Five

Five Days After a Crash, Lindsey Vonn Wins Bronze Medal in Final Race of Her Career

(ARE, Sweden) — Lindsey Vonn walked off with her career haul of medals in her right hand, the gold, silver and bronze clinking together almost weighing her down.

Or was it the bulging knee braces and metal support rods inside her vast array of broken bones?

Whatever it was, the sound was a reminder of what Vonn has come to symbolize — an athlete who battled back from one major injury after another throughout her career to win more ski races than any other woman.

Add one more — final — comeback to the list.

Five days after crashing in super-G — a fall that knocked the wind out of her and left her with a black eye and a bruised rib — and three months after tearing a ligament in her left knee, Vonn won the bronze medal in the world championship downhill Sunday in the final race of her career.

She’s shed so many tears that there are none left — just like she no longer has any cartilage in her knees.

“I’m literally tapped out, I can’t cry anymore,” Vonn said. “I want to cry but it’s dry. … It’s not an easy thing to feel your bones hitting together and continue to push through it.

“Of course I’m sore. Even before the crash I was sore. So I’m just sore on top of sore. My neck is killing me,” Vonn said. “But at the end of the day no one cares if my neck hurts; they only care if I win. … I knew that I was capable of pushing through the pain one last time and I did that. … Every athlete has their own obstacles and I faced mine head on today and I conquered them.”

Vonn had been planning on retiring in December but she recently moved up her plans due to persistent pain in both of her surgically repaired knees. Then came the super-G crash, when she straddled a gate in midair, flew face first down the mountain and slammed into the safety nets.

“She has been business as usual this whole week, saying I’m racing to win,” said Karin Kildow, Vonn’s sister. “I was like, ‘Just maybe make it down and maybe stand up.’ But she was like, ‘No, I’m going full out’. She was definitely in the mindset to push it and she really did.”

It’s a medal that brings Vonn full circle: the American’s two silvers at the 2007 worlds on the same course in Are were the first two major championship medals of her career.

“I was weighing in my mind the risk of putting it all out there, crashing and getting injured again, as opposed to finishing where I wanted to,” Vonn said. “It was an internal battle.”

As soon as she exited the finish area, Vonn embraced Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark, the only skier to win more World Cup races than she did — 86 to 82.

“I basically begged him to come here via text, in all caps, many exclamation points,” Vonn said. “He’s an icon and a legend in our sport and he doesn’t really like the spotlight but he deserves to have it. I was just so grateful that he was there. Honestly, it’s a perfect ending to my career.”

The third skier on the course, Vonn had a big smile on her face when she came down with the fastest run to that point. She waved and bowed to the crowd.

Eventually, Ilka Stuhec of Slovenia beat Vonn and took gold, defending her title from the 2017 worlds. Stuhec finished 0.23 seconds ahead of silver medalist Corinne Suter of Switzerland and 0.49 ahead of Vonn.

“Not many were counting on (Vonn) to get the medal in her last race, which makes it even more special,” Stuhec said. “She has won everything.”

Vonn became the first female skier to win medals at six different world championships. It’s also her fifth downhill medal at a worlds, matching the record established by Annemarie Moser-Proell and Christel Cranz.

“Thank You Lindsey: Forever A Star,” read one sign positioned by the side of the course.

Four U.S. flags were in the grandstand when Vonn came down and there were quite a few cheers when she started her run wearing a suit with blue-and-yellow trim — Sweden’s colors — to honor Stenmark.

“She really deserves this sendoff from her great career,” said Eleanor Bodin, a 21-year-old fan from Sweden who was holding up a sign saying “Thank You Lindsey.”

“She has been my favorite skier since 2008 when I saw her winning on television,” Bodin said. “I was a little girl sitting on the sofa. I just thought what a great skier and inspiration.”

At 34, Vonn eclipsed her own record from two years ago for oldest woman to win a medal at a worlds.

Fog and wind forced organizers to shorten the course to the second reserve start, which favored Vonn because it reduced the strain on her knees.

Now she can finally let her body heel and move onto the next phase of her life — possibly acting, having children, starting a business .

“I’m looking forward to just chilling out a bit and recovering everything, including my mind,” Vonn said. “It’s been a lot to process.

