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25 February 2010

the art of thrifting

 

another thrifted find. i know, you must be wondering where i shop. and might be thinking that i just walk in the vintage shop already filled with awesome stuff. i wish! thrifting takes patience and needs a bit of learning. 

i started out at 12 years old and that was before people and fashion magazines labeled thrifting as cool. before, it was a taboo of some sort. we can't talk about it. as a child, we'd go thrifting at one of the local markets in our province every summer -- where people can't see us! haha! and where most of the cool stuff are. the market is stuffy and the clothes are on bamboo racks and platforms. you'd have to literally rummage through the clothes. mind you, it was super dusty! but the finds are worth it -- vintage tees and cute dresses at only P5 - P50 (that's $0.10 to $1) each. it was always something we looked forward to. 

in college, we'd wake up really early on sundays and go to our local market in Cebu. ukay-ukay (vintage) vendors would all lay their tables and hang their racks everywhere on the streets -- this is from thursday evening to sunday. this became our sunday habit. the market is sometimes smelly and muddy, full of sweaty people and noisy. since i was in college, i'd scour for vintage and graphic tees, denim shorts and skirts, long-sleeved shirts and dresses. the prices ranged from P10 - P80 ($0.20 to $1.60). we soon realized though that we were buying more 'could be' stuff -- stuff that needs altering, fixing or snipping. we'd soon have piles on our sewing machine -- waiting to be altered. 

we've long let go of our sunday habit and just shop at the nearby vintage stores -- air-conditioned and the clothes are properly organized and on hangers. the prices are a bit more expensive than the street kinds at P50 - P200 ($1 to $4) but we don't have to bear the sweat, smell and grind of the market. not too much alterations are needed too. and i personally have learned something, before buying anything, i need to picture if the item is something i can wear over and over. if it's just a 'could be' or a 'i could possibly' item, it's off of my list. now i can't wait for the weekend -- new stuff at our nearby vintage store!

ps. my dad does the alterations to our dresses. he shortens them, trims the waist, alters our flare jeans to skinnies..LOL. his grandma taught him how to sew. love you dad!

striped dress - thrifted
red flats with chain detail - celine
black leather bag - lil' sister's
thin black belt - props
long watch necklace - hk gift shop
gold bangles - from india
layered beaded bracelet - from a friend at P80

Follow vanilla ice cream

49 comments:

Leah said...

Your dad is amazing... wish I can have someone to alter my clothes for me. I have to go to the local alteration shop and it's so expensive.

Love your thrifted dress... the color and stripes remind me of Sonia Rykiel for H&M. Fabulous buy Gizelle!

dred said...

i hardly ever buy in department stores. it's all about thrifting and its unique and fabulous finds!

love the color block detail of the dress. so summery!

http://dredreveries.blogspot.com

Noelle Chantal said...

your Sunday habit is really fun! and the market you are telling us sounds so interesting. i agree, clothes in the provs are way cheaper and nicer compared to ones in Manila. for 5-10PHP we can score really REALLY nice signature clothes, right! thrifting is fun!

love the skirt and your new hair! :)

Gayane said...

Thanks for sharing your thrifting story! You were definitely trendsetting before it was even a trend! Keep it up girl!

Sonya said...

I love the dress, it is so perfect for summer!

www.sonyasark.blogspot.com

Isabeau Jane said...

this is exactly why i want my mom to take dress making classes.. hehe i would love to learn how to sew but my -400 myopia and abnormal sweaty hands, i cant possibly manage a needle.. so i give up.. ehhe my mom loves to sew anyway, its more on curtains and upholsteries.. ^^ your dad rocks!

Boutzie' said...

People find thrifting to be trashy, but its not.

Like the whole outfit.

Boutzie'

michelle_ said...

love the skirt and the bangles dear !
many thanks for the sweet comments .
visit - follow - comment me
GLISTERS & BLISTERS

Unknown said...

I love that outfit, and now i want some starbucks! lol.

E said...

the stripes are adorable! Love how you played with the patterns!

heyfancypants.blogspot.com

Aney Mei said...

I am totally obsessing over stripes - love the outfit! :)

kate maggie said...

love this outfit! you look super good. :)

Anonymous said...

cutee skirt! loveee it! : )

Jing Ocay said...

Everytime I read articles about thrifting, i feel happy. really nice to hear people appreciate the beauty of thrifting like I do.
thrifting is such an interesting habit.macreative jud kag ahat.hehe.
and girl, it's recycling.malipay jud si mother nature ana.hehe;)
i love love all your ukay items,gizelle!u're an inspiration at that!

Robyn said...

Well1 My dad can sew, but he can't do amazing things like that! That's just wonderful~

I totally remember going to thrift shops when I was younger and not mentioning it to anyone..haha those days.

Also..I love your skirt! It reminds me of ice cream~

-Robyn

I V Y said...

i just luurve the dress!

megara said...

i have like ten things i need altered and it bugs me that i need to alter them. this is a darling post, and as always you look beautifu

Anonymous said...

