My love of secondhand clothing began back in high school. I worked at a resell store as a clothing buyer. I was 16 years old and it was my job to sift through bags of people’s last season’s fashions to price and sell in the store. I loved that secondhand clothing allowed everyone to recreate looks they saw in a magazine or on the runway at their own price point.
I’ve been covering the Goodwill Greater Washington pop up shops on my blog WHAT I WORE: tip to toe! for sometime now. The event feels like a personal shopping experience; some of the best pieces from the 17+ Goodwill stores throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia have been hand selected and brought to one (very fancy) location. Who wouldn’t want to shop the cream of the Goodwill crop in a fancy art gallery while hanging out with other fashionable DC peeps? And bonus…everything is still at Goodwill’s rock bottom prices! Why haven’t you RSVP’d already?
When Goodwill Greater Washington asked me to curate an in-store boutique for their annual pop-up shop I jumped at the chance. I’ve found so many great pieces at previous Goodwill pop-ups. Just last year I scored the blue silk wrap dress that I ended up wearing to my birthday dinner. I even shot a YouTube haul video of everything I purchased at the very first Goodwill pop-up I attended!
My process as a Goodwill pop-up shopper, and now as a curator, is to look for timeless silhouettes, quality fabrics and interesting prints; The size of the garment is less important, you can always have the piece tailored to fit you. Goodwill is the perfect place to find special pieces to help you stand out from the crowd and it’s a great way to ensure that you don’t walk into an event wearing the same thing as someone else.
If you’re ready to shop my boutique at the Edited Summer Trunk Show, look for the WHAT I WORE: tip to toe! tag hanging from the clothing. My rack is filled with 200 pieces that reflect my style… preppy, urban and chic. For this event, I’ve picked tons of great slacks to add to your work wardrobe. One of my “power pieces” is a strong blazer so I’ve also pulled several of those in all sizes.
I’m most excited about the dresses I found and my favorites are the vintage dresses with fun prints – you’ll find this one on my rack. I can’t wait to see you style a few of my pieces with items in your own closet. If you do shop my boutique at the Goodwill Edited Summer Trunk Show, be sure to snap a photo and use the WHAT I WORE: tip to toe! hashtag #WIWT3 so I can see!
I’ll post a preview on my social media accounts so make sure you’re following me on Instagram (@breaellis) and especially Snapchat (@breaellis). Shop the Goodwill Greater Washington Edited Summer Trunk Show on Thursday Aug 25 and Friday Aug 26 from 11am-7pm at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery at 702 8th Street, NW near the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro.
WHAT I WORE: tip to toe! is a glimpse inside the life (and closet) of Brea Ellis, a third generation native Washingtonian with a background in Communications and Retail Buying. Posts include her daily outfits, which serve to encourage women to shop their closets, rethink the way they style themselves and to live their ordinary lives in extraordinary clothing! Brea has appeared in the Style Section of both the Washington Post and New York Times. Follow along on all social media channels @breaellis and on the blog at WhatIWoreTipToToe.blogspot.com
You look ‘mar-va-lus’ in that blue silk dress! What a find!!! I LOVE vintage prints, can’t wait to stop by your boutique.
Isn’t she gorgeous?! That dress leaves me speechless.