“The nice thing is that, in the real world I’m actually pretty young. I have felt really old for a long time, because I’m racing with girls that are like 15 years younger than me. So now, in the real world, I’m normal. Thirty is the new 20 so I’m super young. I’ve got a lot to look forward to.”

Sports – TIME

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Six strings and no five hole: How music helps Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby

“It takes your mind off things,” Holtby said. “That’s kind of why I feel it helps me on game days. To play a little bit, you kind of forget about all that. Whether you’re in a good or bad mood, it doesn’t matter; you kind of come back to square one.”
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December pending home sales drop to lowest point in five years, despite much lower interest rates

House hunters signed 2.2 percent fewer contracts to buy existing homes in December, according to the National Association of Realtors. These so-called pending sales are a future indicator of closings in one to two months.
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Five myths about flight attendants

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If you’ve been on Instagram recently, you’ll know that this social media platform is full of flight attendants who are quite literally living their best lives. Sure, they have to work unsociable and odd hours for their job, but they also get to travel the world, meet new people, see new places and spend their days off drinking cocktails on the beach. It seems as though they have it made. However, it seems as though we often have a few misconceptions about flight attendants. These myths now need to be dispelled.

They only work for the free travel

It’s no secret that flight attendants often fly for free when there are seats available, but this is becoming less and less common. Because billions of people use airlines every year, finding a spare seat on fully-packed or often overbooked flights is almost impossible. Like other customers, they normally have to book their own flights and pay for them on their own.

They have to help you with your bags

With new rules and regulations in terms of hold luggage, more and more people are filling up their carry-on cases. This means more and more people are struggling to stow them in the overhead compartments. Because of this, many people look to flight attendants to help them out. However, these men and women aren’t’ technically allowed to help you with your bags, because their insurance with the airline does not cover them. If they do help you, it’s out of the kindness of their hearts.

They are just waiting staff in the sky

Flight attendants just hand out drinks and snacks, right? Wrong! While they do bestow food and drink to their flying passengers, these flight attendants are also there to ensure the flight runs as smoothly and safely as possible. They are in charge of countless lives onboard the aircraft, and that’s something that requires a huge amount of training.

You should always tip a flight attendant

Although we live in a world of tip-culture, flight attendants aren’t actually allowed to accept tips from customers. While most men and woman will appreciate the offer, many of them will have to respectfully decline because of airline policy. So, just keep your money in your wallet and offer them a smile and “thank you” instead!

Layovers are a whole load of fun

When people think of flight attendants, they often think of layovers. This is where the flight attendants have to stay in a different country for a night, a few days, or even a few weeks before grabbing their connecting flight. The common misconception is that flight attendants party the night away and live the high life in these fancy hotels. In reality, they mostly catch up on sleep and recuperate from the long flight.

We have flight attendants to thank for many things in our lives, but it’s about time we stopped believing these myths about them. Perhaps that Instagrammer flight attendant isn’t telling you the whole story after all…

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Five Saudi Students Accused of Rape, Murder, Hit and Runs, Have Fled Oregon Before Trial

Multnomah County Sheriff’s Department

New legislation introduced by Oregon senators aims to punish Saudi Arabia following shocking allegations that the kingdom has whisked as many as five young men facing criminal charges ranging from rape to murder out of the country from that state alone.

Speaking publicly for the first time on Thursday, the parents of Fallon Smart, a 15-year-old victim of a hit and run by Saudi student Abdulrahman Sameer Noorah in 2016, said they were horrified to learn their daughter’s alleged assailant had disappeared two weeks before his trial with the help of the Saudi government. Noorah was charged with manslaughter, felony hit-and-run, and reckless driving in the teen’s death. He faced a minimum prison sentence of ten years.

