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My little $15 Challenge, monthly outfits.

mumtojessandluke

Ok, I thought I'd let you know. Currently I have set myself a $15 a month shopping budget and every month I am going to spend that on an entire outfit (minus shoes, bags and underwear. I have been inspired by my most recent treks to the op shops, and I think this is completely perfect for my life style.

Does anyone else want to join me?

Shopping

37 replies

Latest reply was from Ornella

Marley

Veteran

I'm doing SYC right now - but this sounds like a really fun challenge! But, I will have to wait until April to jump in, because I've made a 90 day commitment to SYC! BTW - what is an op shop?????

mumtojessandluke

Ahh. I guess you don't call them that in the US.
Second hand shop. It's short for 'opportunity shop'. Basically, where you donate clothes, toys, household stuff ect.
I think they do it slightly differently in the US, because I read somewhere that there was some sort of tax advantage for people to donate goods over there. But I'm not there & don't really know how Americans do it, so I could be wrong.

mumtojessandluke

Oh, and I'm guessing SYC= shop your closet.
Well done for making a 90 day commitment, sounds awesome for your budget and helping decide what should really be lurking in your cupboard. I'm not so brave though! LOL. Maybe next year.

Marley

Veteran

Oh - Ok - an op shop is like a thrift store! I like your name for it better than ours! Can't wait to see the posts of your $15. outfits! This is just such a fun idea!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

That's a great idea, and I've had good luck with thrifting recently so I might be able to manage it! I would love to join you. Are you including accessories/jewelry?

mumtojessandluke

Up to you Laura, I'm thinking some months you could probably get $15 for accessories too, but some moths might be harder than others.
I'd love to do this with others too!

Lynne

Veteran

Check out Renata's fabulous pussy bow blouse and leather bag ($2.50)...here's the thread (the photos are no longer there, but as you can read in the comments, they were FAB)
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ed-handbag

Can you make the challenge to create a new outfit for 15.00? ie incorporate what you already own?

Sally

Veteran

I am keen to try.....it might be hard to do $15 to include shoes etc every month as a lot of opshops I go to ....pants are at least $8 and a shirt would be $4-5. But I will have a good try.

Isis

Veteran

I love this idea and can't wait to see the outfits!

I won't join you as I don't have time to go to the thrift/op store to shop these days.

It would be easy to adhere to the $15 budget if you can include clothes from your own closet, of course. But really difficult if the entire outfit comes from the shop!

I would love it if you also included the prices so we can appreciate your creative shopping. And if you reworked a piece be sure to include the before pic!

As inspiration, someone here shared a link about someone who made a dress a day for a year that she reworked from thrift stores---and set herself a budget of $1 per day!

Good luck!!!!! Can't wait to see the outfits!

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

What a clever idea! I'm definately in for the month of February. (Once we get to March I'm hoping to buy some new flared type jeans for the cooler months. I can't envisage I'll find those in the op-shop!)

I can't wait to see what you come up with.

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

You are brave Belinda! My local op-shops sell dresses and jeans for $10 a pop so you must have a special op-shop to but a whole outfit for $15!

Sally

Veteran

Isis or anyone else that knows. Can we have the link to the article about the woman who made a dress everyday for a year worked from thrift shop dresses. Would be great to read as I haven't read it.

mumtojessandluke

COOL!! There will be a few of us then

Katiepea, Sally & Laura- I can't wait to see what you come up with either.
Anyone I've missed?

Puffenstuff- I know, some op shops are more expensive than others for sure. I will have to be very thrifty and go to the cheaper ones first, look at sales racks (yep, they have them at op shops - insane!). Also, I intend on shopping on Mondays at the local Salvation Army shop when they have 50% off stock that are marked with certain colors. So I'll also have to have an idea of what I want first so it all comes together. I guess it could as easily be a $20 or $30 challenge, but then I'd find it less challenging to be honest. Working it out for a yearly amount I'm also happier to be doing it for $180 as apposed to more. Keep in mind, I'm in a small country town and we have 3 op shops here (lucky hey!) so I may need to get out & about too. I've already had the heads up from a op shop in a local town, their best day is Wed when all the new stock goes out

I can't wait to start- 4 sleeps to go till FEB

Isis

Veteran

Sally, Here's a link that has a synopsis of the $1/day for a year dress/a/day. It's nice because it's a summary with selected photos.

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/gu.....7KYhhpbqU5

Here's the actual link:
http://newdressaday.wordpress.com/

Can you tell that I am a Google Queen?

Sally

Veteran

Thanks Isis...Im motivated now.....my success will depend on what time I have to find the cheap clothes and alter anything I find. what a great story though.
Mumtojessandlu = are we able to wear some clothes that we already have or does it all have to be what we got for $15....I

kimlee

Veteran

I think this sounds like a fantastic challenge. I have been shopping my own closet for the last month. I would like to SYC longer, but I have discovered some serious gaps in my wadrobe that need to be filled. I am hoping to make purchases that will fill those gaps this weekend, and then I will join your challenge starting February 1st.

