8.25.10a
8.25.10
8.25.10c
8.25.10d
8.25.10eMy husband told me that my outfit today was “unexpected.” I whipped my pony tail around and said “What does that mean?” He then backtracked and said that if someone laid out a pair of Gap pants, or a J.Crew top and along with this shirt and asked “What would Kendi wear?” he’d never go for this shirt. All the while I thought he was judging me because I didn’t wash this shirt before I wore it. He was just talking about the aesthetics of my outfit, not the stinky factor.

OK yes, so maybe I didn’t wash this shirt before I wore it. Maybe it’s straight off of the rack…from a thrift store. But maybe the nice lady dry cleaned it before she donated it. There’s always a bright side, right? Here’s the deal — I thought that we had taken it to the dry cleaners but we hadn’t and I accidentally wore it. Does that make me a gross person? (Don’t answer that.) But you guys, it’s a vintage Oscar de la Renta top. Doesn’t that make up for the fact that I’m freaking nasty and possibly unsanitary?
I’m going to go take a shower now with my shirt on. Just in case.
{Feather Necklace courtesy of Dolly & Boy}

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57 Responses

  1. You crack me up!
    I think I have a phobia about wearing things I just bought. I never understood why people buy undies when they run out (because you ran out on a trip or maybe your washer broke) because to me they are unsanitary.
    But my husband could care less. But what he does is buy something, (instead of washing it) lets it sit in his closet until he forgets it's new, and then wears it. Isn't the whole point of buying something new to have something new to wear? He's such a boy!

  2. That's a little ewww, but maybe since it was expensive to start with it was taken really good care of? We'll just pretend other stinky thrift store shirts didn't touch it =P

    You look great, love the nude pumps!

  3. If it's an Oscar de la Renta shirt, you hope that the previous owner did dry clean it! Then again, what are they doing getting rid of an Oscar de la Renta shirt? 🙂 Great, great find!

    I love the feather necklace paired with the top – it plays off the pattern beautifully!

    Small Time Style

  4. Ok so I know I should be better at judging your tone by now… but is it really a vintage oscar? because if it is – oh my goodness WOW! I love it!

  5. Megan —

    I know I'm too sarcastic for my own good, BUT it is genuine Oscar de la Renta! Can you believe the luck? And it was $6 — a little more than I usually spend but I guess I'm a sucker for labels. 🙂

  6. Maybe the previous owner washed it before she donated it. I mean don't you wash your clothes before putting it back into your closet and then maybe end up picking through it when you feel like donating? So I say it is washed. =]

  7. I love love love the shirt. So much. Who cares if its dirty if its that beautiful. As long as there is no blood, you are golden.

    – Patricia
    fivefootsomething.blogspot.com

  8. I love your blog, and I love your style! Plus your photos are amazing. I think it's great that you admitted you didn't wash the top first. This outfit is really lovely, and I love the nude shoes!

  9. Such a great find! The Rachel Zoe episode I just watched was all about Oscar. Sometimes I wonder if those designers listen to her talk and are like, "what the heck are you saying lady??"

  10. Haha! I've never yet dared to wear a piece of clothing straight off the thrift rack (but believe me, I have wanted to on occasion). Daring girl 😀

    The shirt looks like it is made of great material!

    Bea from A plus B

  11. That shirt is awesome! I can't believe you found it at a thrift store. I always seem to strike out 🙁

    I love the way you styled it, and that necklace is gorgeous!

  12. It's great finds like yours that reminds me why I love going to thrift stores.
    I discovered your blog a few days ago and I love your style. So cute and girly. 🙂
    I also really like the 30 for 30 concept and I'm considering doing my own in the next few weeks. Just have to sort through my clothes first! 😛

  13. ha ha…thats funny cause i just had that conversation with my hubby….im always so excited to wear things ive gotten from thrift stores that i dont wanta spend the time to wash them….he finally couldnt handle the moth/smoke/stale smell anymore that he begged me to wash BEFORE i wear….ive since…happily obliged and were both happier for it!

    great top and pics!

    thesoundoflace.blogspot.com
    thesoundoflace.blogspot.com

  14. this is a great look. you are not gross, i think we have all done it. sometimes the need to wear that new item wins out over that need to wash it.