Federal investigators confirmed to the Oregonian/Oregon Live that a private lawyer hired by the Saudi consulate posted $ 100,000 of a $ 1 million bail for the 21-year-old and apparently arranged for a dark SUV to pick him up shortly after he left jail. His severed electronic bracelet was found at a nearby gravel yard. Authorities believe he was given a forged passport, since his was sequestered by Oregon authorities, and flown back to Saudi Arabia on a private jet. He was seen back in his home country a week after he disappeared.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Healthy holidays and a sunscreen rethink: top five travel trends for 2019

Rising eco-awareness, wellness breaks and a farewell to passports … we look at changes in the world of travel for the year ahead

Last October, Club 18-30 holidays staggered off into the sunset, aged 50. To the relief of Mediterranean resorts that had spent decades dealing with the carnage caused by epic drinking challenges, it appears that buckets of warm sangria – or worse – have lost their appeal. We have entered the era of the healthy holiday, driven by young people who want to be sober enough to take a flattering selfie. The rise of ‘ego travel’ was cited by Thomas Cook when it retired the Club 18-30 brand, turning its focus on its Casa Cook and Cook’s Club brands, design-conscious hotels with gyms, tasting menus, upmarket cocktails and yoga.

Continue reading…
Travel | The Guardian

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The five places you have to see before you get old

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People fear growing up because old age prevents them from doing the things they enjoy. Even the most sprightly senior citizen has some difficulty getting from A to B, meaning traveling long distances is often out of the question. If you’re afraid getting old will stop you from seeing the world, these are the places you need to check out while you still can.

The Great Barrier Reef (Australia)

One reason you need to see the Great Barrier Reef before you get old is that it might not be around in a few decades. Poor treatment of the environment has put the reef in danger, leading part of the ecosystem to suffer irreversible damage. It’s a shame considering the area is home to some of the most beautiful sights in the world, from exotic fish to colorful coral. Be sure to check this out while you still can.

Darvaza gas crater (Turkmenistan)

A place that’s commonly known as the “Door to Hell” has to be worth a visit, right? Located in Turkmenistan, this blazing pit of fire has been around since 1971. The vast deposits of methane gas here concerned geologists so they set it ablaze, not expecting that the flames would still be going almost 50 years later. This brilliant burning pit is quite a sight to see, but don’t stand too close to the edge. You don’t want to get burned.

The Great Wall of China (China)

Considering the Great Wall of China stands at 13,000 miles, you’ll want to visit it sooner rather than later. Though you’ll probably never be able to walk the whole thing, you’ll have a better chance of traversing it while you’re still young and fit. It’s definitely a trip worth making while you still can, especially considering all there is to see from the wall. Plus, it will give you the chance to marvel at a creation that was made by hand alone.

Machu Picchu (Peru)

Speaking of walking, you’ll need to do plenty of that if you want to see Machu Picchu with your own eyes. The Incan citadel is quite a way from civilization, but all that hiking is worth the effort. Surrounded by mountains and located in the middle of nowhere, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time here. A trip to Machu Picchu is a history lesson in itself and recommended for anyone looking to see every corner of the world before they grow old.

Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park (China)

One glance at this place might give you the feeling you’ve fallen into a painting. However, everything about the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park is completely real. The erosion of the precipitous rocks has exposed different layers of mineral deposits, leading to the colorful masterpiece that greets you here in China. If you need proof that the world can still be surprising, this is probably it.

The world has so much to offer, and you probably won’t get to see it all before you grow old. However, at least now you know the places to put at the top of your bucket list.

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Five Revelations From ‘Octomom’ Nadya Suleman’s New York Times Interview

Almost 10 years after she made headlines for giving birth to octuplets, Nadya Suleman is speaking out about her life today and the mistakes she made in her past.

The woman known as Octomom, 43, spoke to The New York Times on Saturday, December 15, a few weeks before the six boys and two girls, conceived via in vitro fertilization, turn 10 in January. “They’re the only surviving eight octuplets in the history of mankind,” she said proudly.

Suleman, who has six other children, also through IVF, told the newspaper that she is writing a book that she has been working on for 13 years. “That’s why I want to do this interview,” she explained. “I’ve been writing this manuscript since graduate school.”

Read on for five revelations from her interview.

She and her 14 kids live in a three-bedroom townhouse in California.

The Times reports that the octuplets, who are small for their age, are polite, and like their mom are vegan. Like their siblings, they help out with the cooking and because there are so many in the household, they eat in shifts, while some sleep on the couch.

She has been left with painful injuries from the pregnancy.

“I was misled by my doctor,” she told the paper of being implanted with so many embryos by Dr. Kamrava, who has since lost his medical license in the U.S. and left the country. Suleman, who stated that she turned to IVF because she couldn’t conceive naturally, said she didn’t know she was carrying so many babies and had only wanted twins. The pregnancy took a heavy toll on her body, stretching her belly out so much that it broke her ribs. “My back is broken because of the last pregnancy,” she said, admitting that the injury was made worse by years of running half-marathons. “I have irreparable sacral damage. And I have peripheral neuropathy. I haven’t felt my toes on my foot on the right side for many years, and my fingers are numb all the time every day. The pregnancy caused it.”

She is honest with her kids about her past, which includes drug abuse and a sex tape.

Suleman, who battled an addiction to alcohol and Xanax for two years, spent time in rehab in 2012. “When you’re pretending to be something you’re not, at least for me, you end up falling on your face,” she said of her sudden fame, which saw her appear in a 2012 sex tape, Octomom Home Alone. She claimed to The Times that her manager forced her to do the video by threatening to report her to welfare for fraud. “We talk about everything,” she said of discussing her past with her brood. “They know, they went through it with me. It’s a huge weight lifted off of all of them when I went back to who I was. We were struggling financially, but it was such a blessing to be able to be free from that. Those were chains.”

She doesn’t date.

The full-time counselor, who told the newspaper that she relies on government assistance and “international photo shoots,” insisted that she “never wanted the attention” that came with her record-breaking pregnancy. She revealed that she isn’t seeing anyone and doesn’t have contact with the men who fathered her children. One man was the sperm donor for the octuplets and she said that “maybe the kids will meet him at 18.”

She doesn’t often go out with all 14 kids.

The family’s day begins at 6:20 a.m. with her driving the kids to school in a Ford E-350 Super Duty van. After school there’s cleaning and chores, with the kids helping out with cooking, and then the clan is in bed by 8:30 p.m. On Saturdays they have family fun nights with vegan junk food in front of the TV. Her eldest daughter, Amerah, 16, told The Times that the 15 of them seldom step out together. “She’ll get anxiety, everyone staring, so she’ll take whoever’s behaving the best. There’s ups and downs.”

Us Weekly

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The Ms. Pink Friday Gift Guide: Five Feminist Gifts on Sale NOW in the Feminist Store!

It’s Pink Friday in the Feminist Store! (It’s like Black Friday, only you don’t have to leave your house, wait in line or support a massive corporation in order to finish all of your shopping.)

Click here to shop the Feminist Store NOW and save on revolutionary gifts for your fellow feminists. You can shop an extensive supply of feminist tees, tanks and totes—and save big on any Ms. memberships—all weekend long!

Not sure where to start? Here are five great buys for everyone on your list this season.

#1: Ms. Memberships

Ms. memberships are a total two-for-one: Your friend gets a feminist gift that never stops giving, and Ms. is all the stronger for it because of your support. Keep us reporting, rebelling and truth-telling—and keep your fellow activists informed, empowered and mobilized—with print, digital or combination Ms. memberships. Through the holiday season, gift memberships will even come with a FREE downloadable and custom-designed greeting card!

Get a year of Ms. for as little as $ 7.50 this weekend in the Feminist Store. If you already get the magazine, add a year to your cart as a gift to yourself, too—you’ll extend your membership for half of the standard rate!

#2: Feminist Holiday Cards

Send the spirit of resistance this season with our feminist greeting cards, featuring an iconic (and non-denominational) cover image from Ms. These will stand out on any mantle—and spark some good feminist conversation while the family is roasting chestnuts over an open fire. Wonder Woman stamps, unfortunately, are not included.

Get a pack of 10 feminist greeting cards for only $ 12.75 this weekend in the Feminist Store. 

#3: Feminist Tees, Tanks and Onesies

The next Women’s March is right around the corner—and our radical raspberry gear will help you stand out in the crowd. (And find your friends in it, too!) With dozens of styles and statements to choose from, you’re bound to find the perfect fit—and all merch is union-made in the USA.

Get feminist tees, tanks and even children’s wear for as little as $ 16 this weekend in the Feminist Store. 

