Hi Stacey!
I don't know what the thrift/charity shops are like where you live, but when I was young and skint, I used to buy most of my clothes from them. My best ever buy was a men's black leather trenchcoat for twelve pounds (about $18) - it was such a small size, I doubt many men would have fitted into it! I also found that the charity shops in smarter neighbourhoods were the best place to bargain-hunt, as they often had nearly-new clothes from quality brands like Marks & Spencer, worn a couple of times and discarded because they were last season's colour or whatever!
This time of year, lots of women are spring-cleaning their wardrobes (I've filled four bin bags already!), so you are likely to get plenty of choice. Of course it can take a bit more time to find what you want in the right size and colour, but you end up with a more eclectic and funky wardrobe than if you just bought everything new.
I still pop into my local charity shops when I'm restocking my wardrobe - I picked up a lovely embroidered shirt in very fine off-white cotton from Per Una (one of M&S's own brands) the other day for less than a fiver
