So, a whole section of my new book digs into the art and skill of thrift shopping, and because it’s one of my favorite topics, it seems a shame to confine it to the book, so I thought we’d continue the conversation here on the occasional Thursday (since that’s the day after my haul from half-off Wednesdays at my local Salvation Army!)
I’m gonna talk you through my adventure yesterday and what worked and didn’t work for me!
What worked: I have a very clear vision of the style I am shooting for with my summer maternity wardrobe. A solid idea of what I want made my shopping experience very efficient.
For summer I’m sticking to a color scheme of magenta/purple (which is my personal neutral. Don’t know what a personal neutral is? Read the book ;)) as well as shades of pink and coral, with black and grey as foundation neutrals. As far as styles, I am totally in love with the maxi dress and skirt look. I’m also ever on the lookout for long layering pieces like long cardigans, because they work for fall, winter, and spring, all the shapes my body will be going through in the next year, and those long lines are so flattering.
So, that was my list, and look what I got!
Clockwise from bottom left:
- A huge (22w), floor length, 100% silk skirt with a fun floral print for $2.25. All I have to do insert elastic in the waist, and I’ve got a fun maxi skirt!
- Striped, rayon blouse (size 1x) featuring a slew of my favorite colors–$1.50.
- Tan, long, 3/4 sleeve length cardigan. This one was a bit of a compromise because it is outside my color scheme for this next season, but it has such cute styling, and I do have a few tops it would match, so I spent the $1.50. I am wearing it today, just to prove it was OK to veer from my color scheme. I love it. 😉
- Knee length, 2x size, linen skirt. matched my color scheme perfectly. Again, a little elastic in the waist, and I’m good to go. $2
- Grey, light weight cardigan. I’m so in love with this one! It will work with everything in my wardrobe and in every season. $1.50
My favorite was this blouse that encapsulates my entire color scheme for the summer!
If you hadn’t noticed, nothing I bought was actually maternity. You can find a lot of cute styles that work for you if you simply shop the next size up from what you normally are. I’m usually a large in tops because my shoulders are so broad. When preggo, I get a lot from the plus sized section, enjoying more styles and wider selection that what the small rack of maternity clothes has to offer. Sometimes I have to tailor a seam or two, but $2 and two minutes is not a lot of trouble and I love having more choices when I go to the thrift store!
Find of the day? A Bravado Nursing Bra (retails for $35!) for $1.50! Sadly, it’s not my size, but you don’t pass up on a deal like that. It’ll fit a friend of mine who loves thrifted treasures as much as I do. 😉
Total spent (on me): $9.75 + 1 hour with my sewing machine, for 5 new items for my wardrobe. I call that a deal!
What didn’t work for me: I left the house at 9 am, went to mom group, then went grocery shopping (pushing 2 kids and 100 Lbs. of groceries around the store, and keeping the third child close=exhaustion!), grabbed a quick and, unfortunately low-protein lunch, and THEN went to the thrift store. I was exhausted, the kids were tired, and by the time I got home at 3pm, I was completely spent. I learned that in this season, I can’t do grocery shopping and the thrift store the same day.
So, what treasures have you found lately?
That’s a great idea about fixing the skirts to your size with elastic. I’ll have to remember that one because I love skirts. I ordered printed copy of your book and it arrived yesterday. Been reading every chance I get. 🙂 Since we moved the closest thrift store is the kind that is overflowing with button up oxford shirts and tailored slacks. Neither is my style. There is a vintage store on the same block though that has fabulous clothes, though of course pricier. I need to just take a day and go into Apex and Cary and hit all the thrift shops. 🙂
For me, it’s important to know what colors look best on me…autumnal jewel tones are best. I don’t even touch anything that’s not in my color scheme and despise pastels totally. Also, I rarely buy any man made fibers and stay with natural fibers for 90% of my lifestyle. When I travel, I pack man made fiber clothing because it’s less weight, don’t have to worry about ironing and no tedious cleaning…wash, drip dry and wear.
I love shopping at thrift stores but have reached the season of life where I simply don’t need much other than the occasional pieces of underclothing. When I do buy pretty clothing, any material, it’s re-made into scarves and they keep my “wardrobe” looking fresh and updated.
Great job! I think I need to shop at your thrift stores, because there is never bigger sizes at mine!
Hello Trina,
Oh, How I miss our trips to the Salvation Army! We no longer have one here and as far as Thrift Shops go around here…..They don’t! There is one right here in town but it is all clothing from “Older” ladies. You know the poly and just NOT my style!:)
The Thrift Shops in Binghamton are the ones to go to but I don’t get there much. We did go down a few months ago and it was so nice to take hubby with so the mommy could look for what we needed!:)
I have not yet read your book, but I am looking forward to reading it when I sell a jar or two from my shop!!
Thanks for the tips! Always nice to stop by and see how you are doing.:)
Hugs, Kristina<3
I really enjoyed this post, Trina. I love shopping at thrift stores and table top sales and buy a lot of my things there. I like the fact the prices are so low, you can experiment more with items perhaps you wouldn’t pay full price for. One of my most adventurous items was a pair of emerald green platform heels. I would have walked straight past them if they were full price, but they are now some of my favourite shoes. 🙂
Yes, yes! thrift stores help us to get out of our comfort zones and find new things to love! (I would love to see these shoes in a post on your blog! maybe for next week’s thrifted thursdays?)
I love thrift stores! Tips for shopping with kids is to be fast and start in the toy section and let them each have something to play with WHILE IN THE STORE. I often buy them something small at the end like a $2 bag of mixed hot wheels or Barbie clothes. The other thing that works best for me is to walk down a row and only look at patterns or fabrics that grab my attention. Surprisingly my best finds are often the items that catch my eye as I’m rushing to the till! 🙂 Last tip: do NOT compromise on fit unless you are a ready seamstress! Love it, make sure it fits and race home with your new treasures! 🙂
This is a great idea, Cheryl! Most stores don’t mind the kids digging around in the toy bins, and it can keep them happy for a long time! My kids LOVE going to the thrift store for the toy corner 😉
I would TOTALLY do a link up! I participate loosely in “What I Wore Wednesday”, but I only post clothing that is thrifted, gifted, clearanced or sale priced. Thrift shopping is a total passion for me too! Great finds, mama!
This is such a great idea! As a mom of 4 I am at a total loss as to where to start in the thrift store – any tips for moms shopping with kids?! Also, how do you find out when new stuff comes in and which locations are the best to go to? LOVE the idea of having different colours for the season – I think I’m going to adopt that !
have you gotten to the thriting chapter in the book yet? I talk all about how I did it with kids! And I also have a guest post going live next week with even more of what works and what doesn’t when venturing to thrift with kids. watch for it 😉
Ah, not yet! Looking forward to it!
I briefly considered the thrift store today, but we had already been to the farmer’s market and it was nearing naptime. I’m not very adventurous when naptime is at stake. 😉 When I finally get myself to the thrift store, I’d love to join a link up! 🙂
wise, choice, mamma, wise choice! LOL that was the mistake I made on my last trip. neglected mamma’s nap. lol
Good job! I’m terrible at thrift store shopping. Next week I’m attending a huge kids’ consignment sale with a list for each of my children. I’m hoping to find some great deals for the coming baby since I gave away 90% of my infant clothes.
ooh, that sounds like fun! and yeah for you having a list–I think that’s one of the keys to successful thrift shopping, allowing you to keep focused!