Because summer is approaching and practically here, I wanted to share with you some of my summer thrift store favorites. I have many more to show you, but I will start with these two outfits. I also put together a little list of tips that I made up and use regularly when I am shopping for a good bargain. I feel like these tips just help keep me on track, because sometimes I get distracted, or maybe i cant really tell if it’s a good deal or not. Let me know if these help, or if you end up trying them. Or even better… Do you have any tips or guidelines when thrift store shop?
PROMISE’S THRIFT STORE TIPS:
1. ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. Only buy when you absolutely love it.
2. GET PERSPECTIVE. Visualize the piece of clothing out of its context. Would you like it if it was from Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie?? If no, then skip it.
3. PRICE CHECK IT. If you can’t decide how much you love it, say how much you would pay for it (before looking at the price), then look at the price. If its over what you said… then skip it.
4. LOOK OUT FOR FAKERS. Just because the piece looks better then the REST of the clothes THERE, doesn’t mean you need to take it home. Because, it might end up being the WORST piece in your closet, and then you may never wear it.
5. NOTICE THE DETAILS. Never forget to stop by the shoes, jewelry, glasses, ties, scarves, belts. You might find a gem. It’s really easy to skip over these sections, but there are TONS of good stuff.
I got this brown long skirt at Savers (a goodwill type of shop) for only a couple of bucks last year sometime. It has a wide comfortable elastic waist. This skirt will definitely be a staple in my wardrobe this summer. I am really into flowy comfortable clothing this season, things that are just really easy to wear. I really love the brown pattern with the hippy look to it. So fun. And I can pretty much wear it with anything I want to.
In the outfit above I got EVERYTHING at Savers (goodwill type or store). So much fun. I have had everything for a couple of years and I wear bits and pieces of this outfit all the time. I am kind of a tomboy at heart so my favorite outfits are light girly tops and tomboyish bottoms. I feel like its a great mix of feminine and tomboy for me. That particular mix is a look that I wear a lot.
The yellow t-shirt is a soft vintage crop top that I got for only 99 cents. The peach layered top was an old vintage dress that I made into a long top. There was a third layer that came out from the bottom creating a dress, i just cut that off and now i wear it as a summer top. The jean shorts are my favorite creation. I found them as Mens Levi Jean pants, cut them off, took them in, frayed, sliced, and used large stitching to add detail and interest. They have been my favorite shorts for years now. And last but not least I got these nude strappy wedges for $4 at Savers. Such a fun find.
Well… How did I do? hhaa. I am no fashion expert, but I just love clothes, fashion, and a good deal. I would love to hear your thrift shopping tips if you have any. Leave them in the comment section so we can all see them. Also let me know if you liked this, if so, I will definitely try to do a few more this summer.
Happy Sunday.
May 30th, 2010 at 11:03 am
You have great style!
May 30th, 2010 at 11:18 am
aww you are sweet Jaimie.
May 30th, 2010 at 11:35 am
Promise, May I just say you inspire me? Seriously, I feel like going and making something every time I read your blog! You’re style is rockin’!!!!!!!
May 30th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
I wish there was a Savers in Texas!!
love the outfits. I’m right there with you when it comes to girly tops & boyish bottoms! One of my favorite pairs of pants are boyfriend style && destroyed!
May 30th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
we just did a photo shoot and everything (besides our tshirts) was from thrifting–we love it.
May 30th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
These are SO cute!! I love girly tops too!
I get distracted so easily, which makes it harder for me to go through racks at thrift stores! But I’m so inspired but what other people have been able to find!
PS. Your hair is SO cute! <3 I love it.
May 30th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Promise, I LOVE this post! How are you liking your new hair? I am (hoping) to get mine done next week – but the idea is top secret!!
May 30th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Awesome tips, Promise! I love thrifting and often get distracted with so much around me. I need to print these questions to ask to keep me on track! More posts on the topic would be great!!
May 30th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Those shorts look amazing, I can never seem to get the fray right myself but you’ve done a great job. x
May 30th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
So cute promise!! What are your favorite thrift stores?? I want to go to some, but haven’t found any. I live in Gilbert/Mesa area, but I am definitely willing to drive around for a good one!!
