Thrifty Threads: A Salvation Army Shopping Review

            I never tire of going for a hunt at Salvation Army on a 50% off Wednesday! I have snapped up so many treasures for amazing prices and this week was not any different! I snagged 7 treasures, mostly basics, that I can’t wait to integrate into my wardrobe!

 

1. Button Ups

Tommy Hilfiger White Button Up ($3)

For such a staple piece, white button up shirts are hard to find thrifting. This one is in perfect condition- either barely worn or perfectly cared for. It’s perfect for layering under sweaters for winter and I’ll wear it solo for spring.

Lands’ End Purple Gingham Button Up ($5)

With a little tailoring, this shirt is going to be a wonderful addition to my closet. I recently found another gingham shirt (blue and white) at a church rummage sale for TWENTY CENTS and now I’m hooked on this print. 

2. Long Sleeve Tops

J Crew Black Long Sleeve Top ($2)

I don’t wear black too often, but it is a requirement of my restaurant side-job. This long sleeve top has great detailing. It’s hard t see in this photo, but it has some tuxedo tucking details around the neckline. For $2, it’s hard to pass up any piece by J Crew.

Mossimo Green Sweater Turtleneck ($2)

I’m a recent convert to the turtleneck and this cozy sweater version is perfect for the chilly temps we’re experiencing in the Northeast. I think it has great versatility- I wore it with a skirt for Thanksgiving and I plan on pairing it with jeans for a more casual look. 

3. Stripes

Banana Republic Navy and White Striped ¾ Sleeve Top ($5)

I have versions of this top in short and long sleeved versions. What can I say? Can’t go wrong with navy and white stripes!

Liz Claiborne Cream and Gold Striped ¾ Sleeve Top ($2.50)

More stripes. I loved the shiny, metallic stripes on this top. It looks a little boxy in this photo, but the fit is nice.

 

4. Floral Shift

Talbots Floral Shift Dress ($2.50)

Someone must have been delirious while tagging this dress- $5 for a Talbots dress? SalVal seems to have some awareness of brand prestige, especially with dresses and prices according. So even by thrift store pricing standards, the price is ridiculously cheap. I certainly don’t need another dress for spring and summer but this one is a bit different than the ones I presently have. The neckline is pretty conservative as is the hemline. It also screams Classy Girls Wear Pearls (a favorite blog of mine). 

Hope you enjoyed this weeks finds! Have ideas about interesting ways to style these pieces? Contact me! Comment, email me (BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com) or tweet me at (BsGoodwillHunt)

Thriftfully Yours, 

B

Thrifty Threads: A Salvation Army Shopping Review

Hello Readers! Last Wednesday, I ventured out to our local Salvation Army for Family Day. It’s been quite a while since I shopped at a SalVal- the last time I went was early October and that was in a neighboring town. Being a dedicated thrifter means shopping frequently because, as you can imagine, the inventory shifts frequently. I scored 5 pieces for $22.50. 

-Yellow Ann Carson Collarless Tweed Jacket ($8) I loved this classic, preppy “lunch at the club” jacket. I thought the bow was really…tacky? juvenile? Regardless, I realized the ties were stitched on in a manner that would allow them to be easily removed- a little handiwork and voila! I fixed it myself with little more than bathroom scissors. Here are the before and after photos.

-Navy Blue Career Guild Blazer ($4) Here is a classic piece for my long term wardrobe. This blazer is in perfect condition and it is 100% wool. I realized this wardrobe standard was noticeably lacking in my existing closet, so I snagged this beautiful staple piece.

-Floral Forever 21 Culottes ($5) This garment looks so sad on a hanger, I promise they are better on! I plan to wear them with opaque black tights for fall and winter and transition them to spring and summer later.

