Snag of the Season (& 50th Post!)

White ¾ gauzy top- Hollister Co. ~$20

Purple tank top- H&M ~$7

Pink chino shorts- Tommy Hilfiger Outlet ~$25

Gold and pearl strand necklace- Consignment ~$3

White and gold skinny belt- Goodwill (no brand) ~$2

Black gladiators- Ruff Hewn (via BonTon) ~$13

TOTAL COST: $70

            For a blog that is about thrifting and saving money, this outfit is looking kind of expensive. However, it was a put together look and I decided to document it. You see, I haven’t been so into thrifting my whole life. My focus has really expanded in the past 3 years and both the top and bottom of this outfit are more than 3 years old. The true sales high light of this outfit are my new sandals. You know those $5 silver gladiators I’ve been wearing all summer? They’re still alive (no need to worry) but the quality isn’t great and I’m just not sure how much longer they are going to make it. Enter these shoes. BonTon is having a huge sale and I hunt down these babies, originally $89- What a snag! They are comfortable and stylish. I LOVE those tassel details! I know I only have a few months to bond with them before they go into fall/winter hibernation, but until then- they will be my go-to shoe!

Tell me readers, What was your end of the season snag? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Gem Tones

Emerald green tee- Banana Republic (via Consignment) ~$3

Purple chino shorts- Land N’ Sea (via TJ Maxx) ~$15

White and leather belt- Vintage (from mom)

Gold and pearl strand necklace- Consignment ~$3

Dark pink loafers- Talbots (via Goodwill) ~$6

TOTAL COST: $27

            I love purple and green together, so I was excited to pair this new top with my purple chinos. My love for color extends to my shoes as well, as I selected my rose pink loafers. Of course, this beautiful emerald/teal top is going to transition perfectly to fall. I love gem tones, but don’t own many pieces in the classic gem shades. This top really jumped out when I thrifted it at a local consignment shop about a month ago as something I did not already have. I am often guilty of buying in multiples when it comes to classic staples. Of course, using thrifting as 60-70% of my shopping, this can take time. I cannot wait to find more shirts like this one my BR. It’s cotton, soft, stretch, and easy to wear, but so much more visually interesting than a regular tee-shirt.

Tell me readers, What items do you like to buy in multiples? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Con Accento

White and brown print tank top- Ann Taylor (via Goodwill) ~$3.50

Khaki shorts- Old Navy ~$20

Gold slip on shoes- TOMS (gift, retails for $54)

Gold 24” strand necklace with pearl accents- Consignment (no brand) ~$3

Gold 20” strand necklace with pearl accents- Consignment (no brand) ~$3

Army green belt- Target (via Goodwill) ~$2

TOTAL COST: $31.50

            It’s rare to see me in an all neutral palate outfit, but here it is! I still manage to get some pizzazz in my ensemble with gold accents. The necklaces are recent thrifts from a consignment store and I just love them. They will mix well with many looks, casual and dressy. I am still new at the art of jewelry layering, so this is my “bunny slope” attempt.

Tell me readers, What are your tips for jewelry layering? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours, 

B

Tie Dye Traveler

Purple Tie Dye dress- Pink Rose (via TJ Maxx) ~$20

Deer antler necklace- Etsy (gift)

Tan sandals- Target ~$20

Gold belt- Goodwill (no brand) ~$2

Congac leatherette D&G (knock-off) purse ~$20

TOTAL COST: $62

            I love the look of a maxi dress, but I rarely find a good opportunity to wear them (I have 3 total). On this day, I was strolling a city followed by dinner at a nice restaurant. When I saw this dress years ago in TJ’s, I loved the boho vibe that the understated tie-dye gave it. It’s also an excellent length for me (I have long legs). I even attempted appropriate accessories whereas, in the past, I would have thrown on the dress and given up. This necklace is such a great statement piece- I love wearing it but feel as though it should be saved because I never want to be predictable.

