Thrifting Fashions at Chaska Goodwill

If you follow me, you know that I love thrifting. I love the hunt for an expensive or unique piece that has a steal of a price. Most of my clients don't have the time, patience or interest in thrifting but, those of you that do, and have gone with me, you and I get the same high from finding a discarded treasure. My favorite finds have been my Oscar de la Renta black blazer, my yellow LaFayette 148 New York blazer (below) and my gold beaded St John pencil skirt.

Tuesday, I went to a client's home and spent three hours working with her in her closet. She didn't live far from the Chaska Goodwill so, I decided to stop there before heading home. It was a worthwhile stop. Here are my finds and how I styled them.

1. I found this olive green shorts jumper in the coat section. I always check the coats and blazers because they are my favorite items to build an outfit around. This had been misplaced. It's an XL; I think a size large would have been a slightly better fit but, no matter, I wasn't leaving it behind. It's too good of a piece that I know the more I play with it, and wear layers underneath, it will be a fun option for a night out in the city.
   

Brand: Hunter by Target

Price: $14.99

2. I found this burgundy lace skirt. I knew I had a burgundy sleeveless top at home and was hoping they would be of the same hew; they were! This gave me a monochromatic foundation to work with. I placed my white double breasted blazer over the top and grabbed my burgundy heels and I was almost done. Burgundy is typically a Fall color but the weight of this skirt is light and paired with the white blazer, it gives it an airy feel.

Brand: Ann Taylor

Price: $8.99

I also found this Alfani silver gray patent satchel new with tags on it. I bought it for $19.99.

To create a more casual look for this Fall I could pair this skirt with an oversized sweater or a turtleneck for a completely different look. A denim shirt would be cute, too.

3. This Hunter Green velvet suit was such an exciting find. The jacket and pants were not hanging together. The blazer was in the blazer section and the pants were in the pants section but, I have no doubt that they were donated together.

I paired this suit with a brown shell top from Ann Taylor, a leopard print belt from JCrew and brown Marc Fisher Heels. This gives me another reason to look forward to Fall!

Brand: No branding

Price: $8.99 pants

$10.99 blazer

Whether a Holiday Party or a December wedding, this suit will bring a festive look.

4. Lastly, this black velvet blazer with satin sash lapels is beautiful. It has a built in dickie (button in place panel) that makes the blazer an all-in-one top with jacket. I doubt that I will wear it this way; it felt too dated. I'll wear a blouse underneath instead. I could pair it with a skirt bringing the waist higher but, these black tuxedo pants that I had in my closet went so well, that I know that this will be my first choice of pairing.

Brand: Talbots

Price: $14.99

Thrifting has always been an adventure for this Fashion Consultant. It is also an exercise that helps me stay on my creative game going into client's closets and making outfits out of what they already own.

Whether you like to thrift or not, maybe these ensembles will give you some creative ideas of how to pair a burgundy skirt, or velvet blazer. OR...maybe you'd like to meet me and go thrifting together. That could be fun!

Happy Wardrobing!

Wardrobe Consultant Kathy Banta

InStyle Workbook Interview: Help in Your Closet Refresh

Remember back in the day when we didn't have Pinterest or Instagram? I'd anxiously await for each monthly issue of Glamour, InStyle, Vogue, or Woman's Wear Daily. I'd scoured the pages for pictures of color and style trends. I'd read the short articles about accessories and up and coming shoe trends. Now, so much of it is online. Today, I was looking through an old InStyle workbook that included a booklet with a list of style questions. As I read it, I began to play along and write out my answers. It was fun and a little interesting, probing into my personal style preferences. Here are the questions and my answers for myself. You may want to ask yourself these questions, too.

My top five all-time favorite pieces of clothing?

1. A Good Pair of Jeans - This changes about every year and a half due to trends evolving. At the moment, I'm loving my Levi's flared leg jeans. I bought two pairs and had them hemmed at two different lengths (one for flats and one for heels).

2. A Statement Blazer - I have a straight body shape; I'm an Apple. A fantastic way to camouflaged lack of curves is to wear a third piece item ( a blazer or cardigan). So, I am drawn to blazers with personality! I recently was asked how many blazers I own and I gave a rough estimate. The person I was talking to looked unbelieving. I went home and counted and I was spot on. Let me just say, "I really love blazers!"

3. LBD (Little Black Dress) - Every girl needs at least one LBD. But, two, three, or more Little Black Dresses are fun, and can go to numerous occasions! LOL. There are so many varieties! But, one can often switch out the accessories to dress it up or style it more casually.

4. Black heel booties for Fall/Winter and White Sneakers for Spring/Summer - Again, these change yearly as the trends evolve. It's okay because, I wear them so much that they are tired by the time I need a refresh. booties Sneakers

5. A Simple Shell Top - For years I always bought the statement blazer and then went home and struggled to pair it with blouses. Once I found a simple black shell top, I realized everything looked good with it. So, I bought an Ivory and a Navy shell top, too. They are plain basics that are a must-have in a wardrobe. If you want to wear the statement pieces, you have to have the foundational pieces.

My Go-To Jewelry?

1. Gold Chain Necklace - to wear alone or to wear layered with other necklaces. When I started wardrobe consulting ten years ago, big gaudy jewelry was in. It's taken a turn and gone more minimal the last few years but, I see a shift happening again. Don't throw that jewelry out! What goes around, comes back around.

2. Over-sized Pearl Earrings - I love these! They are classic and yet, not minimal.

3. Statement Ring - What can I say? It feels feminine.

4. A Watch - I have to have a watch. I've been wearing one since 3rd grade. Last week the battery went out and I had to take it into the jewelers to get it replaced. I was a bit lost without it.

