I really don't like it I didn't waste my hard earned cash on something I will not wear again.

Shoes, a girl can never have too many...

After my shoe remark in the last post I thought a shoe discussion was in order. I don't usually buy shoes at thrift stores. Most often I pass by my size and see if there is anything that catches my eye but isn't too worn and I don't buy any.  Lately though I have been having the best shoe luck. In the last month I have found 4 pairs that are all in perfect shape and fit very well. All of them are under 2 were under $5 and the other 2 were under $10.

My shoe finds.

The Nine West Pumps are my favourite of all these. My last Nine West shoes lasted for many years and I wore them until they were too scuffed and scratched to wear anymore. The Sam & Libby green sandals are my second favourite just because they are my favourite colour and go with 1/2 my closet.

1930's Catalogue

My neighbour sent these pages from a 1930's catalogue. Talk about ultra feminine suits and skirts. The styles are beautiful.Not so sure I love the shoes though.

These prices are a little better than thrift stores but we can still get good deals too.

Consulting Services

I took a friend out shopping the other day for outfits for work. She had recently lost some weight and wanted better fitting clothes but didn't have much to spend. When I mentioned that she could get good quality clothes for very little money she was very excited to try thrift shopping.

We only had time for 2 places but I decided to show her my favourite place in Courtenay as well as another store that is a little less pretty. By the time we were done she had several new outfits that will mix and match well including a cute little sheer black shrug that will go with everything.

This was when I had the idea that there may be others out there who would like to learn how to shop thrift and consignment. Seeing as I have done this for the last 15 years or more I started thinking that I should use my knowledge and techniques to help others do the same.

Pink, cotton, floral dress by Cleo $6

Welcome to Re-Chic!!

I have been shopping Thrift and Consignment for more than 15 years. I started out as most people do by needing clothes but not having much cash to spend on them.

It started out as a necessity and became a passion when I discovered I could own a far better wardrobe this way than I ever could buying retail and it was extremely affordable. What I mean by this is that I could buy much better quality materials and designer; neither of which was within my reach otherwise.

Leather coat: $20