Granny Gear

I bet you thought I was going to blog about cycling steep inclines! Nope. I'm referring to a hot "new" fashion trend: Grandmother Style. The fashionistas are talking breathlessly about radical apparel such as knee-length skirts, kitten heels, cardigan sweaters, classic colors, all things *gasp* prim and proper and ladylike. Imagine that.

Granny style appropriate,
but would a 20-something wear it?

Now this really isn't Granny Style.  I've seen pictures of my grandmothers and they did not dress like Lee Radziwill or Caroline Herrera, nor did they wear Chanel suits with Farragamo flats. I think the fashion critics are referring to trend setters like Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. Designers are probably bored trying to make young women look like hoochie-mamas so now they proclaim that demure is de rigueur. Even though their motives are financial, I applaud the change.

From a thrifty point of view, this trend is wonderful. Soft florals, tailored knee-length skirts, kitten heels or flats, small structured purses, gold jewelry...this is easy to find at consignment shops and thrift stores. Ditch those daisy dukes and embrace peddle pushers! Down with 4" stillettos and up with kitten heels! Gold is the new silver.

In searching for granny gear, you might want stay away from Plato's Closet! Their racks are filled with young, whipper snapper apparel. Instead seek out shops whose customer base is...well, older.

Go, Granny, go!

Goodwill Hunting

Not the movie, the act of thrifting. The thrill of the hunt to find items that no one else wants and to make use of them once again. For pennies on the dollar. Dave Ramsey would approve of my budget-stretching measures.

Back in the day I would scour thrift stores for cream glazed pottery, plates with fruit hand painted on them, or play clothes for my toddlers. I loved old suitcases, too, and could snatch them for a few dollars each.  I would give my little ones a few quarters to buy some books to keep them happy while I searched.

Later on I became the primary shopper of props and costumes for our church's theater group.  I would zero in on vintage clothing, furniture, and household accessories. Finding that black rotary phone or the pink pillbox hat was great sport.  Those were my "trophies" of a successful hunt.

Now my search has expanded to things that my husband and I can rehab or repurpose.  I am the Goodwill hunter and he is the "fixer". Yes, I hate to admit we get excited over  new episodes of American Pickers or Salvage Dawgs...or even Antiques Roadshow.

We love our stuff, but once it loses its newness many are quick to toss it.  Thankfully some choose to donate. That's good for Goodwill and for my Goodwill hunting.