-Beach Front Print Old Navy Skirt ($2.50) I fell in love with the print before I saw the tag. Generally, Old Navy is not a brand I would go for while thrifting, since part of the draw for me is buying quality pieces that would normally be too expensive for me at retail prices. I don’t necessarily see this skirt as a “fall piece” but I may wear it once before it goes in the out of season bin.

-Vintage Red Pencil Skirt ($3) This skirt has no tag (apart from a size), no label, no washing instructions, no clues to the maker. I am always looking for basic pieces in solid colors (I own too many prints) and I thought red would go well with many of my secretary blouses.

I’m still waiting for the haul when I follow my own fashion rules (high quality and seasonal) but until then, I’ll continue to build my perfect wardrobe a few pieces at a time.

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Current Consignment

            As I have mentioned before, one of my thrifting rules is to purchase pieces that are of high quality rather than simply buying cheap/inexpensive pieces. On my latest trip to a local consignment store, I was a rule breaker (partially). I picked up this Ralph Lauren rugby shirt (which was on my fall wish list) and it is a rule following piece. 

Ralph Lauren is an EXCELLENT quality brand and for $10, this was a great find. I was a little bad following the discovery of the rugby top. I found two pairs of dark wash skinny jeans that fit perfectly. So you’re asking, “What’s the problem? Dark wash is classic. Skinny silhouette works for your figure. Good fitting jeans are hard to find and if you bought them at a consignment store, they were probably a good deal!” Well reader, you are right on all counts but what you have not addressed is the brand. 

These brands (Papaya and Forever 21) are only worth about $20 or less new (I thirfted mine for $4.50 & $6) and are not quality brands. However, all those other positive attributes outweighed the negative. Finding denim with a good fit is a challenge for most women and therefore I make a lot of exceptions with jeans.

            I find that trendy items pop up much more often in consignment stores compared to Goodwill. Perhaps this is because people have purchased these items more recently and are not willing to freely donate them and would rather make a few bucks by consigning. This consignment store has a Juniors section in addition to the women’s section. The brand separation mostly makes sense with brands like J Crew, J Jill, Banana Republic or Ann Taylor on the women’s side and Hollister, Aero, American Eagle or Abercrombie in the juniors section. However, Gap and Old Navy, two brands that I like, were mostly on the juniors side so I made sure to check that out as well. While I was perusing the jeans selection, I came across some very good brands like 7 for All Mankind, Lucky Brand, and Joe’s Jeans. Unfortunately, they were not my style, color or cut, so I passed.

Tell me readers, What brand of jeans fit YOU best? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

My Goodwill Fill (+Today is my BIRTHDAY!)

       

     Mother and I have visited yet another Goodwill in the surrounding area, this one near a grocery store (Wegmans) which we like to shop at 2-3 times a year. This Goodwill had some excellent brands, so we will probably be back (on our next out-of-town grocery trip). I snagged 6 pieces for myself, 5 of which were fall/winter pieces. I did make one summery exception, but we’ll get to that.

            Starting with the four square photo (Top L, going clockwise) This long sleeve grey J Crew tee is soft and warm. Not to mention, perfect for layering. Ann Taylor put out this fold over collared long sleeve tee in dusty teal- it’s a much more dressy take on the long sleeve cotton shirt. This navy and white long sleeve Gap is the fall/winter companion to the very similar looking Gap tee I found at the Junior League $1 bag sale. It’s cozy and nautical. Finally, this ½ sleeve lightweight sweater cardigan by Express is perfect for fall. It will allow me to wear some of my tank tops for a few more weeks. I also snagged two bottoms: these seaweed patterned J Crew chinos and this vintage purple wool pencil skirt. I had to snag these J Crew chinos- they retail for upwards of $40, so for $5 I have a giant savings AND J Crew shorts. The wool skirt is going to be great with a number of my secretary blouses. Can’t wait to start styling for fall- I’m getting bored of my summer wardrobe.

Tell me readers, Have you started fall shopping? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

PS- I will do an outfit post about my Birthday in a few days, so stay tuned :)