My New Addiction--Thrifting for Clothes

I feel like I finally have to come clean.

I have a new addiction.

I've always liked clothes--well, in fact, I've always LOVED clothes.  My roommates in college used to tease me about playing "dress up" before going to class, a special occasion, you name it.  And if you were to ask my husband, he would have no problem confirming that I still do that!

But really--I don't think I'm the only person who can go through at least 5 outfits before finally settling on something to wear!  At the beginning of the summer, my "dress up" time was starting to become really complicated--and frustrating.  Once I decided to go into the world of business, I started buying more business-casual clothing.  However, I had no clue it would be 100+ degrees for weeks on end and the clothes I had purchased just weren't cutting it.  Frankly, I'm not sure what type of clothing is suitable for temperatures in the triple digits.  A few weeks ago, I heard a radio segment explaining that the best way to dress for the heat wave was to wear nothing at all...and the guy was dead serious!  While I could totally understand where he was coming from, I'm pretty sure that wouldn't fly at the office!

To the drawing board I went.  I HAD to find affordable clothes that I wouldn't die in.  It's not uncommon for me to spend 4-5 hours at a time, wandering between houses AND on top of that, showing houses without any air conditioning.  Trust me--if I could, I would personally pay those seller's AC bills just so I don't have to sweat to death while showing their property!

During a state of desperation, I swung by the Goodwill store in Topeka while making a Sam's run.  I figured it was worth a shot and if anything, I might get a good laugh out of the stuff at the store!  Lo and behold, I was sooooooooooooooooooo wrong!  And in a good way :-)

The store ROCKED.  It had most all the typical labels you could imagine--GAP, Banana Republic, Express, Limited, Ann Taylor, H&M, J.Crew, Apt. 9, New York & Co., the list goes on.  It took some time digging through the racks, but I found tons of great name-brand items that were in excellent shape (lots of the clothing still had tags on it!) and in style.  The only catch--it wasn't always the right size.  But for a person who's working--and incurring expenses just to work--with the first paycheck being months away yet, I was sure grateful for my finds!

A few weeks after I hit up the store in Topeka, a Goodwill was opened up here in our community.

Can you spell trouble?!

It was on.  I stopped by the store one day after work and found TONS of stuff!  I found clothes for the summer--and clothes for when the weather cools off.  I put all my stuff (or crap, as the husband would say) in my cart and went to check out.  When it was all said and done, I had 5 bags FULL of stuff--and it cost just $80, including tax!

I never should have stepped into that store because I'm convinced my brain is permanently re-wired now!  On average, a bag full of stuff from Goodwill runs me about $30--give or take.  Go to the department store to buy a shirt and that alone will cost at least $30.  Why on earth would I do that?!  Especially when I have to build a more professional wardrobe while lacking a paycheck?!  Even if we end up with all the money in the world (ha!), I'm not sure that I could ever go back to paying full-price for stuff from the department stores.  Well, with the exception of pants and shoes!  After all, there is a reason I'm nicknamed Taddy-Long-Legs ;-)

In all reality, there is a thrill to the thrifting.  You never know what you will find!  One of my girlfriends found a Halston caftan that would normally retail for $300-400...and it cost her $1.14!  Fortunately, I enjoy combining different pieces of apparel to create my very own outfit--I've never seen the point in buying the outfit worn by the mannequin in a window!  After all, you could end up in a room with another person wearing the exact same thing!  

I realize that for a lot of people, there's a stigma associated with wearing clothes from a second-hand store.  But being the second daughter in our family, I wore TONS of hand-me-downs and thought nothing of it!  In fact, I always loved going over to the neighbors and getting to pick out clothes that Rebekah had outgrown...she had the GOOD stuff and I felt pretty cool getting to wear it :-)  And to this day, if I have friends getting rid of clothes, I have no problem buying stuff from them!

So--what have I found on my thrifting adventures???  Below are some of the pieces that I have worn over the past week or two.  And trust me, based on the the number of bags I have brought home, there's more to come!

Merona Skirt--$3

This is what I get for asking Justin to take a picture!  Maybe I'll buy  him photography lessons for Christmas... ;-)

Yay for Listing Consultations!  Express blouse--$4, GAP bubble skirt--$6

Axcess Skirt--$6

Ann Taylor LOFT Skirt--$5, Next Edition Eyelet Blouse--$4

GAP Denim Skirt--$2, GAP Tee with flat pom-pom trim--$1

Apt. 9 Blouse--$4, Ann Taylor LOFT Capris--$1

Headed into the office to sign paperwork!  Apt 9 Chinos (rolled into crops)--$1