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the thrifty shopper challenge

hanna

(website)

hi guys!

in the spirit of challenges, now that we're all done with theme week, i just thought i'd let you guys know that kasmira of whatiwore2day has issued a recession challenge over at her blog: http://whatiwore2day.blogspot......utfit.html

basically, you're supposed to step out in an outfit totally $20 or less, from head to toe. that doesn't mean you have to go out and scour a thrift store for goodies - you can use existing items as long as whatever you put together didn't cost you a penny more than $20.

anyone interested? i think this may be fun, especially since there are so many bargain hunters here! i will be working on this some time next week - i'm actually going to push myself to see if i can get a whole work week of $20 and under outfits in there. otherwise, i will, as always, be posting to show what i come up with!

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32 replies

Latest reply was from greenglove

JewelryGirl

WOW - that would be a tough one! A week, I can't wait to see what you do. I'm going to watch & learn!

bella

(website)

Veteran

I saw this challenge this morning. I think it's a great idea. I'm sure I can't do it for a whole week but a day or two sounds good.

Kari

Veteran

Oh wow. I wish I had enough clothes to put together a $20 and under week. I wonder if gifts count as well as borrowed or hand-me-down clothes.
I'm not sure if I have enough super-budget stuff to play, but I'll look!

Sihaya

Veteran

This would be tough for me, especially if it includes shoes. I need to wear comfortable shoes with arch support, which means that they're usually pretty steep on price.

hanna

(website)

i'd say gifts and hand-me-down clothes count, kari, as long as they're not the bulk of your outfit - maybe a shirt or a scarf, something like that.

i'm lucky in that i can wear cheap shoes - and i've had great luck finding those shoes at the salvation army!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I saw that and realized I couldn't possibly do it. $50 for the whole outfit, sure, but $20? I don't think I even have a pair of shoes for less than that!

Vani

Veteran

I mayyybe able to pull off a few outfits. Not sure about a while week. It's the shoes that are stumping me! I used to thrift all my shoes when I was in college but not anymore. Good one Hanna!

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I might be able to, I will see what I can find, great challenge!!

Antje

Veteran

I saw this, too, and thought it was awesome. Alas, I already know I don't even have to try - I can't do it because while I'm a happy thrifter for clothes, I have never found (nor even really looked for) shoes in thrift stores or in swaps. I wear size 9 and am pretty picky about shoes, even more with respect to the look than the comfort level, and so it's just hard to find something serendipitously. I can easily pull together a fab outfit for under $20 if I'm barefooted, but I know Kasmira specifically stated that shoes have to be included (which makes sense, of course.) I spend quite a bit of money on shoes, to be truthful...they can easily run more than the rest of the outfit So I won't play...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is an interesting challenge. I have to say that I thought the other thread ideas were spunkier but we have plenty of time for those too.

Anonymous

Today I happened to wear some resale I'd picked up this winter to save for spring/summer. I have on a BR long knit geometric print tunic with cowl neck ($2 on consignment final sale rack), Gap straight dark jeans ($12 consignment) and nude strappy sandals ($2 consignment sale bin). I accessorized with a Macy's metal/enamel flower pin (about $3 with sale and coupon) = $19
Most of the time shoes would put me over $20.

planetamy

(website)

I would not be able to play either! I haven't quite gotten into thrifting, even though my wallet would definitely benefit.

But I definitely want to give thrifting a try, I've seen you guys get some great things!

hanna

(website)

angie, i prefer the other ideas as well, i just thought i'd throw this out there seeing as we've been talking about challenges :). i'll definitely be issuing one of the others on that thread as soon as this is over... i may not last a week!

LoP

Veteran

Hmmm... This sounds like my kind of fun. I'm a big time bargain hunter even if I don't thrift. I'm sure I could do a week if I was back home, but I might be able to pull it off for one or two outfits here. There's a big difference between $20 and $30. $30 seems to be more possible for me. The two that I can think of as a full outfit with accessories here end up being around $25. I'll try...

mscholtz

Wow this sounds like a great challenge. I take it the $20 is USD? So would that mean it would be $40 AUS ???

