Are you new to my Frugal Fashionista series? Find out how I dress for less with designer outfits for mere pennies on the dollar. Yes, all outfits from head to toe are less than $15, and did I mention…second hand?)
At some time, I think every one of us have opened our closets, stared at our hanging clothes, rambled through our dressers, and still declared, “I have nothing to wear.”
Our tendency is to think…”I need to shop,” but a new shirt or pair of pants may not solve the long term problem. Often, I pick up two shirts at a yard sale and still say the same thing.
When that happens, “Houston, we have a problem.” And yes, I know I do. I have so many amazing Frugal Fashionista Clothes that I don’t need any more right now, I just need a complete wardrobe overhaul. That will be a post unto itself on reassessing and reorganizing the necessities.
Due to this issue rising over the last month, I challenged myself to mix and match accessories and clothing pieces that I have never worn together. I knew I had great outfits just waiting to be discovered, if I would only take the time to go through my individual pieces, and shop my own closet. (Of course, I forgot to take pictures, but here’s one Frugal Fashionista outfit from this week’s challenge.)
This outfit was planned completely around this necklace. A few months ago, I picked up this brown, chunky, modern necklace for $1 at a yard sale, but I’ve never worn it. Every time I tried it on, I just felt it was too big. Often with large jewelry, we only stare right at the piece in the mirror and we don’t see the power of the outfit in its entirety. I think this keeps us from branching out and it kept me from enjoying this necklace earlier. This brown short sleeve “jacket” was just what the necklace needed, and together it was a fun, yet casually classy ensemble.
It’s amazing what was hiding in my closet when I peeked at the very bottom of my top shelf pile.
This whole outfit was from four different yard sales.
- Brown jacket – $3
- White tanks – $1
- Eddie Bauer Jeans – $1 (Frugal Fashionista find of the summer since in-style jeans are SO hard to find second hand)
- Necklace – $1
- Black, chunky bracelet – $1 Market in Ecuador (and I wish I would have bought 100 of them)
- Total: $7
And to think this outfit was hiding in my closet and I had never worn it before…
Are you up for the Shop Your Closet challenge this week? Start small and challenge yourself to mix and max just a few new things. Get those creative juices going and see what fabulous fashions are hiding in your very own closet. If you are still bored, learn how to tie scarves, it adds pizazz to an outfit instantaneously.
You know I love shopping at Frugal Fashionista prices, but it definitely doesn’t get any better than FREE!
Have fun and let me know how it goes.
Great post!! I love going through my closet and finding new outfits! It’s so much fun!
OK, are those the CROC sandals hiding under the jeans??? I’ve been looking for some and found some size 6 for my sister in law at a yard sale–tags still on ($40); I paid $3. Just need to find my size 8!!
Love your blog 🙂
Ok, they ARE!! And they are the cutest and one of my favorite shoes EVER. They are high heeled Crocs. I have found TONS of Crocs at yard sales, but these I actually got directly from the company, so I didn’t list them. Yes, free to me, but not free for everyone. They were a gift from a conference. I’ll try and find a pic with them..I wear them all the time in the summer.
Great outfit – absolutely love it! I recently bought an American Eagle skirt from Goodwill and was pleased to discover once I got it home that 3 of my existing Goodwill tops matched it perfectly for three different looks.
Mary Ellen
Mixing and matching outfits works out well if you have a lot of solid colors and a lot of separates. [I do.]
Although, I’ve seen some (skinny) fashion bloggers turn out amazing outfits by layering skirts over dresses as well!
Your topic was very timely for me. I was shopping with my teen daughter and her buddy yesterday. I was on the hunt for a bargain dress to wear to my late August class reunion. After watching my sad face come out of yet another dressing room, my wise daughter said “Mom, why don’t you just wear a dress you already have?” She’s right. I do have at least two nice dresses that would work and none of these folks at the reunion have ever seen them. Smart kid. And good advice, Jen!
I always love your fashion posts- love your outfits, and really love the jacket! I just wish I looked as cute as you no matter what I was wearing! Thanks for the encouragement to get out of the rut of wearing the same things over and over!
Girl, you are amazing!! I hope I’m able to hang out with you before our trip in September!
Awesome necklace.
Good advice! I think I need to take another buying fast (I did one earlier this year – for almost five months I bought NO clothing for myself.) and just work with what I have. And maybe even clean out things if I’m not going to wear them!
I also try to remember that most people in other countries and many right here don’t have nearly the amount of clothing we do. So let’s just wear the same things … it’s ok to repeat once a month! Or even more often!
So Cool!! I love it! What a beautiful outfit simply from shopping your own closet! 🙂
You are so adorable! I love this outfit! The necklace is fab, the jacket is cute and the jeans are perfect. What great finds.
That is such a cute outfit!
Great necklace!
Great idea. Along the same idea, I am doing what Jessica at A Few of My Favorite Things has done- refashion some of the shirts in her closet with simple cloth flowers and ribbon. Thanks Jen!
I have to say that I *love* your blog! I like your sense of style and the fact that you buy from thrift stores – they’re my favorite places to shop. I’m adding you to my blogroll to keep up with your frugal fashionista posts and everything else.
Super articles on this subject. I know some of this stuff but your reminders are just what I needed to hear!