To the uninitiated, fashion month might seem like a crazed cacophony of stomping stilettos, clinking champagne flutes, and roaring hairdryers. Well, it kind of is. In the Instagram view of Fashion Week.

As college women, most of us fall into the first category of “uninitiated” followers, scrolling through the street and runway styles of any influencer lucky enough to score an invite. Even if we were to get a golden ticket, most of us can’t drop studying or a casual thousand dollars on outfits and travel. So we’re not going to cover the fashion news you can get from hundreds of other media websites that will pretend they didn’t send dozens of begging emails just to sit in the corner of an overcrowded studio. We’re here to tell you how to secure the splendor of Fashion Week without the FOMO, the expenses, or the devils in Prada.

Let me tell you about a world where we are expected to keep up on all of the latest collections and industry developments, all while living on a college student’s budget: Thrift Stores. They’ve taught you how to rock your grandma’s coat, but their communities can also empower a similar family-like connection. The following “Notes I Found in the Thrift Store Dressing Room”  gives you the Fashion Week fluff, without the fury.

“Stop sucking in, you don’t need to be smaller”

You look fine
        
            Please don’t fear your own reflection
                         

“Not even god can help you now”

^ you are your own god

“Do not try on more than six items at once”

             ^ but you can buy as many as you want
       
No one can catch you in here
       
             

“Check your pockets”
             

^ I found a heart in the breast pocket of a wool sweater
                                                             
                        
             
   

There is a door to Narnia in isle 3

     ^ this is true, I live there

     ^ there is also one in your apartment, 
                               you just have to find it
                                                                                     
                                                                           
                           
     

I found a coat made of unicorn fur

      ^ maybe that’s where they all went
       

If it has a stain don’t buy it

         ^ this rule does not apply to people
                                
                         

You can’t fill your empty spot with new clothes

                          ^ watch me 
                                                                      
                     

Love is all you need

                            ^ this is a dirty lie
   
   

Help, I broke my heart

   ^ tie it back together with a scarf from the back row

    ^ I tried this, it works

Photography & Styling by Lauren LaPenna

Check her out.

Seriously, check her out.