Closet Fever -- The Year of Living Thriftily

Sarah Dean's a busy lady: She runs the online vintage boutique Magnolia Vintage and the blog The Year of Living Thriftily. Check out her winning wardrobe.

Your favorite clothing items: I have a soft spot for my Betsey Johnson dresses and 2 or 3 vintage cocktail frocks that only come out once or twice a year.




Your most nostalgic item: The dresses I wore to my bridal showers. They were all picked out for the occasions and they remind me of a lovely, hopeful summer.


Sarah in wedges and a soft grey skirt.

The most expensive thing you own: My Monique Lhuillier wedding gown. I found exactly what I wanted and took it home, no questions asked. On my wedding day, I looked exactly as imagined I would when I was seven years old. All pouf and satin. It was worth every penny.




Your biggest regret purchase: Anything and everything I ever bought with the intention of "fitting into" later. I fell into that trap too many times in my life. If it doesn't look good right now, today, I don't buy it.


Your best bargain find: I have found vintage Lanvin, Dior, Ungaro, and Betsey Johnson in thrift stores. The runner up would have to be the two pairs of black ankle boots I found in Wal Mart for $20 each. I have never gotten so man compliments on shoes!!


The thing you end up wearing every day: My vintage, taupe, campus-style boots. Even I get bored looking at them. I can't help it, they have taken on the actual shape of my feet now and they are so comfortable.

A Native American-themed sweater punctuates a skirt and boots pairing.

Inside her vintage-filled closet.