#4: Feminist Finger Puppets

Whether the young feminists in your life are budding revolutionaries or baby poets, they’ll love getting to know the women who paved their way toward their dreams. Hand off the stories of their feminist foremothers this holiday season with a feminist finger puppet of Frida Kahlo, Zora Neale Hurston, Jane Austen, Harriet Tubman, Joan of Arc, Eleanor Roosevelt or other revolutionaries and boundary-breakers.

Get a feminist finger puppet for only $ 5.60 this weekend in the Feminist Store.

#5: The TIWAFLL Tote

This tote speaks for itself—and it’s big and durable enough to carry your favorite feminist books, the latest issue of Ms., and the last shards of that glass ceiling.

Get a This is What a Feminist Looks Like tote bag for only $ 12 this weekend in the Feminist Store.

Still looking for more? Shop the Feminist Store during the Pink Friday sale this weekend and save on jewelry, enamel pins and buttons, books and music and more! There’s never been a better time to give an empowering gift—and everything in the store is 20 percent off through Monday. (Ahem: Except Ms. memberships, which are half-off all weekend!)

Carmen Rios is the Digital Editor at Ms., co-host of TRIGGER HAPPY on Binge Networks and co-founder of Argot Magazine; her work has also been published by outlets like BuzzFeed, Bitch, Mic, MEL, Everyday Feminism and Autostraddle. Like everyone else in LA, Carmen once had a podcast; unlike everyone else, she stays pretty zen in traffic. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.

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Five days of fury: Inside Trump’s Paris temper, election woes and staff upheaval

The president’s post-election outbursts during his Paris trip include a testy call with the British prime minister and threats to fire aides.
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The top five documentaries about traveling

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Every holiday season, you may find yourself wondering where to take a vacation, waffling between one location and another. You may be trying to look for some incredible tips or inspiration on where to go for your escape. But did you know you can push your wanderlust aside right from the comfort of your own couch? You can do this by watching these incredible documentaries about traveling that can transport you to foreign landscapes, epic views, and far off places while still providing some light hearted comedy. Here are the most incredible travel documentaries to inspire your traveling.

#5: Frozen Planet

If you are dreaming of going to colder climates to experience snowy weather, then this is an excellent documentary to watch. The beauty of this film is that you get to experience the dramatic, magical, and mysterious landscapes of the Arctic and Antarctic, which you may never see in real life. In addition to enjoying the soothing voice of the narrator, Sir David Attenborough, you will learn how you can survive in the polar regions of the planet and how snowflakes form.

#4: Human Planet

You can experience some of humankind’s most interesting survival techniques by watching this incredible documentary. In Human Planet, John Hurt shows how people make their homes in some of the most extreme environments such as the snowy Arctic and deep inside dense rainforests. There are a number of amazing survival tips in this breathtaking documentary, and we learn how people have even constructed houses on top of trees in some tropical rainforests.

#3: Further

This documentary, starring Jeremy Jones and his team, is one of the greatest inspirations for mountain climbers and hikers. These guys explore and snowboard down what many call the wildest mountains and forests on our planet. Their aim is to enjoy the ride down the mountain on their snowboards. This adventure either leaves you happy that you are just watching or gives you the confidence to leave your couch and head to the mountain to experience the adrenaline rush for yourself.

#2: Baraka

This incredible documentary involves an adventure in 25 countries on six continents. Right from the beginning, in which you almost feel like you are touching the matted fur of snow monkeys through the screen, you experience the diverse happenings on this planet, which many don’t know about. Since there is no narrative, you’re left wondering, “Why haven’t I gone to such places?”

#1: Around the World in 80 Days

Featuring 17 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America, this travel documentary is written and presented by Michael Palin as part of the BBC travel series. Palin draws the story from the popular adventure novel by Jules Verne, which bears the same name. The film, which is broadcast in seven episodes, features some refreshing lands and locations where the stars travel using all means of transport except for air travel. That is what makes the documentary so incredible.

You don’t have to keep going to the same travel destination every summer or holiday; explore your options a little by watching the above documentaries. You just need to open your eyes wide and behold the chronicles of travelers; both their perilous challenges and their euphoric victories, in order to get inspired to try something new.

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Five out of five? Study reveals psychological influences in online reviews

A new study reveals how psychological factors affect the ratings people provide and how they describe their experiences when posting online reviews. Researchers found the length of time between product or service consumption and posting affects the review given.
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Five high-ranking Saudi officials were dismissed and 18 other Saudis have been detained

Saudi Arabia has confirmed the death of missing Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in an announcement on Saudi state TV.


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The five most important numbers from today’s jobs report

These are the five most important numbers from the September nonfarm payrolls report released Friday.
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Thrifting 101: Five Quick Rules + What to Look For

About the Author: Oral Blankson is an early 30-something whose hobbies include menswear, restaurant critique, public speaking, making new friends, and striving to be a better, more intentional man.

Thrifting as defined by Urban Dictionary: “When one visits several different thrift shops, second-hand shops, and vintage clothing stores in the hopes of buying several items of cheap and unusual clothing and other items.”

80% of my wardrobe is thrifted. Suits. Dress shirts. Ties. Slacks. Shoes. You name it – I’ve thrifted. Thrifting is great way to build or supplement any wardrobe with good clothing for cheap. Below, some hard & fast thrifting rules, and items which are usually a hit.

Rules:

  1. Check stores often, as donations are made daily. Hop on the interwebs and find local thrift stores. Goodwill, Salvation Army, or mom-and-pop stores. Be diligent, persistent, patient, and prepared to dig for gold!
  2. Check garments thoroughly. Sometimes holes, stains, or damages are beyond repair. Thrifting only works when a garment requires little-to-no work after purchase.
  3. The dressing room is your friend. I’ve lost money by not trying something on, later realizing it doesn’t fit. ALL SALES FINAL.
  4. Thrift in affluent areas. Better area = better selection. I’ve even found clothes donated from local cleaners, or brand new donations from Target.
  5. Shop sales. Thrift stores will run “50% off Tuesdays” or senior citizen discounts. I wasn’t afraid to have my parents buy clothes for me – like the 20 cent slacks below!

Stick to those five rules and you should become a seasoned, successful thrifter. But some categories of clothes can be mined more than others. Here are what I consider to be the safer/more successful bets when it comes to the racks at thrift shops, with examples of my own personal finds:

 

SLACKS: Producer Pant by Express – $ .20 ($ 69.90 – $ 98)

Producer Pant by Express | Dappered.com

Average Cost: $ 4.99

Slacks are my #1 draft pick. There’s usually a pair of grey, brown, navy, or tan slacks to be found. Get the correct waist size – sometimes taking in the waist/seat compromises overall fit. Leg width and hem are easily altered (you might find some 70’s bell bottoms!).

These pants were purchased within a 5/$ 1.00 deal, so these were actually 20 cents!

 

SHIRTS: Polo by Ralph Lauren French Cuff Dress Shirt – $ 4.99 ($ 145)

Polo by Ralph Lauren French Cuff Dress Shirt

Average Cost: $ 4.99-$ 6.99

You’ll usually find a white/pale blue dress shirt, or causal button-downs in stripes, ginghams, etc. Make sure neck size and sleeve length fit. You’ll find slim fits, but a tailor can reduce side billow inexpensively.

 

SHOES: Alden Loafers – $ 14.99 ($ 543)

Thrifted Alden Loafers

Average Cost: $ 4.99-$ 19.99

If your thrifted shoes look like they’ve seen better days, all you need is some elbow grease. Take a Sunday afternoon, play your favorite record, crack a beer, and follow these steps to restoring the look of your shoes. Soles need restoration? A cobbler can help. Thrifted shoes, including repairs, are still cheaper than buying new. The loafers above were never polished, showcasing excellent purchase condition. Sometimes I’ve even found brand new shoes.

 

TIES: Various ties for $ 18 ($ 500ish)

Thrift store ties

Average Cost: $ 2.00-$ 6.00

I exclusively thrift ties. Most expensive? $ 6.00. Cheapest? 29 cents! The usual suspects: Stripes, repeating/neat patterns, and old school 80’s patterns (i.e. The Wolf of Wall Street). Great way to create or augment a tie collection, and you don’t need as many ties as you think.

Ties from Left to Right: Robert Talbott, Brooks Brothers, Paul Fredrick, Jos. A. Bank., Lauren by Ralph Lauren.


Dappered Style Mail

FASHION DEAL UPDATE: