Secrets of a Secondhand Shopaholic

On my last post, I considered the possibility that perhaps long skirts were not acceptable to wear – which would have been devastating to me because I own 38 long skirts, and I wear them often.  But after a little research, I learned that it’s OK to wear long skirts (“confident” women wear them, the fashion expert wrote.  Confident! Woo hoo!).

I just probably need to wear them in moderation – an obviously difficult concept for a shopaholic.

Since then, I have been trying to stay away from long skirts, and reaching for the shorter ones.  Unfortunately, I realized that I really don’t have any short winter skirts in my closet.

Well, I have three.  Two of them you’ve already seen on an earlier post - remember those poses where I’m frowning??

Interesting enough, both wool-blended skirts are originally from Casual Corner (but I purchased them at a consignment shop, of course).  I wore my other short wool-blend skirt the other day:

Check out how far I’ve come with my posing and smiling!!  A little too much drama, probably.  Once again, I need to learn moderation…

Skirt:  Ann Taylor (consignment shop – $18.99)
Jacket: Not a name brand, have had it for years
Sleeveless Pink Turtleneck – once again, not a brand name, but bought it at Goodwill a couple of weeks ago for $2.89.

Which leads me, Miss 38-Long-Skirts, to realize having only three short winter skirts is a HUGE deficiency in my wardrobe!  Especially since leggings and tights are  coming back this season!

So I made out my shopping list:  eggs, milk, short winter skirts.  They don’t have to be wool – a recent trip to J. Crew alerted me to the fact that corduroy is hot this season too.

My next few posts will document my quest for these (what I found to be) illusive articles of clothing.  They were illusive for me because I started at Goodwill.  I found pretty much everything BUT short skirts (I knew that would happen, but I thought I’d give it a try anyways).  In the end, though, I have added some nice skirts to my  short skirt collection.  The recurring problem of picking up a zillion other items just because they are cheap unfortunately occurred as well.

Before I move onto my Short Skirt Journey, I do want to share with you the trouble I’m having in defining “short”.  Actually, in defining “too short”.   One outfit I wore last week is the perfect example of what I’m talking about:

I’ve had this jacket/dress ensemble for years.  I bought it at a resale store in Houston back in 2000.  The  brand is “item…”.  I Googled that brand and didn’t find anything.  I was hoping it was “Three dot” clothing, which is supposed to be an expensive, quality brand, but it wasn’t.  Just “item…”

I don’t remember exactly how much I paid, but I’m thinking it was around $50.

Anyways, it’s a two piece outfit which is absolutely adorable, but the dress is just too short for my comfort.  I must have bought it when I was feeling young and thin……

I tried it with black tights (photo on the left), but I just couldn’t do it.  So I matched it with a black pencil skirt  and a sleeveless black turtle neck (photo on the right), and that’s how I wore it last week.  I realize now that the pencil skirt is slightly too long, actually.

However, I’m glad I played it safe.

Incidentally, my boyfriend liked the photo on the left.  Surprise, surprise.

But I’m well into my 40′s, and I’m still a little hesitant about wearing something too short, especially to work.

And since I don’t ever see the hands of time going backwards to a place where I would feel comfortable wearing the short dress,  what should I do it?

And look!  I’ve learned how to use this “Poll” application, so please complete this poll: