06 July 2009

A Girl, A Thrift Store & Twenty Bucks, Pt. II

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For my second $20 shopping experiment I decided to try to find a fancy outfit. Fancy being my word for something I would wear out on a Saturday date with the boyfriend or... well, that's about the fanciest thing I do. The first section as I walk in the door contains the shoes and purses so that's where I started. Right away I spotted a pair of maroon peep toes... in my size! I knew I'd have to build the whole outfit around the shoes. I turned to the purse section and was a little disappointed with the selection. There's usually a pretty clutch or embroidered bag in the bunch, but not this time. I finally settled on a simple black handbag with a gold toned clasp.

Now that I had my accessories, I moved on to the clothes (I'm sort of working backwards here, aren't I?). After scouring through the dress section with nary an option in sight, I headed to the dreaded black skirt aisle. Whenever I really feel up to going through this section, I always come out with something great. I just rarely feel up to it. Making my way down the row, I came up with one, two, three (!) cute black skirts to choose from. In the end I chose a black velvet number. Now for something on top. Once again I was left empty handed after going through the entire section of blouses. I was getting worried that I wouldn't be able to complete the outfit! Then I thought to go through the slips and ended up finding a pretty silk and lace top that would work perfectly. I reviewed my selections and was happy with everything I'd picked but thought the outfit would be tied together nicely with a pair of sheer tights. Luckily I found a pair in the shade I was looking for - stone grey.
[3]
The Goods:
  • 40s era black velvet paneled skirt: $4.99 (half off)
  • 90s era black silk and lace top: $2.99 (half off)
  • 70s era grey tights: $.99
  • maroon suede Hush Puppies peep toe shoes: $4.99 (half off)
  • 50's black handbag: $4.99 (half off)

Since I was shopping on "half off day" the total for this trip came to a whopping $9.95! A lot of thrift store have "family days" or sale days and it's worth it to find out when yours has one. Just be prepared to fight the crowd and deal with screaming children and long lines.

The final result:

[2]

59 comments:

  1. Lovely. The skirt is an amazing find!

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  2. A splendid outfit, a real bargain! So painful to look at, though...for the same old reason of not having thrift stores here!

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  3. Awesome post! I love it when you do this. :) I've never gone into a thrift store intentionally looking for a full outfit, but you're making me want to!!

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  4. I miss going to decent thrift stores like they had in NYC when i lived there....now i'm in Las vegas...and not much luck here.

    Jen Ramos
    'Cards & Prints You'll Love...'
    www.madebygirl.com

    madebygirl.blogspot.com
    -

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  5. I'm not usually one for black, but with those touches of color it realy brightens it up, such a great date look!

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  6. So awesome! I hope you keep doing these shopping experiments

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  7. Now that's incredible! Many people are just so fussy about buying from a thrift store because it doesn't have a fancy name like Gucci or Prada but, what they don't realize is that what matters is how you wear your clothes...not what brand they're from. Anyway, what I love about this outfit are the purple shoes because they're so unexpected! The blouse is also refreshing!
    check out my trendy blog!
    http://thetrendydwarf.blogspot.com/

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  8. this is a gorgeous look! i'd like to go to PA just to hit up this thrift store!

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  9. Very chic! I especially love the blouse and the shoes! <3

    ~ Caitie

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  10. The outfit is lovely! But what I really wanted to say was that I think the amount of work you put into your posts is always wonderful -- and it definitely shows in this post, what with the nice borders and the extra touch of scanning in the receipt. Not many bloggers would think of doing that.

    Having said that, I fully agree that the peeptoes are divine. Why do I never find shoes that nice in my local thrifts?

    http://www.fashionforwriters.com/

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  11. Well done. You've got an eye for it, that's for sure. I find people can't see how to put the pieces together they find in thrift stores. You show them and it's like a little light's come on - and then they're an op shopping convert.

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  12. great finds! I love how your shoes bring out the colour of your "ink"!

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  13. what a great post! you really got some good finds. that skirt is especially wonderful. i rarely try to get a full outfit from one trip to the charity shop, but now i am inspired!

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  14. Yet again...blown away and completely JEALOUS of your finds! You look gorgeous.

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  15. Black skirt aisle is the worst! It requires so much more attention than the rest of them. You did an amazing job, again! The final outfit is perfect and your hair looks so great too.