Tell me readers, What is your statement jewelry piece? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com
Thriftfully Yours,
B

Closet Creeper

My closet is special space. It houses all most of my clothing. Recently, I decided I needed a change. It was too crowded and many of my dresses hung so low that the floor space was not being well used.
Here is a before picture:

So that giant space of the left side of the rack is not an accurate representation of how crowded my closet is usually. I had already stated removing items before I had the genius idea to take a photo. Anywho, as you can see, the floor is over crowded as is the top rack.
I decided to have the racked moved up a foot, this creating better access to the floor space. I also moved my shoe rack outside of the closet and purchased another storage tub to put some more out of season stuff away.
Here is the after picture:

The visibility of my pieces has increased significantly by raising the bar and removing 10-15 out of season pieces. The top shelf is now smaller and harder to get to, so I made sure to place items I would not be reaching for a lot up there (extra blankets, sweatshirts, hats, slippers, etc). Floor space has increased- Halleluia! The visually organized space makes selecting pieces much easier and also drives me to keep it organized. I also added some command hooks to hang my belts and am going to purchase a few more

Overall, I am very pleased with how it turned out.
Tell me readers, How is your closet set up or organized? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com
Thriftfully Yours,
B

Recaptured Recap

            Mom and I recently went thrifting in a near by town. We hit a small consignment store and a Goodwill. The consignment store was having a giant end of the season sale. Most of the sale items were complete duds (I could tell why they hadn’t sold) however, there was one gem- this brightly colored Aztec-y print silk shift dress (on left). While I was sale shopping in The Limited, I came across this mixed print dress (right) however, it has this weird plastic zipper up the front so I passed. When I came across this pink reincarnation, it felt like this was the dress I had wanted all along. It’s by Alice and Trixie, a brand commonly sold at Nordstroms, similar dresses retail for over $300. There was also some nice jewelry for sale (70% off) and even though I’m not “a jewelry girl” I really liked these classic gold pieces. They are both simple layering pieces with pearl accents, which I love.

Consignment Shop:

Alice & Trixie dress- $5

Gold strand necklaces- $3/each

            The Goodwill was disappointing in it’s overall selection. I did snag 6 belts because they had a great selection, which is rare at GW’s. I also snagged this St. John’s Bay orange button up tank. Lastly, I got one non-clothing item, a vintage Pyrex casserole dish.

Goodwill:

6 belts- $2/each

Orange sleeveless button up- $3.50

Thriftfully Yours,

B

The Classic Statement

Silk red and black floral blouse- Ann Taylor (via Goodwill) ~$2

White and gold pencil skirt- Worthingtons (JC Penny) ~$7

Dark green skinny belt- Target (via Goodwill) ~$1

Gold pointy toe heels- Nine West (via BonTon) ~$20

TOTAL COST: $30

            I recently took a trip to Tennessee and visited a Goodwill store while I was there. Items were separated men’s and women’s but beyond that- the sorting was lacking. My favorite GW locations are those in which items are sorted by garment type and color. The pricing at this location was also different. The general cost of short sleeve tops was around $2 whereas in my area, they are $3.50. When I saw this pattern and fabric, I knew the brand to be quality. The only down side to silk (especially a printed silk) is that is has to be dry cleaned. I know the long-term value of a piece like this. It’s a classic statement piece, which is my favorite kind of garment. I can’t wait to find other ways to wear it throughout the year.

            Tell me readers, How are your favorite thrift stores set up? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Remix and Repeat

White Polo- Ralph Lauren (via Marshall’s) ~$20

Multicolored floral Capri- Jones New York Signature (via Goodwill) ~$5

Baby blue skinny belt- Goodwill (no label) ~$1

Rose suede loafers- Talbots (via Goodwill) ~$5

TOTAL COST: Approx. $31

            I have been searching and searching for the perfect pair of floral patterned Capri or crop pants as they are on my wish list. Goodwill and Salvation Army seemed like pretty hopeless options because new trends take a while to make it to thrift stores. However, my mother found this pair in our local Goodwill and I love them. The colors are lovely and vibrant. I’m also so pleased with how many different styling options these Capris give me! I did a quick once-over of my closet and found 6 additional pairings!  I chose to keep the accessories as consistent as possible (although I could have had a blast with different shoes, belts, and accessories) so that the focus is on the Capris and the different top colors and shapes I utilized.

