Frugal Fashion - Another Reason I Wear Skirts!

I recently wrote a post about "Why I Wear Skirts."  If you haven't checked it out yet, here's a quick summary: I like them. 

But, I have a quick confession to make.  The real reason I first started wearing skirts so much?  I was broke.  Yes, I was broke, but I needed to expand my wardrobe.  Skirts were the most frugal choice!  

Whether you wear skirts out of conviction, preference or any other reason, I am sure we can all relate to the budget woes.  Here are my reasons why I think skirts are such a great budget friendly wardrobe piece, and some tips for the best places to find skirts on a dime!  (Affiliate links included) 

Versatile 

One of the main reasons skirts are a great budget stretcher, is that they are so versatile!    Skirts can be dressed up, skirts can be dressed down.  Skirts can be layered over leggings.  Skirts can be worn to work, to church, or to the campground.   Now there are some obvious limitations to this – I don’t suggest wearing a sundress on the ski slopes, nor do I think you should wear a corduroy skirt in August.  However, a simple cotton skirt can be paired with a button down shirt and cardigan for work, then mixed with a graphic tee and flip flops for casual wear.  I've never seen jeans or dress slacks pull of that versatility very well! 

Forgiving 

Another major reason skirts are more friendly on the wallet is that they are more friendly on the waistline.  It is much easier to hide a few pounds gained or lost in a skirt than in a tight fitting pair of pants.  While everyone looks for that "perfect fit," when jeans shopping, skirts don't require quite the same level of perfection.  Though I don't have children myself, I know many women wear their stretchy skirts, or high-waisted dresses well into pregnancy - try doing that in a pair of skinny jeans!

Second Hand 

This is a follow-up to the "forgiveness factor."  Since we (or at least I) are not you usually quite so focused on the "perfect fit" with skirts as we are with jeans, it means skirts are much easier to find second hands in thrift stores, on ThredUp or the like.  Since skirt wearing has generally declined in popularity, I find the skirt racks at  my local shops are usually a bit more full than the pants racks.  And, since skirts can be worn year round, they are always in stock!  

Frugal Skirt Tips

(1) Look beyond the size! At the thrift store, I try to look in my own size and the ones above and below, since brands run differently!

(2) Measurements - if you are visiting a thrift store without fitting rooms, know your measurements and bring a tape measure.  If you're not sure an item will fit, measure it. 

(3) ThredUp - One of my favorite places to buy second hand items!  A virtual thrift store with tons of variety, and search filters to make finding that special item easier!  If you're a first time ThredUp user, you can get a $10 shopping credit by using my link!

(4) Schoola - This is another online thrift store, with good variety, and which also donates money back to schools.  I haven't shopped here yet, but have heard good things!  If you're a newbie, use my link for a $20 shopping credit! 

(5) Instagram Boutiques - Lately I have been stalking the Instagram resale world!  Search hashtags such as #modestfashion #shopmycloset or #skirtsforsale.  Check out my IG Boutique - Second Hand Skirts Online - for lots of skirts for sale!  Comment #journeyliving on your favorite item, for a chance to win shop credit! 


This post is linked up at the following:
Tell It To Me Tuesday @ Foundational , The Modest Mom Blog,Titus 2 Tuesday @ Cornerstone Confessions, No Rules Weekend @ Sincerely, Paula

Why I Wear Skirts

I have recently been following along with a few modest fashion groups on Facebook.  (Modesty for the Modern Mom hosted by Caroline of the Modest Mom Blog, Modest Young Women hosted by Christina of Our Wood Home, and Modern Modesty hosted by Lauren of the blog Modern Modesty.)  I have loved seeing all of the outfits people post, and have gotten inspiration to try pattern mixing, pairing different colors, and creating outfits I might not have thought of on my own. 

Participating in these groups has also had me thinking about skirts.  I wear skirts.  I wear them a lot, enough that my grandfather once told me he "didn't recognize me," because I was wearing slacks!  Unlike many women who participate in these groups however, I do not find wearing skirts and dressing modestly mutually exclusive.   While wearing skirts is definitely a huge part of my modest wardrobe, I do not think it is necessary to wear skirts and modesty is not the primary reason I choose skirts.

So you may find yourself wondering - just why do I wear skirts so much? The short answer - I like wearing skirts.