The Outfit or Item People always compliment me on?

I get compliments when I wear any of my green blazers. They look good over a black suit dress, navy foundation or paired with jeans. The green highlights my eye color.

What's something I've always wanted and never bought?

Oh, I've always wanted an expensive purse. BUT...I'm really hard on purses. I stuff them with work items and personal items and I throw them around. My purses take a beating. I would feel horrible using an expensive purse for utility purposes. But, if I were to give into whims, I love the look of this Chloe purse.

What's something I keep buying too many of and need to reconsider?

I have a weakness for buying jeans, even when I don't need them. The trends evolve and so, a new pair here and there is to be expected but, I have to limit myself so, I don't over indulge. When I was young, I often wore floods or jeans that were too tight, needing the next size up. I wanted new jeans but my folks couldn't afford them. I know this desire to buy more jeans is purely phycological. This a common issue with women who just can't part with clothing in their wardrobes. It's good to know our issues and know the reasons behind our hang-ups, setting reasonable limits. My favorite fit is a pair of Levi's mid-rise bootcut. I do go through my jeans yearly and donate what's dated or not being used.

What's My Favorite Trends from Spring 2024 Runways?

These are Trends I've been seeing but, my favorites are brooches, Trench Coats, and the Yellow Butter Color.

1. Brooches - I love vintage brooches so, seeing them in large sizes and clusters on blazers this Spring is exciting.

2. Satin Fabrics - Satin in bold and pastel colors has an energetic vibe.

3. Lace - It's feminine and pretty

4. Trench Coats - But, not a boring trench.

5. Sheer Skirts - Sheer skirts over Hot Pants is the thing. Maybe not at Grandma's but, it is on the runways.

6. Short Coats

7. Dresses over Pants

8. Yellow Butter Color

9. Denim on Denim
   

Ask yourself these questions:

What are your top five favorite wardrobe pieces?

What is your go-to jewelry?

What outfit or item do you get compliments on?

What's a wardrobe item you've always wanted and never bought?

What's something you keep buying too many of and you need to reconsider?

Questions help us understand ourselves better. Are you in a wardrobe rut? Do you need help going through your closet to find those quality, go-to pieces? Do you need styling for your lifestyle?

Reach out to me and let's make a plan. Kathy@KathyBanta.com

Happy Wardrobing!!

Kathy Banta - Twin Cities Wardrobe Consultant/Stylist

Featured Boutique: Swan and Bower Emporium

My Sister-in-law had been telling me I needed to check out the new boutique in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. I've meant to for months. Friday I travelled into Cannon Falls to do a little early gardening in the local graveyard, and afterwards, my husband and I went for lunch at the Mill Street Tavern on 6th Street North. We had the salmon on a sour dough with a pineapple slice and pineapple sauce, bacon and cheese. It was fantastic!! We walked around the Falls and saw the swans. They're a new young pair to the city park. One of the former pair had passed away last year and since swans mate for life, they sent the remaining swan to a sanctuary and got a new couple, in hopes of seeing cygnets.

It was warming up outside and I was in my gardening attire but, it dawned on me that I had time to stop in and check out this new boutique. I thought, I'll avoid being noticed and just be subtle, take some pictures and get out without being seen in my garden clothes. (I didn't look very fashion-forward). But, Julie Anderson, the owner, is a good host. She greets her clientele as they come in and finds out what they're looking for; I didn't keep my secret for long. She showed me around her showroom and told us some history of the building and her journey to opening the store. She had driven by this building for years and dreamed of having a clothing store in this location. Her opportunity came at the perfect time and the emporium just celebrated its one year anniversary.

Swan and Bower Emporium is on the corner of 4th Street and Main. Coming into Cannon Falls from Hwy 52, you can't miss it! The beautiful building stands proudly on the corner. When I walked in the front door my eyes were delighted with the beautiful displays of candles and honey, ceramic birds and flower vases, art and children's novelty toys and books. If you need a gift, this is the place to come. Each section had displays that drew me in to investigate and see what was offered.

Beyond the front room was a larger room with women's clothing and a small section for men's. Julie said that since she was a mom of sons, she wanted to remember the guys, too.

The first item I picked up was this Kut from the Kloth denim jacket for $109.00. Kut from the Kloth is a quality on-trend brand that I often pick up for clients at Nordstrom. Cannon Falls is about an hour from the Mall of America and I thought to myself, "how great to have a retail option of this caliber in town"!

As I moved from section to section I saw the jeans hanging above on display and pulled a pair out to see the embroidery detail on the cuff. These Charlie B. jeans were selling for $79.99. This is why I love small-town boutiques; I can find unique pieces with details and personality that the chain stores aren't carrying. I can see Julie's good eye for product that women want.

I moved on and took several shirts to the fitting room to try on. This teal flouncy short sleeve top by MINE sells for $29.99 and this THML golden floral patterned top sold for $54.99. I took home the floral top.

As I purchased this blouse Julie told us about the luxury short term apartment on the upper level that had been made into an Airbnb; the pictures are lovely.

I will be returning to Swan and Bower Emporium next time I'm in Cannon Falls. I understand why my sister-in-law was giving it rave reviews. It's worth the stop! Even better, make a girls trip of it. Stay at the Airbnb and come shopping, get lunch at the Mill Street Tavern and walk across the street to the Cannon River Winery for a little music and a glass of wine. I love Cannon Falls!

Happy Shopping!

Shopping is what I do and I'd love to shop with You!

Twin Cities Wardrobe Consultant Kathy Banta