Treasure Hunting: Getting The Look For Less
I confess. I love to shop. It kind of goes hand in hand when you’re a fan of style and fashion. Who doesn’t love the feeling of getting that new pair of shoes or fabulous dress, right? What’s not so great, though, is the impact it can have on your bank account.
I learned the value of a dollar from a very young age. I watched my mother, a single parent of 3, struggle to make ends meet as she raised my brothers and I in the inner city. Sometimes those ends didn’t quite connect and we went without. She did the best that she could, but times were hard. For that reason, I don’t like wasting money. In fact, I’m ALWAYS on the prowl for a great deal. Sometimes it can mean that I get basic pieces from Target or even Walmart (yup, sho do!), but every now and then I do like to splurge on more quality items. The trick is knowing where to go to find them at an affordable price. So how does a fashionista bridge the gap between staying on trend and stylish without blowing her budget? Thrifting! Forget diamonds; thrift stores and consignment shops are a girl’s best friend.
Most of us would agree that saving money or finding a great deal is part of the joy of shopping. For me, nothing quite beats the feeling of triumph that comes when you get that extra discount at checkout. In fact, the FIRST place I go to when I walk into a store is the clearance/sale section. Hey, I’ve got 2 kids in college. Getting a deal means more now than ever.
I know the idea of wearing someone else’s hand-me-downs is unappealing to some, but I’ve never been phased by it. No shame in my game, as they say. As long as the items are gently used and in good condition, it’s all good. I’ve scored numerous treasures this way: vintage Christian Dior shades for $17, Brian Atwood pumps for $36, Barneys New York leather blazer for $15, sparkly Uggs for $50. Just the other day I wandered into a local Salvation Army and found a beautiful 100% silk Diane von Furstenberg dress for $3.99!! Then, because it happened to be during a 50% off sale, it ended only costing $2! #winning!! As the saying goes, “One (wo)man’s trash is another (wo)man’s treasure.” Indeed!
Sure, it can be overwhelming to walk into a place with racks and racks of items, many of which are not in the best of shape. But if you have patience to sift through things of lesser quality and keep your eyes peeled for name brands or even unique, funky pieces that speak to your style sense, you can hit the jackpot.
So, just where do I go to find these gems? Here’s a list of a few places/sites that I frequent. Check your local area for locations near you :
- Salvation Army
- Goodwill
- Plato’s Closet (www.platoscloset.com)
- eBay (always a favorite)
- ThredUp (www.thredup.com)
- Eye of the Beholder Consignment (www.http://www.eyeofthebeholderconsignment.com/home.php)
So remember, being fashionable doesn’t have to break the bank. You can be frugal and fabulous. Happy thrifting and may you score big and get the look for less!!
Source: Model Moxy