(L-R top, then bottom) 

(Click to enlarge)

This orange (the color didn’t really photograph accurately) v-neck tee as well as the yellow tank top are both casual ways to wear these capris. I also wanted to find a print-on-print option. Print mixing is a true art. I thought that a wide striped top would be an excellent compliment to the random floral of the capris. Using colors found in the capris, I selected this coral and white, and this chartreuse and white tee. I am pleased with the pairing! I’m not sure that any other print, besides a stripe, will work though. Any ideas, readers? I finished up with a popular selection this year- the chambray top. Mine has ruffles (YAY) and a rolled sleeve. I think it the chambray was a bit lighter in color, it would be even more successful. Finally, I did an untucked look (GASP!) with this lilac button up. Even though purple is not in these capris, the tone of this top goes with the tone of the floral.

            Tell me readers, Which pairing is your favorite and what other ideas do you have? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

The Star Piece

White and black print tank- Ann Taylor (via Salvation Army) ~ $3.00

Off White cardigan- Vera Wang for Kohl’s  ~$5 (sale)

Black capris- Old Navy ~$10 (sale)

Red braided belt- H&M ~$5

Gold slip ons- Toms (gift, retails for $54)

TOTAL COST: Approx. $23.00

           

            When I saw this shirt at Salvation Army, I immediately hoped it would be my size. The print really spoke to me- it’s a common design on woven cane chairs and I’ve never seen it printed on any fabric. The collar is a bit different from a regular tank top, which I like- I think it makes it a more special piece. Ann Taylor for a couple of dollars is nearly unthinkable. Salvation Army offers a promo every day of the week. Items are tagged with colored price tags. Each day, a specific color is 50% off and every Wednesday, all items are 50% off. This shirt was purchased on a day when pink tags were 50% off.

            A note on styling: I generally do not wear so much black and white in one outfit, however, I felt this shirt was more likely to be the “star” piece if I wore understated bottoms. I actually wish I’d had a white belt when I put this together, but alas- red belt.

            Tell me readers, What do you do to make one piece pop in an outfit? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Virtual Savings

Lilac sleeveless button up- Eddie Bauer (via Goodwill) ~$3.50

Green embroidered chino shorts- J Crew ~$30

Pink flower hair clips- Target ~$4

Brown leather belt- Vintage (from mom)

Green & navy sandals- Lands End ~$10

TOTAL COST: Approx. $47.50

            You may remember this lilac top from my “Heapin Haul” post. Well here it is, all clean and ironed. I love it! It’s in excellent condition- I doubt it was worn more than a hand full of times before it was donated. The fit is great and the style is classic. It seems like this shirt can go with anything- denim, khaki, black, brown, etc.

I always like to check out current pricing on pieces on similar pieces, especially when I find an item to a certain quality. For this top, I hopped on over to the Eddie Bauer website. What did I find? A top like this sells, full price, for $50. Can I say that, although it’s a lovely top, I would never pay $50 for it. Part of the reason I like it is because I got it for such a great price (can’t beat $3.50). Virtual savings of $46.50! That price is partly based on the label but also based on quality. The stitching, detailing and quality of the fabric and buttons is part of what a $50 price tag is based on.

Tell me readers, Do you ever look at comparable prices for your Goodwill snags? Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.net

Thriftfully Yours,

B           

Challenge Accepted!

