It’s that time of year again: time for costume parties, trick-or-treating, and all-around delinquent behavior. I took a couple of friends to scavenge with me for witchy, unusual pieces to wear to various haunted houses and parties planned for the weekend. We journeyed out to the Goodwill outlet in Sunnyside, Queens on the 7 train. (I’m pretty sure it was the second time in my three years of living in NYC that I’ve ever ridden that train.) We got to the warehouse and got our carts ready.
The outlet is stocked with all of the clothing that didn't sell at the regular Goodwill retail stores. Huge shallow bins of clothes line up in rows to form aisles. The bins are organized by the following three very general categories: shoes, bags, and clothes. Clothes are sold on a per-pound basis, meaning you get to the register, the clerks load your items on a scale, and you pay $1.79 per pound of bags and shoes, and $1.29 per pound of clothing. The three of us filled up our carts, then edited down, traded amongst ourselves, and put back a lot of merchandise. My bill came to just under $14 for four purses, two dresses, three blouses, and a jacket. I'm a regular thrifter, and this is literally the best deal I’ve come by.
However, it did take a lot of time and sifting to find quality pieces among all the secondhand castoffs. But if you're patient and aren’t afraid of getting your hands dirty, you can find some truly awesome pieces.
(Dress, Hold My Gold Vintage | Shoes, Topshop)
This is a dress I've had for a while but haven't had the opportunity to wear many times yet, since I have more "little black dresses" than any other style of garment in my closet. It's the perfect long-sleeved mini dress with an open back. The material is stretchy and flattering, and also very warm. The high neckline and ultra short length contrast sharply, as do the full sleeves and naked back. All I need now is some fake blood and scars—I call this the "classy lady gone dead" outfit.
(Dress, Goodwill Outlet | Shoes, Vintage)
I'm madly in love with this girly little dress. I love the combination of the tiny velvet bodice and very full chiffon skirt. It's the absolute perfect thing to twirl and twirl in. Though I usually stay away from overly feminine pieces, this dress is right in my color family, and hello—it's part velvet. I paired the tiny dress with equally tiny vintage kitten heels. Sans the mask, this outfit could double as a holiday dinner look. Or if I'm up for some fun, I suppose the mask could stay on, though eating might pose problems.
(Sweater, Goodwill Outlet | T-shirt, Hold My Gold Vintage | Leggings, Buffalo Exchange, $9 | Shoes, Hold My Gold Vintage)
When I found it, this sweater was buttoned all the way up to look like a dress. After unbuttoning it, I thought it looked rather swell as a long sweater-trench-cape. It has a faux fur lining around the collar and is made of very soft cotton. Though I'm not a huge fan of leggings, I found this mesh cutout pair at Buffalo Exchange, and I'm definitely a huge fan of cutouts. To complete the look, I threw on my favorite t-shirt and boots.
*All photos shot on a Canon EOS Rebel T2i by Mark Dommu
*Mask and jewelry provided by Buffalo Exchange in the East Village, NYC
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