Each year there is a monumental struggle between wardrobe and wallet. It's like the clash of the Titans. And for some reason Sisters-mine and I all step forward to participate in this struggle at the same time. Not having much of our own moolah means that Mama and Dad's wallet takes a hit that it doesn't like the flavor of. You know the old tale--every family does, unless you happen to make a 3-digit thousands income. ;)
Yesterday, however, I took my last fifty dollars from the money I made this summer and thought I'd help out--I needed the clothes and the family couldn't foot the complete bill so soon after Sisters-mine drained the coffers last week for their autumnal shopping. This was going to be a fun challenge for me, and already I had an idea that I'd make it into a cool practice-what-you-preach blog post.
You remember I lectured you on wise spending a couple weeks ago? Yeah? Well this week it was my turn to try out my own methods. Just how much can a girl get for fifty bucks? Let's see...
I started by using my own Rule Number One: getting rid of anything you don't wear now. That was easy enough--after a year you kinda get a feel for what you wore and what you didn't the year before.
Then it was time for Rule Number Two: buy at thrift-stores!
I moved on to the rest of my rules to see if the system actually worked. First stop? Salvation Army! There are two in a town nearish us, so we went to both of them. Salvation Armies are amazing because on Wednesdays, all clothing and apparel is 50% off! YES! And I apologize in advance for the low photo-quality...Sarah had done something genius and photographically correct with her settings which was too advanced for my point-and-shoot self, and the shutter took *forever* to snap so I couldn't get any cool shots of the belt or the vest like I wanted....
Sage green ruffle-button top and cozy grey sweater: $1.50 and $2.00
Total: $3.50
This looks so much cooler in person. It's what I've affectionately termed my "Amelia Earhart" outfit.
Genuine Leather Vest: $5.00 (I splurged)
Short-sleeve Sweater: $1.50
Really good-quality brown skirt: $2.50
Total: $9.00
I'm planning on wearing this with my vintage alligator-skin Oxfords! :D
Rose-bud silk/satin blouse: $1.50
Lavender ruffle-top: $1.50
Dip-dyed sweater: $2.00
Total: $5.00
I walked past this blouse in the store and thought, "Aw, that's kinda cute. But it's probably for grandmothers." Then I saw the smocked elastic at the bottom and knew it was a vintage-inspired item for "Today" that I wanted to own. :) I mean, come on. Who doesn't like a fluffy blouse with blue polka-dots?
Vintage-inspired blouse: $1.50
Total: $1.50
Forest blouse with side-tie sash: $1.50
Total: $1.50
Mulberry Sweater-duo: $2.00
Skirt: $2.50
Total: $4.50
Who can say Nautical? I love this sailor-sweater. So warm, but so winsome! And it's soft as cashmere, which is a plus. I hate scratchy sweaters. :D
Sweater: $1.50
Total: $1.50
Blue half-sweater: $1.50
Cream lightweight sweater-blouse: $1.50
Total: $3.00
Of course either of these two items could be paired with something different, but I liked them so much together in the store, I'm sure I'll wear them that way much of the time. Here's a close-up of the detail of that cream sweater:
One last outfit...
Mulberry-colored thermal shirt/hoodie: $1.50
Style & Co jeans: $3.50
Western-style leather belt: $2.00
Total: $7.00
Look! I even managed to squeeze in a pair of shoes. Really really cute shoes at that.
Lace-accent peep-toe heels: $3.50
Total: $3.50
If you tally up all my best-as-I-can-remember prices it comes up to around 40 bucks. I know I spent closer to fifty so I guess I am remembering some of the prices incorrectly. STILL! God's provision is so awesome! 19 items for $50.00...comes out to just over $2.50 an item! Beautiful.
If this isn't cool enough, I'm busting the myth of thrift-store clothes being Walmart hand-me-downs. There is quality stuff here, okay? Let me prove it to you--here's a list of all the brand-names I got:
She Said
C'est City--an August Silk company
New York & Company
Appleseed's
Sag Harbor
Dressbarn
L.A. Blues
Gap
Cato
Say What?
Fioni
Style & Co.
Worthington
Laura Scott
D.F.A. New York
In a way, we Thrifters are the die-hard fashionistas. We're the ones who are willing to pour time and patience into wearing brands. It's easy to swipe a credit card and buy clothes from designers. But those of us who wait...and wait...and search...and wait...and search longer get the labels at an ounce of the original price. Don't lose heart--look how the Lord blessed fifty bucks! Amazing.
What say you? Thrift stores for the win?
I like the things you found! They are very nice. (Oh, and I have the same quilt as you *Smirk*)
ReplyDeleteI'm a rubbish shopper, especially when it comes to clothing. I usually go to a thrift store with my mum and wander about and go, "Oh, that looks nice," and walk out with one skirt while she finds a lovely new outfit. (My mum has a MUCH cooler style then me.)
I like that vest you found. Leather is fun 8-D Nice finds!
Allons-y!
I think the "Amelia Earhart" outfit was totally adorbs! ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is a really neat idea. I am going to have to start really backing down on how much I spend on clothes and shoes. I mean, the economy is not getting better.
Anyway, I loved this post.
Abilaine
P.S. Please follow my new blog!
http://abilainecottage2012.blogspot.com/
Wow! You found some great outfits! Congratulations ;) I absolutely love the shoes that you got!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! My sister and I both gasped in delight at the vintage oxfords. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks girls! Jack: gotta love Walmart, right? ;)
ReplyDeleteAbilaine: Yeah, it's easy to get carried away with buying clothes (if you have money, that is) but if you turn it into a game of seeing how cheap you can go, it's a lot more fun!
Kelly and Emily: don't you love cute shoes? I think they're my one fashion weakness. :D
I adore the Amelia Earhart outfit! And those lace peep-toe shoes... I WANT THEM FOR MY OWN.
ReplyDeleteI'm going thrift-store shopping with Mamma tomorrow-- can't wait!