Perfectly Tied ( 1:2)

A few years ago, I must have been going through a 'Grandma' phase, as it seemed every thrift store I would walk into, I would walk back out carrying a bag containing at least 2 button-down Grandma approved shirts. They always has plenty of collar ruffles, usually long bell sleeves and were almost always sheer. I am not sure where this phase started, or when it stopped but shortly after it occurred, I looked at my closet and gasped. What had I done?

I spent much of the winter after layering, finding ways to hide most of the ruffles by tucking them under belts, and toning down the poofy sleeves with cardigans and long sleeved shirts. Eventually however, I had to admit the error of my ways and let many of the shirts make their way back to our local thrift stores. I have since coined this time in my fashion life as 'The time I donated lots of extra money to local charities', in a sort of I'll give you money for your merchandise and than give you your merchandise right back sort of way. One of these shirts was especially hideous. Most of these shirts came with a bit of charm, but this one beige shirt must have been purchased in a moment of cloudiness. I could blame hunger, or exhaustion but the truth is when I buttoned the collar all the way up to just under my chin and tied the matching neck tie tight, I must have cut off a bit of the circulation getting to my head. I'm not sure the beige wonder sat in my closet for more than a week before making it's way back to the donation pile. What did stay behind, was the neck tie that came with the shirt. In the years since, I have never found it necessary to tie this piece of fabric around my neck, instead it has a home around my waist almost weekly. I have always declared that this tie belongs to another shirt, but it's high time I come out with the truth. I paid $4 for this fabric belt.

It's the perfect tone of beige, it matches with most everything in my closet and it helps to pull together any outfit. Instead of looking back on this rough patch in my fashion life as a dark period, I can instead look back and think of it as the time I scored that amazing belt. The amazing $4 fabric belt.