Hey Internet peeps, happy Monday! I don't know about you all, but my university has some very stylish folk; I am very prone to get what I call "outfit envy" walking to class. Anyways, outfit envy sounds negative, but it is simply clothing appreciation for my peers. From hipsters to young professionals to those who can even look good after working out (how?!?!?!), my fellow college goers at my small liberal arts school know how to dress.
As for my style, I'll call it classy fun with a splash of (dare I say) comfort. Today's post was inspired by my outfit I'm currently wearing. It's chilly out so my look includes a wool dress, vest, and boots. Walking to my first class, I realized something: the actual clothing portion of my ensemble (meaning my dress and vest, boots aren't clothing!) cost me close to nothing. With that light bulb moment, this post was born.
So, how did my outfit today cost me almost nothing? Resourcefulness my friends. First, almost nothing means about a dollar. Yes, a dollar. And that only counts for my vest, my dress was free. "Now Meagan, econ class has thought me that nothing is free", but alas in this case my dress was monetarily free so ha! I laugh at your econ, I'm the one with a free dress! (*In reality I truly appreciate those who work in economics and their skill with numbers is something that I will never achieve). Anyways, here's how I got a dollar outfit, and now you can too!
1. My vest came from a magical place known as Goodwill Bins in lovely Portland, Oregon. Goodwill Bins is the place where items donated to Goodwill go before the stores; it is a warehouse of wonder. At the Bins, clothing is sold like produce in a grocery store: BY THE POUND. The more you buy, the cheaper the weight is. When I went there with friends, three of us bought just over 25 pounds of clothing for 89 cents/lb. That is why my vest cost less than a dollar. Go to the warehouse that is Goodwill Bins, you will find a bounty for a few bucks.
2. My dress was also found in a bin, a donation bin in my dorm building's laundry room last year. The donation bins there, as in all residence halls on campus, are labeled "for charity"... not sure what particular charity the sign refers to, but I'm a poor college student with loans to pay back after graduation, some I'm kind of like a small charity case right? Bin digging became a social event with my hall mates every so often or just a casual look through while a did laundry and this dress is one of the best finds I've had. Others include a great euro chic sweatshirt originally from H&M, a black going out top, and more.
Being thrifty is the way to go for fashion finds. On a budget? Check out a bin/ establishment of bins, there's bound to be a treasure or two. And an economical (yay econ!) outfit is a one that looks good, with outfit envy potential, and gets you automatic brownie points in my book. What is a thrifty find you are proud of? Any other tips on how to have a sense of style without breaking the bank? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Very interactive! When I was your age I inherited my dead uncle's clothes, which were perhaps not cutting edge fashion since he was in his 50s when he died. But those were simpler times. Then I got married - wise woman to see through the look - and my wife started dressing me for success.
ReplyDeleteKind of. She says I'm a work in progress. Better I think to follow your path and make your own choices among the leavings of the living.