Lisa

Veteran

Great idea, I have not had much success with thrift shops in my local area but I look forward to your fab finds!

mumtojessandluke

Sally I'm looking at $15 for an entire outfit. That doesn't include shoes or underwear. If you are really struggling one month, rather than a everything or nothing approach using your own clothes would be fine, but the aim is to get a complete outfit for $15 or under once a month.

Kimlee- yay! Another person up for the challenge!

It will be really fun looking at all our finds.

Starting with Feb

mumtojessandluke

February 1st is today!! Game on..LOL.

It also happens to be my 8th year wedding anniversary. Not that we are doing anything.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Happy anniversary!

I would happily join your challenge, but my goal for this coming season is to spend MORE money... I am too stingy as it is. I cannot wait to see what you come up with, though!

mumtojessandluke

I'm off to a good start. I went into my local op shop, and they were having a sale. 50 cents for ALL clothing. It finishes on Friday.
I think I bought too much.
1 jumper for winter (blue and brown with a big collar, and just enough stretch)
1 blouse that has a low v neck & pussy cat bow in a floral print. (someone is inspiring me here!!)
1 burgundy top that hangs fantastically. (I think it does anyhow- please feel free to comment later)
1 blue/cream top - I'm not 100% sure about, but at 50cents I took a gamble.
1 pink/cashmere woolen type vest.
1 stripy t-shirt
So far I've spent $3.50! I figure I can use some of the other pieces for different outfits over the year to keep the cost per outfit down. I've got 11.50 left in the kitty for this month And I need to concentrate on dressing my lower half! LOL. I'm actually now thinking that $15 was a little high- LOL!

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

Well done Belinda - do we get to see the goodies you've brought?

mumtojessandluke

Yep. But I'll need to get DH take pics first & upload them, probably not today since it is our wedding anniversary! Still out on the hunt for bottoms. It is just so, so hot here I didn't want to drag the kids out from under the air conditioner. Still might yet, as I'd love to wear something a bit special and go to the park for a late night picnic when the weather is less windy and HOT! I swear it is over 40 degrees today.

mumtojessandluke

Well my clothing allowance for this month is GONE - cry, Laugh, chuckle, cry...

I've been shopping again. I went over to a neighboring town's small community op shop. I needed bottles for making chutney & jam. 10c each- bargain! I also brought;
1x denim skirt $4
1x corduroy green skirt $4
1x Necklace $2

Ok, technically I've got $1.50 left.

The ladies were SO SO nice to my little girl, wrapping up beads I brought for her, and giving her a special bag. They gave me special bags too. One dotty cloth bag, and another cloth bag. Pretty cool op shop if you ask me! Jessica also got a skirt that requires a little elastic for $1. Bargains galore.

Anyhow. An outfit from my goodies for Feb...
Denim skirt (my first denim skirt, I don't really own many skirts).. $4
Blue lacy v neck top... $0.50
So a $4.50 outfit! LOL. Shoes are mine. Watch is mine. Earrings are mine too. I just couldn't find accessories I loved. No makeup, way too hot. And to top it off I've been making cordial, bread and a roast. So it is pretty hot in my kitchen.
This was the top I was really unsure about. It is a bit clingy, and low cut. Weekend wear. I wouldn't dare wear it to school. Please feel free to comment.

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Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

The skirt fits you like a dream! I know you said you couldn't find accessories you liked, but I think a nice necklace of some kind (maybe a pendant?) would help bring the focus up a touch, and make you feel less self-conscious about the cut of the top. The top is definitely low-cut, but I don't find it vulgar, only perhaps a bit limiting in where I would personally be comfortable wearing it. Can you pop a cami underneath or would you die from heatstroke? lol

Great job! Wish I had inexpensive thrift shops like that around me.

mumtojessandluke

Heat stroke Mamapicklejuice! LOL. Yep, it is a polyester, and I'm breastfeeding, so another top on is just a bit too hard to get the girls in and out of. With a hot little one against my skin we get sweaty enough! LOL.
Thank you so much. Glad you like the skirt.
Great tip about a pendant. I think I'd be trying to find something that is in the neutral tones.
I can't wait to see what others come up with!

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

Nice outfit Belinda and great finds. You could always put a modesty panel in the neckline of the top (there is a proper name for them just cant remember what it is!) if it's bothering you and especially while it's too hot to layer. I think just a simple pendant would be nice, I picked up a good tip a while ago and that was to use a simple chain and thread an old dangly earring on it, That could be a nice cheap way to update your whole outfit!

mumtojessandluke

Budget depleted!
I went to the last day of the 50 cent sale today and got myself a jumper. I love, love, love it. It will be perfect for an out fit in the cooler months.
So far I've brought;
2 x skirts- Both $4 each
4 x tops- All 50 cents
2 x jumpers- 50 cents each
1 x vest- 50 cents
1 x necklace- $2
And you know how I said I spent $3.50 at the first op shop, well I did, but I was counting DD's photo frame- LOL.
Grand total of $13.50 so far this month
Yep, I've got $1.50 left. LOL.
I really should show you all the bits and pieces I got.

Sally

Veteran

Okay the challenge is on. You must live near a great opshop. I really like the outfit you have put together. That denim skirt was a real find. I was hunting all summer for a nice denim skirt and gave up. I will have an outfit by the end of the month.

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