Possibly my biggest, most successful thrift haul ever! Pic heavy

So apart from the #10-11 shirt, which was under $7 shipped off Ebay, everything was $1 a piece. This was over about a month of swap meet shopping, but this is the first time I've loved so much of what I got. Plus, I fulfilled some shopping goals for Spring. Please excuse the pile of to-donate kites behind me.

1- J Crew cardigan. Fills goal: going preppy for summer.

2- Lime/Citron sweater. Fills goal: brightening up the casual wardrobe. Do you like it? I'm on the fence but leaning toward keep.

3- Silk polka dot top - NOT how I'd style it. Fills goal: polka dots!

4- Navy/Black striped thermal. Hey, a thermal that doesn't hang past my butt! And it's striped with one of my fave color combos.

5-6- Checkered Shirt Dress. Similar to a plaid flannel dress I have, but this is more Spring friendly, since it's not flannel. Fills goal: more checkers, please!

7- J Crew dress. (Hopefully) fills goal: dressy/party capsule. Do you think it will work for holiday parties and such?

8- striped top and red Ann Taylor skirt. Does the skirt fit well enough to keep? I already have a red skirt, but this one is more spring-y.

9- Bloomingdale's wool skirt. Fills goal: wool skirt to wear with leather vest. Also, fun printed top.

10-11- Ben Sherman checkered blouse. Fills goal: more checkers, please! Also, not-quite khaki pants. Thinking of passing on these... didn't realize how short they are, and these are my shortest heels. I think I'd have to wear flats with them.

This post has 11 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

15 years ago

sinead

Active Member

Great haul! I love that pink J Crew dress on you. Definitely will work for dressier occasions. The pants look a little short- I'd pass on these. Wonderful, useful black skirt too!

Kate

Veteran

Everything looks AMAZING! Except the pants, I would also pass on those (or see if you can get the hem taken out a whole lot). I wish my local thirft stores had a more current selection - it's mostly from a decade or two ago.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW!! Looks fabulous!! You clever gal.

Where on earth do you thrift so that each piece is $1. I have *never* seen thrifted items at those prices. Not even at Goodwill.

rae

Angie, apparently items that the Goodwill doesn't sell after a time get sold by the pound. Some vendors that sell at the swap meet buy the clothes buy the pound, then resell them for $1 a piece. The catch is that everything is completely unsorted -- just in huge piles. It usually takes me about two hours to comb 2-4 vendors... it is not for everyone, but I happen to find the process very zen.

Sveta

Great haul! I especially like the pink dress and both red and black skirts.
I also have never seen $1 prices in the thrift stores - only on garage sales...

CocoLion

That is an interesting method and I'm so impressed by your price points!

I love #1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10. #9 looks high end which you achieved for only $2. I agree with others that the tan pants are too short. The red skirt kind of pulls so if you're feeling picky I would send that back. The red blouse in #8 is very MaryAnn from Gilligan's Island! I would keep the lime sweater, it's cheerful and flattering on you.

I think the silk top will look cute in wide-leg high waisted pants.

crwilson

Wow - I am so impressed with what you found and the amount of patience it took to find it. The only thing I would pass on is the pants because of the length. (And can I just say - you're gorgeous! You have such a nice smile.)

Alllrighty, the pants be gone! Thanks, everyone, I wondered if I was being a heel snob or something, but no love for the pants = toss.

Thank you for the kind words about my shopping methods as well. I started shopping second hand at a young age, which made me somewhat embarrassed about it. To this day, I'm still careful about who I discuss it with for fear of getting that eew-you-dig-through-WHAT-to-find-your-clothes response -- but I knew YLF would be a safe haven.

Note that I am not a saint with my pocketbook all the time; my thriftiness helps me rationalize spending more on my true loves: handbags and boots!

Queen Mum

All I can say is Wow! You did amazing there.
I do agree to pass on those last pants. Not only are they too short, they don't do you justice. Everything else is just fabulous!

Polly (thunalata)

Amazing haul. So impressed with your ability to unearth all of this by searching through all of those piles. Wow!

Ornella

You've got some fantastic pieces there and I find it hard to choose a favorite. Isn't it amazing how we always play that game though - which garment/outfit we love best And, I love that game.

Anyway, here's me:
Checkered Shirt Dress looks - reminded me of Lyn's cute polka-dot dress from a few days ago. Items like these make my mind spin from the possibilities to dress them up or down.
J Crew dress - wardrobe staple. Looking forward to seeing what you'll do with it.
Black wool skirt - another staple and I absolutely love the length and how it fits you. I also love that top.
Checkered blouse - fun and fab.

ETA: I've just realized I mostly went for b/w pieces

taylor

Thrift shopping is an art..one that you have definitely mastered!! Nice haul!

catgirl

Rae, there's a place in Boston called Dollar-A-Pound that's in an old warehouse. We used to call it "Rags" because it was a place where they cut clothes into industrial-use rags, but on Sundays from 7-9 a.m. they would sell clothing straight off the floor for $1 per pound. You could find anything at all there, including an occasional cat.

I scored some truly unique fab items back when I was in law school, including a lime green suede 60s miniskirt that I still mourn having lost during one of my moves. My friends and I even kept a journal with our finds of the day: ugly, best, craziest... Digging around in piles of clothing was a real social equalizer too - everyone from students to street folks to vintage store owners...

Read about it here if you want!

http://www.igougo.com/review-r.....pping.html

Oh, yeah, and you found some KILLER stuff!

Reneeb

Great finds love the pink dress and green sweater. I think I might pass on the pants but everything else is fabulous. You are so pretty.

Aunty

Ok it is official, you would look great in a black sack tied with string ( as my granny used to say) Keep everything but the trousers. Fantastic.

Lisa

Wow you are a super thrifter, great haul here. Like others, I'm voting pass on the pants. I do like the bright skirt in #8 but the length in #9 is more sexy secretary. Did #8 pass the sit down test for length? #7 looks like a great party dress to accessorize easily. I really like you in brights such as the lime in #2.

WOW, Una, thanks for the info on Dollar-A-Pound! Darn, I will have to find an excuse to travel to Boston...

Reneeb & Aunty, thank you for the kind compliments and validation to toss the pants!

Lisa, I'm still debating on the #8 skirt. The fiance likes it, and I don't necessarily have to wear it to work. You are right, though; it is shorter than I like for work, despite the fact that I'm sure no one would blink if I wore it with tights.

Bluebell

Ok love love love EVERYTHING! lol! You should live in shorts!! your legs are fantabulous!!!!

Category