  15. well, if you think of it this way… whoever bought it in the first place, must have taken pretty good care of it since it's still in great shape and condition. and a person who takes care of their clothes, would probably be someone who takes care of themself, so… even if it were dirty, it probably beats out a dirty old navy shirt from the thrift store… lol plus, it was an accident… so who gives?

  16. Your shirt is rad!

    I found a vintage Oscar de la Renta blazer in hardly used condition at a thrift store for $6 ($12 actually but I went on 50% off day). I wish I had brought it with me to Singapore…

  17. LOL – the fact that you didn't realize that you hadn't cleaned your thrifted shirt leads me to believe that it probably wasn't too bad off. I agree – someone who owned an Oscar shirt probably had it cleaned.

    Fabulous look today!

  18. what a greatttt thrift find! :)) n i could careless about washingg new clothes and sometimes the thrift one!

    xoxo

  19. that's a beautiful top and a great thrift store find, stinky or not! i have a similar top (not patterned and NOT oscar, but otherwise a similar colour, cut and fabric) and i've always just worn it with black pants not tucked in, but you have inspired me to dig it out and try it with a skirt.

  20. NICE find, Kendi!! I feel like the fact that it's ODlR makes it perfectly acceptable to be worn immediately without cleaning. And I'm guessing that the stylish, classy lady who owned this very likely dry cleaned it before donating ; )

  21. Whaaat??! You found an Oscar top at a thrift store?!! That is awesome! Who would give that away?! I'm glad they did though~ it looks great on you!

  22. love it! i found a vintage VALENTINO at a thrift shop a couple weeks ago. it didn't fit me, but it fit my friend like a glove…a very vintage & beautiful glove! for $13!!!

    love Oscar, no matter his smell from thrift stores!

  23. This outfit is excellent on you. The best way to deal with the sleeves of that top is definitely the swingy skirt. Very 1940's referential. Also, the color of the top looks outstanding on you.

  24. Oscar de la Renta?!?!? What a fabulous find- dirty or not! Also, I have to say that I'm always preaching on my blog about finding the perfect nude shoe and you seem to have done it with these! Love them! 🙂

  25. Hi Kendi! I've been reading your blog for a few months now and you've been a style inspiration- especially your shoes! I recently bought two pairs of chunky-heeled pumps that aren't too high but don't have any platform on the front- since you so valiantly rock heels on the regular, do you have any recommendations as to shoe pads to make prancing around a bit more bearable?

    ~Alex

  26. You are TOO cute and hilarious!

    Definitely one of my favorite "new" blogs! (since i just found you)

    keep up the quirkiness! A little stink builds character, i say. 😉

  27. You really are too cute Kendi! I'm guilty of wearing thrift store unwashed cootie items myself cause I was so excited at my find so wear it with pride and spritz some extra fragrance I say! You totally scored on that top by the way and you look fab! Love the shoes as well, I copied you on your favorite Urban Decay supposed to be Red but jeepers are they Coral or Salmon colored shoes, just got them last week. Discovering all sorts of things I have with that color to wear them with! Who knew!!!!

  28. delightful blouse! i also wear thrifted items without washing them first. sometimes i just can't wait!!
    i love the nude heel with this outfit. it's a bit unexpected!

  29. Don't worry, I've often worn pieces I haven't washed yet too.

    You look especially lovely here. Your blog is increasingly becoming one of my favorite fashion reads.

  30. What a great find…I'm sure someone washed it…that's what I think when I get back from the thrift store sometimes. Especially if it's such a great piece like yours, Oscar de la Renta. Wow! =)

  31. I am so not a germaphobe or grossed out easily. I am seriously in the minority, I guess, lol! I have only bought a couple things at a thrift store, but have never washed them. They didn't smell, they looked clean, so I didn't. So you won't get judged with me! Just don't judge me either, lol! Beautiful shirt, great find!!

  32. first time on here- you are so pretty and I love ALL of your outfits (or at least the last 3 pages worth)

    following u!

  33. i've recently gotten over a lot of qualms ranging from contact with public toilet seats to wearing thrifted clothes without washing them. i would never donate something i hadn't washed, so i just assume the same for everyone else.

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