This is our FOURTH $40 fashion challenge, and I'm OH-SO-HAPPY about it for, well, at least forty different reasons. The most exciting of all? BYT has joined forces with Payless Shoe Source to bring you the $40 Fashion Spread - from here on out all of our locally-thrifted and flea-market-scoured looks are finished off with shoes available at (or soon-to-be-available-at) your local Payless! We're totally thrilled about it, and we hope you are too!
But don't let all the SHOE EXCITEMENT deter you from the matter at hand, which is, of course, 4 looks on a $40 budget. This time around the spread is inspired as much by girl-detective Nancy Drew as it is by Katherine Hepburn and the ultra-ladylike F/W runways. Getting all glam IS possible on the cheap - so start sleuthing:
No case too small; no adventure too daunting - and in platform heels, no less. Faux-fur shrug (actually a collar that had lost its coat), $3.80 from Village Thrift (Laurel, MD); blouse, $2.20 from Village Thrift. Those TRULY undaunted by adventure can try a pair of trousers from the mens section - worn high with a thin belt BELOW the loops makes for a neat paper-bag waist and an unexpectedly wearable look. Trousers, $4 from Thrift Store of Virginia (Alexandria); stylist's own belt. To Crop or Not-To-Crop your trousers is entirely up to you, but true ladies always cover exposed legs with tights or slouchy socks. Stylist's own socks; Limited-edition "Tempura" platform sandal by Patricia Field for Payless.
Searching old film strips for clues can be tedious work - but there's no need to look anything less than charming while wearing one's (perfectly plaid) thinking cap. Wool dress, $8.99 from My Friend's Closet (Beltsville, MD); stylist's own belt; Nu-Leg tights, $1.99 at Beauty Island; "Kimberlee" satin & patent flat by Abaete for Payless.
Stealthily gathering evidence is cause for dress-up, NOT disguise, and being sneaky should never mean being invisible - pair neutrals with rich pops of color for maximum effect. Dress, $6.99 at Goodwill (Falls Church, VA); gloves, $2 from a vendor at the Adams Morgan Farmer's Market; stylist's own hat and belt; Nu-Leg tights, $1.99 at Beauty Island; "Lady Luck Electro Pump" at Payless.
Celebrate cracking the case in something a little less prim and proper, but be sure to temper a revealing top with a longer hemline - you of all people know the importance of a little mystery. Slip (worn as top), $3.75 from My Friend's Closet; skirt, $6.50 at Yesterday's Rose (Fairfax, VA); belt (worn as necklace), $1 at My Friend's Closet; stylist's own cloche and faux-fur shrug; Nu-Leg tights from Beauty Island; "Lady Luck Electro Pump" at Payless.
Styling & text by Morgan Hungerford.
Photography by Liz Gorman; more of her work can be seen at Wonkette, Washingtonian.com, and at her blog, let's not talk about art.
Hair & Makeup by Cortney Hungerford.
Model: Kathryn Bangs.
Header graphic by Erik Loften.
Special thanks to our location, the amazing Tabard Inn, and to Svetlana Legetic.
God loves a cheerful giver.
I love the tights used thruout!
Where exactly is Booty Island located? Thanks!
la la love it! morgan strikes again. hotel looks awesome and kathryn too. hey, morgan, one problem: can you tell beauty island to start carrying small tights? I always go there and can't find any that fit.
Yes! Beauty Island is in Adams Morgan on Columbia Road, next to Safeway. It's THE GREATEST.
I really need those tights.
gorgeous work, everyone. LOVE the blouse in the first pics. want!
i love everything morgan does. kat looks adorable. i want to go digging for thrift store gold right NOW.
Everybody's mad forplaid!! And I like Morgan's hats. Me want. -the DCGF
who's the lovely lady? my heart, it aches...
Bravo!
liz gorman sucks.. a lot
A few things:
a. I seriously wish we could do these every week, that is how much joy they bring me
b. miss kathryn bangs, named in a misspelled way after katharine hepburn, was amazing as a model here. No one could have done it better
c. morgan is a genius and a goddess and I thank heavens every day I met her
d. cortney is worth her weight (and then some, since she doesn't weigh much) in gold when it comes to 5 minute COMPLETE LOOK TURNAROUNDS
e. liz gorman does not suck. she was a dream to work with. a dream. plus she fits in hard to fit-in locations
f. I STILL WANT THOSE PATRICIA FIELD SHOES. I TRIED THEM ON. I AM 6 FOOT 1 IN MY BARE FEET AND WAS REACHING TO 7 WITH THESE, BUT I STILL WANT THEM.
Maybe I'll wear them to the next show I go to, and give people something to REALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT.
in summary:
every shoot we do is a joy. you wish you were there. even if you don't realize it yet.
Oh man, this was so much fun.
It was really my first time doing a fashion shoot. I would definitely do it again!
Also, to the anonymous "awesome," I would like to thank you for your opinion. Good job posting anonymously on a website. Extra points for being a dick!
Anyway, back to cute tights!
heh heh "booty island"
i love the mustard/gray/red/white commbbbooooo
if liz gorman sucks a-lot then it must be OPPOSITE DAY.
The photo on the staircase is phenomenal. Love the set!
i'm in luv with all the work ladies!!! Kat is such a cute Nancy Drew and that brown dress - did you guys create those sleeves?????!!!!
i mean i'm a guy, but have i been sleeping on payless? how long have they had such cute shoes?
I totally I had an "I knew it!!" moment with that skirt in the second to last pic... upon sight I said "I bet that's yesterday's rose", scrolled down and... yep! funny... I have been going there so long I think I have an eye for their items. i am excited to come home for a few days over x-mas and visit them.
Pure genius!
truly, your best work to date.
amazing aesthetic, as always.
[...] Not surprisingly then that I totally love Brightest Young Things $40 girl detective fashion spread. [...]
oh i love those patricia field shoes. i had the opportunity to go to the recent payless party that she held at her shop and home, and although i really really love her new pumps, the old collection still appeals to me!
12