A Few Reasons Why I Like Wearing Skirts: 

Feminine
 I like that wearing skirts makes me feel feminine.  When I am wearing a skirt I feel ladylike, and I find myself more aware of my attitude and behavior.  When I look like a lady I want to act like a lady!  It reminds me of asking my grandmother why she wore skirts so much when I was a child, she replied "I'll start wearing pants when men start wearing skirts."  I like that a skirt is distinctly "woman." 

Faith

I like that skirts make me feel connected to my faith.  In my area the majority of women who wear skirts, at least those who wear them regularly or exclusively and are seen wearing them for "normal" every day activities, are Christian.Though I do not wear skirts out of spiritual conviction, I know that wearing skirts frequently may be perceived as a statement of faith.   I know that in wearing skirts, many people will automatically view me as Christian, and I want to act accordingly!  I want to be sure I am giving Christians a good name, and to make my demeanor and attitude reflect the joy of my faith. 

Strength

I like that wearing skirts make me feel strong.  When I am wearing a skirt, I feel connected to the women of yesteryear.  The women for whom wearing skirts was an everyday norm.  I think of the strong women who helped build this country in skirts.  The women who walked the Oregon Trail to new lives.  The women who toiled alongside their husbands on the frontier.  The women who marched for Civil Rights.   When I wear a skirt, I feel like I can do anything!

This blog is linked up at some fun places around the web, including:
Modest Monday @ The Modest Mom Blog, Tell It To Me Tuesdays @ Foundational, Titus 2 Tuesday @ Cornerstone Confessions, No Rules Weekend @ Sincerely, Paula

2016 - Year of Transformation & Mercy

While I was reflecting on 2015, my #yearofgratefulness, I was also thinking and praying about an appropriate theme for 2016.  I had an idea of what I wanted to accomplish in 2016.  I knew that I wanted this to be a year of true, genuine, living.  A year where I stopped hesitating, and starting going full force toward my goals, hopes and dreams.  A year where I stopped thinking of the things I wanted "someday" and started enjoying and taking advantage of all the things that are here for me RIGHT NOW!

I had lots of ideas but no idea as to how to put them in to words, or a theme.

On Sunday morning, sitting in Mass, it somehow came to me.  Transformation.  2016 is meant to be a year of transformation.  It is the year when I will say YES to the things put before me.  When I will say NO to fear, and YES to success.   It is the year when I will say NO to the things and people that hold me back, and say YES to the hard work necessary to achieve my goals.  When I will say NO to doubt, and say YES to faith.

2016 is also the year I will say YES to Mercy.  Being a Catholic it is hard to come up with my own theme for 2016, when Pope Francis has already declared this a Jubilee Year of Mercy for the whole world.   Can anything really beat mercy?  Probably not.

And so - in 2016, I look forward to being absolutely TRANSFORMED by mercy. 

Will you join me on a #mercychallenge 

Will you accept Christ's mercy in your life? Will you extend mercy to others?Will you perform corporal and spiritual works of mercy? Will you allow your life to be transformed by mercy? 

Was 2015 a #yearofgratefulness

I started off 2015 with a New Year's Theme instead of a resolution.  For those who weren't following along back in January, my theme was gratefulness.   I decided to "invent" the hashtag #yearofgratefulness... I don't think it worked.  I suppose you have to be a major figure like Pope Francis before you can declare the year of anything and have other people listen.

I guess the real question, is did I listen?  Did I live a year of gratefulnes?

Well I think I did.

Sometimes. 

Yes.  I tried to be thankful for the small things.  For the moments with friends and families.  The leftovers they sent me home with.  Having a job, health insurance. and a roof over my head.   Being able to pay my bills.  A car, and only a small number of car problems.  A promotion at work.  Coworkers who I enjoy working with.  Chocolate.

Yes, this has been a year filled with a lot of gratitude.  It has also been a year filled with a lot of angst.  A lot of anxiety.  A lot of moments when I wished for more responsibility and opportunity, instead of being grateful for what was in front of me.  A lot of moments of insecurity and jealousy as I watched people around me celebrate engagements, births, marriages and other milestones, while I just plodded along.

There were moments when gratefulness was a lot harder than I expected.  My #yearofgratefulness reminded me to be grateful anyway.  To be grateful when its hard.  Sounds like success to me.