Thrifty Threads

It’s time for 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, a yard sale, ebay, Craigslist, a clothing swap, or anywhere else you find used clothing.

Today’s model is Cara, wearing one of my all-time favorite looks: a dress with classic black boots. Cara says she buys all clothes for herself and her daughter at one of three local thrift shops. The only items she purchases non-secondhand are shoes, but in this case Cara found these incredible boots brand new at a consignment shop for just $12. What a steal. The stylish mod dress was just $3 at the Salvation Army, and she bought the leggings from a consignment shop for a dollar. What a cute outfit! I like the way Cara uses the phrase “non-secondhand” instead of new. It’s obvious the whole Thrifty Threads concept is part of her world.

Cara did such a good job describing herself that I’ll just copy what she wrote to me: “I’m from Hot Springs, Arkansas. I’m a country girl! I spend my free time duck hunting and 4-wheeler riding yet I consider shopping my “cardio.” I have a husband and a 5-year-old so to actually use the phrase “free time” is a tad extreme! Being from the south my values are just as you would imagine: faith, family, food! I blog about bargains, coupons, my free findings, and more at The Bargain Hunting Mommy. I write about life, minimalism, and the South at Jere and Cara. I spend $100 a month at the grocery store and we eat like royalty! I stockpile household items and we are a family that is learning to live on less! Find out about our lives and frugal tips by following my blogs!”

After hearing Cara spends just $100 on groceries per month, I didn’t waste any time checking out her blogs. I couldn’t find any specific instructions on that front, but I did come across this post about shopping at consignment shops which is just perfect for Thrifty Threads. If you like to be stylish on a budget, or as Cara describes herself, “a Fashion-ista who lives like a broke folk” then you’ll want to read The Adventure of the Consignment Shop. The post includes a bit of wisdom I like to remind myself: “it’s not a bargain if you DON’T NEED IT!”

UPDATE: Click here to read about how Cara spends just $100 a month on groceries.

Thanks Cara, for that excellent photo! I just cleaned out my closet and brought out the dresses, skirts, and boots for fall. It comes a little late to southern California, but despite what anyone tells you we do have seasons, they’re just not as dramatic. Cara’s outfit is exactly the way I dress during November through February. Okay readers, it’s your turn! Put on your favorite secondhand outfit, snap a photo, and send it to me at barton.angela@gmail.com. Don’t be shy, we all want to see your fabulous finds! And if you’ve sent me a photo in the past few months, please be patient. I’m a little behind on Thrifty Threads posts. If you never heard from me though, then I didn’t get the photo.

What are your best secondhand shopping tips? Please share them in the Comments section, along with compliments for Cara. And click here to check out previous installments of Thrifty Threads.

Comments

  1. Pidge says

    love that outfit! I’m always so inspired by “Thrifty Threads”….I’m struggling lately with over consumption….not likely to improve any time soon, as the holiday shopping season rapidly approaches. Regularly checking out blogs like yours helps me to counteract the constant barrage of messages to buy more, need more, want more. thank you!

    • Angela says

      Hi Pidge, I don’t know how long you’ve been reading the blog, but I have a lot of posts about avoiding shopping at the holidays and instead giving handmade, consumable, or experiential gifts. It saves a lot of time at the mall and curbs the consumption. I’ll repost around Thanksgiving.

      Thanks for commenting!

      p.s. and if you’re struggling with over consumption right now, perhaps you could try overconsuming at a secondhand store. :)

      • Pidge says

        thanks for the encouragement Angela….I’ll look forward to reading your suggestions. I do enjoy thrift shoppping as well, it really is a good way to get the most from our financial resources!

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