The kiddies are back to school and everything is squared away, so take a deep breath and have a moment for yourself. With all the preparation this time of year brings, I’m sure your bank account is nearly depleted and the last thing on your mind is updating your fall wardrobe. Well, what if I told you that I can advise you of a way to have your closet ‘Fall 2011’ ready with as little as $100??
I must first tell you that my remedy may take some legwork and it’s definitely not a “One Stop Shop” solution. If you’re still reading, my guess is your passion for fashion is as intense as mine and worth going the Mile for.
With that said, I now need you to raise your hand and say “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of The United States of Thrifters..”. Yes, it’s that serious! If you’ve never been thrifting, get your pin, because it’s note taking time. The first and most important rule is to Be Patient. You may find only one or two things at your first stop, but remain diligent and your hard work will pay off. With patience in mind, map out 4-5 thrift stores in your city. Goodwill’s are great and have Very low clothing prices, normally ranging from $1.99-$5.99. Be sure to take your trend list, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself to find every item. Categorize your list by: Must Haves, Eventually Haves, and Wish I Hads, the latter being those items that aren’t so realistic for you or your pockets at this time.
Now here’s the legwork I was speaking of.. To be successful, you should go through as many of the racks as possible, so you don’t miss anything. In the past, my patience has allotted me items such as: New Armani Jeans, Fendi Pants, Jean Paul Gaultier Dress, just to name a few…so keep your eyes open! You should be able to find many of your items thrifting, but for those you can’t, check out affordable Fashion Forward retailers such as; H&M, Forever 21, Target, etc. These are great places to purchase your accessories and Fall items with a new twist that may not be available at a thrift store or vintage shop.
Lastly, go thru your closet. You will be surprised at how many things you find tucked away that were old and outdated, but are now new and what’s IN again. Never forget, “What goes around comes around”. Don’t be afraid to mix and match what you have to get your desired look.
These principles have helped to keep me polished and fashion savvy, regardless of my financial woes. I finally pass the torch to you and wish you well on your Fall Fashion Quest. Good Luck!
A few of my favorite Thrift Stores/Resale Shops: Goodwill, Volunteers of America Thrift store, Platos Closet, Underground’s (Athens, OH)