You are so lucky to have the most amazing dad....

Anyway about your giveaway....I will be home this April, will meet you and half of the winners when I get back on April 5. See you then in Cebu my dear...mwuah!

Always,
Sweet
http://pensandlens.wordpress.com

Marta said...

my mum alters the clothes for me as well. i am lacking in proper skills unfortunately. i rarely buy in department store, i prefer second hands - my fauvorite one is in my hometown and you can buy there magnificent pieces so cheaply!

i like the way you combined the stripped top and skirt - it matched so perfectly, that it looks like a one piece.

OneCraftyFox said...

You look totally fab!

Heart Charlie said...

The art of thrifting indeed!!! I love your outfit!!! That black/white stripe top is to die for, especially love how you paired it with the bold colored skirt! I have never thought to pair stripes with stripes but you have inspired me as always!!

POLISHFEMME said...

Amazing outfit ! Very nice :)

mademoisellepaulina.blogspot.com

Mode Junkie said...

great dress! great find! i can totally relate! i started even younger. i started thrifting as i was 7. and in my gran´s province. it was such an experience! i miss it loads. ukay ukay here is overpriced.

xoxo

Jess said...

what great finds! you are making me miss thrifting and vintage shopping so much. its like going treasure hunting!!

SabinePsynopsis said...

Amazing dad, you lucky girl! Love the skirt and the combination with the stripy shirt.

Victoria Jin said...

I love all the stripes going on :) that skirt is adorable

xx

Jen Hsieh said...

another amazing thrifted piece! can i express just how jealous i am of all these cheap pieces you're finding??? :)
and that's so adorable that your dad does all of your alterations and such. my dad has no idea how to sew (not like i have much experience with it either haha). that must be super convenient.

Nathalie said...

The mix of these differently striped items looks sooo good. Love it
*Nathalie

guildedsecret. said...

oh man that's FANTASTIC that you're dad will alter your clothes! this was a great post - i really like reading how others go through their vintage shopping process.

xo.
princesspolitico.blogspot.com

fadetoblack said...

i love the lighting in this... and wow you are a professional shopper ;)

Hillary said...

The different stripes together are amazing!

StuddedLilly said...

great finds!! it makes me wanna go thrifting like NOW..i don't do it as often as i would like to but i think i should really get into it more :)

xo

Raez said...

oh yes, thrifting is definitely an art form. love the look, you look great!

xx raez

Meilinda said...

wew. nice blog dear!

vanessa east said...

gwapa, ka cool sa imo dad oi! i love this outfit, gwaps.. as in.. tama ka, sauna kay murag ulaw man to kung mangukay, di ba? hehe karon, thrifted na ang tawag sa ukay2. mura ni help ka SAVE sa earth. laysh. ahaha

t said...

I like the mix of stripes in this outfit!

http://initialed.blogspot.com

Fashion Cappuccino said...

I'm too lazy to go thrifting but I do enjoy looking at what other people find! I love the way you combined stripes and bright colors! xoxoxoxxoo

Taylor Sterling said...

I love that skirt combined with the stripes! great outfit girl! xo

Brenda Evans said...

like ur skirt :)

shoesandmuffins.blogspot.com

Cherie said...

i started out thrifting too at an early age when it wasn't "in". Sometimes, I would brave the thrift stores in the "market" especially in little towns.

I love your outfit here, what camera do you use?

Vera said...

stumbled across your blog :)
wow, great thrifted finds! it's such a great feeling when i do find something amazing.
ps. check out my blog! :)

Mina K. said...

that looks trés magnifique! love how you combined the stripe shirt with the coloured striped skirt.. looks fun and summery!

www.MinaLoves.com

Audrey Allure said...

Pretty skirt!

fashionbreath said...

Thank you so much! :) Wow, this outfit is so pretty! Love this look!
xx

Sasha B. said...

i loveee stripes. I like that you paired the small stripes with large stripes.. looks good!

Tuesdai Noelle said...

Hey Gizelle :)

Cute outfit as always, lovin' the braclets. And I agree, perfect thrifting takes major patience......I usually love to thrift shop for jewerly (design a pair of jeans or purse) or coats. I recently brought 45's (records) to place them on jackets...then I might even place 100 buttons on a pair of jeans (for the Spring),..hmmmm, I think I will ! :::smiles:::

Gotta love the trendy finds. Have a nice weekend :)

lyka raagas said...

yapi!!! i love i love... hehehe as usual,maau jd ka mamili oi bsta yaku na..waaahhh

Meream said...

OMG Nganu karon ra man ko naabot sa imong blog? Haha I had to speak in Bisaya to let you know I'm from Cebu. And that I thrift, too. And that I love Carbon's vintage stalls. Lucky you you have someone to alter your finds. I do alterations myself and sometimes, I'm just too lazy to actually tackle them.

Come visit my li'l blog! :)

L.D. said...

Hi Gizelle! I appreciate young people like you are such thrift shop whores! :) I've recently put up my blog to join the band wagon :) I enjoy your blog and keep up the good work!

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