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  16. those shoes add the perfect pop of color to your outfit. love it!

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  17. AnonymousJuly 07, 2009

    love the shoes, they add a nice contrast

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  18. oh what a sweet little outfit!! i love how the blacks are different, it makes the velvet look all the more luxurious. and the grey tights are perfect!

    dotluv.blogspot.com

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  19. Great finds. You put this outfit together excellently. You look gorgeous!!

    http://tinkinmycloset.blogspot.com/

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  20. wowzers, you deffinatley know how to get a bargin :)
    You dress so lovely too!

    Rose

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  21. waheey! You look stunning! That outfit is perfect! xx

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  22. Lovely! I'm really impressed, only 10 bucks for that awesome outfit. Cool!

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  23. Lovely outfit to a really great price. So fun to read!=)

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  24. What a cute outfit, and for such little money!

    good job :)

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  25. WOW - this outfit is awesome! And you really lucked out on the price - not even half of what you were willing to pay! You're a true inspiration to a thrifty woman like me.

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  26. love the outfit and love the idea for your blog...hope to see more of a girl, a thrift store and 20 bucks!

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  27. Thank you so much for all of your comments! I really appreciate it.

    I hope to do more of these posts in the future. :)

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  28. I am always astonished at how you know when the different clothes and accessories are from. If you take suggestions for blog posts, I'd love to see one on the subject of dating vintage/thriftstore finds!

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  29. Why, why do I live in France ?!

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  30. girl..u killed it...awesome job!

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  31. Brilliant finds, you look amazing, once again an utterly inspiring post.

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  32. Absolutely excellent! I'm glad you're showcasing how wonderful one can look for such a small amount of cash.

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  33. AnonymousJuly 07, 2009

    ah! this is great! we used to do this in high school...i should start up again.

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  34. AnonymousJuly 07, 2009

    Great post and outfit, of course. But, dude, I had to comment because your hairdo looks fantastic!!

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  35. very well done! not sure I could have done it. The shoes are always a bit of a problem at the thrift stores I frequent. those ones are adorable.

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  36. I LOVE this post. What a marvelous idea to do a thrift store challenge. My thriftin' brother and I ought to challenge ourselves to this sometime.

    p.s. I'm pretty sure you'd look amazing in anything in the store!

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  37. you're too good! you're just too good!

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  38. Someday I just might have to come visit you as that is such an amazing deal- the fact that you got such an great outfit for so little blows my mind!

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  39. That is just lovely. I wish that I could find shoes like that in the thrift stores that I frequent! Great post series.

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  40. These are amazing vintage finds! I'm always looking for unique vintage pieces. I often blog about them, too!

    -Chelsea Knights
    http://chelseabryanknights.blogspot.com

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  41. This is so beautiful! Good thrifting!

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  42. That's inspiring, I know I can get a day outfit together thrifting, but you look good enough to go to a great evening event! Congrats- hope it gets you a nice night out!

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  43. I'm totally inspired by your organized post! a challenge is even better than going to a thrift store with no agenda.

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  44. this is such a great idea.
    yay for 50% off days!
    the end result looks fantastic.
    those shoes...

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  45. What great finds for a thrift shop voyage. I'm really temped to go and start shopping through thrift stores myself.

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  46. and THIS is why thriftin' can be so addicting, never know what you can find, pair up and how much! Love this!!

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  47. So pretty but I have a question:

    aren't those pantyhose?

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  48. I love it!
    u got such a great outfit for almost 10 dollars (like 30 peruvian sol) ...amazing
    xoxo

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  49. Phenom idea! Love this post! Great finds.

    Your such an inspiration! =)

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  50. All of these wonderful items for $10?! I still can't believe your luck.

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  51. very good shopper!

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  52. You're lovely! I'm just a swedish 19 year old girl feeling very insecure about everything about myself but whenever I read your blog I feel a sense of joy. I don't know what it is but for me it's calming having your blog there to lift me up when I'm sad (which I'm often..) so THANK YOU :)

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  53. Killer! If I'm in a good mood - it seems like there are endless possibilities in a thrift store. If I'm grouchy - I totally avoid the black skirt section - heck - the whole skirt section!

    Love your blog!

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  54. Totally inspiring. I love the outfit.

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Each and every one brightens my day. :)