I almost lost all my fingernails which would have been tragic.  When I hear someone say “the trend this Spring is or the color for Spring is” it’s like running my fingernails over a chalk board.  Women listen up and listen good….  Trends are for amateurs and sheep, not you!   I say this a million times “if I’m wearing it, it’s in STYLE” because that’s the attitude one must have,  not ‘well I can’t wear this color because it’s not in season’ or ‘the cut of those slacks are so last year’, that just makes one look left behind and still living under a rock.  Good classic cuts and tailoring NEVER EVER goes out of STYLE.  It is timeless.  The reason I’m saying this is because at the thrift store a woman said to me ‘I like those slacks but the color isn’t current’….  I said “darling stop following other people and be your own person”….  I’m so rattled I have got to stop and talk about these 2 very lovely pieces.  The blouse is a gorgeous Lafayette 148 blouse that ties in the back and pulls in the shape of your body so beautifully.  These classic cut Giorgio Armani slacks are simple chic and timeless.  These are 2 very well known brands that don’t manufacture ‘trendy’ clothes in fact their reputation is quite the opposite.  This ensemble can be worn today or in 2013, 2018 or 2099.  Daniel your luxury curator!

Every now and then I can claim to hit the ball out of the park and this is one of those times.  I couldn’t believe  that Lady Luck lead me to not only finding Badgley Mischka but Dries Van Noten too, I might need my smelling salts for this one.  I’m loving this light cotton with beading top by Badgley Mischka.  Mark Badgley & James Mischka met while students at Parsons School of Design in NYC in the 80′s.  They officially created Badgley Mischka in 1988.    Their designs appeal to a modern, young thinking, and fashion forward clientele not to mention the long list of celebrities.  My heart did sink even farther when I saw the Dries Van Noten label because you know I LOVE my Belgian designers.  Dries Van Noten (one of the Antwerp Six) has had constant international success since 1986, despite his lack of advertising.  Renowned for his use of digitally enhanced ethnic prints and original fabrics, the designer layers conflicting patterns with strong, streamlined tailoring and bespoke touches in such a way that he has firmly cemented his aesthetic.  This gray wool slacks are delicious and when you add the Badgley Mischka top to it, it’s just sinfully delicious.  These lovely items came directly out of a thrift store with so much love to continually give I think I’m ready for my smelling salts…. Friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.  Be STYLISH go green….. Daniel your luxury curator!

I can’t even begin to tell you just how I love it when I get emails from other thrifters telling me their story and showing me amazing photos of what they too have found second hand.  Buying your clothes second hand is not only STYLISH but the greenest form of shopping their is.  So I’m very pleased to rely this email from Joslyn….

Hi Daniel,
I am so glad I stumbled upon your video on Youtube. I love what you
are doing to show people the value in thrifting. I have been a
thrifter all my life. The thrifting bug was passed down from
generation to generation. I thrift almost daily because I love the
treasure hunt. Attached you will find pictures of some of my fabulous
finds. First you will see my vinatge Louis Vuitton purse that I paid
$4.99 for. Second you have my black L.A.M.B by Gwen Steffani sandels
that were $9.99 but because it was a half off day I paid $4.99. Next
you have my vintage Prada purse that cost $6.99. I also have a 3 piece
St. John Knit Suit that I paid $8.99 for. Then I have an Escada
Couture suit that I found for $9.99. Next I have an Oscar De La Renta
vintage blouse that cost $1.50.My final find was a pair of Gucci gymshoes
that retail for $410.00, but I paid $5.49. I hope you enjoy seeing
some of my fav luxury finds. Oh and please check out my blog
Confessions of a Thrift Store Fashionista.com.
Happy Thrifting,
The “Thrifty” Fashionista
confessionsofathriftstorefashionista.com

I just love finding and salvaging Rebecca Taylor’s luxury pieces because of my huge admiration for this designer.  Rebecca Taylor as you know is from New Zealand and based in New York and when she first arrived in the States she had very little $$$ in her pockets but found work at Cynthia Rowley.  I love hearing stories about how someone came to this country with very little money and then go on to become a highly respected fashion designer where Neiman Marcus & Bergdorf Goodman sell her fabulous creations.  This just reinforces the notion that if you have a vision and put the hard work in, you can become anything you desire.  I love this blue Rebecca Taylor wrap top and it goes nicely with this Cynthia Steffe skirt.  All this outfit needs is a blouse underneath the wrap and off in First Class Rebecca Taylor & Cynthia Steffe go.  Stop by my social media driven boutique Doubletake in Atlanta and please friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.  Be STYLISH go green.  Daniel your luxury curator!

Shopping ‘green’ saves you the gr$$n –  just look what I salvaged from a thrift store: Tibi , Carmen Marc Valvo & Cynthia Rowley.  Everyone of these brands are high end and highly respected so today was a windfall for ‘green’ eco-friendly movement I would have to say.  Shopping for ‘green’ luxury has never been easier than what it is today and every time I find great labels like these I keep saying ‘thank you’ for donating them people.  Thank you for giving someone else an opportunity to build up their wardrobe without it killing their bank account.  Keep those donations coming people and retailers, so that Daniel Troppy keeps salvaging them and finding new homes for them.  Friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and always be STYLISH go green.  Daniel your luxury curator!

This was an amazing week, I found several really great items and was on local TV twice so thank you Thrift Store GODS….. So here is what I scored: Versus Versace, Jil Sander, saw inside thrift store but didn’t buy was Tibi, 7 for all Mankind & Betsey Johnson, found another Versus Versace and yet another Jil Sander skirt, Marc Bouwer & Rebecca Taylor.  I received another fascinating letter from another fellow thrifter named Vanessa who salvaged so much luxury it blew me away.  I love hearing from my readers and if you have 6-8 really great pieces of luxury you got from thrift stores, estate sales or yard sales please snap some photos and write me a brief description and I would love to publish it on my blog.  I love seeing what other thrifters are collecting.  Thanks for being a part of this sustainable lifeSTYLE movement and please friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter… Daniel your luxury curator!

The other video is from Clark Howard so go to his link and look for “Thrift Stores implementing sales on merchandise” to watch video.

Here are 5 super great ways to help put more $$$$ back into your wallet when it comes to shopping for that special prom dress.  Valerie Hoff with 11Alive NBC Atlanta News mentions me as well as Doubletake .  Thanks Valerie for supporting the sustainable lifeSTYLE movement, you truly are a rockSTAR in my eyes….

I haven’t the foggiest idea as to why I would have found another  Versus Versace item because I had just recently found another top but again DON’T ASK and for goodness sake don’t questions the GODS.  I love this gray Versace Versus top it’s so chic and simple and I can see Donatella Versace wearing it can’t you?  That woman is just amazing, she has more vision and energy in her little pinky than most people.  So when I grabbed the Versace top I was pleased as punch and then I found this Jil Sander  skirt and that punch got me drunk!   Versace & Jil Sander are you kidding me?  I love both brands and who cares whether or not their this season, last season or last decade at the end of the day they are Versace Versus and Jil Sander so sit down.  Good clean simple STYLE never goes out of STYLE…  Friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and please stop in my social media driven boutique Doubletake in Atlanta.  Be STYLISH go green.  Daniel your luxury curator!