by Melissa Arens
Thrifting is now one of the most common ways to shop and the most sought after way to express personal style. I have enjoyed thrifting for quite some years now, for multiple reasons.
As a boutique owner, thrifting allows for a much more personal style than shopping new wholesale lines with the same runs of clothing you will find at market, and those are being sold at several local boutiques in the area and all throughout the U.S.
Thrifting allows you to choose authentic pieces from the recent decades and put them together for that perfect expression of how you see and feel your personal style.
Mostly I enjoy thrifting because it gives you that amazing rush and the excitement of finding that one perfect piece. Maybe that one perfect piece is made of good quality material, like “genuine leather, Made in Italy” or you find that one perfect piece from your favorite decade. Maybe whatever you find has some high quality name brand you personally love, and — most importantly — it’s at a price you can afford paying.
While traveling, thrifting allows you to bring a piece of style back from wherever you go, and it can be fun to hunt for those perfect outfits you can score!
I enjoyed getting to travel across the Western states and the West Coast (my favorite area in the U.S.) to do some major thrifting for Mayapple Salon and Boutique! From Oklahoma City to the mountains of New Mexico, through the Mojave desert all the way to downtown Los Angeles, here are some of the looks and pieces that I personally found and brought back to Fayetteville.
All hair and make up styling by Melissa Arens *All clothing available at Mayapple Boutique
Clothing thrifted from Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, N.M., Flag Staff, Ariz.., Los Angeles, Calif. (in the downtown fashion district, Venice beach and Mojave Desert).
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- Here’s a look inspired by a Latino, simple, sexy-but-chic style, thrifted from the downtown Los Angeles fashion district. The outfit consists of black lace booty shorts, black lace cover up, a black lace vintage naughty, and strappy black leather low heels. Modeled by Darby Unruh.
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- This super sweet and vintage prairie dress with great red white and blue colors was thrifted in Flag Staff, Ariz. The vibrant colors make for a take-it-easy summer vibe. Modeled by Cloey Grote.
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- Amazing white pant suit! It has a very sleek and sophisticated look, yet has this ’70s Scarface film feel, and it’s partnered with a leather belt, boots and modern sun specs. This was thrifted out of the downtown Los Angeles fashion district, on Sunset Blvd. MODEL: Darby Unruh
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- This dress was thrifted from Albuquerque, N.M., and the boots were found in Oklahoma City. The slinky, shimmery leopard print dress with copper brown leather boots have a very urban, yet slightly grungy feel while paired with the Nicolia Jacoby brass jewelry designs piece — always a favorite designer out of Seattle.
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- This frosted denim, tunic mini-dress accessorized with bangles, from local favorite jewelry designer Bella Vita Jewelry, gives off a carefree bohemian feel. I found it in Albuquerque, N.M., and it’s modeled here by Darby Unruh.
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- This completely adorable, high-waisted, floral blue two-piece — that could be from the early ’90s or late ’80s — makes for fun and flirty swimwear! It was found in Venice Beach, Calif., and it’s modeled here by Cloey Grote.
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- Here’s a black lace sleeveless dress that can be worn any time of the year, and be accessorized any way. That is the beauty of simple and black. It was thrifted from the Mojave Desert area, and it’s modeled here by Cloey Grote.
