We had over 3,000 people look at our last “Which Cost Me More” post with quite a few people weighing in on which tops looked more expensive. You know, thrift store shopping isn’t for everyone but for some, it’s the ONLY way they can afford to buy clothes. For others, who aren’t on that tight of a budget, there’s a “thrill” you get when you discover a great bargain. It’s also a good way to pick up retro, trendy and even closet staples without breaking the bank and staying current. As I’ve mentioned before, you need to check for stains, loose seams, and make sure there’s not a lot of wear and tear. There have been numerous times I (or friends) have picked up clothes from a thrift store that still had the original tags on it and had never been worn. I personally have donated countless outfits after buying something, letting it sit in the closet (with the tags on), then realizing I didn’t really like it but it was too late to return it so I donated it. I like to look at what’s in the latest fashion magazines and then go to the various thrift stores and try to find something similar. Sometimes I’m lucky and sometimes not.
And just because an item of clothing is at a thrift store, it doesn’t necessarily mean it has been worn many times, thus limiting the time it will last when you buy it. Lots of women I know donate items they’ve never worn, have worn once or twice or taken very good care of it. I have (seriously) over 1,000 items of clothing in my closet (you can see my closet in our Spring Clean Your Clothes Closet story) and I rotate them all the time so none of my clothing gets worn to the point that they don’t have a lot of life left in them.
I have favorite high-end labels that I know wash and wear really well and will last forever. If I find those labels at a thrift store and pay a fourth, or less, than what it would have cost me brand new….well then, I’m a happy camper.
The Little Black Dress
Labeled 1-A
Labeled 1-B
One of these dresses cost me $59.00 and one cost me $6.99. Similar in the cut and style, both of these little black dresses are perfect for a night out, a cocktail party, or a special event. Can you tell which one I bought at Goodwill? If you wanted a LBD for something coming up and you just didn’t have the money in your budget, do you think anyone would know (seeing you in one of these) that you had shopped at Goodwill instead of Macy’s? I think this particular style looks great on everyone. Both of these are comfortable, sexy without showing too much, can be worn with strappy heels in any color and can be worn year-round.
Sequined Tops
Labeled 2-A
Labeled 2-B
Love this look. Casual and comfortable but stylish. Even though the tank is sequined, this can still be worn during the day, and of course anywhere in the evening that jeans are allowed. One of these tops cost $3.99 from arc and one cost $39.50 (on sale) at Loft.
Black Skirts
Labeled 3-A
Labeled 3-B
Both of these skirts are Express. One was bought at Express for $49.00 and one was bought at Goodwill for $1.99 (was marked $4.00 but got it on sale that day for half off.) They are made of the same material, are the same size, and fit about the same. Love that these are so versatile too. In the summer, paired with some heels and hot top, it’s perfect for dinner out, dancing, date night, etc. Trade the heels for sandals add a cute tank or summer top and it’s perfect for a casual afternoon. In the winter pair it with tights, boots and a sweater and you have a completely new look.
Animal Print Tops
Labeled 4-A
Labeled 4-B
Animal print seems to always be in style, year after year, season after season. When wearing animal prints you want to make sure you don’t overdo it. Don’t wear it head to toe! One of these tops was bought at a boutique in Dallas for $49.00 (on sale) and the other was bought at Hangers thrift store in Monument for $4.00.
Patterned Dresses
Labeled 5-A
Labeled 5-B
Here’s what I love about thrift store shopping….you just never know what you’ll find. I bought one of these dresses last summer at Ross for $14.99 (not a bad price and it WAS brand new.) A week later I found this other dress at arc for $2.50 (and I had seen the same dress the week before while shopping at Ross so I KNEW it couldn’t have been worn that much, if at all.) Both are the same exact brand, the same cut and are the same age. So $14.99 isn’t expensive for a new dress but I was way more excited getting the other one for $2.50!
And last but not least…..
White Tops
Labeled 6-A
Labeled 6-B
I think this outfit has a modern yet retro look to it. Kind of a cross between Laura Petrie/Bridget Bardot! (I’m sure there’s a lot of younger women who don’t know either of those names!) The capris were bought from a thrift store for $5.00 and neither of the white tops were that expensive, one cost $8.99 from Wal-Mart and the other cost $0.99 cents from ARC (again, bought at half off that day). Both of these tops look similar, are of similar material and can be worn with anything…from shorts to jeans to a business skirt. This is what I consider a staple piece that I love picking up for next to nothing at thrift stores. In the summer you can wear it by itself and in cooler weather, throw a jacket or sweater over it. And here again, $8.99 isn’t that much to spend on a top you can wear year-round but when I can get practically the same thing for 99 cents….well, then I have that much more money to spend on shoes!
The Bottom Line is the Bottom Line!
Perhaps you could tell which item was more expensive or maybe a couple fooled you. The point is, I don’t think that if you wore any of the thrift store items out, anyone would immediately think, “Oh, she got that at a thrift store.” When you’re on a budget or new clothes aren’t even in your budget, you can still look and feel great in bargain buys. And I think every woman deserves to look and feel stylish regardless of her money situation. If you can afford whatever you want, count your blessings and have fun shopping. If a “new” $6.99 little black dress makes you forget your money woes for an evening and you look and feel great, well……have fun shopping!
ANSWERS
1-A $59.00
1-B-$6.99
2-A $3.99
2-B $39.50
3-A $1.99
3-B $49.00
4-A $49.00
4-B $4.00
5-A $14.99
5-B $2.50
6-A $8.99
6-B 99 cents