I am a great thrift shopper, I will certainly try to stick to $20 AUD if I can, otherwise I could find outfits for under $40 AUS.

Look forward to seeing other peoples outfits.

Alecia

Veteran

I'm looking forward to seeing what others do, too. I don't think I could do it. Maybe on the weekend... But the shoes would break me.

Inge

(website)

I'd love to take part in one of the upcoming challenges, but won't be able to do this one I'm afraid. I don't own a single thrifted item, not because I don't want to, but up to now I've just never managed to find anything fun (and that fits) in thrift stores over here.

Looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love your enthusiasm, Hanna. Lots of time for plenty of fab challenges to keep us on our toes.

I’m so impressed with the gals who can pull off an outfit for $20. I could do the outfit (through thrifts and gifts) but like Sihaya and Antje, I’d fall short when it came to the shoes, specs, wedding ring and watch. Yes! These are ALL part of your look. Think wisely ladies - you might need to take off some jewelry.

Good luck everyone! On your marks, get set, GO.

Vani

Veteran

Uh-oh, didn't think of the wedding ring Angie!

Any exceptions to the rules hanna?

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Does each outfit have to have different shoes? Probably, that is a silly question.
When does the challenge start? Can you post an outfit you wear over the weekend?

hanna

(website)

okay, i'm going to put it out there and say that things like wedding rings do not count, because that is not an accessory you simply put on and take off to accent an outfit - it is something you wear all the time. in the same vein, i wouldn't count the ring i wear from my parents, because i never ever take it off. same way i wouldn't count specs - i NEED them in order to see, not to change the look of an outfit. make sense?

GG, this one is totally flexible. i'll try to do a few days of it, if not a full work week, but other people are free to post just one outfit, if they choose. and sure, you could use the same shoes, if you want to post multiple outfits!

Vani

Veteran

Makes sense Thanks hanna!

Maya

Veteran

I think Hanna has the right idea. Glasses are a necessity, not an accessory. You wear them because you can't see without them. How they look is important, but it is very, very secondary. Same with wedding rings. They are not just a piece of accessorizing jewelry. These things don't count as "fashion" items to me.

I will not be able to participate myself, though I wish I were more thrift savvy and am endlessly impressed with those who are. It is a definite summer challenge though. I can't see how it would be possible in a northeast winter with lots of layering and coats and boots.

shana

Veteran

I assume you exclude underclothes too, right? Seriously, when you have big boobs, bras become a major expense! I don't think I own a bra that costs less than $50 much less $20! I am a total bargain hunter and have been even more frugal than normal recently but I don't think I could put together many outfits for under $20. Talk about a challenge!! I will be watching for inspiration though!

Maya

Veteran

Good point Shana. My bras are between $50-$70--my absolute least favorite thing to shop for because they're so expensive and so not fun to wear. I can't imagine most people go thrifting for bras though.

Even if a bra costs $10, that's half your budget! It's also one of those things we wear because we have to. I would not include underwear.

Dawn

(website)

I'd love to play something like this but I don't actually own anything that costs less than €14.50 ($20) which is a pity. I would like to thrift and get amazing bargains but the secondhand shops in my city aren't great at all.

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Ok, so what is the verdict on underwear?
I doubt anyone thrifts that!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Of course, I hear you, but I had to get you thinking :0)

Set out the rules and lets see the challenge put to work!

Chris

There is a blogger who does a $50 or less outfit each day (including primary accessories and shoes) and that seems very doable. $20 seems hard unless there is a lot of thrifting and gifting involved.

I can't even remember how much I paid for things. Do the bargain shoppers keep a journal of how much items cost? I guess I can remember when I got an exceptional deal (like a Banana Republic trapeze jacket I scored for $15 which I thought was a killer deal) but not everything.

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