Be frugal, look fabulous!

Welcome to my blog!
This experiment is to see whether I can find looks directly out of the Peruvian Connection catalog (my absolute favorite) by shopping at thrift stores and garages sales. My goal is to put together an elegant, interesting, and flattering wardrobe--but by only spending about 10% or less of the new clothes' cost.

But why Peruvian Connection?
Because every outfit in the catalog uses my favorite things: belts, boots, bags, jewelry, and pieces that you can mix and match. I'll be able to emulate their style by putting together items that I find along the way. Also, their style is timeless and almost vintage-looking. How could I go wrong with a company with the tagline of 'Artisan clothing for nomads and romantics'? I'm both at heart!

Why buy second-hand?
Buying second-hand clothing is sustainable and economical. My money goes to charity or directly to individuals, my purchases do not require the use of additional resources, and at this stage in my life I cannot afford to buy such quality clothes at retail prices. However, someday when I can afford to buy new clothes, I wish to be mindful of where my money is going. Higher end retailers such as Peruvian Connection may be more expensive, but their artisans earn a living wage and the materials are environmentally friendly. I want to get in the habit of buying responsibly.

The rules for this experiment:
I'm looking for quality garments made of materials that Peruvian Connection commonly uses: cotton (pima if possible), alpaca, merino wool, leather, and other furs such as angora, mohair, and cashmere. I aim to avoid acrylics and other man-made materials because they wear out quickly. The end result of this blog will be a wardrobe that will last for years and never go out of style.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Something a bit different: Bag edition

As I've been searching for those perfect Peruvian Connection look-alikes, I have found a few other bags that I have fallen for. I tend to go for cross-body bags--I think it stems from my years of backpacking and needing both hands free to run for trains, climb into cramped buses, and read maps.

Here are a few cross-body bags:

This is a vintage leather bag from Jack Georges, made in the USA. I loved the bohemian look, and the leather is in awesome condition (it's very thick and might just last forever). It has both a handle on top as well as a cross-body length strap, so it's very versatile. I paid $5.

This unusual little bag is from Luisa Cevese Riedizioni, made in Milan, Italy. She specializes in recycled textiles held in place by resin--eco-friendly, colorful, and easy to tote around. I paid $3 at the Temple House, but this bag would have cost about $70 brand new.

This small travel bag is from Nine West. The bag is constructed from corduroy and faux leather, with a tough nylon strap. I have used this on a few short trips (Vegas, etc), and the size, shape, and weight are ideal for walking long distances. I paid $2.49 at Goodwill.

And finally a different style of bag:

This 100% genuine patent leather bag is from Helen Welsh. This line used to be carried at Nordy's, but I can't seem to find any currently listed. The bag zips at the top, has an extra brass closure, and lots of pockets. It's over-the-shoulder, which I usually don't like, but I couldn't resist this time. The color is a lovely chestnut brown, and the interior is a silky floral material. I paid $4 at the Temple House, but this bag is currently being sold for $150 online.
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