Melissa from The Fashion Huntress

Outfit Details

Dress - Ted Baker, thrifted
Bag - Reed for Kohl's
Tights - Hue, Nordstrom Rack
Shoes - Sam Edelman
Rings - Kate Spade (bow) and Joomi Lim (skull)

DIY Ring Storage

Make your own DIY ring storage with #DIYFashionista Melissa from The Fashion Huntress.

Check out Diy Ring Storage A La Fashion Huntress on Cut Out + Keep

How would you describe your style?

An eclectic mix of patterns and prints; occasionally I wear something more "classic" or simple, but not very often! I tend to gravitate towards whimsical prints or designs, and bright colors. I think my clothing conveys a lot of my personality, and I like that!

What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?

The items I treasure most have been gifts from friends and family. Anytime I wear an item of clothing or an accessory that was a gift, I immediately think of the person who gifted me the item. I have some treasured pieces of jewelry from friends and family that I am positive I will pass down to my kids one day; I have one ring from my great grandmother that is almost 100 years old that my mom gave to me. Items like that are priceless to me.

Who are your style icons?

I had a lot of fabulously dressed women in my life growing up- including my grandmother, mother and sister. I remember my grandmother encouraging me to embrace whatever outfit I liked and made me smile, and I think that has always stuck with me.

For celeb style icons, I adore Sarah Jessica Parker. I have a Pinterest board dedicated to her! Not only is she a fabulous dresser, but she's an amazing businesswoman. She seems very down to earth in interviews- and I think that makes her style that much more elegant. She's fabulous inside and out.

Do you have any favourite designers?

Oh my...that list is endless. I think my favorite designers are the woman of Marchesa, but I also adore Burberry, Dior, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Chloe...the list goes on!

I also really adore vintage clothing; vintage tends to be more affordable than designer labels, it's upcycling and preserving history, and tends to be unique!

Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes?

I tend to thrift more than anything; while I enjoy going into a big box retailer, the thrill of the hunt (hence the name of my blog) is a more enjoyable to me. Thrifting at local stores supports charities, communities, and provides jobs to local people, which I really value. It also saves clothes from winding up in landfills, which is a major concern in the US.

The most common feedback I hear is people feeling intimated by attempting to thrift, or noting that they just don't find great items. Patience is everything in thrifting. There are some shops I like better than others; if I go to a thrift shop 2-3 times and don't find anything, I generally move on to a new location. Once I find a few gems in one shop, it makes it to my "go to" list, and I just revisit that shop over and over.

Do you make or customise your outfits?

I sew a lot, but more on the crafting side of things, than the clothing side. I do customize my clothes through basic tailoring. I often change hems, buttons, or take something in or out.

Do you have any great tips for mixing up and personalising an outfit?

Always wear what you love; there's so much social media now that creates a lot of comparisons and judgment- at least in my opinion. Personalize an outfit by adding your favorite jewelry, a statement necklace, or an item with an unexpected color or pattern; make it your own...and own it!

Which other fashion blogs do you love to read?

There are soooooo many blogs I follow! I can't even list them all and wouldn't want to leave anyone out! There are a number of blogs that I've followed and have followed me for years; it always makes me smile to see their posts and comments- it feels like an old friend stopping by!