If you’ve read anything on my blog, you know that Mr. Converse Sneakers and I are young and don’t have a lot of money. Things will definitely be changing around here when I am teaching full time for pay, but next semester I will be teaching full time for zero dollars, so we actually have more income now while I am working part time than we will then. I think now is the perfect opportunity to build up a wardrobe on a tight budget.
I made a two hour trip on Sunday to our local Goodwill, which happens to be in a pretty nice area, so most of the clothes are fairly high-quality, well-known brands and most of the rest of the clothes are brand new pieces from Target at Goodwill prices (score!).
I bought twelve items for just about $50. I wore the same black cami and gray pants in all the photos to keep things consistent, and I listed the price and brand of the Goodwill item below each photo.
Here they are (sidenote: we wanted to take the photos outside since our apartment has horrible lighting, but with dropping temperatures, we made do with our open front door. Sorry they aren’t as clear as I would have liked them to be):
Green Ann Taylor Loft cardigan: 1/2 off of $2.99 = $1.50
Abstract Express blouse: 1/2 off of $5.99 = $3.00
Red floral Lord and Taylor skirt: 1/2 off of $2.99 = $1.50 (needs to be altered because it’s a tad too big)
Coral ruffle Final Touch shirt : $4.99
Black brand new Merona cardigan from Target: $5.99
Striped Gap shirt dress: $6.99
Floral H&M cardigan: $4.99
Striped Ann Taylor Loft ruffled button-down shirt: 1/2 off of $5.99 = $3.00
Striped Merona button-down shirt from Target: 1/2 off of $4.99 = $2.50
Yellow floral unknown brand tank: 1/2 off $4.99 = $2.50
Pink and orange patterned brand new Merona cardigan from Target: $5.99
**My favorite score of the day – love the bold pattern and colors.**
Black patterned brand new Merona cardigan from Target: $5.99
The only downside to my recent splurge is that we already had no more closet space and I keep on adding clothes! If we have some extra cash after Christmas, I’m going to go back and add some more items to my closet (this time probably more pants). I’m confident I will look professional, be comfortable, feel confident, and look good all on an incredibly tight budget.
Do you have a local thrift store with amazing finds?
Oh my goodness, all that for $50?! Those pieces are AMAZING! And I agree about the Merona cardigan - lovely! x
ReplyDeleteGreat Buys! You look very professional! I love love the different Cardigans! Black pants are always the workhorse of the wardrobe! Fantastic Buys!
ReplyDeleteOh, forgot, I like Goodwill and Savers. That is about all we have around here.
ReplyDeleteWow, awesome deals! Pretty sure I have that same Target cardigan and love it. It's gotten a LOT of wear. Also.... pssssst... if you get an off-camera flash and bounce it off the ceiling or even the wall behind you, you will never have to worry about low lighting indoors again. I know, I know. I am a broken record. But learning how to use flash properly has kinda changed my life. LOL. I promise it won't have that telltale "flash" look if you google "dragging the shutter" you can see how awesome flash is for letting ambient light take the focus (but filling in enough light so your subjects are sharp and in focus). Oh and also do a manual white balance when using flash indoors so that the colors aren't so wonky.
ReplyDeleteI just happened upon your blog and will be your newest follower. I have to tell you that I am VERY impressed with your finds! I am not a big spender when it comes to clothes, but require a professional wardrobe(Realtor).
ReplyDeleteSending you my sizes,
Carol
antiquetexan.blogspot.com
you're pretty much my hero =) I have some things to donate so I may browse while I'm there =) only downside is that I live in a retirement town with lots of grannies and grandpas... might need to hit up a different goodwill to find stuff I can wear =) lol
ReplyDeletexoxo