My friend, Jen, over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam is as passionate about yardsales and thrifting as I am and when I found out she had a thing for clothes shopping at those venues just as much as I do, well, let’s just say we are soul-sisters in thrifting. And when I found out Jen was going to do a party where we can all show off our frugal fashion finds, I was really excited about that. For you see, my closet is full of thrifty finds. I can hardly stand to shop at the retail stores anymore. But, that doesn’t mean I’m lookin’ frumpy, oh far from it, there are great name brands and stylish clothes out there just waiting to be found. And it’s not just clothes. I’m talking shoes, jewelry and purses too. I can’t tell you how many great things I’ve found out there over the years.
So, come along for a little frugal fashion show and I’ll show you just one outfit that I took out of my closet. Now keep in mind these pics were sort of thrown together, after peeling off my sweaty gym clothes, I threw this stuff on to do this story and I’m not exactly photo ready after sweating most of my makeup off. So, this is me gettin’ real and I had to take my own pics in the mirror.
My neighbor owns a consignment store and I’ve mentioned before that she does at least 2 big yardsales at her house a year and I have racked up on some great things from her sales. Now, I know that you don’t always find deals like this out there every day, but I have run across some wonderful brands of clothing at yardsales too for just a few dollars and my closet is proof. This is an Ann Taylor dress and I got it for $1. Yep, you heard that right, just one dollar. Most of the things I’ve gotten through my neighbor’s sale have been $1 or $2. I didn’t shoot a closeup of the bracelet I’m wearing, but that is a yardsale find too for only $1. Most of my jewelry these days comes from yardsales and all 3 of these pieces came from 3 different sales.
The dress is a pretty chocolate brown with green leaves. Moving on to the shoes…
Now I realize that some would turn their nose up at buying shoes at yardsales, but really there are many out there that are very gently used. These Ralph Lauren sandals were $4, still in the box and looked like they had just been worn outside once or twice. It doesn’t bother me at all to find a pair of shoes in great condition like this to bring home and wear.
I was trying to figure out how to show you my jewelry without showing my head, but it didn’t work out, so now here I am looking ragged, but you can see the jewelry I’ve found. This brown chunky necklace was $1 as well as the earrings.
So, let’s add that up:
Ann Taylor dress: $1
Ralph Lauren shoes: $4
3 pieces of jewelry: $3
Total: $8
Can you beat that? I don’t think so. In case you’ve never considered clothes as an option to shop for at thriftstores or yardsales, let me encourage you to think outside the box. You will be amazed at what is out there in your size, just waiting to come home with you. Talk about being spoiled. I can hardly stand to go in a retail store now and even pay sale prices. How about you? Are YOU on the bandwagon too for thrifty clothes shopping? Go on over to Jen’s to see who else is playing today. And Jen is also the Queen of Frugal Fashion herself.
I’m also joining Julia’s Hooked on Fridays, since I’m definitely hooked on frugal shopping.
Their is NOTHING frumpy about you girlfriend! Lucky me has seen first hand how stylish you are and you find the BEST fashion fun when thrifting! Love these finds too – fabulous! Oh, and you are making me nervous… please don’t fall backwards down the stairs!!!!! 😉
Love ya,
Me
Wow….Ann Taylor dress for a $1! I definitely need to follow suit and drag my behind away from all the shiny things while I'm thrifting, that is amazing!!! You have inspired me to set out on a hunt!! (and if you think you look ragged in the picture with the amazing jewelry?) omgosh, I wish I could look so "ragged." You look great! Have a super day!
♥ Teresa
I love frugal shopping. One of my all time favorite stores is Goodwill. There are some incredible deals there – you would be amazed what people drop off at Goodwill!
Very pretty Rhoda dear! You look great! I always giggle when I find a designer item for under $3!Takes a bit of time to rummage through but I’ve found some really nice things at thrift stores too!
Got a cute pair of Yellow Box sandals for $3 the other day!
Rhoda you look beautiful! If I start going to yard sales again, I’m going to blame you.
I love buying things at garage sales and thrift shops but I am not too good with the clothes area…those shoes are so cute!!!
Have a GREAT weekend!!!
sandy toe
I admit I usually don’t look at clothing but will have to reconsider. You look lovely, BTW!
My daughters sunday school teacher once asked her class to total their apparel from head to toe including their jewelery. These were high school girls, and one girls total cost was $2000!
I should do a post on my daughters house…..almost everything came from garage sales. It just goes to show you don’t have to be rich to live nice.
Thanks for sharing!
You look very UN frumpy. Just lovely. I had not bought “preworn” clothing before but my daughter needs a white dress to wear for graduation. No print, solid white. Not easy to find and not her style either. I found a beautiful white linen skirt at GW for $3.99! I also picked up a cashmere sweater and tank for $5.00 but they are too big so I am giving them to my mom. Now I am going to look harder at clothing when I am out shopping for thrifted china etc. Thanks for the links. Pam
I didn’t think you looked ragged at all….and your shopping talent is superb!! Shoes and all!!!
I love those shoes!! 🙂 I have one pair of shoes that I got at a consignment sale, and they got me over my fear of gently used shoes. They are a pair of beautiful aqua sandals with “jewels” on the toes…soooo pretty. Who could pass those up?! Not me! 🙂
I'm always on the lookout for clothing and especially shoes. With the cost of shoes these days, I'd go barefoot (almost) unless I bought at thrift stores and yard sales. It usually the heels and fancy shoes I buy there because, after all, you only wear those for a limited amount of time. My better sandals and day-to-day shoes are usually new.
I have roughly 40-50 pairs of shoes/sandals/boots/trainers (& I'm not embarassed to say it); but if you add up what I paid for them, you'd be amazed. Perhaps I'll do a "Summer Shoe Fashion Show" ala blog!
Those are some amazing finds! You look gorgeous and no one would ever guess how much money you saved.
First of all, you look lovely, second of all you are an amazing shopper!!! Love those shoes.
Do you hit Goodwill much? I go to one near my office and get amazing stuff. I recently got a pair of Lily Pulitzer pants for summer for less than $5 and a cute monogrammed hot pink tote bag for the pool on clearance at Goodwill for less than $2!!!
I love it! The dress for $1…amazing!
I always, always check out the clothes. I haven’t found anything yet for myself but I ALWAYS find great stuff for my two younger kids. That dress is wonderful!
Yea, you fashionista, you! You also solve one of the misconceptions that Tall women can’t find anything. It’s out there and you show it so well. 🙂
Thanks for playing along.
$8 and you look gorgeous!! I also think you look just fine sweated off make up and all. What a great bargain, I just love a good find.
Jennifer
Beautiful outfit and you look just gorgeous. Hugs, Marty
Wow! An Ann Taylor dress for a dollar?! That’s amazing. Love those shoes, too. I didn’t realize Jen was having a frugal party. I’ll have to stop over there and check it out!
Hope you have a great weekend, Rhoda! 🙂
Rhoda, you are always beautiful to me, and you did well on those bargains! Very nice!
XO,
Sheila 🙂