Plato's Closet and an Outfit of the Day.

Hellllooooo everyone.

I'd like to spend some time talking about one of my favorite stores: Plato's Closet. It's pretty much the best, and for several reasons.

How It Works
People bring their gently used, but still relatively new clothes, shoes, purses, and accessories to a Plato's location. The employees look through the clothes and choose pieces that are still trendy and whatnot, and then they pay the previous owner for their contributions to the store. So yes, you can get cash for your old clothes there. (Just be aware, though, they can be pretty picky. They are only going to buy things, for the most part, that people are looking for based on current trends and styles). They take both male and female styles, or at least the locations I have been to do. You can also just shop there; it's basically a selective thrift store.

Why It Is Fantastic
I really enjoy Plato's because I know that I won't be going though hundreds of tops and dresses without finding plenty that I like. I think it is important to buy things that flatter me, make me feel pretty, and fit my personal style, as opposed to buying clothes and accessories only because they are trendy. At the same time, though, there are lots of trends that I want to try out and that I do like, a lot, so the fact that Plato's has already narrowed the field of the millions of things one could wear is helpful. I L.O.V.E. Goodwills and other thrift stores as well, but I usually have to devote much more time to them in order to come away with some pieces that I like. And even though you are buying clothes that aren't all that old, you still won't have to pay nearly as much for them. Tops from Express, for example, will only cost you $12 - $14 on average, while in the store they could be as much as $50 (or more).

You can get really anything you might need there, and in the stores I've visited, everything is organized by type of item, then size within that type, then color within that size. So if you need a pink short sleeve shirt in the size medium, you will have very little trouble seeing all of your options in one place. They don't carry undergarments, understandably, but you could walk out with a homecoming dress or some workout clothes, and anything in between.

Brands I Often See There
Forever21, Express, BCBGeneration, Hollister, American Eagle, Charlotte Russe, Pink by Victoria's Secret, ALDO, Lucky Brand Jeans, Northface, Columbia, and tons more.

Some Recent Finds
My friend Krista and I recently visited a Plato's. Here's what we found. I'm showing you all this simply to give you an idea of my style and what you can find there, not to brag about the new things I have. I bought all of my items with a giftcard from a wonderful woman, first of all, and bragging would just be a waste of both of our time. 

A blue longish crop top by Xhiliration.

A fuchsia top from Forever21.

This fun printed shirt dress by Bebop.

Krista picked up this button-up
top by Charlotte Russe.

And this top by Charlotte Russe has some
great lace details and an awesome open
back.

This sweater is by H & M.
And it is Krista's new favorite thing.

What I Wore Today

I think this outfit is super fun. As soon as I got this top I thought of the shoes, which are also from Plato's Closet. It was really cold outside, but I've wanted to wear this for so long, I just got over it. 

So the top, which you saw above, is from Plato's and by Xhiliration. The jeans came from a department store many many years ago; honestly I cannot remember which one. I have them rolled to my ankles because that is simply the way I like my jeans. For more details, see below :).

I wanted to show you the back of this top, since that's what makes it kinda funky. I really like zipper details. Pardon the face.

These shoes are pointy-toed flats with ankle straps. They are fantastic. The fronts are black patent pleather. These also came from Plato's on a previous trip, and are by BCBGeneration.

This necklace is from Rue 21, but I saw it at Pacsun, also. It's a lion, in case you missed it. I feel the need to tell you simply because I think it is one of the greatest things, uh, like, ever.

If you want some more information, you can go to www.platocloset.com, and hopefully there is a Plato's near you! If not, it could always be a fun roadtrip :)

Thanks for visiting. You're the bomb dot com.