XOXO
May 30th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Hey Megan. I love the good ole Goodwill and Savers.
and those are in a lot of places in Gilbert. 
and Chandler.
May 30th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
I love your blog, Promise.
Buffalo Exchange is a great place to shop for new and recycled clothes. They have a stores in AZ (you might have been to the one in Phoenix), CA, CO, IL, LA, MA, MN, NM, NV, NY, OR, PA, TX & WA. They have a cute website: http://www.buffaloexchange.com.
Their location in Costa Mesa, CA, is cool. It’s in the anti-mall (aka the Lab), which is a good place to do photo shoots if you are in Southern California.
May 31st, 2010 at 6:02 am
GREAT TIPS! especially #1. That’s one of my big rules when I go thrifting because sometimes you think the price is so good that it’s ok to get it even if you don’t absolutely love it; but it’s not because then it just sits in your closet.
Another guild line that I try to use is to think of what I already own that my new piece will go with to create a full outfit or try to find a whole outfit at the store. Can’t tell you how many times I’d be like “this would be great with _____ (article of clothing I do not own)”, and then never get around to getting the whole outfit.
May 31st, 2010 at 9:14 am
Dear Promise –
I just want to say ~ Love Your Style!!!! so creative!!!!!!! I love reading your blog. I’m in High School and actually your mom was one of my teachers at Christ the King Academy, I love her soooooo much. She honestly is the kindest lady i’ve ever met. Anyway my point (haha yes i do have one and i’m getting to it) is that i was talking to her the other day and she was telling me how you didn’t want to go to college but you ended up going to the northwest college of art. Well i’m pretty creative and i love art and all that good stuff and it totally inspired me to be a photographer or something of that nature but now i really want to go to the northwest college of art!!! Thanks for being such an inspiration. I really love talking to your mom and reading your blog, both of those influences have been huge on me!
May 31st, 2010 at 9:24 am
I have saved your thrift tips on my phone and will use them where ever I go.
May 31st, 2010 at 12:19 pm
loved it. please do more
May 31st, 2010 at 2:47 pm
sooo you have killer style and i think you are really cool. i am also in love with your hair piece…did you make it or did you buy it? i must know!!!
May 31st, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Lauren,
I made it. DIY coming in a few days.
May 31st, 2010 at 5:18 pm
both of these outfits are SO fantastic!!
May 31st, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Love this post! thanks for sharing. Now I just need a babysitter so I can go thrift store shopping! ps* would love a close up of the shoes. I feel so out of it with fashion, but this inspires me.
June 1st, 2010 at 12:58 am
I am no fashion expert, but I just love clothes, fashion, and a good deal.
So am I.!That’s wonderful!
June 1st, 2010 at 8:36 pm
LOVE these finds!! SOOOO trendy and CUTE!! Thanks for sharing!
June 2nd, 2010 at 6:28 am
WOW! Thanks for the great tips! it is def. one of your strong points, thrift shopping! I love to do it but am no pro!
June 2nd, 2010 at 4:35 pm
i love those shorts. i think they are one of my favorite things of yours. i love them.
June 6th, 2010 at 8:06 am
I totally need to take you shopping with me next time I go out. You and Brian want to visit us in Nashville?
-J
June 9th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
your adorable!!!
June 10th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Love it and you always look really cute! I am also a thrift shopper esp for the kids. I can’t do the shoes. I get grossed out by it. I’ve tried but I can’t get over it! I just imagine foot fungus and sweaty feet and can’t put them on.
June 15th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Yet again, another great post! Thanks for the fashion ideas. I sure miss having Savers around; that was such a great store, although seems like they have better goods in AZ! I’ve been shopping at a local consignment clothing store next to where I get my hair done. My most recent finds include some great summer tank tops and a pair white capris. I’ve gotten so many complements lately on my outfits, so I know I chose wisely with my purchases. Thanks again, sorry I’m behind in reading posts!