THE CITIZEN INDEX

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

BELLA AT 50: be bold


THE NIFTY FIFTY: this is my first official blog post at the age of 50.
Hello world. It seemed apropo to put on this black graphic T-shirt telling me to BE BOLD. After all, I have been slinking around lately in very drab outfits as of late, with little thought to style. My 50th birthday resolution was to re-invigorate the wardrobe, and as a treat to myself, I created a brand new (to me) capsule wardrobe, culled from secondhand sources. As ever, I am shopping #SECONDHANDFIRST. That means I look first for a secondhand source to supply my needs, and I keep my eye out for sustainable and ethically produced goods. (So no thank-you to sweatshop produced goods!) Expect an upcoming post, sharing my cultivated capsule wardrobe with you in the near future.

Thrifted Tee + American Made dress + Thrifted Shoes = 100% #SECONDHANDFIRST
One of my recent purchases was a brand new pair of black perforated leather Vans, snagged from the nearby Goodwill for a whopping $20. They fit me perfectly, and I like their mix of practicality and California cool. Since the dress was one I've had for over a year, the total cost of my new "bold" outfit comes to $22. The fact that my commitment to shop #SECONDHANDFIRST for over 4 years feels priceless.

Get in the VANS: kicking it with a little California cool.
What's your favorite most recent #SECONDHANDFIRST find?

19 comments:

Unknown said...

Yeay and hurray for us girls turning 50 !
love your vans and looking for a pair my self .
xxx

diaryofapennypincher said...

You look 20 years younger! I'm 50 in 7 months and it holds no fears now. So many amazing 50 something ladies out there who rock, and you're one of them!

Unknown said...

Hey old lady! I'll be joining you when I turn 50 in October. I LOVE that t-shirt.

Gracey the Giant said...

Holy smokes, I can't believe your 50. If I look half as good at that age, I'll consider myself blessed. Love the tee and the whole look!

GRIT AND GLAMOUR said...

50 looks fiiiiiiine to me! Happy belated birthday! I think my post today will really resonate with you. It's kind of the same message, the same approach. Hope you are well! xo

Shybiker said...

Happy Birthday! You look great. And Vans are cool at any age. I'm 57 and own three pairs.

Patti said...

Love those Vans! You look gorgeous, ah to be 50 again! xox

Jazzy Jack said...

Happy Birthday! 52 over here, and although it was a gulp to achieve it, it's really just a number. Why do we count our years?
Loving the vans and the tshirt. Seconhandfirst all the way here too! Xo Jazzy Jack

Jill said...

I've been seeing some gals around here in Brooklyn wearing Vans just like yours! I love this look on you! xx

Sheila said...

You look freakin' awesome at 50, my dear! Those Vans are a score - I would buy those in a heartbeat. My best find recently? Probably my Zac Posen dress for a whopping $20. Sweet! Love to shop second-hand!

Lila said...

You are bea-u-tiful. Happy 50

J. said...

At least you've decided not to age!!! Sheesh you look great!
Happy birthday!

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated Birthday! 50 looks great on you.
My favorite recent thrift find is a brown leather Makowsky boho bag. Can't wait for fall!

Melanie said...

So happy to see you being bold at 50, Bella! You look fantastic. Great score on the Vans. My latest purchase were runners too, $20, but no match for yours. I look forward to seeing what you've included in your capsule...

Beth Waltz said...

Age is only a number, like the size tag on a second-hand dress. And we all know what THAT is worth. (The green coat on the wall behind you is verrry interesting!)

Forest City Fashionista said...

Bold and Beautiful, that describes you at 50 perfectly! The number itself sounds ominous (Half a Century!) and sometimes I find myself looking in the mirror and marvelling that I have reached, and passed, that milestone. I won't lie, there's some weird stuff that may start happening to your body that I wish there would have been some warning about, but my head and heart are in a better place than they were 20 years ago.

Good score on the Vans. I will be spending most of my future years in converse ;)

janiece said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
janiece said...

You look amazing! I'm 50 next month and i feel less freaked out about it after looking at these - we don't suddenly have to turn into 'old ladies'!

No Fear of Fashion said...

YEAH... That's my girl. Reinventing yourself but staying true to principles. I applaud vintage shopping but I stink at it myself. I don't have "the eye". Sometimes I hit the jackpot. In the meantime I singlehandedly keep the economy flowing.
Looking good Bella. Bold you always were.
Greetje