16 years ago today I became a new Mom! It was one of the best days of my life. Daphne is her name, and she has a sister, named Val, who is also the light of my life. Both our daughters are amazing peeps that I love to hang out with. One of our most favorite things to do in our spare time, is to go to the thrift store (after Starbucks of course). You won’t believe this amazing “Thrift Store Outfit” we recently found!
I thought it was about time I shared where we find some pretty great deals on designer clothes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m more of $5 for 5 t-shirt girl, but when I see some of these great deals, I can’t pass them up.
Check out this cool, plaid, hip, cute, cozy, stylish, amazing outfit that we put together for $40. That may seem like a lot at first, until you hear who designed the clothes…
100% wool sweater from Banana Republic.
Beautiful cable knit scarf from Michael Kors.
Plaid wool skirt by Abercrombie and Fitch (not a huge fan of them but high quality/cute).
Brand new red leather boots from Nine West.
Purse is brand new.
(Daphne had leggings & hat.)
This outfit would cost well over $200, probably closer to $300 in stores.
We only paid $40.
Here’s my best THRIFT STORE SHOPPING TIPS:
-We visit both Goodwill and Salvation Army at least once a week. Go to the stores located closer to upper class neighborhoods.
-Goodwill receives shipments from Target on Thursdays and Saturdays (this may differ store to store).
-Look on the door as you walk in to see what color tags are on sale.
-Don’t be afraid of the shoe section, there are usually tons of new shoes there.
-Coats ROCK at thrift stores. Always check the coat section.
-PJ’s and t-shirts are always in abundance (usually t-shirts are brand new).
-I avoid hats, underwear.
-Wash every single item you bring home in hot water (use disinfectant wipes on shoes).
-Bring your kids with you and have them try stuff on.
-Let teens shop on their own and find their “thrift store outfit” on their own. Let them develop their own style.
-Set a limit on $$$
-Take advantage of discounts…they offer senior (take Grandma with you if you are under 65), student, and armed service discounts.
Here’s that amazing “Thrift Store Outfit” we found again…
Don’t forget to download Redhead’s e-book 30 Thrift Store Makeovers HERE!
Last months Thrift Store Decor Challenges found here.
Don’t forget to stop by and see what all my other blog gal pals are doing in the thrift store today…
Our Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Tags: best thrift stores, thrift store clothes, thrift store clothes shopping tips, thrift store decor challenge, thrift store designer clothes, thrift store outfit, thrift store tips, where to find designer clothes for less
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OMG! That is awesome Julie. Daphne you look smoking in your new/old outfit! I find lots of good deals on clothes too at Goodwill. I once bought a designer dress for a wedding for about $4.00. It is my favorite little black dress.
My mother in law – mom to 12 – often said something is only new till you wear it once. And with that I set out to never be bothered again by thrifted clothes. Why not put together affordable fashion?
Awesome job!
Super cute, total score, she is rocking those shoes!
Adorable, Julie! I’m a thrift store junkie and am always amazed at what I find. My favorite outfits aren’t from the mall, but rather Goodwill! Daphne looks gorgeous as always.
I have always wondered how to do this. I have even tried where I live in Houston, TX and then gave up because I couldn’t ever find anything worth buying. I wear an XL… 12 – 14, but don’t like tight clothing. I guess the key may be to go to the better neighborhood areas? I will have to try that sometime. Map them out ahead of time and check it out. I used to watch 19 Kids and Counting and they always found such cute things at Goodwill. I never was successful. Thanks for the advice.
Yes, Kris…this is key!!!
Love the outfit. I scored on some adorable boots.. 3.99 for Guess boots. Yay
Amazing-love that skirt!!
Darling outfit! I am addicted to thrift store shopping and find the greatest deals…it’s amazing what some people donate…I live in the SF Bay Area and we have stores here called Savers as well as Goodwill and Salvation Army. Savers has 50% off sales from time to time and I’ve gotten even better deals! Just the other day I scored a pair of Donald Pliner sandals for $7.00! I think another thing is you just have to be willing to spend a little time to go through the racks and be a little lucky, too.
Its nice to see there are other treasure hunters out there! My husband has a pretty swanky job and about 80 ties, many of which are from thrift stores. I have also gotten about half of his dress shirts from thrift stores that are good name brand shirts. You might do a “dress your husband” project for us to see. You are a master!
Great idea!
I have been a thrift store junkie for 40+ years. Love the thrill of the hunt!
I shop several Goodwill stores quite often and none of them have “deals” with Target
So sorry to hear that, Margo. Our Goodwill is FULL of Target items all marked down.
What a great outfit!! Wonderful finds!!
I like to look for Assistance League thrift shops. Find deals (especially in nice locatiobs) and money goes to good causes.