Ditsy floral tiered dress- Express outlet ~$20

Peacock and blue feather earrings- Forever 21 ~$6

Baby blue vintage skinny belt- no tag (via Goodwill) ~$ .97

Brown sandal- Target ~$20

TOTAL COST: Approx. $46.97

            Recently in the Northeast, we had a horrific heat wave. Beating the heat in a fashionable way can be a challenge, but as Barney Stinson often says: Challenge Accepted! I’ve had this dress for a few years and rarely wear it. The dress is tiered and without a belt, I end up looking slightly like a Christmas tree because I’m pear shaped. My new-to-me baby blue skinny belt was the perfect choice for a pop of color, which breaks up the busy pattern, and gave the silhouette a better shape. What may not be obvious in the photo is that the fabric used is actually a stretchy-mesh, which is highly breathable, making it perfect for hot weather. I wore this dress out to dinner, so I added my feather earrings. I’m not sure if this trend is “over” but I’m not ready to let it go.

Tell me readers, How do you stay cool and fashionable when the weather gets hot? Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Looks Good Standing Up...

Pink button-up dress- Issac Mizrahi for Target (via Goodwill) ~$5

Paisley cardigan (swatch pictured)- J Crew (?) (via Goodwill) ~$3.50

Bow earrings- Forever 21 ~$5 (multipack)

Green faux-suede skinny belt- Target (via Goodwill) ~$1

Brown wedges- Target ~$20

TOTAL COST: Approx. $34.50

            See how good this dress looks standing up? Yeah, I know, such a pity that my hips and the extra small nature of this dress didn’t become better friends. I found it out the hard way, while at school where I’m supposed to be looking professional… Eek. My dressing room routines are going to need to expand to trial sitting. This means I’m now pursuing a replacement of some sort, likely in a solid color, but maybe polka dots.

            The cardigan, although not pictured, is one of my favorite GW snags, which is saying a lot considering the number of pieces currently in my wardrobe from GW is around 100. The tag has been cut out, but the quality of the fabric and buttons leads me to believe it’s a quality brand. The pattern and style make me think J Crew, but who knows! Regardless, it’s a wonderful addition to my (large) cardi collection.

            As my recycled/upcycled/refashioned wardrobe grows, I cannot wait to see how low I can get my outfit costs. This is a good indicator. I’m going hunting tomorrow with my mom, so perhaps I’ll find my replacement dress or a new-to-me vintage gem.

Tell me readers, What are your thoughts on the button-up dress as a trend? Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Heapin' Haul

On my last trip to Goodwill, I had an excellent haul for the menial cost of $27. Did I mention I bought 6 pieces of clothing and two belts? WOWIE! One dress, a grey private school style romper, is not pictured (it’s getting dry cleaned). I’m always so impressed with what I can get for the regular price of ONE new item. As I mentioned before, I am building my belt collection and these two are great additions. The baby blue one is a vintage piece I snagged for 97 cents! I’ve already worn it a handful of times, it’s so versatile! The emerald green faux-suede belt was a new with tags Target belt. Original price? $12.90. Goodwill price? $1.00. Virtual savings of $11.90. HOLLER!

My favorite clothing piece I snagged is definitely this red iris print vintage maxi-skirt. It’s a print that isn’t a pattern, which I find interesting. The black and white print short sleeve secretary blouse is also vintage (tag reads: Ship N Shore). The silk star-print wrap dress is not very versatile seasonally speaking as it has long sleeves but a shorter hem, but I look forward to the perfect opportunity to wear it. Maybe a date?

The lilac button-up is a perfect condition Eddie Bauer. The pink button up collared dress is sadly, a post purchase regret. It looks lovely standing up (I have one outfit post in this dress) but sitting down, it’s a bit too tight and the buttons gape a bit, making it inappropriate to wear out. Luckily I have a more petite friend (My designer friend, Monica- check out her site here http://monicatulay.foliohd.com/) who I’m passing it along to. I have been told that you can make returns to GW but I’m not sure that I would. I either donate it (again) or find a better-suited friend.

Can’t wait to find ways to incorporate these items with my existing closet!

