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We are all anxiously awaiting spring here in the Midwest. We had our first 60º day on March 1, and the next day, it was back in the 30s again!  How *dare* you get our hopes up, March!

In this transitional period when the weather is so unpredictable, you need items that you can can wear in breezy mornings and sunny afternoons alike and feel comfortable and stylish no matter what. We picked out 5 vintage items you should be on the lookout for to make the transition to spring a piece of cake!

Light Wash Denim:

A GREAT-fitting pair of vintage, high-waisted jeans is are versatile enough to work in literally ALL seasons! This spring, go for a light wash. A few vintage brands we are always on the hunt for are Levi, Calvin Klein, Lee and Wrangler. If you know what to look for, you can find an amazing fit that you can pair with any t-shirt, blouse or sweater to give you that effortlessly cool vibe we all strive for. You also can't beat the fabric content—vintage denim is free of spandex or other stretchy materials, so they fit to your body but still keep their shape. I will say this ’til end of time—a great vintage denim is a staple in all wardrobes!

Neutral Prints:

Let's talk prints! Winter and spring prints are drastically different, but with a little care, you can find a balance between the two. A great neutral print like gingham, herringbone, paisley or stripes can carry you through most seasons, so save the florals and reach for the classics until the weather warms up. We recommend finding a great-fitting printed pant or a blazer or jacket that you can wear with many different pieces in many occasions. The pants above are wool, so they're perfect for those days that feel a bit more like winter than the rest—but if you can find a great cotton or silk pair, you could wear them longer into the season and maybe transition them into summer!

Layering:

Every good stylist will tell you it’s all about layering. Knowing how to layer well takes a lot of practice, but once you figure out how you like to build an ensemble, it becomes second nature. One of my go-to layering tricks is the good ol' 90's turtleneck/dress combo. You can also layer t-shirts and tanks under summery dresses to make it work for spring. Experiment with jumpers, overalls and sundresses and you will be shocked by the new looks you create from your existing closet. We are getting new spring items everyday at the store, so come see what sparks some layering inspiration!

 Unique Basics:

A great vintage basic with gorgeous details can amplify your everyday looks! A simple t-shirt-and-jeans-kinda-day can be transformed completely with a tee like the one pictured above. Throw a cardigan or blazer on top to take the look to the next level. Celebrating the details in your clothing will make you love them that much more, and having unique pieces you really enjoy allows your personality to shine through. That is the most lovely part about style—it's a piece of your personality!

 Silk:

Silk is by far my favorite fabric. It is very elegant, it breathes well and it literally looks great with every other fabric. A great silk tee is a treasure, but also having a few silk blouses, a pant or a jacket can lighten up other winter pieces to transition them to spring. It's easy to throw on with a pair of jeans, and you will look effortlessly chic. 

Stop in and ask a shop girl to help you find all vintage/re-sale treasures like the ones above—we're all in this transition together! :)

As we reflect on 2019 and revel in our feats and move forward from our short comings one thought plays like a loop in my head, "How can I be better about ethically sourcing my clothing this year than last year?" If you're reading this I can assume a few things, you love clothing just as much as we do + you love resale gems and/or conscious about your fashion buying habits. We are all doing an excellent job. 

"The secondhand economy—a $24 billion market as of 2018—is projected to grow to nearly 1.5 times the size of fast fashion (retailers with high turnaround and lower prices, like Zara and H&M) within the next 10 years, hitting a $64 billion evaluation, thredUp reports." reports Renae Reints on Fortune. She wrote one of thousands of articles on the web today on this topic. 

The bottom line is we love to shop, but we love the earth + each other more so for that I am over the moon to work in the resale industry. You people rock and inspire us everyday - so thank you.

All this being said - I know I could be better still about where I shop and how much I shop and I'm sure some of you feel the same. I decided to put some reigns on my "passion" this year and share what I came up with.

1. Buy nothing new: 

Especially fast fashion. I get it, this one is almost impossible and I don't know if I can do it since I'm surrounded by Lacausa and Back Beat Co. all day, which are both very ethical companies, but I am going to really try because I think making this resolution will make me contemplate if I reeeeeaaaallllyyy need it.

2. Clothing Swap:

Image: 

How To Cultivate Community By Hosting A Clothing Swap

My friends and I are constantly digging in each other's closets and so many times I hear "I don't even wear that anymore," and it is something I got stoked about! One woman's non-stylable trash is another's new stand-out treasure! Break out some champagne and have fun swappin'.

3. Research Brands: 

Find yourself visiting a cute new page daily? Well, read about the clothing your gushing over. Where did it come from, how was it made and most importantly WHO MADE IT. Practicing this in my own life has really turned me on to just how terrible this industry can be, but also how absolutely incredible it is. A good example of this is Jungmaven - I really loved their basics and their whole vibe and then I researched what they were all about and now this is one my very favorite companies. I wear my tee shirt and sweatshirt weekly with pride knowing no one was exploited so that I could have the privilege of wearing this garment. Buy from those who give a shit about the same things you do. Being conscience about where you spend your money is the most important thing you can do in our modern world.

4. Learn how to make/spiffy up a piece: 

Image + Embroidery:

UsedthreadsShop on Etsy

This part of this resolution is what I am most excited about - I am going to learn how to either make a garment or spiffy up an existing one with dyes, beads, embroidery - whatever inspires me! Fashion should be fun and unique to you so let's make it personal! Go nuts!

5. Swear off impulse buying: 

Image:

Natalie Borton "March Capsule Wardrobe"

Anyone else have an emotional connection with pieces? I shop when I'm overwhelmed with life, celebrating and sometimes just because I think I need to "fill" a missing link in my closet. I know these are all just justifications to myself because I want instant gratification, which a lot of us do because we are raised in a social media driven consumer society. It's not your fault, but it is your problem. Even if you're like me and 90% of your closet is vintage and resale, it's still just more stuff. It's good for your mental health to release yourself from impulsive behavior so this will be my largest challenge, but I'm sure the most beneficial in more ways than one. A capsule wardrobe might be the way to go for some of you and I've been thinking about doing it a lot myself. Natalie Borton's blog of her capsule wardrobes are very cute and effortless! Check it out :)

Hope you all enjoyed this read and are on-board in 2020 to continue to alter this industry we love so much for the BETTER!