Thrifty Tip Thursday

Welcome back to my little corner of the world! If you're reading this, then chances are you can be categorized as one or more of the following:

On a budget
Fashionista
Curious about thrifting

Did I peg you? Well, whether you fit into one of those categories above or if you don't really, but you're still here, welcome and let's dive right in!

Thrifty Tip Thursday

What is it? Why? When? How?

What is it? Basically, I will be teaching/showing you a thrifty tip about how I shop on a super budget, how I find amazing pieces for super cheap, and just basic tips on how to piece together outfits, shop for a purpose, shop the specials, and flat out, how to maneuver a thrift store to find all of the goodies inside.

Why? Excellent question. I was chatting with some girlfriends when it was suggested that I start a section on my blog for all of my thrifted/super deal outfits. I stewed on it for a bit and quickly realized it could be super fun! I love fashion {not like NY Fashion Week fashion, just normal, everyday woman fashion} and I love shopping on a budget and saving loads of money, but still finding amazing pieces that are fashionable. I won't claim to be "on trend this season", but I do think I have a decent eye when it comes to putting together a cute outfit on the cheap.

When? Every Thursday until I decide to stop. :P

How? Through the use of pictures, videos, and words such as these. I will document specific articles of clothing and/or accessories, outfits, and overall advice on how to shop similarly. I'll share stores I love, brands I adore, and how to get some of the best deals around while still looking fabulous!

Thrifty Tips #1

Shop for multi-functional pieces that will be worn time and time again. Don't buy on a whim or if you are questioning it in the store. Chances are if you question it there, you won't wear it much. This entire outfit seen below was either thrifted or purchased at Walmart. AND, don't judge a book by it's cover. Most times when someone asks me where I got an article of clothing, my response is USUALLY "the thrift store", "Walmart" or "Target". Jaws tend to drop, especially when I mention those first two. Again, don't judge a book by it's cover...you'd be surprised by what's inside. ;)

Let's just get this out of the way: I shop at Walmart and Goodwill mostly. Occasionally, I'll purchase from Old Navy, Target, or a discount store like TJ Maxx or Marhsalls. These tips will be primarily focusing on thrifted finds (but you'll probably see a lot of Walmart stuff in there too). On average, I spend about $20 per Goodwill trip. I primarily shop the sale color each week to save money. I will purchase some items at full price if I really feel like it's worth it/I need it. By shopping the sales that the thrift stores offer, I often save anywhere from 20-50% on my entire purchase of already discounted prices. If you're unsure of the sales, ask a sales associate upon entering the store. They're happy to tell you. Some stores do Manager's Specials, others do a Color of the Day which is always 50% off), and some have Military Day or other such days. Some even offer discounts for certain vocations (primarily service type careers: paramedics, firefighters, teachers, police, military, etc). ASK for the specials upon arrival before you ever shop because this will help you to really hunt down the best deals.

Let's focus on this outfit for a second: The jeans are Seven brand and were $3. The sweater is a random brand and it was $2. The statement necklace is from Walmart $5, and my booties (more on these in a minute) were $19.99. I wear the jeans, necklace and booties multiple times a week! The sweater can be dressed up or down, making everything here MULTI-FUNCTIONAL!

When shopping, particularly thrift stores, you want to shop with a purpose. Don't go in blind unless you've just never been and you want to literally just look at everything. I try to go with a few pieces in mind that I hunt for. Recently, I'd been specifically looking for distressed skinny jeans for the fall and winter. I found these + 2 other pairs and paid under $9 total for all 3!! I went back the next week and focused on shirts + shoes. I will say, I do tend to browse the children's section each time I'm there because my kid is growing like a weed and we're always needing new items for her. While shopping, I am not a snob about name brand, although I do try to search for brands I know and love. I am partial to old navy, Target brands, H+M, Loft, J. Crew and Forever21. Do I buy random no-name brands? Absolutely, but I'd say 70-80% of my thrifted wardrobe comes from those places mentioned.