Tell me readers, Ever had a particularly good haul? Tell me about it! Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

No Bras Shall Be Worn

Tropical bird print romper- Department store (sorry, don’t remember) ~$20

Straw cloche- Disneyland ~$25

Orange cummerbund- borrowed from another dress

Silver gladiator sandals- TJ Maxx ~$5

TOTAL COST: Approx. $50

             My apologies, followers, no thrifted items in this outfit. I loved this look too much to leave it out from my blogging. This romper was purchased during my “romper phase” (about 3 summers ago). I loved the print (and the pockets!) so much that I bought it despite its backlessness (see other photo).

A backless romper or dress presents a problem- do I wear a bra? No. Error, error, mayday. NO BRAS SHALL BE WORN. If you’re a busty gal, or just not comfortable going braless, just ignore this daring trend.

Even though I had purchased this piece, I ignored it for the first year almost entirely. It’s taken me time to realize that bold style choices do not have to ruin my life or stop me from changing my later fashion choices. I won’t lie, I do a lot of checking when I wear a piece like this. Am I covered? Am I comfortable? It can be a challenge. But I’m not going to get any younger, and therefore, any more appropriately aged to wear a piece like this. While some pieces, like cardigans and pencil skirts can follow me for years, this romper’s life in my closet is limited and it should be worn now. The outfit served me well for an evening concert in the park- lightweight to combat the heat and the casual setting made the revealing nature of the dress perfectly acceptable.

Tell me readers, Would you ever wear a daring backless romper or dress? Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Bermudas: Two Ways

Outfit #1

White polo- Ralph Lauren (via TJ Maxx) ~$20

Black and white print Bermuda shorts- Old Navy (via Goodwill) ~$5 

Straw cloche- Disneyland Park ~$25

Light blue skinny belt- Vintage (no tag, via Goodwill) ~$ .97

Green slip-ons- Toms Shoes ~$54

TOTAL COST: Approx. $104.97

Outfit #2

Black scoop neck t-shirt- Old Navy ~$7

Black and white print Bermuda shorts- Old Navy (via Goodwill) ~$5 

Silver necklace- Flea market ~$1

Red braided belt- H&M ~$5

Black wedges- TJ Maxx ~$10

TOTAL COST: Approx. $28

Same Bermudas, different outfit AND different price point. What a difference the cost of accessories can make, right? I could really go on and on about this cloche and these shoes, but that would go against the mission statement of this blog- I strive to provide information about the purchasing and styling of thrifty clothing.

These Bermudas, on the other hand, were an excellent deal. I call them my Betty Draper’s. They are versatile despite their bold appearance. In fact, it’s reminding me of Grease with “Sandy 1” and “Sandy 2.” Sandy 1 is conservative and clean cut whereas Sandy 2 is more sexy- tighter outfit and higher shoes.

That light blue skinny belt in outfit one? EXCELLENT find at Goodwill. 97 CENTS for a belt?! That’s unreal. I’ve got to check those belts out more often. For a girl who hates belts- I now have 6 and could use a few more basic ones.

            Tell me readers, Which piece of clothing in your wardrobe do you find to be super versatile? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

 

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Fashion, Fit & the Fourth

Red top with white detailing- Calvin Kline (via Goodwill) ~$3.50

White and gold pencil skirt- JC Penny ~$7 (on sale)

Earrings- Local artisan ~$5

Light blue skinny belt- no tag (Goodwill) ~$ .97

Sandals- Lands End ~$10  Nine West (Via Bon Ton) ~$20

TOTAL COST: Approx. ~$26.47/36.47

            I love dressing with purpose and holidays often provide me with an opportunity to do so. Here’s my not-too-costumey Fourth of July ensemble. This post may be a good time to talk about sizing. I don’t put a lot of stock in women’s sizes. Each manufacturer does it differently and aside from that, the type of garment effects sizing too. For example, a tight, body hugging dress would require a larger size (for me) than would an empire-waisted dress, as I have a more pear-like shape. When shopping, especially true while thrifting, it is more important to look at the garment itself, and don’t get hung up on what the tag says about size. This Calvin Kline top was labeled extra-small, but it looked more like a medium and the print was so excellent that I had to try it. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it takes only a few moments to try something on. So when we look at gain v. loss, it’s a fabulous top to gain, and only a few seconds to lose. This skirt, while not from a thrift store, was so classy and versatile (and cheap! $7 is an excellent deal) that despite it’s Petite sizing, I tried it on- and voila! Instant wardrobe staple.

