Gone Thrifting

Could it be true? Has my bad shopping curse been lifted? Mindful of my past mistakes and newly invigorated to reduce the bummy quotient of my general appearance for next year (senior prom is at stake) I took another go at back to school fashion in Santa Monica. The Third Street Promenade is well known for its ambiance of corporate urbanity, stores like Anthropologie and Miss Sixty converging with generously zoned and refreshingly hygenic street performers and psychics. The whole "street scene" is pretty contrived, but it admittedly makes for a less anxious shopping experience compared to the real deal. But while third street was fun for window shopping and starbucks, it was lesser known fourth street where I really hit my shopping stride. After having a delicious salsa and chip snack at the Border Grill, I hit my two favorite vintage shops in the area: Crossroads Trading Co. and Wasteland. Starting at Wasteland, a slightly snotty high end hipster vintage store that mixes new designer with used designer, I followed my own advice and began tackling the racks with a clear head and specific goals: to find an all purpose light sweater, some kind of bottoms, and heels if possible. Not only did I manage, but everything I picked up seemed to be miraculously color coordinated! My final purchases: a fitted grey Benetton cardigan, a grey and white plaid summer dress, and white heels - the heels pricing as the most expensive at $26! When I met my friends later in the new outfit they were instantly awed by how mature, put together, and (of course) fashionable I looked. Then at Crossroads, a more humble and color coordinated thrift store, I picked up my first pair of 7 jeans and super wearable, comfy, and surprisingly sleek baby phat (I know I know, but I swear they're not hoochie) mid length shorts with a slight gaucho flare. It was my most successful shopping trip in recent memory, and let's hope it wasn't just a fluke!