This month’s Style Notes comes with a small twist. Rather than focusing only on the details of an outfit, I’m opening up the closet doors a little wider to show you how secondhand finds and thoughtful styling can create a luxe feel without the luxe price tag.
With Hanukkah on my editorial calendar in two weeks, the usual Reuse⋅Reclaim⋅Recycle feature will take a brief pause until next month. So in this post, Style Notes is pulling double duty — part outfit breakdown, part “luxe-for-less” showcase, and entirely rooted in the joy of well-found pieces. A two-for-one, if you will: styling ideas you can wear tomorrow, and proof that elevated dressing doesn’t have to come at full price.
This whole outfit is built on discovery. I happened upon the jacket (worn here as a top) at a local swap meet; it was the colors, textures, and embroidered pattern that pulled me in immediately. While hard to see in these photos, there’s a scattering of black rhinestones as well. The fabric is 100% silk, and the jacket is fully lined. And it has pockets; personally, I think a jacket without pockets is a waste of material.
Having resisted buying sequin pants like these in retail stores, I was a bit thrilled to come across a pair at a thrift store. And so yes, I bought them even though I knew they’d likely be slightly too snug. As with too many of my purchases, there’s always the hope that one day the garment will fit the way I imagine. And now they do, which makes wearing them feel like its own little victory.
The necklace came home with me after a summer artwalk — one of those pieces you spot, pick up, set down, then circle back to because you can’t quite forget it. The vintage dealer who sold it to me told me it had been loved before, and I like knowing that. It isn’t flashy, but it glimmers just enough to soften the neckline and add a little light near my face. Together with the flea-market silk jacket and thrift-store sequin pants, it forms a small collage of places and stories — three pieces from three different sources, all chosen because they felt right the moment I saw them.
And that, really, is the heart of luxe for less. Luxury isn’t defined by price, but by care, detail, and delight — the lining of a garment that feels good against the skin, the thrill of finding sequins at secondhand prices, the satisfaction of supporting a small maker instead of a mass retailer. These pieces weren’t bought together, and they certainly weren’t bought new, but they come together seamlessly because they were selected with intention. They look elevated not because they’re expensive, but because they feel like mine.
What I love most about this look is that luxury came not from labels, but from choices — the feel of silk, the shimmer of sequins, the charm of something pre-loved. Style doesn’t need a big budget to feel extraordinary. Do you have any secondhand pieces in your closet that feel like luxury to you, the kind that make you stand a little taller when you wear them?
Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Photo credit: MMPerez
Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program, where I earn a small commission for each click at no additional cost to you.
Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link-up. The featured post from last week’s link-up, How to Style a Vest with Ageless Style, was contributed by Amy, a lifestyle blogger who writes about fashion, travel, gardening, and so much more.
8 Comments
You put these luxurious pre-loved pieces together in an outfit for a perfect holiday look! It is always a thrill to find pieces that really speak to you and your personal style, especially pre owned. Hope you have a good week and thanks for hosting the link up!
I love your pants Rena, fabulous! Happy blessed holidays,
Valerie
http://www.mapleleopard.com
While I don’t shop second hand, I admire those who do and find such interesting pieces. If I did, I know I’d be creating backstories for each piece. This is such a beautiful outfit and works so well together as well as breaking it up to make several other wonderful looks. Thanks for the link up! Have a wonderful week!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
You’re right, there is a lot of joy in well found pieces. Your sequin pants are just fabulous, and very you. I have a preloved Vivienne Westwood skirt which always made me feel confident and happy when I wore it at work. I don’t wear it much now but it still sparks joy when I see it.
I totally agree that style doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive. Almost all of my clothes are second hand, but I think they look good ; )
That is one of the reasons I have been weeding out sweaters (and added some), when they do not feel comfortable and I tug and adjust all day, they need to be rehomed. I now start my thiriting trips with feel, I go down the aisles touching the fabrics, if they don’t feel good, they are very unlikely to even get tried on.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thank you for the party, Reena, Happy December
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Those pants are GREAT! Dressed up for wherever you go!