I love shopping with my family at thrift stores. We may not always find something but you never know. I even have a What’s it Worth app so I can see if my find will bring a profit.
Just today we bought 3 kitchen items for $3. Washed them and used them in making dinner.
I love it
That is so cool, Travis!! YEAY!
I love the outfit! I too am a thrift store junky. I am constantly complimented on my outfits and they are usually from the thrift store.
I have decorated every room in my house with Goodwill finds and have plenty of clothing (size 16). If you are not finding stuff, be patient, cut out time to shop and visit often.
So true!
50 or 55 is the senior ago for goodwill
Awesome! I’m 46 🙂
I’ve worked management for Savers/Goodwill/and The Salvation Army in the Midwest. Be aware that where they get their donations are not the same in all locations.
The Salvation Army(in the Midwest) is a non-profit that gets their donations locally, usually by drop off donations. And the money earned stays local.
Savers works hand in hand with the local non-profit stores in the area. Here it is Easter Seals or ARC. The non-profit will do the pick up service and if there are several stores in an area they will rotate where the goods are delivered so that all stores get a variety of goods from various areas. Savers is a for profit company but pays the non-profit for the goods. It is a beneficial system.
Goodwill does get donations from various department stores and drop off donations. They say they are not-for-profit but look carefully at where the money goes. I’m not here to bad mouth anyone but I speak from personal experience. I shop at all thrift stores but I carefully pick where I donate.
They all work to recycle unusable items but it is best if they only get usable items.
Great to know, Barbara!!
Barbara,
Like you I managed Salvation Army and Goodwill in the Greater KC area…with that said, I would and do encourage everyone to spend their money at The Salvation Army family stores. Their money stays local, and they truly HELP others….the other ones….not! Also, if you are donating use The Salvation Army!
I’ve furnished two houses and I’m buying decorations for our daughter’s wedding from thrift stores. Her theme is vintage with silver trays, strands of pearls, old bottles and bird cages. It does take a lot of patients but I love “the hunt” for a bargain. Many times at work someone would comment on my clothes from Goodwill. So eventually I was buying for everyone on our floor. They loved it and knew they had 7 days to try it on. My rules: brand name, finished seams, are tags worn, never buy anything with a name in it (I always think deceased) ugh! and if I “think” I like it I’ll but it in my cart then select what I’ll keep when I’m finished.
This wedding is so much fun especially using Pinterest ideas.
My daughter has a nack for brand labels at Good Will. Buys what she loves, cleans them up, wears them, then when she tires of them, takes to consignment store and makes a great profit.
Excellent idea!!!!
Our Goodwills are pretty expensive here in New York. Some times even more expensive than the original price. Especially the items they get from Target. But we’re lucky because we also have Amvets and Savers which are both awesome. I recently purchased at Amvets a Michael Kors hand bag (leather) for $10. It had the original price tag and receipt from Macy’s inside for $240!
In Oregon we have the Goodwill “bins” – Goodwill’s outlet stores where they sell things they don’t want in the stores (plant pots, etc.), things that have been in their stores but not sold, and then things in bad shape or dirty. They sell the stuff by the pound. You can find amazing deals. We bought an old person’s walker (for the wheels) for $5 (not by the pound, as furniture and some other large items aren’t), but ended up giving it to a friend who had back surgery, then passing it on to the community center here where they loan out this type thing. I buy most of my quilting fabric from the bins. We buy kids’ books (25 cents) and give to the local Food Bank to give to their patrons. I could go on and on!!
I live in Virginia Beach and every Wed. Salvation Army has half price clothing and linens. AWESOME.
I’ve never checked Salvation Army but it sounds like it should be next on my thrift shop checklist. This outfit is so cute and the fact that you were able to put it together for only $40 is great! Thanks for sharing your tips!
Thanks, Rachel! ~ Julie
Your daughter looks so cute and stylish….way to go Mom!
Have a friend that came from an upper income family and a good percentage of her clothing came from from thrift stores. Even after marriage to a very successful commercial architect she was still finding deals (like you) with the price tags attached! She was never shy about sharing where she found such awesome clothes when someone asked, she loved it!
Thank you, Darlene! Yes! No reason to be shy about it. My husband is an attorney, but I thrift everything, lol.
Love Good Will and other resale shops for clothes. The hunting for bargains is what makes it so fun. My son found four suits(all name brand) and six dress shirts for his internship this summer, all under $40.00. The dry cleaning bill was more than the clothes.LOL
That is so fantastic, Ann! He sounds so smart!! Makes me want to go look for my husband. Suits are so crazy $$$
She looks absolutely fantastic… luv the boots !! ?
?Linda of No.Cal.
Hi, Linda!! I know those boots were such a cool find!! She and I are crazy for boots.