Pocketful of Joules

I’ve always loved the saying “March weather comes in like a lion and out like a lamb” because it gives me some hope for some sunny, spring-like days in the dead of the gray cold winter. Sure enough, the month started with tights and boots and ended with bare legs and sandals.

Let’s take a look back at March:

Here are two very similar work looks using the same formula — dress + belt + topper + boots. The dress to the left was a consignment shop score with a scandalous deep v neckline, so I’ve enjoyed styling it as a pinafore over a top for more versatility. For a work event, I topped it with a blazer and wore tights and booties below.

The wrap dress on the right was also styled with a belt, even though I could have just used the wrap belt. For that look, I topped it with a navy cardigan and green suede booties to play off the green in the dress pattern.

This dress is one of the easiest in my closet to throw on with basically any cardigan and pair of shoes. So on a busy day, this look took no thought at all and still look professional enough for a half-day meeting.

Here are another two similar looks, this time with — top + cardigan + skirt + tulle. For the outfit on the left, I added my own tulle surprise by way of a neon pink skirt worn as a slip that peeks out of the bottom. For the outfit on the right, the skirt came with it’s own tulle fun! Both these looks were easy to throw on for work, while still giving a little extra bit of personality and pep to my step.

New vs Secondhand Tally

This month, I count 14 thrifted items and 5 that I purchased retail!

I know what some of you are thinking… secondhand shoes? Ew, no thanks. But hear me out. There are SO MANY amazing shoes out there that have barely been worn, just sitting around waiting for a second chance. Think about it, how many times have you bought a pair of shoes that you thought you were going to wear all the time, only for them to sit in the back of your closet gathering dust?

So, why not scoop up a barely-worn pair of shoes for a fraction of the price and give them a new life?

Here are my easy-peasy tips for cleaning up your secondhand shoes. Of course, you can also do this to the shoes already living in your closet to help keep them looking new for years to come!

Disinfect the Inside

Grab yourself a handy dandy bleach wipe and wipe out the inside of the shoe. Get all up in there and give it a good cleaning with the bleach. Even better if it’s a lemon scented bleach wipe!

If the insoles are removable, just throw them out and replace them with a new pair.

Tackle the Outside

I typically wipe down the outside with a damp rag. However, for fabric shoes you can also use a damp Mr Clean Magic Eraser.

For shoes that have exterior details that look a little dusty, I grab a soft bristled toothbrush from the stash the dentist gives us for free.

I just wet it and give the edges a little brush, paying special attention to the areas where the sole meets the upper part of the shoe.

Buying secondhand shoes is a fun way to save money, find unique styles, and do your part to keep good footwear out of landfills. So next time you’re scrolling through Poshmark, browsing your local thrift store, or hitting up a consignment shop, don’t be afraid to give those pre-loved shoes a second chance. A little TLC is all they need to be as good as new!