One of the ways that I have managed to save thousands of dollars on clothing is by shopping out of season. Applying this basic shopping principle works in retail as well, and often you can buy clothing off the rack at the end of the season for 50-75% off the original price.
The problem with that? I have quickly become a lover of quality clothing. A quality, designer dress that was originally $250 is still way above my price point, even at 75% off. But let me find that same like new dress at a thrift store for $5, and I will gladly take it and do a happy dance all whole night long. 🙂
It is a complete shift in thinking. When it’s horrendously hot in NC, the last thing I want to do is think of trying on a cashmere turtleneck, let along look for one. But that is what you need to do…especially because others aren’t, and that turtleneck will sit on the thrift store racks waiting for a savvy shopper like you to scoop it up for only a few dollars.
Now is the perfect time to look for summer clothing. People’s New Year’s Resolutions are in full swing and closets are being attacked. Do you think they are donating their awesome Land’s End coats? No! The are purging adorable summer sun dresses.
One of my five “must do” things when browsing for clothes in a thrift store is to look for ornate sleeves and details that make clothes stand out.
Another is to buy sizes bigger and smaller than what I actually wear because brands and clothing vary so much.
Anne Klein is a classic designer who screams sophistication and elegance. Yet, it comes with a price tag (who many thing is well worth it, I might add.) ME? I am incredibly happy when someone buys it for me, wears it once and then clears out her January closet. Browsing the web, Anne’s dresses average $200…
$5 from Goodwill is sounding awfully appealing. Now whether or not, I can fit in it this summer remains to be determined.
Someone loved brown, and they can bring it on because brown is a new friend of mine. As a blond, I never wore brown until a few years ago, but now, with the right accessories and make up, I LOVE brown. (I think my daughter will too, although she won’t wear this dress until she’s 25 and then only with a cover up). 🙂
This beautiful and extremely comfortable Ann Taylor dress probably retailed around $100. Sit down for this…I got it on 50% off day for $2.
It fits perfectly, like a glove, and that’s a bit of the problem. Waiting patiently to find just the right wrap will be well worth it.
Remember that often, we can “dare to be different” when shopping second hand. When I first saw this skirt smooshed between twenty others, I went right by it, but the embroidery made me pause, and then the price tag of $1 (75%), made me stop.
You never know until you try something on how it will look. And it was ADORABLE!
The hem line is asymmetrical and gives it a fun flippy feel. Paired with an terrific teal tank and some sandals, this will surely make my Frugal Fashionista summer line up.
BUT THIS J CREW JACKET is why I have eagle eyes out of season. Back in September, we were having some scorching hot days. A black peacoat would never have entered my mind if I didn’t have an entirely different mindset about buying clothing. I saw it waiting patiently on the rack at Goodwill and thought surely, this is a mirage.
Do you know how long I have wanted a warm, black jacket like this? Do you know how much this was originally at JCREW (hint..think at least $220). So even though $7 is typically above my flinch point for thrifting, I twitched once and then snatched it right up laughing myself all the way to the bank!
The funny thing is that I forgot I bought this find of mine. I packed it away, and when I brought it out yesterday, I was just as giddy all over again.
I just love to buy second hand. Seriously? I love the thrill of the hunt. I love to repurpose, and I love the knowledge that I don’t need to keep up with the Joneses and either do you. 🙂
The reason I did not model any of those dresses tonight. I was gone all afternoon and evening and stuck in the pouring rain. Thank you for putting up with this one poor photo of my very bad hair day, but I just had to share my JCREW jewel. Isn’t it good to know we all have those really bad hair days? Superficial, yes, but still comforting. 🙂
Looking forward to seeing all that you have to share next week. Be brave, link up, and I promise you’ll get some traffic sent your way.
Girl, you look like a million bucks even on a bad hair day!
Thanks for this wonderful tip. That J.Crew jacket really is a great find–it looks wonderful! I think you can get your seven dollars’ worth out of that. 🙂
Hope you’re having a great week!
Yay! Thanks for the Frugal Fashionista entry, Jen. You look fabulous. I love, love, love the embroidered brown dress.
I am also busy hunting for things like linen skirts and dresses, short-sleeved blouses, lightweight blazers, and cropped pants. I would like another sundress or two for next summer–I may just have to look at my favorite thrift store today!
Yay! Glad you have started posting these again 🙂 With this being my new years goal (to shop thrift only) I have gotten many cool thrift store treasures over the last couple weeks.
It really is a giddy-worthy event when you find those name brand items for pennies on the dollar!! Those dresses are really cute – that is what I have been searching for lately.
I blogged about the “being brand picky” last week – http://paulsbride.blogspot.com/2010/01/thrift-store-finds-and-being-picky.html
I love these posts!!! 🙂 Mostly because I can shop and wear cute clothes vicariously through you. 😉 If there is anything that might get me motivated to get myself to the gym, it’s the knowledge that I could find some amazing outfits if I can get down to the size I should be. :s
LOVE that brown dress with the necklace, and the blue is too pretty!!!
