I love shopping at thrift stores. Back in high school, finding super cool ‘vintage’ t-shirts at the local Goodwill was the BEST. When I bought my first townhouse in my early 20’s, most of my decorations came from thrift stores or yard sales. There is just something about the thrill of the hunt… and the fact that everything is so inexpensive you don’t have to worry about regretting a purchase.
I’ve gotten out of the habit of regularly visiting thrift stores, but still keep them in rotation when looking for gently-worn kids clothes. For the past few years, I ended up getting Jack’s snowsuits AND swimsuits at thrift stores and many even still had the tags on them!
Over the weekend, after fighting a stomach bug and winning, I was dying to get out of the house for a bit. Jack and I went to the grocery store, and then before returning home I decided to swing by the local Goodwill to see what treasures we’d uncover. With groceries in the truck, we didn’t have a ton of time… but all it took was about 15 minutes and we found some awesome stuff!
I’d been eyeing a button up blouse on the J.Crew website for a while but I’m still not sure I’m really a ‘button up’ kinda girl, so when I saw this men’s version for $5.89 I snapped it up:
It’s a bit large on me, but I’m thinking some quick sewing will nip it in exactly where I need it. I’m imagining it under a cardigan with the rolled sleeves showing and some skinny jeans. Or maybe tucked into a high-waisted skirt. Would you be interested in seeing some style options?
Next, we breezed by the kid’s section and I checked both the 4T’s and 5T’s for anything that still had tags on it. I ended up finding two pairs of Car’s swim trunks that didn’t have tags, but look brand-new. Jack is a big fan of Car’s, so I had to check them out:
I always need extra swim suits for Jack since over the summer I have to send one to his school and one to my parent’s house, so for $2.50 a piece, these will definitely come in handy.
As we neared the checkout, we eyed our final bargain… a stack of 6 Hess Trucks, still in their original boxes were sitting by the register. Jack LOVES his trucks, especially the Hess trucks handed down from my brother, so I let him pick his favorite and he chose the 2010 Truck & Jet set for $15.00.
Buying toys is always a risk since you don’t know if they will work when they get home. But even after I explained to Jack that they might not make noises he was ecstatic to bring them home. In fact, he kept yelling “Thank you! Thank you!” in the checkout line and kissing the box…
Luckily when we got home we found that not only were they still bound in their original packaging inside the box, the batteries still worked too! Oh, and for anyone who thinks that these are expensive collector’s items, I checked eBay and they pretty much go for $10 – 20.
Our entire trip cost less than $30 and I’m super happy with everything that came home with us. Jack has been playing with his new truck and jet every day since we brought them home, which in itself is totally worth it.
Every time I have an awesome thrifting experience like this, I tell myself that we need to do it more often. Of course, many times we walk away empty handed, but that’s just how thrift magic works.
I’d love to hear your thrifting stories! Did you find a diamond in the rough (literally or figuratively)? Have you ever gotten in a fight over an item? What do you like to look for while thrifting?
For your button down try a look like this before (or after) your alterations.. a la Audrey Hepburn
http://www.missmalini.com/2015/06/05/this-styling-tip-is-going-to-change-the-way-you-wear-your-shirts/
If you are any good with the sewing machine, darts look great in shirts like this. Most button downs are boxy things that don’t show off a female shape well. Most good looking women’s button downs have darts. I had my mom put some in a chambray shirt that I had (she is a much better sewer and it was much easier to have her pin up the shirt on me) and it turned out great. Can’t wait to see what you do.
Oooh, cute styling idea — I’ll have to try it! I’m not a total wiz at sewing, but I”m thinking that if I take in a couple inches on each side seam and also make the tops of the arms a little skinnier it will work (I plan to cuff the sleeves, so I don’t have to be too perfect). =)
Darts aren’t too hard. Here is a little tutorial I found when I did my first set. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSW9BHkQ28s
I’m learning about the magic of thrift stores and now I’m addicted! There’s an outlet near me where everything is less than $2 and I’ve found Boden, J. Crew, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor. I even started reselling what doesn’t fit when I get home because why not? I also bought a button down over the weekend when thrifting because I feel the same way – is it a good look for me?
Wow, that sounds like some super awesome deals! I’d probably spazz out if I found Boden for $2! =)
I would like to see how you style the shirt. I have a button-up, but I feel like I get lost in it because I’m shaped like a 12yo boy. Jack is so stinking cute, please tell him to stop growing!
One of my coworkers got a really nice red Michael Kors long pea coat at Goodwill a couple of years ago and it still looks brand new. She got it for like $50, which is a freaking STEAL. I have an affinity for glass jars and containers. I don’t know why, but I’m addicted. So when I go to thrift stores, I have to intentionally NOT go to those aisles because I DON’T NEED ANYMORE GLASS THINGS IN MY HOUSE.