Cheap and chic - chiffon blouses and classic cropped jackets

This outfit is one that I think I’ll be wearing for years to come – it’s so classic and grownup with just that hint of vintage. It can be tricky to get the right balance between being cool thrifted vintage and just looking strange or like your clothes are worn out/out of date. I think this strikes the perfect balance if you want to be quite understated but still get compliments.

I nearly didn’t buy this blouse because I have so many white chiffon blouses but I just fell in love with the draped neckline and double breasted fastening, I couldn’t resist and I’m so glad I didn’t!

The jacket is a thin navy cropped jacket with embroidery detail. The embroidery goes around the whole hem in a scalloped pattern – I’ve considered cutting along it to make a scalloped hem – what do you think??

Finally the shoes – I discovered Urban Renewals today (on Comm. Ave, just along from the Goodwill on Brighton Ave) and it’s amazing! They do student Thursdays (50% off) but sadly I went on a Friday (lesson learnt!). However, they do the coloured tags thing that a lot of places do here in the US – each week is a different colour and all the clothes that get donate within that week are that colour (e.g. blue), then as time goes on theres a cycle of colours being on sale – so if something has been in for 2 weeks it’s 20% off, 3 weeks 50% off, etc. It means nothing hangs around too long, and customers love it because there’s always a sale! When I went into Urban Renewals 4/6 colours were on half price so I got loads of good deals!! I’d say it’s cheaper than Goodwill anyway and the money still goes to charity. However, there isn’t a changing room so you’d definitely want to go in leggings and a strap top so you can try things on in the shop!