            You might notice I am wearing a different pair of shoes than I featured in the detail box. A good friend of mine who is also an excellent style blogger, (http://sugarandspicebyavb.blogspot.com/) said that while my outfits are stylish, my shoes are lacking, and recommended my gold heels, so here they are! While we’re talking about SugarSpiceStyle, she is also a talented nail artist (she’s tried tricky techniques like water marbling). I decided to do something patriotic for Independence Day!

            Tell me readers, Have you ever used a holiday to inspire your look? Inbox or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

ATTN: Dry Clean Only

(Why no, I’m not wearing make-up in this photo, thanks for noticing)

Chartreuse tank top- Forever 21 ~$7

Red & navy chain link silk skirt- Banana Republic (via Goodwill) ~$6

Vintage gold pendant necklace- Flea market ~$5

Skinny brown braided belt- H&M ~$5

Brown zip-front wedges- Target ~$25

TOTAL COST: Approx. $43

         This outfit is a great example of how to put together an eye catching, professional (yet youthful) outfit with little expense. One of my favorite Goodwill finds is this skirt. It was a frugal find and a versatile piece. To buy the materials to reproduce this skirt (silk, lining, zipper and trimming) would be more than what I paid for the completed piece. The print is very graphic and nautical which I love. I find it to be a “season-less” piece. I can’t wait to wear it with tights and my knee-high cognac boots in the fall/winter.

TIP—  It is dry clean only. When hunting/thrifting, be sure to check the labels for washing instructions. NOTE: Do not be deterred by dry clean only! The cost of purchase (at a thrift store) + dry cleaning is still less than buying new, especially for brands like Banana Republic. Things DO NOT need to be dry cleaned after every wear, this is especially true of bottoms (skirts, pants and some dresses).

Looking back at this photo, I am not sure about the top with the skirt. I think the color combination is a risk, but my greater concern is very casual, cotton ribbed tank top paired with the more chic, formal silk skirt. On the positive side, I love navy with brown and gold (thus the necklace, belt and shoes). If I were to wear a cardigan with this outfit (as I often do- I swear I am a lizard: read- ALWAYS cold) I would probably select a navy blue one.

Tell me readers, Do you pass up thrifty threads if they are dry clean only? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

A Bevy of Belts

Turquoise tank top- Gap Outlet ~$7

Purple shorts- TJ Maxx (brand: Land ‘N Sea) ~$15

Orange earrings- Target ~$8 for pack of 6 pairs

Florescent chartreuse flower accent- H&M ~$3 for pack of two

Red braided belt- H&M ~$5

Shoes- TOMS Shoes (gift, retails for $54)

TOTAL COST: Approx. $92 ($38 w/o cost of shoes)

         I wore this outfit to the local farmers market. I felt like colorful and casual were both appropriate. The bold colors are so summery and fun. Let me clear the air right now, I really do not enjoy a belt. I wear a belt with a few pairs of jeans for functional reasons. Wearing a belt for fashion purposes is a new concept for me. But imagine this outfit without the belt- it’s sort of boring. That pop of red helps tie it together. These belts are generally inexpensive and come in every color and material. My collection is very small right now, but it’s growing! Personally, I enjoy tucking in my shirt and a belt helps create that polished look. I also recently pinned (Find me on Pinterest! http://pinterest.com/ladypsychology/) a graphic showing 12 ways to knot your belts.

Tell me readers, Are your belts mostly for fashion or function? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B