Welcome to another installment of Thrifty Threads, AKA Most Stylish Compact-y outfit, where readers model their favorite secondhand clothes.
A compact-y outfit is used or recycled, from Goodwill, a thrift store, a consignment shop, ebay, Craigslist, a yard sale, clothing swap, or anywhere else you find used clothing.
Today’s model is Madeleine, who found this gorgeous dress for her Senior Prom in a local consignment shop where she lives near Cleveland, Ohio. The owner of the store often buys from New York City clearance racks. This dress still had the original tags for $350 attached, now priced at an affordable $49.99. Madeleine tried on the dress when she was a freshman and it fit her like a glove so she and her mom scooped up the deal and prayed that it would still fit and she would still like it three years later. Three years later, as you can see, she looked stunning for her Senior Prom.
Bravo, Madeleine, for being such a smart shopper at such an early age. And thanks for being such an inspiring example for young people. Your dress is beautiful and you look amazing. And thanks to your mom Jennifer for sending in the photo to Thrifty Threads. Jennifer said she wanted to show young girls that there is glamour to be found in thrift stores. She also says they’ll be passing along this dress to a community program that gives Prom dresses to girls in need. Jennifer, you deserve kudos for passing along your frugal and charitable values to your daughter.
I hope this installment of Thrifty Threads is as inspiring to you as it is to me. Not only is it possible to find gently used or even never-worn formal attire in thrift shops and consignment stores, it’s also possible to donate these dresses after you wear them to others who may not be able to pay even a discounted price.
If your daughter or someone you know is in need of a Prom dress, or if you have a dress you’d like to donate, there are a number of programs that outfit girls for their special night. Click here to read an article about two groups that are making a difference in young girls’ lives by making their Prom dream come true. If you want to donate your time, they always need volunteers to organize the dresses and accessories and help the girls find their perfect dress.
Promenaid operates in the Buckeye, AZ area near Phoenix. For information, email promenaid2009@gmail.com.
The Princess Project is a national organization that gives away dresses to girls in need.
Fairy Godmothers, based in Philadelphia, sells Prom dresses for a small fee.
Thanks again Madeleine and Jennifer. And thanks to everyone who submitted last week to keep Thrifty Threads going. Keep those submissions coming! Put on your secondhand score, snap a photo, and send it to me at barton.angela@gmail.com. We all love to see the variety of fabulous finds available for a fraction of the retail price.
Please leave your secondhand shopping tips and compliments for Madeleine and her mom in the Comments section. And click here to check out previous installments of Thrifty Threads.
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