For this week’s Frugal Fashionista, I am giving you a “real life” look at what I wore each day.
As always, every single piece of clothing and accessories have been purchased second hand at yard sales or thrift stores. I purchased ALL of my outfits this week for a total cost of $28 for the entire wardrobe. This definitely “works for me.”
I was at a home school conference Monday through Wednesday, so my choices needed to be a bit more dressy than sweats. 🙂
Monday – I dealt with my love of black dresses last week, and I should have just said that black pieces in general are my “go to” items for times I am in a hurry or indecisive. If I am rushed and have only minutes to get ready, I know that I can grab any variety of black pieces and it creates a classy look.
Total cost: $9.99Sunglasses – $1 (yard sale)
Shirt – $1 (ys)
Necklace – $1 (ys)
Gab Shorts – $3 (thrift store)
Anne Taylor shoes – $3.99 (thrift store)
When I find shirts with a unique style twist to them, I snatch them up. I should have done a side shot because the fabric is cut longer around the hips and gives a unique look at the waist.
The truth? I had no make up on and didn’t want to go apply some just for a picture. 🙂
A great pair of shoes elevates everything else in an outfit. For years, I didn’t care a bit about shoes, so it’s quite ironic that I now have quite a collection of them.
Five years ago, I rarely wore heels. Now I realize that the right shoe lengthens the leg, narrows the ankle, and slims the foot, or at least give that illusion (and isn’t that what we care about)?
I still put comfort at a premium, so this heel is as high as I will ever go (and that’s two inches higher than last year). 😉 I will address choosing heels when Frugal Fashionista deals with shoes.
Tuesday – I love hues of green, and was thrilled when I found this silk shirt at the Salvation Army in Myrtle Beach (there is a total bedlam moment story with that purchase).
Total cost: $10.50525 Shirt – $3.00 (thrift store)
9 and Company Capris – $4 (Junior League thrift store)
Hype brand shoes – $1 (yard sale)
Necklace – $0.50 (yard sale)
Earrings – $2
Ten hours earlier, this outfit looked much better…pardon the wrinkles. Again, another shirt with a unique twist. The sleeves are what got me. Look for those unique elements. This shirt was smooshed between a wrack of “trash,” and I think I found a treasure from my hunt.
My day was just made when my youngest son pointed out that my feet looked like they were an 80 year old woman’s. Ah…from the mouths of babes.
Over the course of two months, this entire outfit, with accessories, came together perfectly. Unfortunately, missing from the pictures was a fabulous blue/green bracelet that I wore for the day. This is a great example of the thrill of the hunt. I look for what I love and slowly outfits come together. The fact that I found so many things in the same color palette was just plain fun!
Wednesday – Am I going to say that this is the epitome of fashion?
No, but it’s just fun, cute, and makes people happy when they see the pink. 🙂
My youngest daughter took this picture, and I probably should have checked it first. 🙂 This spandex/nylon mix pink shirt is SO comfy, I could wear it every day. It’s a style that looks great on every body size (even if you can’t see it so well on this pic).
Skirt – $1 (yard sale)
Croft and Barrow leather sandals
like new – yard sale $2
Jewelry – $2
Again, another fun, hot pink, casual look.This dress is one I would wear around the house just because of it’s comfort level.
And no, I would never wear the hat….it’s actually in the Good Will box. 😉
Total Cost: $3Dress – $2 (yard sale)
Flip flops – $1 (ys)
It completely matches my geraniums!But shame, shame…this outfit is NOT complete without the necklace (which was left upstairs).
I forgot to get the picture in real time. 🙂
It has some beautiful bead work which makes it dressy enough for church if I throw a pair of nice shoes with it, but most of the time…
I wear it with these casual, flip flops. Now, is that a match or what? I found the sandals first, and then the dress. Yes, you can tell I wear these a lot.
Many people have remarked that their thrift stores are much higher in price than ours seem to be. I am thankful for the selection that we have, but I also don’t buy things unless I feel that I am really getting a great deal, so that’s what you are seeing. We have many thrift stores that mark items higher, but I have found the days when sales are offered or items are marked down, and only shop on those specified days. I can be much pickier at thrift stores because of the jack pots that I tend to hit at yard sales. That is where you will see your greatest values for any kind of items. When people have a lot of clothes to move, they will sell it to get rid of it, and then we can scoop it up and show it here. 🙂 Thanks for letting me show my “scores.”
