Style Caramba

Thrifting Tips Part II

July 21, 2009

I posted something similar on Part I, but I’ve learned a couple more and figured I should share. The subject thrills me! I’ll share some of my finds as we go. Take note, however, that I’ve only tested these tips in my town and I’m not sure if they can be applied anywhere else.

1. In most stores, items are priced at moment of request. So don’t be surprised if the salesgirl scans the item, rolls her eyes and then adds an “ehhhh” before the numbers.

Striped tee: thrifted. No big deal but I like it in all its faded glory.

2. Never EVER show excitement no matter how wonderfully the vintage Dior gown shines in the midst of dust, boxes and fraternity t-shirts! Bite your tongue if you have to! Why? Keep reading.

Highwaisted skirt:thrifted.

3. Barter, barter BARTER! Do business like you’ve never. If it doesn’t work the first time, pretend you weren’t even THAT interested in the item…point out the defects, perhaps even walk away! If you showed any excitement for the piece beforehand, prepare to do the ugly…pay full price ! If the price is still too high for an item that’s too “weird” (according to locals, anyway) leave it. Come back a couple weeks or months later and the item will still be there and…oh yes…in the 10 lempira (less than a dollar) bin! This last part at your own risk.

Chair: secondhand! It wasn’t really a bargain, more of a guilty pleasure.

Necklace: thrifted! 50 lempiras, about $2.00!

4. This should’ve been the first one: dress comfy. Flats, nothing too fancy or ostentatious. You’ll fall in the “This one’s rich, an eye for a top!” category if you do otherwise.

Velvet vest: thrifted. Necklace: vintage, gift from grandma.

5. Prepare yourself. For what? A serious arm & back workout, cockroaches (that might sweep up your arm at some point), soar throats caused by dust, and the occasional attitude from salesgirls.

Jumpsuit: thrifted. Not good for peeing urges.

Now, enjoy ladies! Enjoy the salesgirl’s grin as you pay for the hideous item she thought know one would ever buy. Enjoy knowing that she has no idea how good you’re gonna look in the silky Moschino skirt as soon as you fix the zipper.

Style Inspiration

Queen of Olanchito

May 19, 2009

A couple of weeks ago my sewing teacher, Dario, asked me and my friend Courtney if we would come with him to Olanchito (a small town an hour away from Ceiba). He was dressing about six girls that were competing to be the Carnaval Queen of said town and needed assistants to help with the sewing and the backstage stuff.

We arrived early for the fittings and turned out that pretty much all the girls were C-cups so seams had to be ripped and re-sewn…and fast! Tulle and satin was EVERYWHERE and an incident with a lit candle made us burst into nervous laughter for about 15 minutes! The event was at the “hottest” club in Olanchito. The crowds cheered while the girls posed under a disco ball.

Left: The ladies in casual wear. Right: Posing with the winner!

Check out those bathrooms!

For the event I ended up wearing the muslin I made for last post’s pink dress. All I did was add a lining,a random a polka dotted ruffle on the front and then hemmed it on the bus to Olanchito. Not what I would’ve liked to wear, but it did for the night. Our favorite girl of the night turned out to be the winner and after a game of pool and the witnessing of a cat fight we called it a night and headed back to our cute little hotel.

To be honest with you, I have always considered Honduran beauty pageants (maybe even in general) to be quite…ehh…funny? With the demanding mothers, cheesy stage decorations, poofy dresses and all…it’s quite difficult to take them seriously! However, after I saw how much effort Dario put into the dresses and how excited and grateful all the girls were I must admit I’m now officially a hardcore pageant fan! It’s a part of our culture that I’ve learned to see the brighter side of.

Outfits

Sew Sweet

March 31, 2009

My sewing machine has been acting quite friendly and here are a couple of the more recent results of such acts of kindness.

I was soon to be attending wedding in Tegus and I insisted on a strapless dress with boning. I wanted it in a cheesy pink because I never went to prom. I had to torture myself with little food so the zipper would close. I didn’t get ONE decent picture of me in the dress, so please ignore the face. It did not come out quite as planned. Next morning, sisters and I hopped on a bus back home.

Before I continue, let me formally introduce you to Diana. I have already talked about her before. Youngest sister, trouble, flaming red hair. I love her with ALL my heart! However, I am SO not kidding on the ‘trouble’ part.

I am trying to beat my sewing instructor’s time record for making a skirt, and Diana gets to keep my trials. Here’s her favorite. She wore it to school today. As for me and my recent purchases let me emphasize ONCE more on one word: thrifting! I was going to come up with a (darn good) excuse like “I’m on a budget so I thrift”, and I am on a budget but please: I thrift because I LOVE it. Period.

Dress and onesie: both thrifted, super cheap!

La Ceiba is INCREDIBLY HOT right now. Skimpy clothes and the beach are pretty much requirements for summer survival (we have two seasons down here, rainness and summer, and I make words up during both). So anyway, when thrifting, I keep that in mind.

High-waist shorts and shirt: both thrifted.