Affordable fashion.

A little while ago, I received this comment from an anonymous reader:

  "First off, I love your blog...thank you for sticking with it. I know you said you shop at garage sales and Goodwill a lot, but can you please give those of us who are fashionably challenged a few tips on what stores or brands are your favorites? :)"

   I wish they would have signed their name so I could thank them properly!  But in any case anonymous fan, thanks for reading the blog, and letting me know.  It's so encouraging. And thanks for being brave enough to comment and ask for tips.  I think we all feel like we can use fresh input/ideas when it comes to wardrobes.  You're not alone!

   I honestly had no clue of the scope of my 2nd-hand shopping addiction until I tried to put together outfits for this post.  I could barely even get fully clothed without putting on at least one or two articles that were from thrift stores!  I guess that's kind of something to be proud of, but it really doesn't make for an effective "this-is-where-you-can-shop" type post.  But I managed to find a few here.:)

   This outfit isn't totally brand-new, the skirt is from Goodwill.  Sorry, sorry, I tried.  But the shirt is from Forever 21, and that is definitely one of my first go-to stores if I am going to buy something new.   Their products are the highest quality sometimes, but they are CHEAP.  Especially their jewelry.  You can get a necklace as low as $2! So if that's what you're looking for, that's a good place to start.
  As a general rule, I buy things on sale or clearance, but this chambray shirt was full price, and the reason I made the exception for this was because it is a wardrobe staple.  I know it's something that I will wear for years, can be used in a myriad of different outfits in innumerable ways, and so to me, it's worth it. 

   The necklace however, was on clearance for around 4 bucks at Banana Republic.  Score!  The shoes....I have no clue.  I think I bought them back in high school.  Sorry, I'm seriously not cut out for this fashion blog stuff, because almost everything I own is either really old or 2nd-hand.  Bear with me.

   O.k. for this one we've got Old Navy on display, which is another one of my favorite stores.  The hat, dress, and pants are all from there.  The dress was around $7, the pants around $10, the hat was somewhere in between those.  This outfit, or different variations of it, are a go-to for me.  They can be weather appropriate for just about anything if you add or subtract a sweater, and it's so comfortable and covering I feel like I can do any kind of activity or physical exertion that motherhood might throw my way.

 

   But the shoes are the prize of this outfit, because I scored them for $5 at Wal-mart!!!  I know, right?  I don't even bother to look at the shoes in Wal-mart, but these were on sale in the middle of the aisle and practically jumped out and grabbed me.  

   This outfit is comprised of some more Forever 21 (the top, around $12) and Ross (the skirt, $10).  Ross is a store that sells name brand clothing for way, way less than normal retail price.  I'm not sure if Ross is everywhere or not, but if you have one nearby, you should definitely check it out.  I know people who can make these maxi skirts for as cheap as $6.  But if you're sewing-skills-challenged such as myself, you wouldn't brave it and $10 new would seem like a steal. 

   The belt was on sale (2 for $2.50) at a little store in Canada that I can't remember the name of.  The shoes were $20 from Target, and they are super comfortable, go with anything, and definitely qualify as staples in my book.

   So, I'm not sure if any of that helped you or not.  Basically, if I'm going to buy something that's not from a thrift store, I head to Target, Ross, Old Navy or Forever 21.  Even when shopping at those stores, I always check the sale racks and clearance first, and usually try to make all of my purchases off of there.  But like I said, I make exceptions for truly, classic staple items.  And I usually pay a little bit more for shoes, because I want quality and comfort, rather than just always buying the cheapest pair available.  

   Where are some of your favorite places to shop (other than thrift stores) to find a good bargain?  And I'd love to hear more questions if you have them!  I'm no expert by any far stretch of the imagination, just one fashion-lover passing on bits of what she's gleaned over the years by trial and error. :)  

Hope ya'll are having a great week.