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Posted at: Works for me Wednesday, Hooked on Houses…I’m hooked on frugal fashions. and
The Inspired Room\
I love seeing your Frugal Fashionista finds, but please follow these few “rules” so that everyone can join in.
1. Include your post showing us your Frugal Fashionista finds.
2. Link up below to the permalink of your post. To find out what yours is, simply click on the title of your post and grab the permalink from the address bar.
3. Link back to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam in your post so everyone will know where to come to find all the other fashion fun.
Thanks for playing along. It’s so fun to encourage everyone that Frugality can be Fun and Fabulous!
I love all of your outfits!!! They're great! I have just GOT to start going to yard sales, right?
You are just the cutiest thing! I love to see all the great finds you scoop up and show off. I do get some really cute things at Goodwill and one other thrift store I have in the town I live, but from looking at how you put together your outfits, I need to start picking up some "cheap" jewelry to top it off. Thanks for the great ideas.
Love them all! you are so talented and inspiring!
You look SOOOOOOOOOO classy in that black outfit – LOVE it! And that green top…I kid you not, I want it. You MUST bring it with you on the retreat so I can try and barter for it! Haha! It is so artsy and right up my alley!!!! 🙂
Great outfits! You look gorgeous! I really need to take the time to look at clothes at our thrift stores. I'm sure I could find something (but not easy with bored 5 & 3 year olds in tow).
I just found your blog today. How fun!
Love, love, love all the outfits. And please keep the hat; I love hats and think more people should wear them. I wish I could do a post, but I only just found out (and I'm at work on break!!!). Another time!
Just found you via Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality. Love your outfits and how you pulled them all together. I'm inspired to go out and buy some cute-yet-comfy shoes. As I write this, I'm wearing fuzzy slippers which have one heel chewed off by the dog! 😉
Thank you so much for your post! I just found you a few days ago. It's so great to see what you can do at yard sales and thrift stores. You have definitely inspired me!
Wow! I'm going to have to start looking at the clothes when I go to yard sales. I love all the sandals!
Oh, just look at the 3 of us sharing our frugal fashions! ha! I didn't forget to sign up here, was getting around to it, but thanks for adding me. You always find great things & like you, my best finds are at the yardsales. I have SO much I could share on these frugal fashion shows.
Awesome find on the shoes. They are adorable!
I just discovered your blog and LOVE it! I just linked up an older post I had, because I just don't find things for myself very often. You have inspired me to look harder next time I go out. Thanks!
I like the green outfit the best–it is a great color for your skin tone. Way to go!!!
oooop!! I goofed please forgive I put my link up instead of the comment.
Just lovin your style and especially the pink shoes!!
Thanks for sharing.
TTFN~~ Claudia ♥
Love the shoes in the first picture!
Wow! I love all of your outfits, especially the cute pink one with the skirt. I never knew shopping at thrift stores and yard sales could yield such cute clothes. I am so glad I stumbled upon your blog.
Hey Jen,
Love all the outfits once again! You have an amazing eye for these great pieces!! You look fantastic! Loved them all!
I am trying to lose weight. I really need to get out there and find some great pieces at fabulous prices so this journey will not break the bank. Oh, and so I can look fab on the way down too. ;o)
Love, love all your finds!!! I can never find shoes in my size on the clearance rack… I bet they are often at yard sales, though!!! For years I have shopped yard sales and NEVER looked at clothes. You inspire me!! Pink is my favorite… wearing hot pink as I type! I will be on the hunt. Blessings!
Love the green outfit! Too adorable!
I LOVE Monday's outfit. You look fabulous! 🙂 Great ensembles!!!!
I love hats! I think you should keep it and wear it! I have several that I wear. (to the ballpark, to the park, when I'm just running errands, I even have one that I have worn to church) Thanks for sharing all your wonderful, thrifty finds. I love
finding great deals!
Beautiful! Great finds! Especially love the aqua.
