Elf: Thrifty holiday fashion disaster

Have you ever bought something just because it was well-priced, only to wonder later if you were in some thrift haze when you bought it? I was at a discount shop a few weeks ago and saw this new Esprit courdoroy jumper for $4. I bagged it.

Got it home, tried it on again, and gasped. It's so short I can't even stand in it without revealing part of my bootie. So tight around the bodice I can't sit down. I remember thinking when I bought it that I could wear it as a tunic --- what?

I used to make mistakes like this all the time in my early thrifting days; now I employ an almost steely logic if I start getting a little flighty: will I wear this? With what? Does this fit into my style, my life???

Alas, I think the "new" factor clouded my judgement, momentarily.

I could wear the jumper with this green velvet scarf with black fringe, found at Goodwill for a twoonie a few weeks ago while on a desperate thrift dig. I was in a crappy mood and needed to find salvation, and we all know: when we're mad to find salvation in the thrift store, we always fail.

The scarf is only passable on its own. But with the jumper, it morphs into an outfit I will always try to think about when I'm in some store and considering buying, say, a pair of purple stretch pants. Wearing this outfit I could be a poster child for the thrift-shop-gone-bad, a crazed holiday Elf fashion disaster reminding you all what can happen when you're desperate to buy, but lacking in thrift smarts if only for the moment.

Think of my outfit if you ever waiver, thrifty pals, and I think you'll be O.K. Happy thrifting!

Tomorrow: I gave my sister a wonder thrift holiday gift last night - and she loved it! Pic and story coming!