You are sooo adorable!
I love the brown dress and the NECKLACE gorgeous!
Thrift store shopping is fabulous!!!
Can’t wait to see you SOON!
I love thrift store shopping! It is a somewhat gross habit I find, to some people, so I hesitate dragging people along with me, but those who really want to try it, end up getting hooked. You seem to have a really great thrift store close by. I don’t think I have ever looked as cute as you! Thanks for sharing. It’s fun to see what you can get.
I am only a brand name shopper in thrift stores. While I love them, I also shop out of season in retail stores. I bought downfilled coats for my daughter and myself for $5 and $7 in spring 2 years ago. We didn’t wear them last winter but this year has been so cold, we’re so glad to have them.
I LOVE this post!! I just filled up my “Fun Money” envelope, so I am itching to hit GW. I need to give myself a $5 limit, though! Of course, those Steve Maddens were $5.99, so . . .
Hey, I’m still learning!!
Love your finds, Jen! You have found some jewels & yes, we all have bad hair days. I need to start scouring my thriftstores more often. I wish they were closer to my house, it’s a little drive for me to get to them. Can’t wait for yardsale season to begin again.
I will have some of my thrifty finds with me at Blissdom too! I’m loving brown also and have a lot in that color.
I’m ALWAYS in awe of your finds. Seriously, you’re like a rock star at this frugal fashionista thing. You ought to blog about it. {smirk}
Wow, I’m always jealous! 🙂 Now, I’m also curious where you find out of season items at your local thrift stores. Do you have to ask specifically for their out of season things? Most of ours only put out things that are currently in season. The one that puts out everything is so small that there usually isn’t a lot of selection. And even if you find something, it’s no more discounted than any of the other items. Am I just unlucky, or am I doing something wrong?
My local thrift stores usually only put out in-season clothing, too. But they aren’t always perfect about that so there are still good deals to be had! In light of a new budget plan, I have decided to buy NO clothing for myself for six months (ahh!!) with the exception of a swimsuit later in the spring (since my prebaby, 8-yr-old one doesn’t fit and neither do the two maternity ones I’ve worn many of the last few summers …). But I’ll find something to share next week. I got a couple great sweaters/tops and dress pants just before Christmas that got me through the holidays nicely-dressed and cheap!
How timely!
Today, in the thrift store, I picked up a ‘Tess’ linen print dress.
I was hesitant to buy the linen dress: maybe I’ll be a size smaller by summer. But I splurged $3, and now I’m GLAD.
Jen, love all of your frugal finds! What a great tip, to look for things “off-season”, I never would have even thought of doing that!
Blessings,
Stacey
Funny…I actually th0ught of YOU today while shopping at the Salvation Army. I saw a really cute white sweater for $2 but it was too small for me. I thought “Jen would totally buy that.” Hehe
I have a hard time buying clothes for myself at the thrift stores. Not that I don’t look, I just never find anything.
jen – i love your posts and am an avid thrift store shopper myself. one of my methods is that i have a list of certain things i’ve been wanting to buy, but just won’t spend retail for. right now on my list are cowgirl boots and a wool/tweed dress. i know i won’t wear them very often and forking over lots of money for them is just not an option. i would say 75% of my wardrobe is from thrift store/garage sales and i love telling people where i got my outfit!! i look forward to your posts!!
I do love your insight into buying name brand at second hand stores. I had just found your blog and thought what a great idea. Then I went to my email and a girl in the freecycle group was giving away 7 pairs of dress pants, black dress coat and a blazer oh and 12 shirts. I quickly responded and got them . I was so thrilled to find them all name brand. Wow what a score and I will look great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I buy all of my kids clothes out of season and usually 6 months to a year ahead…yard sales, consignment sales, etc. I soooooo wish I could do that for myself. We have nothing in the way of thrift/second hand clothing stores for women around here. Our Salvation Army and Goodwill are terribly overpriced and have nothing newer than 1983!!! Yikes. thanks for sharing your awesome finds…I will continue to live vicariously through you, my friend!
~Amanda
I’ll join in with you on Friday! I don’t know if my outfits will be 100% thrift, but maybe!
Amazing. I’ll be joining you next Friday then
I’m going out on a limb to join your fashion show! I don’t have a blog but I can upload pictures to flickr. I love thrifting, and I’ve found some awesome stuff after your blog encouraged me! thanks for being a blessing unto others <3
I’m such a frugal shopper! I love our local thrift store & literally get so excited when I find a great deal! 🙂
I LOVE those dresses! And that jacket is so cute! I am in desperate need of a new one. I guess I’ll have to wait till summer to go shopping! : )
I think your finds are great. I would love to see how you organize it all. I enjoy great deals but sometimes it is difficult to keep the closet organized.