I can not believe this. The black outfit…, it looks fabulous. I so need a black dress, or something similar. And to think that I could get that look for so little… priceless!
I just love your fashion shows!! You have such an eye for finding complementary pieces for all your outfits! They are all great, but I love Tuesday's!!
Ack, I thought I was posting my permanent link, but pushed submit too soon and ended up only linking my main blog. Is there a way to edit Mr. Bloggy? The permanent link is http://innerbeautygirlz.blogspot.com/2009/06/frugal-fashion-fashionista.html
I found you on Twitter through Lisa @Stop and Smell the Chocolates. What a great blog. You look like a fashion model and I absolutely LOVE you outfits, not only for the pricetage, but because they are downright adorable!
My only comment about "basic black" is it is a color I just can't pull off. I wear black, even with the best makeup, and I look like I need to be the one in a casket! 😛
Jen you have so inspired me to check out the great deals more often and expand my horizons beyond basics. I have gotten a little bit of chunky jewelry and some printed tops that i normally wouldn't wear I feel great and the compliments pour in. stephanie@702com.net
You have all the luck finding thrifty treasures! Maybe one day I can go shopping with you! 🙂
Cute stuff! You are really good at this.
Mary Lou
Don't kid yourself…the pink top and striped skirt are the CUTEST! 😉 I found your great blog via Rhoda at Southern Hospitality. I love bargains! Most of my wardrobe are 2nd hand treasures!
rosie
Jen, You asked how I get the boxes and tags on my photos…
I use Picasa. You can download it for free and use it to manage and edit your pics.
Thanks for the comment on my blog. I really enjoy reading yours.
BEAUTiFUL!
I invite you to like this up to my Thrifty Thursday post as well. Perfect. Great! And you look like a model!
Thanks for commenting on my blog and sharing a little more about yourself. After infertility, this will always be a tender place in my heart and something I continue to strive to reach out to others and protect their hearts whenever I can. 🙂 Since you mentioned walking this journey with your friend, I wanted to point out a post I made last month at http://innerbeautygirlz.blogspot.com/2009/05/welcome-to-virtual-spa-weekend.html that includes more of my personal story and also YouTube of me in my bathrobe talking about beautiful feet! 😉 You might also enjoy my blog at http://www.InfertilityMom.blogspot.com 🙂
I love all of your outfits! Great finds!
Wow, you are a really good shopper. It is has been a while since I was in a thrift shop. Will have to visit soon. You have inspired me!
Woo hoo. I'm quite the thrift store junkie myself. Oh how we could do some damage together! lol
Wow. That's frugal fashion? I can't believe how everything you've pulled together is so lovely and at such an unbelievable price.
Well done! 🙂
Just had to say that your frugal fashion shows are probably my favorite blog feature ever.
You are SO GOOD at this. Do you keep any information with you when you shop, or do you just have good "color memory"?
I do have a question for you. Your photos show your hair done in various ways, and lots of times it's pulled up. It always looks cute. I am not very good with hair, so mine's just always down–and right now down equals HOT! Could you give us any tips on how to put your hair up for summer?
Thanks bunches!
Richella
Jen, I really wanted to participate this week but I just did not get a picture taken of my cute outfit. Do you know when you will do this next? I will go ahead and draft my post!!
Jessie
I LOVE that black outfit, especially the Ann Taylor shoes! I used to live in Myrtle Beach (until 3 months ago) and never could find anything at the thrift stores there, I was highly disappointed. Now that I live in New Orleans I have a much larger variety.
Shannon
Wonderful! I love your outfits! Super bargains! You certainly know how to shop.
~Susan
I LOVE all of those outfits!!!!!
Stop by my blog to read about a huge giveaway to the launch of my new inspirational carnival coming Monday called Just to Motivate Your Monday!!
I am truly amazed. I have never had much luck with thrift store or yard sales. I think I'm too tall and my feet are too big. You look great, though–I never would have guessed you got it anywhere but the mall.
I just had to comment on how gorgeous and sophisticated your hair looks in the green outfit picture. Maybe you should give us a hair arranging tutorial? 🙂
It is really fun to see all of the awesome things you put together.