Give a lady 40 dollars and she will show you 4 (awesome) outfits, all locally purchased, assembled and rained upon.
Because whatever some self-proclaimed California hipster icon can do, Morgan can do SO MUCH BETTER. Off we go:
4 rainy day summer looks on a $40 budget, using pieces readily available for thrifting, on the cheap from neighborhood stores, and some that you’ve already got in your own closet:
Look 1:
Metallics are this summer’s neutrals, and it’s easy to build a whole outfit around one or two great pieces. Totes-brand anorak, $7 from Thrift Store of Virginia. The makeshift turban is scrap fabric - keep an eye out for gold in the remnants section of fabric stores like G Street. Summer-weight white denim is hugely available in thrift stores, and is the perfect complement to shine. If you’re unhappy with the cut, it takes ten minutes to go from flared to straight leg with a sewing machine and some pins. Gap jeans, $4 from Salvation Army. Be sure to throw some color in to break up all those neutrals - try Beauty Island in Adams Morgan for ultra-bright lipsticks and crazy nail polish on the cheap.
Silver eagle ring $3, from Sun’s in Mt. Pleasant. Stylist’s own watch; model’s own shoes.
Look 2:
Channel Coco Chanel in 2025 by mixing futuristic fabrics and electric accents with classic accessories and pretty, pretty hair. Silver dress worn as shirt, $7, and electric blue barrette, 50 cents, from Village Thrift. Make a sporty windbreaker ultra-femme by creating shape with a ribbon or belt. White Gap windbreaker, $2.99 from Salvation Army. Camellia ring, $3.80, and heart necklace (worn with key), $4.80, both from Forever 21.
Look 3:
Make ‘athletic’ acceptable for a night out by pairing unexpected pieces in party-ready colors. Sporty tanks are a dime a dozen at thrift stores, and with some digging and a little luck you can usually find some good logo-ed ones - and if not, plain black will always work. Nike tank, $2.99 at Village Thrift. Balance the loose, casual top with an ultra-wearable, high-waisted skirt in a summery bright. Pockets are an added bonus. Dana Buchman skirt, $4.99 from Georgia Avenue Thrift. Make sure to accessorize - and don’t be afraid to pile your favorite pieces on wrists and neck for a really personalized look. Stylist’s own sunglasses; model’s own bra and shoes.
Look 4:
An oversized tee with straight-leg jeans is sharp enough for day or night when you keep it simple with black and white. Kick around town in chucks or flats in the afternoon and switch to something patent and platform-y at night. Keep the look clean with minimal but high-impact accessories - a healthy shot of fluorescent brights would look great in the form of jewelry or bag choice. Black t-shirt, 99 cents at Georgia Avenue Thrift.
Model: Haley Harter. Sun’s Discount is located at 3174 Mt. Pleasant Street, NW; Beauty Island at 1753 Columbia Road, NW. For help finding other area thrift stores, try TheThriftShopper.com.
Morgan should really look into being a pro stylist!!!
June 6, 2007 at 9:55 amomg…i just found your blog today and i love it….you’re adorable
xoxo punky
You must’ve gone to the good thrift stores…I’ve been looking at thrift stores like mad for an outfit to wear to the Duran Duran concert and have come up null! I will use that link you provided and hopefully will luck out!
Those are awesome creations you have…just shows that you don’t need to spend designer dollars on designer style!
June 6, 2007 at 1:02 pmI dig Morgan, I dig.
June 6, 2007 at 1:27 pmthat haley girl is a babe. and you too could also be friends with her - she’s somewhere on byt’s top friends on myspace. if you’re lucky [and hot] maybe she’ll date you too.
June 6, 2007 at 4:17 pmYou must be hot and have $40.
It is amazing how Morgan can put together so many random findings, mix and match, and make one terrific outfit.
June 6, 2007 at 4:57 pmi think its faux style like this that gives DC such a bad name when it comes to fashion. The Wayfayers are so saturated at the moment not to mention the lamé has been flossed in AA ads since 2002?
why not spend the 40bones on a comfy hoodie dress…
http://store.americanapparel.net/rsa5305.html
and buy a tall boy from the corner store and chill out and play xbox inside?
ez.
June 6, 2007 at 5:15 pmdaaag, haley! you’re blowin’ up! morgan, nice work! i want more!!! (give it to me). shanks.
June 6, 2007 at 5:53 pmlooove love love the 3rd look :)
June 6, 2007 at 9:32 pm… if I only knew then what I know NOW.
June 7, 2007 at 1:51 pmI am glad that everyone is excited about these finds but…..these outfits dont look so good, sorry.
June 7, 2007 at 5:10 pm[...] The $40 fashion challenge spread at Brightest Young Things. This thrift store shopping challenge was also noted at Panda Head. [...]
June 7, 2007 at 8:09 pmoh morgan. you’re great. i’m pretty sure everything you do is great also.
June 7, 2007 at 10:37 pmI have to agree with the Pariah. These outfits would only be alright on someone who is so incredibly beautiful that everyone overlooks the clothes entirely. There are nice PIECES, but together they look awful. The last one seems nice, then again you can’t really see it.
June 19, 2007 at 7:15 amhey. is this post a joke? really, are you puling our leg? there are such great finds at thrift store. not sure why you picked these ugly outfits. it’s like you just threw a bunch of mismatched crap together and called it “style.” making “mismatch” match is a lot harder than you think.
August 6, 2007 at 5:54 pmThese looks are SO passe (as in pass-ay). I certainly wouldn’t classify them as cutting edge.
November 16, 2007 at 6:57 pmgorgeous. these are so funky, i love them. pleeeease more DIY posts and $40 fashion challenge posts. im from canada and you kick cory k’s ass out of the park
June 4, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Can I get the model for 40 bucks, please?
June 6, 2007 at 9:49 am