catherine malandrino design nation, catherine malandrino designnation
Remember my beloved Catherine Malandrino for Kohl's pleated dress from earlier this fall? Well, I loved it two months ago and I'm still loving it now. Just because the weather has dipped {it's less than 40 degrees in NYC!!!}, that doesn't mean I put the frock away. The great thing about it is the knit material, which makes it perfect for the frigid temps.
When I previously wore the dress, I went with a bare leg and floral pumps, this time around I threw on a pair of thick tights {just a few dollars from H&M} and some thrift store finds for a cozy and chic style.

how to inspect thrift store clothes, inspect thrift clothes before you buy
You've made it, you finally found some great pieces you want to buy from the thrift store. But before you drop cash, it's important to really inspect your thrift store scores. This step may be the most important of them all. Because there's nothing more disappointing {and a waste of money} than buying what you think is a gem and it's really a dud.
Check out four tips to closely inspect your thrifted clothes and accessories.

looking fly on a dime smart shopping

The image above cracks me up and when I posted it on Instagram, you guys were equally amused and had expressed you've been there before.
We see the "sale" sign and our eyes automatically light up. Or maybe it's the allure of clothes and accessories that are marked half off. I mean, I get it. If it's on "sale," then that means we're getting a bargain, right? Wrong!
This is a fairly common tactic some retailers use to reel you in and make you think you're getting serious bang for your limited buck.
But there are easy ways for us savvy shoppers to ensure we're really getting a deal and not simply being pulled in by smoke and mirrors.

looking fly on a dime style

Sweatshirts are all the rage. Last year I showed you how I wore my favorite vintage Mickey Mouse shirt and now, we're seeing more and more of the casual tops everywhere. They're no longer just the sweaty shirt you wore to workout or on a lazy afternoon. Now, the sweatshirt has been remixed in a fun, flirty and even chic way.
Rocking a sweatshirt is as easy as 1, 2, 3 and the look I styled below can work from the office to happy hour.

thrift shopping tips, looking fly on a dime and thrift shopping
"Patrice, I never find anything when I go thrifting!"
I can't tell you how many times I receive emails or tweets like this. And in spite of all of the thrift shopping posts I do {thrift shopping 101, thrift shopping commandments, etc.}, there's always someone who tells me they keep walking away empty handed. Of course I don't mind the emails, you guys can always contact me, but anytime I respond to problems like this, I tell the frustrated shopper they're most likely committing typical thrift shopper sins.
If you keep striking out while thrift shopping, you're probably doing one or all of the things below wrong.