PSA: People donate REALLY NICE clothing in like new condition, you just have to be willing to search for it! That's the thrill of it, in my opinion. When you find a shirt from J. Crew that would normally be $40 for $2, that's cause for a celebration! I'd say 85% of mine + Emerson's wardrobe is thrifted, possibly even more than that. You would NEVER know except that I openly admit it and am proud of it. 

So to keep these posts from being a mile long, I thought it best to focus on a particular item (or a couple of items) each time. Lately, I'm all about shoes. I just think they totally make or break an outfit. So, this thrifted graphic tee is a PERFECT intro to how I shop for shoes on a budget and why I'm not grossed out by thrifted shoes.

When shopping the shoe section of any given thrift store, always check the soles of the shoes for prices. Some stores do all shoes the same price (like my favorite Goodwill where all shoes are $5 unless otherwise marked), but others mark them individually on the soles. I, again, tend to shop with a specific type of shoe in mind, although if something extra cute is sighted for less than $5 that I think I'll wear a lot, then I'll snag it (or "them" I should say since shoes are sold in pairs). When shopping thrifted shoes, always check for a few things:

• Stains or Marks (minor is okay, but anything major is a pass especially on the inside-yuck!)
• Sizing + Heel (if applicable)
• Soles (check the soles because sometimes they may look great, but they're worn slam out on the bottom)
• The overal condition of the shoe is important. If it's banged up and clearly worn, then pass. If you can't really tell it's been worn (aside from wear and tear on the sole), then it's a GO!

Thrifted booties {Old Navy brand} $5

I adore booties in the fall and winter. They are so versatile and I like having a couple of options.
The top pair is from Walmart online last year for $26.99 + they've held up GREAT!
The bottom pair is from Goodwill for $4 (from Target originally).

$3 B+W Striped Casual loafers;
Anything cloth gets thrown in the wash, other shoes get anti fungal spray!

So the moral of today's thrifty tips is to go in with a purpose and hunt for items that fit the bill (both literally and figuratively). I always try to set a monetary goal in mind that I'd like to stay within. Usually, I opt not to spend more than $20 as a general rule. I've gotten 10 items for that much EASILY!  My challenge for you is to TRY to find one pair of thrifted shoes that you think you can and will wear and rock proudly! I LOVE when people ask me where I found my clothes because when I respond with "the thrift store", the response is typically the same: "REALLY?" or "Of course you did" (if they know me well, haha). 

Thrifting does take a bit of time and work. It is essentially a treasure hunt, and when you find that treasure...It's SO exciting. If you're on a budget, if you have a large family to clothe, if you have little ones to clothe, or if you just want to find some cute stuff for yourself to put a little pep in your step but you don't have a lot of "play money", well thrifting is an awesome solution! My mantra is "Don't knock it til ya try it". And here's a quick story for proof before I leave you to go thrifting (haha):

A mom friend approached me today and said,

  "I've got to tell you, because of your posts, I went to the thrift store recently for the first time and I found THREE J.Crew shirts for like $8 total. I still can't believe it. SO CHEAP!"

As I finish up, here are a few more from today's Outfit of the Day {ootd}. To see my outfit daily, follow me on Instagram @alittlethriftychic. Until then, I'll "see" you next Thursday, if not before!

Walmart Statement Necklace $5

Walmart Booties $19.99 VERY comfortable!

Walmart Watch $5 on clearance {came with 2 bracelets too}
I always wear a watch. I like to change them up depending on my outfit, so I don't like to spend a fortune not hem,
but I do like them to look nice. I gravitate towards gold personally.

Thrifted sweater $2 + distressed jeans $3. The detail on this sweater is gorgeous.

So, what do you think? Will you hang around? Did you learn something/find this useful? What do you want to learn/know/see?? Let me know below and have a blessed week!