Holiday Outfit Ideas

Looking for the perfect look for that upcoming holiday event?  Around the holidays, sometimes the last person you think to spend money on is yourself.  At Le Thrift, you can find glamorous pieces for the holidays that won't break the bank.  We've got you covered for every holiday occasion...

The Glitzy Holiday Party- We love this little black dress that has just a touch of bling.  The beaded neckline saves you money because you don't need to buy a necklace!  Add some great leather pumps, and a pop of red jewelry and you're sure to be the center of attention in this classic holiday look.

Purchase Now at LeThrift.com: Red Cuttlefish Earrings, Black Max and Cleo Dress Size 8, Manolo Blahnik Pumps Size 6

Meeting the Parents-  Ladies, we all dread meeting the boyfriend's parents!  You stand in front of your closet for hours trying to find something appropriate, that also fits your personality!  Try a pastel colored sweater, with a tailored pair of trousers.  Accompany this look with a great vintage bag, and a pair of shoes that show off your personality.  We LOVE these leopard pumps that are both sophisticated and fun, without being too wild!

Purchase Now at LeThrift.com: Vintage 1960s Bag, Lilac Prada Cashmere Sweater Size 8, Grey Diane von Furstenberg Trousers Size 8, Luciano Padovan Leopard Pumps Size 7

Shopping for Gifts with Girlfriends- One of our favorite December pastimes is shopping for gifts!  While shopping, you want to be both comfortable and trendy.  Try a light (not too bulky!) sweater, like this collared Tory Burch piece.  Add a pair of skinny jeans and flat boots.  Don't forget a wristlet- you don't want to carry a heavy shoulder bag in addition to shopping bags!

Purchase Now at LeThrift.com: Coach Tweed Wristlet, Grey Tory Burch Sweater Size L, Henry and Belle Jeans Size 29, Frye Leather Cowboy Boots Size 9

Tea at the Four Seasons-  Invited to a sophisticated event, such as the Afternoon Tea at the Four Seasons?  You don't have to spend a fortune on designer duds to fit in with the elite.  This Blumarine suit is perfect for the holidays, trimmed in a red, white, and green plaid.  Paired with a stunning Versace necklace, and Chanel pumps, everyone will think you dropped thousands of dollars on Michigan Ave.  Your bargains can be our little secret!

Purchase Now at LeThrift.com: Gold Versace Necklace, Blumarine Suit Size 4, Chanel Black Pumps Size 9.5

-Lauren Berger

Le Thrift Street Style

We're excited to show you another street style look put together by the girls at Le Thrift.  We were inspired by this gorgeous vintage Mark Shale printed skirt.  Paired with a Louis Vuitton cardi, chunky necklace, Christian Dior sunglasses, a vintage bag, and a great pair of mary-janes, this is the perfect look for fall.  A helpful styling tip: accessorize with colors picked up from your favorite printed skirt like I did with the red necklace.                                                                     - Lauren Berger

Steal My Style:

Dior Sunglasses $94.99

Louis Vuitton Cardigan $89.99

Mark Shale skirt $45.99

Neil Perreira Necklace $84.99

Sigerson Morrison Heels $42.99

Vintage Purse $32.99

The Perfect Handbag

Any fashionista could tell you that the perfect handbag is a key piece in every gal's wardrobe.  A great bag should be thought of as an investment in your style- a staple piece that will define your look for decades to come.  But what about us thriftonistas?  Most of us don't have hundreds of dollars handy to invest on amazing designer bags.  What we can do is spend a much smaller amount of our hard earned dollars on an equally amazing handbag from Le Thrift.  

Whether you are a label-lover, or a seeker of all things vintage, LeThrift.com has an amazing collection of gently used bags.  Looking for Kate Spade, Coach, or Dooney & Bourke?  Le Thrift has tons of designer treasures.  It can be our little secret that you paid a fraction of the retail price.  It's okay to spoil yourself sometimes thriftonistas, you deserve it!

-Lauren Berger

Coach $104.99

Vintage Saks Fifth Avenue $22.50

Dooney and Bourke $89.99

Botkier $189.99

Vintage Fendi $89.99

Kate Spade $64.99

Coach $28.99

Coach $78.99

A Moment In Time

Now after spending Valentine's Day with my love, I started to think about romance, the meaning of it all and what it meant to our ancestors years ago. How have times changed? How do we share romantic gestures? 

A very cute vintage Valentine's Day card from the 1930's.

As Steve and Johnnie from Life After Dark, a WGN AM radio talk show guest commented, there has been a communication breakdown with our loved ones in the past years due to technology (my boyfriend has AM radio on all the time in the house.. on a transistor radio). That over 70% of Americans text each other "I love you" rather than saying it directly to one another. This as a result has changed the effect of those three words. Do we now take it granted from our significant others? Has our idea of romanced changed? Or is it rather the way we communicate to one another is all together different?

This also translates into our culture and even the way our goods are produced these days. Larger manufacturers, cheaper materials in our housing, processed fast food and the urgency to have material goods right away. In a fast paced nation of "we want it right now and for a cheaper price," some of the romance of the way things are made has diminished.

 Vintage Bag Advertisements

A few weeks ago, a wonderful woman from Elgin, IL decided to consign some of her mother's gorgeous vintage purses from the 1920's and 30's. When I saw them, I literally fell in love. After doing a little research on each bag, it was hard to imagine these things were hand made. Each precious thread and bead so carefully crafted to create these romantic little purses. 

A purse factory in the 1930's.

I tried to even imagine an artistan in Paris or Austria sitting there day in and day out arduously giving their talents into these little treasures. Something that was expected at this time, but such a rarity in today's standards. There was some romance and mystery to this. Did this person have a special Valentine or romance waiting for them at the end of their tiresome and long day?

Did the woman who bought these purses wear them for special occasions or with her favorite date?

These thoughts made me remember that showing your love, whether it is a labor of love or the love of my life, that I should take the time to tell them that I love them to their face or dedicate more time to the things I love creating. With that said, the next time I am writing a love letter to my Valentine, hopefully he will gladly remember that moment in time.

Here are the gorgeous little treasures I am now consigning at LeThrift.com

 Vintage Micro Petit Point Purse 

Austrian, circa 1930's

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Vintage Enameled Mesh Purse  - Art Deco 

German, circa 1930's

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Vintage French Hand Beaded Handbag 

French, circa 1920's

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Vintage Whiting and Davis Gold Mesh Hand Bag

American, circa 1930's

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 What do you think? Do you adore these purses as much as I do? I would love to hear your feedback.

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WE LOVE YOU VALENTINE! SALE

Also, don't forget, we are having our "We Love You... Valentine" Sale. All items are 25% off until Friday  2/18/11. Use Promo code LTValentine in the promo discount area when checking out your order.