One of the hardest things for me to find while shopping at thrift stores is by far footwear. You not only have to consider whether or not they’ll fit you, which at times is hard enough department store shopping let alone thrift shopping, but also how worn they are.
Normally, when I say my shoes are from Goodwill, people make a very specific face. Something like “omg I can’t believe you’re actually wearing shoes a stranger used to wear that’s so gross set your feet on fire and get away from me now.”
Maybe I’m just projecting, but I will say thrifted shoes get a bad rep. It is possible to find pairs that have never before been worn, or are so lightly worn any grossness can be discounted. As long as I see no footprints in the soles and no scuff marks on the outside, I usually decide they’re good to go.
My favorite pair of shoes that I’ve found are a little funky which is what initially drew me towards them. Their neutral color contrasts with their more interesting design making them both versatile and unique. Their shape initially made it difficult for me to figure out how to style them, so here are some styling options to make funkier footwear more wearable on a daily basis.
Cropped Jeans
I like to style these shoes with cropped jeans because it shows off their design while not making my legs look too short. I am always a fan of denim that shows an ankle, and these shoes are a perfect balance when I want to do so casually.
Denim Skirt
The denim skirt trend is one of my favorites, especially for the spring/summer. For when I’m looking to switch it up from flats/sandals, these shoes do the trick! I usually pair the look with a cropped sweater or tank, and it is an easy look especially when running late.
Loose Shorts
When the weather is hot and stuffy, the last thing you want on are tight clingy clothes that feel like you have no breathing room. When I want to wear more comfortable loose shorts but don’t want to look like a total bum, I pair them with these shoes and a basic top and let the footwear become the fashion statement.
Loose “Mom” Jeans
Similarly to not always wanting tight shorts, you don’t always feel like throwing on fitted jeans. For me, this is more than half of the time. In those moments, I try to find ways to balance the casual style of denim with a more stylized shoe.
Mini Dress
One of my go-to fashion choices is the mini dress. I think it is fun to show some leg, and that it is a flattering wardrobe choice, especially when paired with an over-sized cardigan and these shoes to add a more sophisticated edge.
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