You’re reading Jersey Girl Thrift’s bi-weekly newsletter. A quick and fun read, full of second-hand trends, style tips, local sales, store reviews, great reads, and a recipe or two. It’s everything you need to live a thrifty and luscious life.

Hey, wanna contribute to the JGT newsletter?

One of the best parts of starting this business has been meeting other like-minded, smart, motivated women who inspire us endlessly.

We’ve learned so much from this incredible community. So we thought, why not give you all a platform to share your wisdom?!

We’re excited to roll out our newsletter contributor series titled Secondhand Spotlight. Features will be sprinkled throughout our usual format to showcase some different voices.

This is a fun opportunity for you to share your best thrift tips, NJ musings, style experiments, local loves, or creative obsessions. Educational, funny, heartfelt, whatever feels most you.

No need to think of yourself as a “writer,” just bring your authentic voice and passion. We’ll help shape it with you!

Here are some ideas:

• 📸 Photography tips (lighting, editing, building confidence in front of the camera)

• 🧳 Smart packing guides (with mostly thrifted pieces)

• 💃 Styling ideas (revamp a basic tee five ways, scarf tricks, color play)

• 🧵 Mending & sewing tutorials (yes, you can fix that rip!)

• 🪞 Wardrobe refresh how-tos (seasonal switch-outs, getting out of a style rut)

• 🎉 Closet or home organization tips

• 🛍️ Thrift tips (where to go, what to look for, how not to get overwhelmed)

• 🌿 Local NJ gems (shops, coffee spots, trails, arts events you love)

• 💌 Personal essays or love notes about secondhand living, identity, or community

Why contribute?

• Get your voice and brand in front of a like-minded crew of thrifters + creatives

• Snag a byline + soft promo (we’ll link your IG, site, or project)

• Help us keep this community thriving between swaps!

Interested? Let’s make something beautiful together. 💘

Meet Our Secondhand Spotlight: Devon Johnson

Since we are in the ~thick~ of wedding szn right now, we thought the perfect inaugural guest on our newsletter would be Devon Johnson, wedding planner extraordinarie!

You may remember Devon from the Spring swap. She helped offload your contributions in a gorgeous, colorful dress, checked you in with a smile, and geeked out over your thrift finds.

When she’s not helping out at swaps or playing with her perfect angel Golden Doodle, Devon is a phenomenal wedding planner and day-of coordinator.

She can help you make the wedding of your dreams become a reality. (Seriously, I’ve already connected her to all the brides I know and they are GRATEFUL!).

In today’s newsletter, Devon shares her inside scoops about wedding guest trends and how to thrift them (so JGT-coded!).

Take it away, Devon!

Wedding Guest Trends and How to Thrift Them

Hi Friends! Devon here.

So, your bestie just got engaged, and you find out she’s not having a traditional bridal party. (YOU’RE OFF THE HOOK!)

No bridesmaid dress in that annoying shade of soft girl pink or limoncello rebranded as butter. You can finally wear what you want and party comfortably into the evening with your bestie and her partner.

And then… the invite comes with a Pinterest board attached…

The invite reads: “We cordially invite everyone to dress BOLD & BRIGHT (no patterns) for our upcoming wedding. Please see the link for a dress code!”

And you’re like, wait what?

Have you come across this? This theme is happening more and more: whole-guestlist wedding trends. It’s out with asking your bridal party to dress in a particular dress code, and in with getting your whole wedding guest list to dress to a theme.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a theme. ADORE it, actually. You’re talking to the girl who threw herself a Barbie-themed birthday party 3 years ago and asked everyone to come as a different Barbie. And let me say, EVERYONE delivered.

However, I do think that asking everyone to dress to a theme for a wedding can sometimes add undue burden to guests. Showing up to a wedding can cost a lot of time, money, and travel stress. So here are some ways you can still show up for your bestie looking and feeling like you’re ready to party.

1. Thrift Early

The number one rule with wedding and thrifting is don’t wait till the last second to find a dress or outfit. This is something I’ve unfortunately had happen to me. I waited too long to search the racks at my favorite thrift spots and then had to make a quick non-thrifted purchase because I couldn’t find anything.

My advice? Go shopping early. Even if you find a couple of options, it will still be cheaper than a new gown, AND you’ll have options for the next event.

2. Text Your Girls

Everyone has a few dresses hanging in the back of their closet that they wore once, took all the photos, but can’t find a reason to wear again. So, ask your besties what’s hanging in her closet.

Share the dress code and pin board with them and ask them to send you photos so you know whose closet you might want to shop in. I’m a huge fan of helping a sister out and giving that dress a night out on the town.

3. Rent It

If all else fails, I HIGHLY recommend checking out some clothing rental options. I have used NUULY on and off for years now to dress for weddings, vacations, and the winter months when I’m bored with my same winter coat. These companies usually have great wedding guest options that can also help you refresh a seasonal wardrobe.

4. Lean in

My biggest wedding guest attire tip? Lean In. The last thing you want as a wedding guest is to be the odd person out (besides that one uncle that will always wear his Hawaiian shirt) because it will make you uncomfortable or communicate to the newlyweds that you didn’t properly plan ahead.

Yes, it’s over-the-top. Yes, it’s a bit extra. Yes, it’s not your style, and you may not wear the dress again (bring it to a swap!). But I promise if you lean in, plan ahead, and focus on your friends getting married, the wedding will be a blast!

As a wedding planner, I see so many creative wedding themes these days, and it truly looks amazing when everyone attending the wedding gets into the dress code.

Your Wedding Bestie,

Devon

Get in touch with Devon

If you’d like to see all the fun weddings I help bring to life, follow me on Instagram. And if you have a bestie getting married that needs some help, send them my way! You’ll get a little referral treat because I love making new friends. :)

Instagram: @devonjohnsonweddings

Website: www.devonjohnsonweddings.com 

Email: [email protected]

Want to share your wisdom with the JGT community too?