Google says silk scarves as tops and DIY alterations are trending in fashion capitals — which of these actually works on a thrift budget?
The new Google fashion capitals report (out today) says searchers in New York and Sao Paulo are wearing silk scarves as tops, empire waist dresses are peaking in London and Milan, and DIY alterations and seamstress repairs are rising in Milan and Sao Paulo. I love a trend I can thrift. Which of these is actually wearable in real life and not just a runway moment? Scarves as tops sounds cute but how do you keep them up, and is it worth altering a $6 thrift dress versus just buying something that fits?
1 answer
- Thrift the scarves, skip the empire waist, learn one alteration
Scarves are the only one that pencils out: thrift stores charge $2-4 for silk scarves and you need zero alterations, just a tube top or bandeau underneath for security. Empire waist dresses at thrift stores exist but the cut looks dated unless the fabric is excellent. And one alteration is worth learning: taking in a waistband. A $6 dress plus 20 minutes with a sewing machine beats a $60 dress. Do not pay a seamstress $40 to alter a $6 dress — that defeats the whole purpose.